I hadn't really put the Audible Player (preloaded in RAM) through its paces, because I didn't have any relevant content. Happily, I got the Palm Source newsletter today and it included a one-month free subscription to Audible, including 1 audio book and 2 subscriptions. I'm in the process of downloading Gore Vidal's The Golden Age (which I have had trouble finding in my library) and moving it onto the SD card in the Tungsten. I'll let you know how it sounds, and how the experience compares to reading e-books (which I do regularly). {Jonathan}
Here's a riddle: What weighs 11.9 ounces total, is the size of two packs of playing cards, and is an (almost) perfect mobile writing machine? Answer: The Palm Tungsten C with the Palm Ultra-Thin Keyboard, Rev B. The "Rev B" is important: as I've indicated in previous blog entries, there is a known incompatibility between the T|C and the original version of the Ultra-Thin Keyboard, and I experienced this with the review keyboard Palm originally sent me. Today, though, I received a replacement keyboard which was revision B (indicated by a parenthetical (B) after the model name near the serial number). I loaded and turned on the most recent driver, unfolded the keyboard, popped the T|C into the built-in stand, and voila, instant typing. With the new keyboard, I experienced none of the problems (failure to recognize keypresses, etc.) I had seen before. In short, it just works.
So how does the Ultra-Thin Keyboard together with the Tungsten compare to other Palm keyboard solutions? As someone who has used every keyboard from the Apple Newton keyboard with a custom driver and cable to the GoType from Landware (I had pre-ordered it) to the original Palm Portable Keyboard built by ThinkOutside, I have a great deal of experience with this question. In short, the T|C and U-TK combo blows them all away.
This isn't just hype--both the Tungsten and the U-TK solve specific problems that made earlier solutions less than ideal. On the Tungsten side, the big difference is processor speed, going from 16 or even 33 MHz up to a whopping 400 MHz. I used to use my PPK with my Palm IIIxe all the time, and while it was fine for memos, the processor load for a program like BlueNomad's Wordsmith was sufficient that the screen never kept up with my typing. I either had to type more slowly, or use Memo Pad and sacrifice formatting and MS Word compatibility. With the Tungsten, though, Wordsmith flies with the keyboard, keeping up with my 80 WPM typing speed. I think, I type, I see it on the screen. It's a very nice situation.
There's one other aspect of the Tungsten C as a writing tool that is a vast improvement on earlier models--the built-in Wi-Fi. I used my IIIxe for Internet access, but because the cable to the modem or telephone took up the same serial port that the keyboard did, I could never have both attached at once. That meant that for Web browsing or even instant messaging, I had to use the slower and less accurate Graffiti instead of being able to type my inputs. Since the Wi-Fi connection of the T|C doesn't require any expansion slots, the keyboard can be attached while I'm online, making Web and chat use much more pleasant.
The keyboard itself improves somewhat on its predecessor, the Palm Portable Keyboard, in one key respect: It can be placed by itself on a lap. The PPK's design included a central hinge point that meant that you could not type on a soft, irregular surface like a lap. Instead, you had to find a flat book or magazine to use as a typing surface, somewhat reducing the convenience of the keyboard. The U-TK, by comparison, has a solid undersurface at the center of the keyboard as well as below the support for the handheld, and can be easily placed and utilized on a lap...as I'm doing right now. It makes the unit much better for use on trains and in lectures where desk space isn't available.
If the combo of the Tungsten C and Ultra-Thin Keyboard is so wonderful, why did I qualify this as the "(almost) perfect" writing tool? In short, the compromises that the keyboard designers made take a bit away from the utility. In order to keep the size of the keyboard as small as possible, they have made many keys do double and even triple duty. For example, the top row functions as the QWERTYUIOP set of letters, the numbers 1 through 0, and most of the punctuation marks as well (. and , have their own dedicated keys below). In order for the keys to function in 3 ways, the Ultra-Thin Keyboard includes two separate Fn keys, one blue and the other green. You must use the blue to get numbers, and the green for the punctuation. It's as if the left and right shift keys worked differently. It's annoying, and requires significant adjustment for a touch typist like me. Fortunately, for those keys serving only two purposes (for example, the K key also allows keyboard access to the pull-down menus in various Palm applications), either Fn key will serve. Less annoying but still somewhat peculiar is the split down the middle of the space bar, again necessitated by the design of the keyboard. The compromises remind me of some of the early subnotebook computers, which also had unusual key placements. At least the keys seem essentially full-sized and have a comfortable travel and almost-silent action.
As someone who bought his first Pilot 1000 in 1996 specifically to write with, I am very excited by the functionality provided by the Tungsten C and Ultra-Thin Keyboard. Now that the incompatibility issues are being resolved, it appears that Palm has finally created a true alternative to the bulk of a laptop, while retaining the vast majority of the functionality. {Jonathan}
I got a call today from a tech support rep at Palm, courtesy of my contact at A&R Partners. The Palm rep and I discussed the new API that affected the alarm and game volume controls, and he acknowledged the Rev A Ultra-Thin Keyboard problem.
Happily, he agreed to send me a replacement Tungsten C (with working speaker) and a Rev B Ultra-Thin Keyboard, so I can swap them out for my non-working models and complete my review. I am really looking forward to trying the U-T K; based on the form factor alone, as well as the fact that I can finally type while online on the Palm, I'm thinking that the Tungsten C plus Ultra-Thin Keyboard will be close to the ultimate mobile writing machine.
The rep also told me something interesting: the Zire 71 is also having problems with the Ultra-Thin Keyboard. He told me that Palm is about to release an updated driver solely for the Zire 71 that will solve those problems, and that there will eventually be a new driver that works with all Palms to solve the remaining keyboard problems.
Meanwhile, Bits 'n Bolts has released Version 1.1 of NetChaser (the site says Version 1.0, but the download is 1.1), that adds some nice features (including the ability to automatically connect to a discovered access point and launch an Internet access program, avoiding the need to use Palm's WiFi utility to connect). Also, my 8-year old son is currently sitting in my office playing the demo version of Sonic the Hedgehog, available for download along with other Sega titles on the Palm Web site.
One other tip: Fictionwise currently has a number of free science fiction short stories and novel excerpts for downloading and reading (using MobiPocket). This is a regular promotion for Fictionwise, and makes for some pleasant time spent waiting on line and things like that. (The stories are a particular pleasure to read on the Tungsten C, with its fast refresh rate and voluminous storage capacity.)
Thanks to everyone who has left comments on this blog -- please keep it up! {Jonathan}
The T|C speaker is still not working, and the keyboard is still
not fully functional, but I'm working on those issues. The speaker is an
inconvenience, as the headset jack works fine. As far as the keyboard
goes, from what I have seen online there is a known incompatibility with first
revision Ultra-Thin Keyboards and the Tungsten C, possibly having to do with a
conflict between the built-in keyboad and the external ones. A number of
users have posted to forums that Palm is replacing Ultra-Thin Keyboards with
updated versions, and the problems have gone away. They also say that the
original Palm Portable Keyboards work fine with the T|C. Unfortunately,
while I own a PPK, it's for my IIIxe and has a different connector, so they're
not compatible. I'm sure I'll get a chance to try out a keyboard solution
in the near future.
In the meanwhile, I wanted to write up my brief impressions of a number of
software packages I've installed and tried out on the T|C. Some are
productivity apps, others are just fun, and of course, your mileage may vary.
Music Players
A & R Partners, Palm's PR agency,
was kind enough to send along a 64 Meg Secure Digital memory card, which enabled
me to try out the two competing MP3 players for the Tungsten: RealOne from Real,
and AeroPlayer from Aerodrome. (Note to my fellow lawyers out there: all
MP3s used in testing are from CDs I purchased and own, and have archived on my
PC for my personal, non-commercial use. *grin* ) The two programs
are very different in approach, although with either, the sound is excellent
even when played in mono through the Palm headset.
RealOne for OS5
RealOne integrates quite handily with the RealOne player I have on my Windows
notebook -- I can easily move any song(s) I have on the PC of which RealOne is
aware to the expansion card on the T|C with a few clicks of the mouse.
Unfortunately, for RealOne to do this, the Tungsten must be in its cradle, on,
and running the RealOne application. Happily, the desktop program allows
you to see and manipulate the files loaded on the Tungsten's expansion card
without having to separately Hotsync. The interface for RealOne on the
Tungsten is minimalist, with little control beyond repeat, shuffle and volume,
but it works, even in the background of other applications or with the Tungsten
otherwise turned off. It's also free.
AeroPlayer
This is the simpler, and better, of the two. You use the Palm
Quick Install desktop application to transfer MP3s to the SD card (it
automatically knows to put them there rather than in RAM), Hotsync and voila:
AeroPlayer shows them in its playlist. (You can also use a standalone SD
card reader/writer to move files on to the card, then pop the card into the
Tungsten.) AeroPlayer doesn't offer the ability to delete files on the
Tungsten, but they recommend (as do I) a freeware file manager called Filez.
The program has much better audio controls, including a 5-band equalizer, and
has many skins available to change its look. It's also shareware: you can
download a 14-day trial, but must pay a $14.95 registration fee ($29.95 for
lifetime updates) beyond that to keep playing MP3s. The program also plays
Ogg Vorbis files.
A few other applications worth noting:
DualDate
This is actually a free program released some months ago by Palm
itself. It's a very simple application: When loaded, it allows two Palm
users to share calendars, beaming updates back and forth. DualDate
integrates with the Datebook application. I tried it on my IIIxe, but it
was so bulky and slow that it was essentially unusable. On the Tungsten C,
I am able to easily and speedily share calendars with my wife (who uses a Palm
Zire 71). One bug: under OS5, DualDate does not show the two calendars'
user names, as it does on earlier operating systems. Still, it's a great
and free app.
Monopoly
This version of the Hasbro classic board game was fun on my IIIxe; on
the Tungsten C, it's a true joy. The colors are sharp, and the game play
quite speedy. (Too speedy, in fact; the program allows you to change the
rate of game play, and any settings above the slowest make the computer players'
activity whiz by faster than you can follow.) Handmark's Scrabble
is also much more enjoyable on the Tungsten, thanks to the speed at which the
computer opponent "thinks".
More soon. {Jonathan}