Hopping into Spring and Spring Break...
You�d think after all that energy and excitement from last week�s CTIA show there would be a slowdown this week. Think again. That certainly wasn�t the case.- The long talked about Blackberry Connect service FINALLY became available on the Treo (albeit in Singapore, but you�ve got to start somewhere).
- Nominees for the Daytime Emmy Awards for "original programming for computers, cell phones and other hand-held devices" were announced. Treos around the world are thanking the Academy for acknowledging the clever mobile content that�s being created.
- And industry pundit Walt Mossberg has once again held up the Treo 650 as the gold standard when he reviewed two new smartphones: "�neither of these devices offers the form and functionality of the Treo 650".
What a great way to hop into Spring!
Palm News
Blackberry Connect Now Available On Treos in Singapore
SingTel, Palm, Inc. and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the first availability of BlackBerry Connect for the Palm Treo 650 smartphone. With BlackBerry Connect, SingTel customers now have a wider choice of devices that support the robust and secure BlackBerry services and a wider choice of wireless email solutions that support the feature-rich Treo 650.
Forbes reported that on this news, Standard & Poor's Equity Research analyst Megan Graham-Hackett upgraded shares of the Treo-maker to "buy" from "hold."
Key features of Blackberry Connect include Corporate Email "Push" that delivers messages automatically -- and wirelessly -- to the Treo 650�s VersaMail inbox, and Wireless Calendar Synchronization keeps the Treo 650�s built-in calendar up to date remotely, allowing users to receive, accept or decline meeting requests on the go.
Human SocietyChooses Treo Smartphones to Improve Workflow Productivity
Palm just announced that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has selected Treo smartphones to enable employees to collect information while out in the field to share with press, customers and colleagues on the spot. HSUS needed a simple, affordable and reliable way for its highly mobile staff to stay in touch, even in disaster areas where power for laptops and traditional phone lines is unavailable.
Treo smartphones were crucial during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Employees were working 24 hours a day managing calls, searching for and rescuing animals. With so many HSUS staff traveling, they needed email access to stay in touch with vendors, constituents, animal shelters and people who needed assistance.
Law Firm Selects GoodLink/Treo Solution for Full-Featured Mobile Computing
This week, Good Technology, Inc., the leading provider of industry standards-based enterprise handheld computing software and service, announced that Allen Boone Humphries Robins LLP, a Houston-based public law practice, has equipped its staff with GoodLink� running on the Palm Treo 650 smartphone to enable them to be as productive on the road as it is in the office.
Elsewhere in the World of Treo
EQO Communications brings Skype� Mobile VoIP (Voice over IP) and IM to the Treo
EQO Communications, a leading developer of presence-enabled calling and instant messaging solutions and services, has announced the immediate availability of EQO Mobile for Skype� on the Palm Treo 650.
Now the number of EQO-supported handset models is over 45, including some of the most popular devices from Nokia, Motorola, Palm, and Sony-Ericsson. Read another take on this story here.
Everything Treo Introduces Knowledgebase
Everything Treo has just introduced their knowledgebase: Everything Treo FAQ. This knowledgebase features answers to frequently asked questions about the Treo. It is being updated daily. You may want to add this new resource to your bookmarks.
Recent TreoCentral Guides & Reviews
SuperTooth II Universal Handsfree Kit - By Jay Gross
"�If you really need to talk while motoring, the SuperTooth II handsfree kit is a good choice. Its sophisticated DSP filtering helps a lot, though it won't be much help in an open convertible or other highly noisy situation, and its shape makes desktop use awkward. However, for beautifully simple automobile-bound use, it's an attractive, easily re-charged winner."
Naztech Sport Case - By James Hromadka
"If you are looking for an armband solution for the Treo, keep looking. While the Naztech Sport Case would work well with smaller mobile phones and iPods, the Treo's headset jack is just in a bad spot for a case like this. That said, this case works great for those wanting a lanyard case that doesn't look like a thong or want to attach their Treo to a bag using a carabiniere."
Reviews from Elsewhere in the Treo Community
Jack Draisey at MyTreo.net posted this story comparing mSafe, Warden, and TealLock.
"These programs have some features in common. They provide manual and automatic device locking that require passwords to unlock private information. All can lock your device manually or automatically. In all cases, you must enter your full password to change any of the software's options, and all three require that they reside in your Treo's internal memory. But they differ in other features, including remote locking, data wiping, data encryption and enhanced SD card security. They also utilize different methods of password entry/enforcement."
Everything Treo looks at the Jabra JX10 Bluetooth Headset - Christopher Meinck writes:
"The Jabra JX10 is an attractive, light-weight Bluetooth headset that provides very good call quality in a small package. The addition of a dock is convenient for charging and keeping track of the headset. If you're the type that carries your headset in your pocket, then you might find yourself frustrated with the earclip. In terms of voice quality, it's hard to fault the JX10. Although priced higher than most headsets, it does come with an attractive package of accessories."
Note: TreoCentral reviewed the JX10 in January.
Solio: Treo Solar Charger - Andrew at Treonauts writes:
"Evidently, not everyone will need a Solio Portable Solar Charger ($79.95), but if you�re ever planning to go on that big long remote holiday or adventure or even planning for emergency scenarios where power will be unavailable then you will definitely not be disappointed with this terrific high-tech gadget."
Mike Slocombe of Digital-Lifestylestook a look at some free Palm OS applications (like FileZ).
Coming to a Treo Near You Video Ringtones and Talking Dogs (!?!)
Ringo Pro was the appetizer that got us hungry for customized ringtones, Now for the main courses.
Ryan at Engadgetmobile.com reports that a company called Toysofthas created software, VideoTones v1, that will associate MP3, WAV, OGG, or AVI files with contacts for playback on incoming calls, as well as handle logging inbound calls and reading out the area names based on unknown callers' area codes. Sounds distracting to me. How many rings before it rolls over to voicemail?
And speaking of distractions, those folks at Pulse Mobile, the leading provider of user-generated mobile content services, announced the availability of the Veepers Content Engine, an automated mobile content creation platform designed specifically for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and online social networks. What this platform does is enable the creation of personalized animated messages and avatars for delivery to mobile phones and other devices.
The highly-scaleable VCE allows an end-user, without any knowledge of animation the means to easily create a custom interactive character on their mobile phone from a static photo, and add their own voice or have text converted to speech. "From talking dogs to singing babies, end users are taking their static pictures and making all sorts of applications fun, compelling, and at times, very unusual," said Young Harvill, the company's chief technology officer and architect behind the VCE development efforts. "Animated images and avatars are now used to enhance commodity-like applications such as voice mail, instant messaging, and MMS with a gripping, multi-media element."
You get the picture.
Hopping into Spring Break
The iPod is
ready for Easter while the Treo is "outta here!" � heading for Spring Break.Me and my Treo
Taking the high road
Wherever we go, everyone knows
It's me and my Treo
--with apologies to Harry Nilsson
You can smell it in the air - it�s time for Spring Break. Time to hit the road.
Even the thought of ridiculous gas prices can�t squelch that urge to escape the house - take the low road to the beach, the high road to the slopes, the National Parks, or the local hiking trails. And you aren�t going without your Treo, that�s for sure.
Here are a few things to think about bringing along, if not now, perhaps when you really hit the road, Jack.
Have GPS, Will Travel
TreoCentral recently reviewed the ultra-fast and accurate GlobalSat BT-338 Bluetooth GPS Receiver. That and Mapopolis or other real-time mapping software will take you a long way, guide and even talk you to points of interest, and help you find your way back again. It�s sure more reliable (and a lot more fun) than leaving a trail of bread crumbs or wrestling with folding paper maps.
Riding Shotgun
And if you�re GPSing, you�ll need a handy way to mount your Treo in your car. The Arkon CM910 Vehicle Mount Kit is a versatile and inexpensive way to do it.
Once You Start Me Up I Never Stop
You wish your Treo would keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny, but you know better. There are several additional power options to consider. You could purchase an extra beefy battery like the Palm 1800mAh Extra Battery for Treo 700w/650. Or get yourself a 12v car adapter, like the Palm Vehicle Charger for Treo 700w/650. Or you could go solar and try the cool new eye-catching Solio Solar Charger.
Do You Know Where You�re Going to?
Let EarthComber and DiscoverOurTown, an Internet city guide for 2,000 USA cities, help you find your way around, and find things around you that you didn�t even know where there. EarthComber works with and without a GPS receiver. Sometimes a spur of the moment side trip is more fun than just aiming for your destination.
Just Want to Have Fun�
And for some real retro diversion, how about inviting Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man along for the ride.
Let�s Go!
Your Treo is indeed the ultimate road warrior. Don�t forget to dress it well there are so many cases available � something for every taste or need, with huge choice of materials and features> and apply Screen protection.
Wherever you go, have fun, relax, be safe, and enjoy your trip!
--The Staff of TreoCentral
That�s a wrap!
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Read Merciful by Casey Adolfsson
Solio: Treo Solar Charger - Andrew at Treonauts writes: