Palm in Canada to Grow by 25%...Uh...Right?

A story in IT Business magazine has Michael Moskowitz, vice-president of Americas International with Palm Inc. saying that he expects 25% growth over the next 5 years in the converged mobile device market up here in the jolly North. Uh...over the next 5 years? Hmm, is that a big or small number then? I'm not too sure myself, but it's interesting nonetheless, as Palm recognizes that Canada is actually a very ripe market, one that could see a lot of growth in the next few years. Could well be an exciting time for Palm addicts and Treo-heads such as ourselves. Now if only Rogers lowers their darned data rates...

What do you think? Let us know in the forums!

IT Business

WiFi on the Treo 680: Surprise, Surprise!

Who says that the Treo 680 doesn't have WiFi? Well, OK, it doesn't, but you can add it! I just got my Copper 680 this morning (shortly thereafter I unceremoniously dropped and dented it, but that's another issue), popped the latest beta of the Enfora WiFi Manager on to it, attached my Enfora WiFi Sled, and ALAKAZAM!

WiFi!

As the sled was designed for the 650, there are a few gaps, plus it doesn't lock on to the 680 as it does with the replacement battery cover for the 650. When I tried the sled with the 700p earlier this year, I had to take off the battery cover before putting it in the sled. With the 680's slightly slimmer profile, this is not necessary at all. Handy!

Sure, it's not perfect, but hey, I might just be holding the only Treo 680 in Canada with WiFi right now, and THAT'S cool.

ALP Delayed to 2007

It seems that Access' next generation handheld platform, known as Access Linux Platform, hasn't quite made timing as promised earlier this year. Access announced in February of this year that they would have the ALP operating system ready for developers by the end of 2006. Then earlier today they stated that they are pushing back this time to sometime in the first half of 2007.

What does this mean, Access? What are you trying to tells us? Is your operating system not working? Have you even begun making it? Are you out of coffee and donuts?

Questions are beginning to fly around as people learn of this news. But I like to think of it as a good sign: that Access is taking their time to make a platform worthy of succeeding the original PalmOS operating system.

The PalmOS' Destiny back with Palm

Breaking news from the handheld world! Palm just bought licensed forever the Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet) source code from ACCESS, the company which until today, had proprietary control over it.  What does this mean?  Palm can fiddle with what some Palm peeps have affectionately (or infamously) christened "FrankenGarnet".  Yes it's been around for years, and despite what many have said, this Palm addict thinks it's got some life to it yet. Of course, I'd rather see a Linux-powered Palm OS with a cooler name come out.  Did you know that the initials for "Palm OS" is "POS"? It's anything but, however that's not too flattering if you ask me! Edit: Looks like the news got changed on me, it's "licensed" not "purchased" the source code now.

Body of James Kim found in Oregon Wilderness

At this time of loss, our thoughts go out to James' family, friends, and co-workers. May he rest in peace.

From KGW.COM:

MERLIN, Ore. -- The body of James Kim was found Wednesday, after a massive search effort for the missing San Francisco man in the Southern Oregon wilderness.

Josephine County Undersheriff Brian Anderson said the body was found in the Big Windy Creek drainage at 12:03 p.m.

Kim's wife and two children were found safe Monday near their stranded station wagon. The Kims had been missing since Nov. 25, when they left Portland headed home after a holiday trip to the Pacific Northwest to stay at a resort in Gold Beach. The family told their rescuers that James Kim left his family about 7:45 a.m. Saturday in search of help and went the way they had come, saying he would return by 1 p.m. if he found none.

...

On Monday, searchers in a helicopter hired by the family spotted Kati Kim, 30, and daughters Penelope, 4, and Sabine, 7 months. They were airlifted to Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass where Sabine was admitted. She was released on Tuesday. All three were described in good condition.

...

Earlier, searchers found several items of clothing they believe were left by Kim as clues for rescuers.

According to Hastings, searchers found two gray long-sleeved shirts, a red short-sleeved shirt, a wool sock, a blue skirt, and an Oregon state map cut up in pieces. Hastings said authorities believe these were signs placed by James Kim.

Meanwhile, dense fog Wednesday morning delayed the start of the day's search until 10 a.m. Authorities were dropping supply kits into an area where they believe the San Francisco man was stranded in the snowy Oregon Coast range, hoping the food, supplies, and a heartfelt letter from his family will keep Kim alive until searchers find him.

Rogers Launches the Treo 680

Without much fanfare, Rogers Wireless has officially launched the Palm Treo 680 smartphone in Canada. A "PDA" as they call it, it can be had for $299.99 CAD when purchased with a three-year voice and data service agreement. Without a contract, the price jumps to $499.99. On Palm's site, the Unlocked GSM version in Copper, Arctic, Crimson, as well as the defeault Rogers colour of Graphite can be had for the same price, however the Bonus Music Pack (headphones, SD card, additional software and Yahoo! Music Unlimited) is not available for Canadian consumers. Neither is free shipping (available in the US), which is another slap in the face for Canadian consumers I think! The Treo 650 has not been discontinued in Canada, but rather its price has been slashed to as low as $199.99 on Rogers, and $49.99 on Telus. The Treo 750 has been rumoured to arrive on Canadian shores soon along with Rogers' nationwide rollout of HSDPA, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Treo 680 News

I dropped by my local neighbourhood Rogers store (Pacific Cellular) at Metrotown here in Vancouver, and when I asked about a "new Treo" (again) the guy whipped out a demo unit of a Graphite 680! "Any day now," he says. The guy said it will most likely come in a few colours to Rogers, and cost around $399 without a data plan. After playing with it for a couple of minutes, I wasn't actually too impressed with the form factor. It doesn't feel all that slim despite what some reviews have said, and the new button designs (not the keyboard) look and feel cheap compared to the 650 and the 700s. The SD card slot cover was halfway between good and flimsy. However, it was a lot easier to hold, and although it was a little bit on the wide side, I had a good grip on it and it wasn't doing any sort of flight (like my old Cingular 650). I also noticed that on the fake screen, pTunes has been renamed to "MP3".

Good news regardless!