Rumor: palmOne Working on Palm OS 6 Upgrade

Posted By: PIC Tuesday, January 27, 2004 10:41:49 AM

updated New information received by PalmInfocenter indicates that palmOne is currently testing a Palm OS 6 upgrade for select current palmOne handhelds. Devices with Flashable ROM with enough room to spare to fit the new OS, should be able to be upgraded.

A concerned PIC reader wrote into palmOne support to inquire whether palmOne would make Palm OS 6 available to current owners of the Tungsten C. The support person replied back with a detailed response, indicating that the company is in fact working on an upgrade.

The support person even indicated that palmOne has not yet finished a series of quality tests of standards and performance. He went on to say that once the OS passes all the tests a release date for the OS 6 upgrade will be published on the support website.

The support person also went into detail about some of the new features included with Palm OS 6. The details of the message are quoted below...

Further, I would like to inform you about the features of the new Palm OS v6.0, Palm OS 6 will offer many features business want, like support for Web services and accessing Microsoft Exchange and Lotus email servers.

OS 6 will include APIs for roaming on wireless networks. This will allow Palm OS handhelds to move between types of wireless networks, like Wi-Fi to GPRS, without the user having to go through the hassle of logging off one network and logging on to another.

To help ensure that the operating system is stable, the new version includes a protected memory system, so each application has its own dynamic heap. It also includes process protection.

Update: 2:18 pm
Some of the quoted text of the support email has turned out to be taken from a Brighthand article on Palm OS 6. This could mean that the tipster may have put this together or that someone from palmOne support referenced the article when responding to the query.

Update 2: 6:20 pm
The original email has been provided to PIC and we have confirmed it as an authentic response from a palmOne support officer.

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Price???

Serotta @ 1/27/2004 11:19:01 AM #
Is this a free upgrade? If not any idea how much?

RE: Price???
Khris @ 1/27/2004 11:53:39 AM #
Highly doubtful it will be a free upgrade.

Was upgrading from Windows 95 to 98 free? 98 to ME? ....you get the idea.

RE: Price???
hjordanh @ 1/27/2004 12:05:04 PM #
If it weren't going to be free, I would think it would have information available at the PalmOne store and not the support website. But that's just common sense (If they'll make sense is a better question).

RE: Price???
MikeInDM @ 1/27/2004 9:11:49 PM #
<>

But then you jump to the conclusion that they are ready to release the update.

Just because the OS has released doesn't mean that they have an upgrade version ready to release. Of course, it would make sense that they DIDN'T have it on their website until they were close to having it finished (what better way to keep all those annoying 'is it ready yet' emails from coming in).


RE: Price???
JonathanChoo @ 1/29/2004 1:54:48 PM #
IF they release an upgrade I will pay for it rather than buying a new PDA. The T3 is perfect for me (for now) only need OS6 to power it.

--
Generic Casio > Psion 5> Palm Vx > m505 > Sony N770C > T625C > NR70V > Toshiba e310 > T/T > HP h2210 > T/T3

StarTac > Ericsson T28m > 39m > T68m > T610

RE: Price???
RAMdŽd @ 1/30/2004 9:56:15 AM #
It makes sense that a release date will be on the site, and that when it's available for order and/or shipping, it will show up at the store.

Since I don't do any wireless with my T3 except BT, the update doesn't appear to hold much for me.

EXCEPT- the protected memory. Maybe I'll get fewer Fatal Exceptions requiring a reset. A poorly written app, or one that I didn't realize was too old for 5.1, won't take the whole OS with it. (This is a great feature in OS X for the Mac. XP has it, too?)

This alone may be worth the price of admission. But I'd wait until I see what apps break, and how soon the authors/developersdevelopersdevelopers catch up.

No doubt 6.0 will be available with the T4.

______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.

PalmOne Won't Confirm It
PlasticMan @ 1/30/2004 11:04:25 AM #
PalmOne denies it all, including that any worker of theirs would have said this.

http://www.brighthand.com/article/palmOne_Refuses_to_Confirm_OS_6_Upgrade?site=Palm


---------------------------------------
We're the people we've been waiting for

This is it.......

Hal2000 @ 1/27/2004 11:54:49 AM #
Now start complaining.

Zodiac2/T616
RE: This is it.......
4s @ 1/27/2004 11:59:59 AM #
I would be happy if OS6 just took the blue circless from beneath the system icons.

<><
RE: This is it.......
hkklife @ 1/27/2004 12:25:51 PM #
Woo Hoo! Finally a step forward in right direction from PalmOne. Let's home these are not just unsubstantiated rumors and/or vaporware announcements like we've seen & heard so much of lately (Fossil, Wi-Fi SD etc).


RE: This is it.......
Hal2000 @ 1/27/2004 12:33:58 PM #
Right, can you count on this so called support person?

Zodiac2/T616

I'll buy!

Vidge @ 1/27/2004 12:03:05 PM #
If this ends up being the case, I'll buy it. One thing is certain - it will cost less than buying a new handheld. The only question for me will be whether I'll be willing to wait for its release, since I don't expect Palm to shoot itself in the foot by releasing it simultaneously with OS6 models.

Moderator, Daily Gadget
http://www.dailygadget.com
RE: I'll buy!
JonAcheson @ 1/28/2004 3:45:03 PM #
Well, if their OS 6 devices are more powerful than the OS 5 devices, and they stop selling the OS 5 devices when the OS 6 devices hit the market, I don't see how this shoots them in the foot.

It's more "Don't alienate your support base."

Jon Acheson


"All opinions posted are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled."

T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release

Solo @ 1/27/2004 12:05:59 PM #
I guess if Palm is planning an OS update for the T|T 3, they'll have to offer the brand new T3's with the OS 6 update included. So then, it'll become the T|T 4 ??? Maybe put a couple of improvement in it ?? (battery life ? as the T1 to T2 release )

This could put a lot of pressure on Sony with its new, not even released, Clie TH55.

Interesting, very interesting

- Solo

RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
Timothy Rapson @ 1/27/2004 2:15:56 PM #
Sony should be in rather better shape for upgrades than PalmOne as the Clie models typically include more Flash ROM. They need it for the Japanese character set for the Japanese models Clies that own over 50% of the Japanese handheld market.

RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
rsc1000 @ 1/27/2004 2:35:29 PM #
>>Sony should be in rather better shape for upgrades than PalmOne as the Clie models typically include more Flash ROM. They need it for the Japanese character set for the Japanese models Clies that own over 50% of the Japanese handheld market.

In theory they should - except they have a worse track-record for offering upgrades.

RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
Verteron @ 1/27/2004 2:40:02 PM #
I don't think that recent Sony models have Flashable ROM, except the UX-50.

Handspring Visor Neo --> Sony CLIE PEG-T665C --> palmOne Tungsten T2
RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
Meir87 @ 1/27/2004 11:45:54 PM #
>>I don't think that recent Sony models have Flashable ROM, except the UX-50.

My NX80 has over 15mb of flash ROM.

RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
orol @ 1/28/2004 9:35:02 AM #
well, you are wrong. all palm os cies have at least 16mb of flash rom. new NX clies have 32MB flash rom. and UX has got 64 mb of flash rom.

some of the TTs has got pathetic 4MB of flash! TT2, TC, T3 has got 16MB

RE: T|T4 with OS 6, the first OS 6 release
JonathanChoo @ 1/29/2004 5:07:42 PM #
16Mb should be enough. They might need to move some 3rd party apps out to RAM. Hopefully Kinoma Player since its useless.

--
Generic Casio > Psion 5> Palm Vx > m505 > Sony N770C > T625C > NR70V > Toshiba e310 > T/T > HP h2210 > T/T3

StarTac > Ericsson T28m > 39m > T68m > T610

What about OS 5.4 ?

toshm @ 1/27/2004 12:27:34 PM #
What about the OS 5.4 version? Don't get me wrong, I would much rather have the OS 6 but this seems odd that they would skip 5.4. Going from 5.0 or 5.2 to 5.4 seems much more feasible that going to 6.0.

Thoughts?

RE: What about OS 5.4 ?
feranick @ 1/27/2004 1:59:23 PM #
It looks to me that 5.4 will be for lower end PDAs and smartphones only. To justify an investment for an upgrade , PalmOne would rather provide OS6 instead of OS 5.4 which is only a minor release.
nick

RE: What about OS 5.4 ?
pilot1000 @ 1/28/2004 1:36:49 PM #
palm os 5.4 does not have to many new features. a lot of what is being implemented in it has been implemented by licenses such as Sony because its just an upgrade from 5.3 which was for china and japan

Will Tungsten T users benefit?????

s_teve @ 1/27/2004 12:29:43 PM #
Not so long ago, Tungsten t users were asking for an upgrade to OS5.2.1
Is it even likely that the original Tungsten T will be upgradeable???

or will we have to buy an whole new handheld???

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
critic @ 1/27/2004 12:49:03 PM #
As a fellow T|T owner, I feel ya. I highly doubt that Pa1mOne will create an upgrade path for T|Ts to move to OS6 - I suspect that the 16mb memory limit inherent to the original T|T may have something to do with it. Also, while the T|T has flash ROM, it may not be a large enough heap to deal with OS6. Add in the fact that the T|T uses an OMAP processor (vs. the XScales P1's been using lately)...

----
What do you think, sirs?
RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
IanJD @ 1/27/2004 2:45:28 PM #
Plus, the T only has just enough flash ROM to hold OS5, OS6 will be larger, therefore not fit.

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
Fernando @ 1/27/2004 4:03:08 PM #
Although palm os 6 is probably larger, it was rumoured to be designed to fit in the same space as palm os 5. I don't know if palmsource actually delivered on that. Theoretically it should fit on the flash rom of the T|T, just without all the extra features that require more memory. However, i have low hopes of palm os 6 coming to the T|T, unless someone wants to hack their flash rom and palm os 6 to make it work :).

Palmone originally promised us a os 5.2.x upgrade, and we're still to see that materialize. We have a capable processor too, if palm will ever publish an api for the omap's dsp. Being the first arm palm, you'd think palm would treat us with a little more respect.

Unfortunately, the T|T reminds me more of a failed project in progress than an actual finished product. I was devoted to palm before the T|T, however this lack of support has pushed me over the edge. I know i'm ranting here, but if an 18 year old can notice an unfinished product, imagine what a corporate user with no devotion to a product line will think. That is after all the market the T|T was originally targeted at, wasn't it?

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
rsc1000 @ 1/27/2004 4:24:05 PM #
>>Although palm os 6 is probably larger, it was rumoured to be designed to fit in the same space as palm os 5.

Not a rumour - a statement from PalmSource's Michael Mace:
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4496&curpage=2#69710

from the article:
"We're designing Palm OS 6 to be upgradable onto Palm OS 5 hardware. In other words, we're looking at the footprint of products like the Palm Tungsten T and we intend to work within those constraints."

Now there is no way in hell we can take this to mean that OS 6 - including PACE and OS 5 APIs that will also be part of the newest OS - will fit in its entirety on 8MB flash that most T|Ts have. So im not exactly sure what he was thinking here. Though i doubt that PalmOne will give upgrades to OMAP devices (the T|T, T|2 Zire71, etc), if it did there would have to be some sort of compromise (at least on the small flashROM devices such as the T|T - dont know of the other OMAP device ROM sizes). Maybe they would have to drop PACE for devices with this upgrade? Other OS 6 specific ('advanced') features? Because it is going to be more modular (or so it has been stated by PalmSource) it should be easier for lisesees to make customized version of OS6 for different devices, allowing them to add and drop features/modules/components to fit said device.


RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
Fuzzillogic @ 1/27/2004 5:08:54 PM #
I sure hope PalmOne will finally get the point: there are a lot of unhappy T|T owners. The last "patch" costs ~600KB of precious RAM, the digitizer problems (which also affected my T|T), the absent of Photo software, the lack of DSP API's for our OMAPs etc.

They should know that unhappy customers are bad customers.

If not PalmOS6 (which might be too bloated for our T|T..) then at least an update to 5.2+.

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
Fernando @ 1/27/2004 6:52:42 PM #
one post that mentions the incorrect rom size is http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14582 . I can't find the original post at the moment though...

Palmone has already stated that they are not planning a os 5.2x upgrade for Tungsten T users. They most likely will not learn from this. The only upgrade path for a T|T user is to buy a new palm, since realistically speaking palm will most likely be unable to fit an upgrade on the US T|T's.

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
rsc1000 @ 1/28/2004 12:28:21 AM #
Here's an idea: an app that lets us delete / overwrite data in flash rom, allowing us to remove all of the PIM apps that many of us already have replacements for (in ram or card) anyway. Does jackfash allow that? And yes - it would be very dangerous, and users would inevitably mess up thousands of palms with it:)

RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
jdh @ 1/28/2004 8:43:44 AM #
JackFlash doesn't do this, but it's sister-product JackSprat does it quite well. Although there have been some issues with the latest beta of JackSprat on the T3 (see the PalmOne forums on this board and Brighthand), I think that most people have been successful in removing various apps that they don't want in their flash ROM and then replacing them with those that they do (ie, rip out RealPlayer in favour of AeroPlayer/PTunes, or remove the Calendar app in favour of DateBk5).


RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
cmoney @ 1/28/2004 11:58:09 AM #
Just a rant, but I bought a TT instead of a Sony because of Sony's apparent inability to upgrade the OSs on their PDAs. If Palm doesn't offer an upgrade for the TT, it'll likely be my last Palm. I spent too much money on that thing to buy another one in less than a year.
RE: Will Tungsten T users benefit?????
dboehme @ 1/29/2004 1:08:48 PM #
I have an e-mail from Palm about 6 months ago claiming that an OS 5.2.1 upgrade was in the works for the Tungsten T|T. I seriously doubted it then and I seriously doubt it now.

As far as any upgrade is concerned, I'll believe it when I see it.

If either upgrade is ever available, I'll buy it (my wife has my T|T now and I got a T|3 for Christmas).

Probably why SanDisk WiFi card is delayed

MediaBaron @ 1/27/2004 12:36:11 PM #
SanDisk probably scrapped their WiFi development software to just use the new OS6. That's why it's being delayed and it'll probably come out around or just after OS6 is released.

RE: Probably why SanDisk WiFi card is delayed
Hal2000 @ 1/27/2004 1:21:26 PM #
Yeah that makes sense,I've been drooling all over the thought of Wifi SD. Maybe mid-March.

Zodiac2/T616
RE: Probably why SanDisk WiFi card is delayed
rsc1000 @ 1/27/2004 5:33:18 PM #
it should be much easier as a lot of the changes in os 6 involve new wireless APIs, as well as a more modular aproach with the new APIs in general. i would imagine that will make writting drivers for devices easier.

Wording reminiscent of...

infiniteloop @ 1/27/2004 1:35:19 PM #
http://www.brighthand.com/article/Palm_OS_6_Shipped_on_Schedule
RE: Wording reminiscent of...
PlasticMan @ 1/27/2004 2:15:27 PM #
reminiscent? the palmone dude's comments are cut and pasted from that brighthand article. what's up with that?


---------------------------------------
We're the people we've been waiting for
RE: Wording reminiscent of...
Altema @ 1/27/2004 2:56:00 PM #
Looks kinda fishy to me...

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