LifeDriver

Palm has released a new Security Panel Update for the LifeDrive as well as some other models. Check it out:


Palm - Support - Security Panel Update 1.0

Looking around it looks like Palm now supports IBM's Java
WebSphere Everyplace Micro Environment on the LifeDrive, and they aren't trying to charge people for it any more.

Instructions are here. As always, be careful and downloader beware.

Well, I did the ROM upgrade and I didn't have any problems with the install.
I had to rebind my BlueTooth devices and connections but that was expected.
I do wish that Palm had included more detailed descriptions of what was new.

For example, Blazer has been upgraded to version 4.3 which is the version I believe that comes with the T|X. It is much faster, like night and day. There is now a little lightning bolt icon which allows you to turn the pictures off so that the pages load even faster. It's in the spot where the optimize/wide page mode icon was - you can still switch between thos by either using the menu or using Grafitti 2 shorcuts.

WiFi response and reception is also much improved. I can go much farther away from my access point with it now.

No crashes since the upgrade either. I'm very happy with my device now, it is reaching its full potential.

I haven't had the chance to apply this yet, but the long-awaited LifeDrive Update 2.0 has been released!

*Note - from what I've read on the forums it may help to remove any SD card before you do the update process. Also you will probably want to have at least 31 Mb free on the internal device.

LifeDrive Update 2.0

What's it do? According to Palm:

What is the LifeDrive Update 2.0?

Here at Palm we want to make sure you get the best experience possible with your LifeDrive mobile manager. To help make that happen we have released a new update to the LifeDrive mobile manager.

This software update (version 2.0) provides a variety of enhancements for:

* Wi-Fi coverage in low signal areas
* Roaming performance
* File system stability
* Sound quality when listening to MP3 files
* More flexible multimedia functionality, including file transmission over wireless connections, file saving, and faster recording and playback
* Browser performance, including more efficient, faster page rendering
* The VersaMail® application to version 3.1C for large document attachments
* The Docs To Go application version 7.006
* New hard reset option to erase Program Memory but not Internal Drive contents more info

I haven't had the chance to apply this yet, but I will be doing it this afternoon and I will report back with my findings. Good luck!

I'm sure everyone is interested in how they can squeeze more battery time into the LifeDrive. Here's a couple of things I do:

-Turn the screen brightness down - I've done this for a while now and I am so used to it, I don't miss the extra brightness at all. You do this by:
1. Click on the time box in the bottom row.
2. Drag the bar on the line near the bottom with the sun by it all the way to the left (note that on this screen you get a big digital clock, a bigger battery meter and a memory meter).
That's it!

*Note: The following tip may be causing problems with WiFi*

-Underclock your LifeDrive to 312 Mhz - What? Why do that? You want me to hobble my machine? No. Think about this: Palm's latest unit, the TX, runs at 312 Mhz. I too was skeptical but I haven't found any ill effects, the LD seems to do everything just as well, but I get longer battery life. To do this, install LifeDrive Speed Controller. Look in your Prefs application and you should see LifeDrive CPU. Have fun! Use at your own risk (I use it and all is well, but that doesn't mean it won't blow up your machine).

Google Blog Search is out now, and it looks great on the LifeDrive.

I'm still really digging the LifeDrive. As long as you try to stick to Palm OS 5 applications you should have a fairly stable machine.

I've been listening to podcasts in the car using a Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter. What this does is allow you to set it to a FM radio frequency, plug in your audio source (in my case the LD) and broadcast the audio on FM to your stereo. Going on a long trip? Program your LD PocketTunes playlist in advance and be in control of your audio experience. These can be had for around $35. I'd plug it in your car's electrical outlet because the batteries can't provide a decent signal for long.

I started looking around for a way to read all the blogs I frequented in a web-based format. I also wanted one that looked good and would stay up-to-date when I looked at it on my LifeDrive, and I found it.

On your desktop, check out Bloglines
On your LifeDrive, check out Bloglines Mobile

This is a great web-based service that doesn't require you to download anything to work. It is very responsive and the mobile version looks great in Blazer. There are so many options for organizing and setting up how you want your stuff to look.

I had also looked at a few Windows-based aggregators but Bloglines is the only one I have found that would accept every type of feed I threw at it. I give it two thumbs up.