In 2002: alphasmart announces Dana (laptop alternative for education market with built-in keyboard, 560x160 screen)

An awesome device and in some ways a precursor for the modern tablet computer as well.

Finally got Phem running on my Amazon Fire Tablet #pda

Why not take a look in the Palmorama library

All you need to do is click above where it says library, or click here. There's lots of good stuff in there, and I'm doing my best to continue to add to it on a regular basis.

In 1997: Palm (and USRobotics) acquired by 3Com

Interesting development and 3Com did a lot for the mobile and PDA world back then.

In 2002: PalmSource ships Golden Master of OS5 to licensees

I thought that OS5 was really good. It's sad that it didn't get built on after that.

There's even Palm stuff on Pinterest

If you're a pinterest user you can find the Palmorama pinterest board here. I add stuff to it occasionally, so it's worth checking every once in a while to see if there's anything new.

In 2003: Announcement: Palm and Handspring to merge in Fall '03!!

Whilst it sounded great it didn't work out in the end. The innovation that Handspring had brought did nothing to revive Palm at all.

There's a big resource for finding Palm OS apps

Back in the day there were plenty of Palm OS app sites around the internet for you to download almost anything. These days, there's only a few options left. However, now there's a new place to look. Now you can go to the Palm Archive to take a look for what you want.

You can find the archive here. Of course, if you're looking for something musical, then you can also find some rarities right here at the Palmorama library.

In 2004: Sony announces suspension of Clie development for North American and European markets

This was another signal of the beginning of the end for the Palm OS world.

In 2001: Acer license announced (Chinese PalmOS)

I don't know very much about what Acer did with Palm OS, but it is a good example of how they extended their reach through licensing the Palm model.

In 1998: Palm 2MB Upgrade introduced

I bought and installed one of these for my Palm III. It was pretty easy as it goes.

In 2002: Sony announces T650C (Japan-only)

A Japan only release, but an interesting device nonetheless.

In 2003: Sony announces NX80V and NX73V (updated NX-series handhelds, OS5.0)

Sony doing amazing things back in 2003. As I've said many times, the NX73V was one of my favourite PDAs and still is today.

In 2002: Handspring announces Treo 270 communicator and Treo 90 PDA

A big step forward for "convergence" as it was called back then. The PDA and the phone coming together. Seems obvious now, but it wasn't quite so simple back then.

In 1999: Symbol SPT1700 and SPT 1740 introduced (ruggedized; bar-code; 1740 has integrated wireless LAN)

I have to admit that I don't know a lot about these primarily as ruggedised devices were never a big interest of mine. I can see how they would be useful, and you still very occasionally see some of these in use.

In 1999: Palm VII shipping in US

The Palm VII was an interesting device. One that I've always fancied owning but never have (so far anyway). It was an early wireless device from Palm and apparently was well received too. They rarely if ever come up on eBay and even if they do they're really only of appeal to someone collecting old PDAs.

First Palm 3rd-party applications available (1996)

Here are some of the first 3rd-party applications available (WorldTime - Steve Mann; Blocks and Blackjack - Bill Kirby and Stu Slack (Jun.01); Invaders - Scott Ludwig (Jun.25 using the development tools created by Darrin Massena); PilotMoney - Jeremy Laurenson; DinkyPad - Ed Keyes).

In 2005: palmOne announces LifeDrive (4GB hard disk; WiFi + BT)

I thought that this was a great idea although I've never owned one, and when they first came out they were too expensive for me to get one.

Take a look in the Palmorama store ... (well, if you want Palm OS stuff anyway)

Have a look in the store for all your Palm OS needs! You can just click above to get to the store. The store has lots of mainly 2nd hand stuff from eBay, but often there's some quite good stuff available, so it is worth a look occasionally. You never know, you might grab a bargain.

In 2003: TapWave Palm OS License announced (to make Helix handheld gaming device)

The Tapwave devices were unique to say the least. They attempted to make a gaming device using the Palm OS and brought a whole new dimension to the Palm OS world. As devices they were really nicely built and were quite popular for a while. Their hardware configuration was also pretty unique in the Palm world, with twin SD card slots and the ability to run audio on both an internal GM chip and via the OS (if you used the miniMusic Krikit synth). It was a shame that they didn't last, and there's still a small (very small and diminishing) but hard core community that loves them.

In 2001: Sony N710C (North America) announced

I never had one of these although Sony PDAs have always been devices that I liked a lot.

In 2004: palmOne releases Zire72 (1.2Mp camera; Bluetooth) and Zire31 (entry-level color, MP3)

The lovely Zire 72. It might only have had a 1.2 Mp camera, but back in 2004 this wasn't bad at all for a PDA, and it was a nice device to use as well. Better than the 71 although I did like the slider on that.

In 2001: TRG becomes HandEra, announces HandEra 330 (first with 320x240 resolution; "virtual graffiti"; dual expansion (CF + SD)

One of the most amazing pre-OS5 devices and now arguably one of the most rare as well. Whilst these handhelds only have greyscale screens they're still lovely.

In 2003: Palm releases Zire 71 (OMAP310 144MHz processor; integrated camera; hi-res).

I really liked the 71. It wasn't as good as the 72 in my view, of course it was earlier but I liked the physical design of the slider. It was really cool.

In 2003: Palm releases Tungsten C (PXA-255 400MHz processor; integrated WiFi; first with 64MB RAM).

Integrated wifi wasn't something common back in 2003. In fact even having wifi at home wasn't entirely common, so the C was quite a step forward and a pretty impressive device, especially given its processor and amount of RAM.

In 1997: pilotgear, the first commercial software archive, goes online (later became PalmGearHQ)

PalmGear was an amazing portal for getting Palm OS software (we didn't call it apps in those days). I remember discovering it and finding so many new possibilities for my PDA. I'm so sad it went dark.

Have any Bhajis Loops instruments, or looking for some to use?

Well you find lots in the Palmorama Bhajis Loops instrument site and if you want to contribute (and you'd be very welcome) just contact me using the form in the about page, I'd be very happy to hear from you.

In 2003: HandEra announces end-of-life for PalmOS handheld lineup

What a shame. Handera made the TRG Pro and the 330, both excellent machines and way ahead of their time in my view. I wish they'd made an OS5 machine, it would have been amazing.

Why not take a look in the Palmorama library

All you need to do is click above where it says library, or click here. There's lots of good stuff in there, and I'm doing my best to continue to add to it on a regular basis.

In 2005: palmOne announces Tungsten E2 (brighter screen; powerful battery; BT; flash memory)

The E was a nice machine and the E2 was an iteration. Nothing amazing or spectacular though.

In 1996: Pilot 1000, 5000 start shipping

It was the very start of something that has defined the current mobile world. It was a big and important thing, and it good to mark it today in the calendar. So go and celebrate by doing something to do with PDAs today.

In 1998: Symbol SPT1500 introduced (with integrated bar-code scanner)

I still see these being used in industry all over the place. It's interesting to see just how they've lasted over the years.

In 2001: Samsung SPH-i300 announced (cell phone / Palm)

Another device I know little about, well next to nothing as it goes, but it is an interesting device nonetheless.

In 2001: Palm m505, m500 announced (first OS4 devices; Secure Digital (SD) expansion slot; shipping May)

Dedicated OS4 devices! Wow! Of course you could update your old Palm III types to OS4 but it was a delicate procedure. Also, SD cards! That was a step forward, and made things a lot easier if you were using a lot of data.

In 2001: Sony Clie N700C (Japan) announced (first with 320x320 resolution (hires); MP3 playback)

Another of the many Sony devices, but I know very little about this one as it was a Japanese release only.

In 2001: Handspring Edge announced

I did like the Handspring devices, and although I never owned an Edge it was a really interesting step forward especially given how modern devices have got thinner and thinner. Handspring were really ahead of their time. It's such a shame that they didn't survive.

In 2003: Samsung introduces SGH-i500 (GSM/GPRS smartphone; OS5.2 PXA262 300MHz processor)

I have to admit to knowing very little about these devices. It interests me that Samsung never really developed their own OS and have a history of licensing other people's.

In 2002: Sony announces NR70V (first with 320x480 (QVGA) resolution; integrated keyboard and camera; flip open form-factor)

A fav of mine! Although I preferred the NX73V. These were awesome devices, quite unique and could do almost everything.

In 2002: Sony announces Memory Stick Bluetooth card (PEGA-MSB1: Japan-only)

I never had one as the Sony devices I had already had bluetooth. Good idea back then though.

In 1997: PalmPilot Personal and Professional announced (first backlit screens; TCP/IP stack; up to 1MB RAM; OS2)

Incredible stuff. The PDA world was being born here in 1997. It was so exciting!

In 1997: PalmPilt Clip-on Modem announced

PalmPilt Clip-on Modem announced in 1997. In a time before we could communicate with devices without even thinking about it the idea of having of modem that could attach to a PDA was huge!

In 1998: Palm III introduced (first InfraRed; 2MB RAM; OS3)

The Palm III was my first ever PDA. It was a revelation for me and it was also a landmark device in 1998. Thinking back to then, the idea of communication through infrared was amazing and had huge possibilities. I often think that modern devices could do with infrared now.

In 2003: Sony releases SJ22 (hi-res color at US$200)

Another of the huge line of Sony devices. Not a massively impressive device though, their later ones were better in my view.

In 2001: Palm m105 announced

Not really a step forward in my view. I never thought that much of the M series and the 105 was unimpressive from my perspective. I did like the M515 though.

In 2001: Kyocera QCP-6035 shipping

I never had one of these, or indeed very much to do with these devices, but they're interesting to see in the context of the history of the Palm mobile world.

There's even Palm stuff on Pinterest

If you're a pinterest user you can find the Palmorama pinterest board here. I add stuff to it occasionally, so it's worth checking every once in a while to see if there's anything new.

In 2002: Palm Inc. announces m515 and m130

I did like the 515, but the 130 was more entry level I think and not of as much interest to me personally. I think that the M series was more about iteration rather than innovation, and perhaps in some ways was more a signal that Palm was running out of steam or not being able to innovate in the same ways.

In 2003: Sony announces TG50 (OS5; integrated keyboard; Bluetooth)

Another good device from Sony but not an amazing step forward in my opinion.

In 1999: Palm V, IIIx announced (V: first integrated rechargeable battery; IIIx: 4MB RAM)

Wow, who knew you could have a rechargeable battery! Back then it was amazing innovation, and the IIIx with 4mb of memory! Amazing!

In 2000: Palm IIIc, IIIxe announced (IIIc: first color PalmOS device)

A colour screen was massive back in 2000. Strange to think that we've gone full circle with e-ink now.

In 2005: Sony announces the end of the Clie line

Not a surprise with what was happening elsewhere in the Palm world, but a big shame really. Sony did amazing things back then.

Have any Bhajis Loops instruments, or looking for some to use?

Well you find lots in the Palmorama Bhajis Loops instrument site and if you want to contribute (and you'd be very welcome) just contact me using the form in the about page, I'd be very happy to hear from you.

Rex 5001 on eBay

A rare, if expensive, Rex 5001 on eBay. Looks like it's in very good condition actually.

A Rex 5001 on eBay

In 2002: Palm Inc. announces Bluetooth SDIO card

Nice addition. Of course we take bluetooth for granted today. Back then it was new and amazing!

Why not take a look in the Palmorama library

All you need to do is click above where it says library, or click here. There's lots of good stuff in there, and I'm doing my best to continue to add to it on a regular basis.

In 2002: IBM to phase out WorkPad line (to carry Palm-branded devices instead)

Not a surprise really, but a shame. The WorkPad was ok, but just a Palm III really. I always thought it was a bit odd that they did it in the first place.

In 2004: PalmSource announces OS name changes: OS5 will become Garnet and OS6 will become Cobalt

Of course OS6 never really came to anything. It was a shame, a real shame. Of course everything was broken even before this when Palm split itself.

Take a look in the Palmorama store ... (well, if you want Palm OS stuff anyway)

Have a look in the store for all your Palm OS needs! You can just click above to get to the store. The store has lots of mainly 2nd hand stuff from eBay, but often there's some quite good stuff available, so it is worth a look occasionally. You never know, you might grab a bargain.

In 2002: PalmSource previews OS5 beta; general distribution of OS5 developer tools

The awesome OS5, a huge step forward in so many ways for the Palm OS world and community. It gave us the opportunity to do some really amazing things in music and video.

In 2002: 5th annual PalmSource Developer Conference and Expo (to Feb.08)

Of course I never attended one of these, but back then they were really important events. I used to watch out for announcements to see what happened and what was coming.

In 2004: Sony introduces TH55 (HVGA screen; WiFi; .3MP camera) TJ37 (WiFi; .3MP camera) and TJ27 (.3MP camera)

I didn't ever get to own one of these. I still sort of wish I did have one, and even occasionally look out for one. Very nice devices, very innovative in their day too.

In 2002: Handspring ships Treo 180 (GSM cellular networks)

The birth of the smartphone? Perhaps! If not, then at the very least it was a massive step forward for Handspring and for the mobile world as a whole too.

In 1996: Pilot announced

Yep, the pilot was announced and is a milestone to this day in the mobile device history line. I actually owned one very briefly but a long time after it was released. This device was the beginning of so much!

In 2002: Palm Inc. announces i705 (replaces VIIx)

This is a device that I always wished I'd had, but never got around to, and these days they're quite expensive to get hold of. A bit of a shame really. A nice device and, in its day, a real innovation.

In 2003: Sony announces SJ33 (entry level with MP3 and hi-res color)

I never had one of these, but they did seem good, with the same comments I've made about the other Sony devices over time.

In 2002: split of Palm into OS Subsidiary ("PalmSource") and Palm Hardware ("Palm Inc.") companies

I never thought that this was a good idea, and I think it was the beginning of the end for the whole of the Palm OS ecosystem. What a very great shame that was! They could have done so much more I think.

Some very good Visor kit all in one bundle on eBay

Not only does this bundle contain a couple of Visors and two fairly rare springboard modules, but also one SmartPad, which is in itself very rare indeed.

Handspring Visor package on eBay

A rare Xircom Rex 5000 on eBay

Any Rex is pretty rare these days, but a 5000 is really very rare. This one does look nice and the price is very reasonable too.

Xircom REX 5000 on eBay

In 2002: Symbol introduces SPT-1550

Whilst I don't know much about this devices itself I do know that they were built for commercial / industrial use and are quite rare now, although you can occasionally find the odd company that still use them.

In 2002: Sony announces T615 and S360

Both of which were very nice devices in their own way. Actually Sony were pretty prolific in releasing Palm OS based devices and produced them for virtually all tastes and budgets. In the end I had a handful of their devices over time and still do, but I often had the impression that they tried to put too much in each device and compromised at times.

Something new, or at least new to me

Very kindly, a old friend has donated an item to my 'museum' of sorts. It's a Palm OS device that has been heavily customised and is probably one of the most unique pieces I've ever seen.

I will be taking some pictures of this device, hopefully today, and posting about it over the next week or so.

Just wanted to give you some warning, and a little tease!

In 2001: Palm Desktop v4 for Windows released

Not a massive thing really, but it did bring some new things for Palm users and fixed a lot of problems too.

In 2003: Sony announces NZ90 (OS5; 2 megapixel camera; Bluetooth)

A favourite picture, a sadly missed company

 If they'd survived they could have done so much more.

Powering up the Axim

For the first time in a long time. It's one of the devices that I've really wanted to use more again. There are so many good apps that I've not had a chance to use in ages. So when it's woken up I plan to reacquaint myself with all the goodies!

In 2005: Fossil introduces the WristPDA FX2008 (watch form-factor)

In 2001: Garmin OS license announced (to make Palm/GPS device)

Know what this is? #pda

Jeff Hawkins founds Palm Computing

Jeff Hawkins founds Palm Computing

Here are some of the most popular posts on Palmorama ever. A bit of a strange bunch, but there you go.

The first is That's a shame. IR monitoring would've been handy .... Which I guess makes sense. I personally think that infrared is a totally under rated technology.

The next is Microbe for Palm OS on the Zodiac. The Zodiac is a device I'd like to use a bit more in 2018. We shall see. I think it has a lot more potential than I've used so far.

The next is A simple Palm Pilot Serial MIDI interface. I really should make this serial interface at some point. Even though I've already got a very decent SG20 module.

The penultimate is Is Palm coming back? Which, of course, still hasn't happened, and I'm not sure it will either.

Finally, Rex 6000 on eBay. Rex devices are so cool. Expect more this year.

Happy New Year to all Palm OS people!

I can't believe that in 2018 I'm still running Palmorama! This is the 13th year that Palmorama has been published. That's a long time indeed.

So expect more from Palmorama this year. As ever, at the start of any new year I think I'll try and do more with Palmorama, and this year I might. We shall see. I have ideas, I have plans. As usual what I lack is the time to carry them all out. But maybe that'll change in 2018. Who knows!