The Official Palm, Inc. Blog

Here are a few things you should know about Rizwan Parvez:   - He's a resident in psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and a self-described tech geek. When he shows people his Treo, they're always astounded by everything you can do with it -- e-mail, camera, video, internet, IM, keeping up with Facebook friends, updating blogs -- besides making phone calls. Rizwan calls it his "window to connecting with everything I care about."   - Rizwan has had Palm devices since 1998. When he got his first Handspring Visor, he remembers thinking "Wouldn't it be cool if this had a phone in it?" He's currently using a Treo 700p; his wife recently got a Centro, and has suddenly transformed from "Hey, how about getting off the phone and paying a little attention to me and our 8-month-old child" to "just a second, I just need to check Facebook one more time."   - In college, he credits his Palm PDA with transforming him from "not being known for my timeliness, to somebody who actually got compliments for being organized and on time."   - He's also on his way to Las Vegas next week as the winner of the Celebrate with Palm contest.   After hearing about the contest on TreoCentral, he submitted the winning entry below which received the most votes from Palm's Facebook fans.   In a phone interview, he said he didn't have any special tips for coming up with winning punchlines, but did suggest that if you're going to enter a contest which, if you win, requires returning a bunch of legal forms within 48 hours right before New Year's Eve, it's a good idea to know ahead of time where to find a notary public that works odd hours.(Sounds like a good job for a Treo 700p!)   Jon Zilber
 

Hop over to the Palm store for big savings on all your accessory needs. Such as? How about a Coach Signature Treo case for $29.99 (was $99.99) while supplies last. Plus, you can pick up a free satellite radio with orders over $300 for a limited time. More? How about free shipping on orders over $49? You're welcome!

Jon Zilber

This year, how about a few new year's resolutions you can actually keep beyond January 2 (with a little help from your smartphone)? Throughout the past year, the Palm Blog has gathered facts and tricks, tips and news that can help you turn over a new leaf in 2009. Here are a few to choose from as your resolution for 2009:

“Should old acquaintance be 4gt?”
Not! Just make a point to MMS your closest (but maybe your farthest) friends -- but not while driving. Recall that starting the first of the year, texting while driving is illegal in California (and other states), as is emailing!

“I’ll lose that holiday weight and keep it off”
Easier said then done. But, with diet and exercise applications found at Freeware Palm, the Palm Online Store and many Palm community sites, you'll be healthier and happier in no time. It's like having a personal trainer in your pocket.

“I'll make more time for myself”
Yes, please. Save time by setting shortcuts on your phone and keeping personal time…ahem…personal. (Do I have to spell it out for you? Put a lid on emailing from the bathroom.)

“Give back to those in need”
Your first do-good deed of 2009? Donate your tucked-in-the-back-of-a-drawer phone to a charity of your choice through Flipswap and feel better knowing someone is well-connected because of you!

“Etiquette is next to godliness”
Keep your ringtones to a low roar and try not to check your text messages during the first date. Take the quiz here to see what else you might need to work on in 2009. But feel free to turn up the volume when the midnight countdown begins, as long as it’s something snappy like “Auld Lang Syne” from Myxer. Or if you're in a particularly Palm mood this New Year's Eve, consider this special “Happy New-ness Year” ringtone from everyone at Palm.

Sara C.
Edelman for Palm

Our friend Claus sent us a note for the readers of the Palm blog, to help you with your holiday shopping.

“Hello people of earth. It's that time of year again, let me drop some gifting science on all of you wonderful people. If you’ve opened a computer, or turned on a TV lately you've probably heard about my favorite gift this season: The Palm Centro. Totally changed my life. But maybe you already have one, or are in the mood for something less tech-savvy. Here’s some gift thought starters.

When spreading joy to the children of the world, many times I’m required to go hands-free. Right now I'm into this sleek BT headset for every day use, but if you really want to turn some heads, try this retro guy.

I spoke with my new tailor and he schooled me on the importance of color coordination. The Rose Centro goes nicely with a plush red velvet suit, and this Timbuk2 messenger bag is a nice match for an Olive Green one.

Need more ideas? The Centro popped up on gift guides from IBD, CNET, and Mobility Site – so you know they'll steer you right.

If you’re more of the crafty DIY type, here’s an idea for you. I got Centros for all the elves—totally streamlined my whole operation. We shop online instead of making toys out of wood. My elves are actually getting a bit bored. They’re a hardworking breed.

So to keep my elves and their nimble fingers busy we’re making some Centro holders. I just zip some colorful fabric around the phone, sew it up and you’ve got a custom Centro Cozy. It’s a nice family activity, just brew up a pot of Claus’ signature eggnog and letting the festivities fly.

If you've got some other ideas on your own wishlist, just shoot me a text. Just text CLAUS to 242242.

And maybe you'll get your wish.”

Got that? I’d send him a text ASAP (unless you want to wind up with a custom Centro Cozy under your tree this year).

Jon Zilber

The voting in the Celebrate with Palm contest will be ending in a few days. It's up to you to decide who will be representing the Palm online community at our event on January 8 in Las Vegas where we'll be showcasing some "Palm New-ness." Just vote for your favorite cartoon on our Facebook page (you can vote once a day, and you can invite everyone you know to vote, too), and you'll be helping to decide who will be invited to help Celebrate with Palm.

Jon Zilber

The voting in the Celebrate with Palm contest will be ending in a few days. It's up to you to decide who will be representing the Palm online community at our event on January 8 in Las Vegas where we'll... Palm, Inc.

There's nothing worse than urgently needing your phone and having the "low battery" warning pop up. It always seems to happen when you're counting on your phone most -- at the airport, running late to a meeting, breaking up with your ex. Hello, panic mode. Fortunately, you can prevent your next low-battery meltdown by learning a couple of tricks to extend your Palm smartphone battery life.

For starters, do you know what your Auto Sync is set to? If you're receiving emails as they come in, you've set Auto Sync to use its wireless modem and connect to the Internet automatically. This takes battery power, and a lot of it. To conserve battery, you can uncheck the box for Mail so you'll need to tap the Sync or Get/Send button when you want to check your email. Or, if you want to keep synchronizing automatically, increase the length of time between synchronizations. For example, sync once every 30 or 60 minutes instead of every 5 minutes. For more information on Auto Sync, check out Palm's Knowledge Library.

Other useful power-saving tricks:

• Reduce the screen brightness and set the auto-off to the lowest time increment.

• Keep Bluetooth turned off if you don't use it often.

• Reduce the volume of your ringer.

• Avoid too many IR (infrared) communications.

• When possible, use mobile-friendly versions of Web page.

If you keep to these simple tips and tricks, your phone will stay charged -- and you'll stayed connected and out of panic mode.

Sara C.

Edelman for Palm

There's nothing worse than urgently needing your phone and having the "low battery" warning pop up. It always seems to happen when you're counting on your phone most -- at the airport, running late to a meeting, breaking up with... Palm, Inc.

Ignore the thermometer, and have a warm and wonderful holiday. Here's a cartoon for the season from Shane Johnson. (Want more cartoons? Check 'em out here.) Jon Zilber Palm, Inc.

Just a few days left to vote for your favorite cartoon in our Celebrate with Palm contest. The winning cartoonist will be our guest at a special event in Las Vegas on January 8. Howard Yee didn't quite make it into our 10 top-scoring finalists, but his entry earns an honorable mention in the haberdashery category.

Jon Zilber

Just a few days left to vote for your favorite cartoon in our Celebrate with Palm contest. The winning cartoonist will be our guest at a special event in Las Vegas on January 8. Howard Yee didn't quite make it... Palm, Inc.

Ignore the thermometer, and have a warm and wonderful holiday. Here's a cartoon for the season from Shane Johnson. (Want more cartoons? Check 'em out here.)  

Jon Zilber

You have just a few days to vote for favorite cartoon in the Celebrate with palm contest (and send the winning cartoonist to Palm's January 8 event in Las Vegas). The 10 top-scoring entries are posted on the Palm Facebook page, and you can vote for your favorite finalist each day between now and December 29. There were also a few gems you can't vote for -- they didn’t make the top 10, but they were just too good not to share. The entry below comes from Matt Brodeur.

It’s up to you: You can vote for your favorite -- or you can just let the Wookiee win.

Jon Zilber

You have just a few days to vote for favorite cartoon in the Celebrate with palm contest (and send the winning cartoonist to Palm's January 8 event in Las Vegas). The 10 top-scoring entries are posted on the Palm Facebook... Palm, Inc.

If you've been reading this blog lately, you already know that Randall Munroe -- creator of the popular xkcd comic -- created a cartoon for our Celebrate with Palm contest. But what you don’t know is the last line of dialog for the final frame. We asked for your ideas, and offered a trip to see all the Palm New-ness on January 8 at CES in Las Vegas as an enticement to get your creative juices flowing.

We're happy to share the 10 finalist entries with you -- and now you get you to decide who needs to pack their bag for Vegas. Vote for your favorite cartoon, and pick the lucky person who will be our guest representing the Palm online community. Here’s how: Become a fan of the Palm Facebook page where you'll see the 10 finalist cartoons and directions for casting your ballot. You can vote once each day from December 20-29, and will find the official rules at www.palm.com/celebrate.

Jon Zilber

If you've been reading this blog lately, you already know that Randall Munroe -- creator of the popular xkcd comic -- created a cartoon for our Celebrate with Palm contest. But what you don???t know is the last line of... Palm, Inc.

The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” series has a new episode debuting this evening (check local listings) is expected to include a segment on Palm smartphones. The program showcases how newer technologies push older ones aside as the march of technological progress races forward. Be sure to tune in (that is, if you still have one of those old-fangled TV things).

 

Jon Zilber

 

Ever wish your voice was so powerful it would command immediate attention? No, Nuance Voice Control can't bring you that glass of water or clean the house, but it does let you make phone calls, set appointments, dictate short emails and view web pages with a simple voice command on most Palm smartphones.

After downloading and purchasing (as low as $6 a month) through Nuance's website (or test-drive it with a 20 day free trial on Sprint Centros), you are ready to roll with voice control. The customizable side button is automatically turned into your one-button control center. Before you start commanding away, take a look at the “what to say” below examples:

• Call, John Smith (if John Smith has multiple numbers, you'd specify home vs. mobile, for example)
• Email, Sara, Subject, Dinner, Body, How about tonight?
• Dial, 555-1212
• Add appointment, Dentist, Date, January 8, Time, 10 a.m.
• Go to website, Palm

Now if only I could program Nuance into other products (or people)...

Sara C.
Edelman for Palm

You’re at the paint store and told to pick out a yellow for the new kitchen. Now on sensory overload as you look at the different shades, you fear returning with the wrong hue. New York Cab or Squash? Sunshine or Corn? Snap, send, solved. Grab the bucket of Buttercup and be on your way.

Multimedia messaging service (more commonly known as MMS) is the perfect tool for those of us that need a visual cue, reminder, or -- more importantly -- to avoid a wrong decision. Did you know that on the Palm Centro smartphone it’s as easy as two clicks to share your pictures via MMS? Click once to take the picture and again on the envelope (bottom right of the screen). Presto! The picture is now embedded in your MMS to send off.

Why is MMS so cool? Here are a couple ways you can use it:

• Hint what you'd like for your birthday.
• Get a second opinion on those new clothes, shoes, wallpaper or car before you buy.
• Wish you were here: Share your vacation memories with family.
• Get out! Snap a pic of a Britney to prove to all your friends it was totally her.

Want more? Check out tools like Thrrum that ratchet MMS up a notch. Send a MMS picture message to m@thrrum.com and Thrrum will analyze any picture (a book, product label or any printed material) and return relevant search results to the user. The service is still beta, but it’s free and worth checking out.

So… how do you MMS? Tell us (or show us!) on the Palm Facebook page.

Sara C.
Edelman for Palm

The History Channel???s ???Modern Marvels??? series has a new episode debuting this evening (check local listings) is expected to include a segment on Palm smartphones. The program showcases how newer technologies push older ones aside as the march of technological... Palm, Inc.