Clie Overload!

I've been playing around with the UX-50 for nearly a week now and I have almost got it working optimally.

I have installed so many applications and done so much tweaking, I hardly know where to start blogging about it.

I am planning to replace my smarthone's functions with this as far as possible, so below is a list of some of the software I have installed so far.

Opera Mini
Not so easy to install: you need  to install Java first, then Opera Mini, which will run, but if you want this to run fullscreen you'll need to install something called Codediver and also an app called Portrait. Both tweak how apps use the screen, as many Palmos apps only run in the usual square dimensions that most Palm devices have.

Having said that, Opera Mini, seems the most capable browser that will work on the Clie.

Agendus Mail SSL Edition
This was the only email program that would run fullscreen and supported the security that GMail requires, and it is a nice polished piece of software.  It even does IMAP which is handy if you prefer that over POP3, and there are many reasons why IMAP is preferable.

Mobipocket Reader
The only ebook reader that is still worth installing in my opinion. It is nice and easy to configure and supports lots of file types.

I use it to read my Kindle eBooks on. These can be easily stripped of DRM if you know what you're doing, and converted with "Calibre".

It's worth noting that despite a checkbox in the settings, the software does not support sub-pixel rendering that gives nice smooth fonts. For that you'll need another tweaking app called FontSmoother which does the job of smoothing fonts in Mobipocket very well.

I also like to read ebooks in Portrait mode and the settings have an option to do this, but I have used the "Portrait" app mentioned above to make it happen automatically.

Kyle's Quest 2
I used to love the original game on my old Palm Pilot and this is the same but in colour and brings back many memories.

Vexed
Another great puzzle game from my old Palm days. Use your stylus to move blocks around and clear the  board.

CliFrotz
Another Frotz port, this one designed for the UX-50's wide screen. I'm not sure I'll be sticking with this one as the font size is tiny even when it is set to"Large".

Datebk 6
I used this on the Palm years ago, and although the built-in PIM is decent enough, it doesn't provide a simple week-view with events clearly shown. DateBk6 does this and much more.

Documents to Go 11
I haven't used this much just yet, and I'm not expecting too much regarding compatability with Word, Excel etc. with such an old piece of software, but it would seem this is as good as it's likely to get.

BT Toggle
USB cable Hotsyncing isn't going to work on a fairly modern PC, but Bluetooth syncing does work and is probably the easiest way to install software (I don't intend to sync my calendars and addresses etc. with Palm Desktop).

So  after frequent Bluetooth Hotsyncs, you will soon tire of going into the Prefs panel every time to switch Bluetooth off. Thankfully "BT Toggle", can automates the whole process for you. I' quite like something similar for the Wi-Fi but have yet to find it.

LauncherX
I  remember using a version of this a long time ago and still think it's the best. It has the best balance between simplicity and configarability IMHO. I tried a couple of others which seemed to be firm favourites among the community but found them too complicated to set up how I liked.  It needs "Portrait" to make it run fullscreen though (see screenshot above).

I'll upload most of these to the Software Repository on this blog, but be warned: most of them are shareware and many of the developers' websites are no more, meaning no way to register them. Where possible, I've registered a couple of these, but have had to be more creative when getting some of the others fully functional.

I hope you've enjoyed this quick run-down. Keep an eye on G3, for more on the UX-50 and Palmos soon.

Sony Clie PEG UX-50

My latest (old) gadget has arrived and I love it!

This PDA is much smaller than I imagined. The picture above should show that clearly enough. The size makes it very pocketable though and easy to type on when lounging about.

The screen is pin sharp and nice and bright, if a tad small, and registers taps easily.

The PALM OS is a joy to revisit: I had a few PALMS over the years but never the UX-50. PALM's strength was it's simplicity, although compared to modern smartphones, it suddenly doesn't seem so simple and easy to use now.

Nevertheless, the Sony is a solidly built and nicely designed piece of kit. Aesthetics are very modern and pleasing to the eye and it feels very nice in the hand.

The camera is nothing to write home about but is a nice little extra.

There is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on board, but like the Jornada 720, only supports Wireless "B" and WEP encryption (see my earlier post on connecting the HP Jornada to the internet).

Confusingly, you can't rely solely on the keyboard to navigate when in "laptop" mode, but have to frequently resort to poking the screen with the stylus. This is frustrating, and I don't know why Sony didn't try and improve keyboard navigation. The Handheld PC did this much better. Having said that, I may be able to tweak that with software and if successful I will of course update here.

Battery life is poor when using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi so it is important to switch them off quickly when you have finished using them. That way, you might make it through a full day of use, but plonking it back in it's charging cradle when you get home from work will probably be neccessary.

As always with legacy devices, finding software is a bit of a struggle, but that's all part of the fun. Anything I mention on this blog I will add to the software repository which someone may find helpful.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Sony as I learn more about it!
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Sent using Agendus Mail demo.