Palmsource’s latest version promises a lot more than the earlier versions, says Ashish Gupta

PalmSource, the company behind the Palm OS, has recently released its latest version, Palm OS 5. Palm OS 5 offers greater processing power than previous versions of the OS, to take on the most demanding mobile computing tasks, together with advanced multimedia and the wireless connectivity and security that enterprises require. All this, while maintaining the ease-of-use and flexibility that users have come to expect from Palm-powered devices.

Advantages

• Processing power: Palm OS 5 has built-in support for ARM-compliant processors, which will help accelerate the most demanding software programs, with enhanced support for graphics intensive applications and large databases. Processing power of 32-bit OS 5 handheld devices can be up to 10 times faster than current devices that run on Dragonball processors.
• Mutlimedia support: The Palm OS 5 supports 320x320 pixel screens (double the resolution of most current generation products), allowing for high resolution graphics applications. And with support for sound recording and playback, Palm OS 5-powered products are able to deliver compelling multimedia entertainment.
• Wireless Support: Palm OS 5 offers support for Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless networking standards. That will make it easier than ever before for Palm-powered handhelds to connect and communicate, whether you want to check your e-mail from the car, collaborate on a document with colleagues in a conference room, or transfer inventory data from the warehouse floor.
• Security: Security is a growing concern for enterprise customers and consumers. Developed in co-operation with RSA, the services built into Palm OS 5 include 128-bit data encryption based on the RC4 algorithm, and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) support for Internet e-mail, Web browsing, and commercial transactions. To guard corporate networks, businesses can even authenticate Palm-powered devices using a device’s unique Flash ID, Mobile Access Number (MAN), and Electronic Serial Number (ESN).
• Additional Features: Up until OS 4, the Palm OS could only run one task at a time. This changes with OS 5. Palm OS 5 supports multithreading, i.e, multiple tasks can be running at the same time. OS 5 supports
  the Application Programming Interface (API) of OS 4, so it will be able to run software that is fully compliant with OS 4.

At present, the following devices run Palm OS 5:

Palm Tungsten T
The Tungsten T handheld is the most compact and powerful handheld ever from Palm Inc. It’s equipped with a powerful OMAP processor (an enhanced ARM-based processor) for both business applications and everyday organisation. It also boasts of a voice recorder, an ultra-sharp, new colour screen, 5-way navigation and built-in Bluetooth technology to let you connect to your e-mail and the Internet via a compatible mobile phone. All this, plus dual expansion, makes your Tungsten T handheld useful wherever you go.

Sony CLIE PEG-NX60
The new Palm-powered PEG-NX60 CLIE handheld provides everything you need to stay entertained and organised, and features the new Palm OS v.5.0 as well as an ARM-compliant 200 MHz CPU for enhanced overall performance. It also features an MP3 player and optional wireless LAN capabilities.

Sony CLIE PEG-NX70V
The new Palm-powered CLIE PEG-NX70V handheld is Sony’s most powerful handheld yet, featuring the new Palm OS v.5.0 as well as an ARM-compliant 200 MHz CPU for enhanced overall performance and exceptional multimedia. it also features an in-built digital camera, an MP3 player and a wireless LAN option.

Next Step: Palm OS 6
There is already some buzz about the next generation Palm OS 6. PalmSource has begun to divulge some information about the new OS, saying it will be as big a change for PalmSource as OS X was for Apple. OS 6 is likely to focus on scalable communications, more robust security features, a new multimedia framework, interchangeable I/O features (such as the ability to incorporate many different methods of data input), a new messaging framework and support for Web services. It is rumoured that OS 6 will ship to licensees sometime around mid-2003.

Ashish Gupta is the founder and president of The Indian Palm User Group. He can be reached at ash@notcomguys.com