My favorite Palm software

Note: If you have a Treo, you may want to check out my Treo 650 page. I’ve got lots more software and tips on that page.

Some of my favorite Palm programs:

• DateBk5 –

  Imagine the built-in datebook on steroids. Has many more features than I actually use on a daily basis, including appointment categories, icons, saved views, split screen view of address book, todos, or memos, ability to link appointments to a contact, etc… The author donates proceeds from the sale of this software to a gorilla sanctuary. For another interesting (but old) resource, check out the DateBk Cookbook, which has a ton of tips for older versions of the software. You might also be interested in the DateBk Yahoo Group. If DateBk5 is not your cup of tea, you might try Agendus, the other popular datebook/contact manager for Palm OS. Or if you’re an Outlook fanatic, check out KeySuite.




• 
  BtSync –

  Allows me to do automatic Bluetooth Hotsyncing. The best thing about Bluetooth is that I can use a great piece of software called BtSync, which wakes the device up at a configurable interval (I currently have it set at an hour) and does an automatic Bluetooth HotSync if my PC is within range.




• Pocket Tunes –

  A great MP3/WAV/Ogg player. The RealOne player that comes with Palms is very basic, lacking in basic features like the ability to browse by artist, album, genre, etc… Pocket Tunes has this and more and comes with a plugin for Windows Media Player that helps you copy tunes to your device. This program comes in both Basic and Deluxe versions.




• Card Export 2 –

  Why carry around a separate SD card reader when you can use your Palm, which is always in your pocket? Card Export 2 makes your Windows PC recognize your Palm’s SD card as if it were in a card reader, and requires no software to be installed on the Windows PC. Just put your Palm in the cradle, launch Card Export 2, and tap Connect to Desktop, and your PC will see a new USB device.




• McPhling –

  Can launch regular applications or DAs, so no need for a separate DA launcher. With a swipe or a button press, I get a menu of my most frequently used programs and DAs. This is a quick way for me to launch Card Export 2 or QuickSync DA. With a swipe or a button press, I can toggle back to the previously used application (much like Alt-Tab in Windows).




• QuickSync DA –

  (Freeware) This DA launches a Hotsync. By putting it in my McPhling menu, I can quickly launch a Hotsync just by using the 5-way navigator; no need to get out the stylus.

• PowerOn for OS 5 –

  This simple program makes it so that your Palm is much less likely to get accidentally turned on in your pocket. Basically, it makes it so that you have to use double-presses on each of your buttons to power on the device. It also offers some additional options for dimming the screen and powering the device off when not in use (more configurable than what Palm OS offers you).




• 1TouchTimer –

  (Freeware) This is a simple timer program with a novel and intuitive interface for setting the timer. Just download it and try it – it’s freeware. Handy for cooking and such.




• TikTok –

  (Freeware) Another freeware timer, from the author of McPhling, this one is more complex than 1TouchTimer, but the cool thing about it is that you can run multiple timers simultaneously. Pretty powerful.




• Bejeweled –

  Addictive little game where you swap colored gemstones to get contiguous ones which then fall out. If you like Tetris, you’ll probably like this one as well.