New Palm OS: Access Linux

I’m still not sure what to make or think of this, but apparently Palm OS Garnet is going to be phased out in favor of Linux. MobileTechReview has a really good writeup, here’s a brief excerpt:

Out with Cobalt and in with the new Mobile Linux OS. ACCESS Systems, who acquired PalmSource (the folks who make the Palm operating system) several months ago, at 3GSM announced their new operating system, Access Linux Platform, which will replace Palm OS Garnet in the coming year.

They go on to say “The new OS will have Palm OS emulation for well behaved Garnet apps that don’t hack into Garnet APIs” so there will be backwards compatability to an extent.

Will this open up more genealogy software development for the Palm platform, will it stay the same, or will it hamper it? Hard to say at this point. One thing is for certain – your current hardware and software will not all of the sudden stop working – it should continue to work for several more years.

PC Magazine is covering it

PalmAddicts has a lot of information as well.

Pocket Genealogist Version 2.96.16

Northern Hills Software has released an update to its 2.96.x series for Pocket Genealogist. This release is version 2.96.16. Pocket Genealogist is a PocketPC/Windows Mobile based genealogy application.

This version adds support for Genbox 3.6.2 and 3.6.3

Pocket Genealogist 3.00A54

Northern Hills Software has a new public beta of Pocket Genealogist 3.0, this time it’s version 3.00A54. Pocket Genealogist is a PocketPC/Windows Mobile based genealogy application.

Note: Requires re-import of database

Changes:
* Translation updates for French, Dutch and Norwegian
* Support for Genbox 3.6.3
* Changes to database to decrease size (About 1MB for Windows Mobile 2003 and earlier and 250KB for Windows Mobile 5)
* Relationship calculator now “auto calculates”. Also allows selection of individual by ID.
* Goto ID/RIN screens now changed to allow switching between ID and (M)/RIN from the screen.
* Fix to Names, Relations and DNA tab to work properly after switching to another tab, then back.
* Added new “Research List” tab on the “General Details” tabs. (“Edit”, “General Details”) This is where Family Historian “Named Lists” will go. For other imports, the user can add items to the list and will have a function similar to “Field Notes” for viewing/printing on the desktop. Additionally, new “Search” functions in Pocket Genealogist will allow to save the result set into a “Research List”. Currently, only the importation of Family Historian Named lists and display of the data is implemented.

Apple’s 1GB iPod nano

I’m mentioning something that I mentioned on MacGenealogy.org yesterday, The new iPod nano that came out this week – it has a capacity of 1GB and retails for $149. The selling point for a genealogist is that it holds up to 15,000 photos (and it can display them on the built-in color display – not a big deal, or on a TV screen, which is a big deal).

At the Apple Store, the 1GB iPod nano is $149. As of this afternoon, all were showing as shipping within 24 hours. They are offering free engraving and free shipping. The optional connector – is called the Apple iPod AV Cable (M9765G) and is available at the Apple Store as well.

This beats using a slide projector.

Review of Palm Treo 700W

MobileWhack.com has put together a review of the Palm Treo 700W, which is the new Windows Mobile 5.0-based Smartphone. This is one of the few “Smartphones” capable of running Pocket Genealogist as well as other PocketPC/Windows Mobile-based genealogy software.

Unfortunately it has a lower-resolution touchscreen (240×240) and 128MB memory (as the review points) and the 700W ends up being a mixed blessing: It’s a good Smartphone for the phone user who happens to use a PDA here and there. It’s not a great Smartphone for heavy PDA users who live and breathe by the PDA.

BusinessWeek has also reviewed this phone.

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