| [4:45 PM] Palm Issues Stealth Release Of the Palm MacPac With Major New Features
3-COM division Palm Computing has issued a stealth release of the Palm MacPac, now called the Palm Desktop For Macintosh, for their Palm line of PDAs. Thanks to Observer Ric Getter for telling us about his surprise purchase in the retail channel! The Palm MacPac is a suite of productivity apps for the Mac and the Palm. The new version of Palm's Mac offerings include major new features and other enhancements. According to Palm Computing:
The Palm Desktop Software for Macintosh version 2.5 is for use with any Palm Computing® connected organizer to synchronize with PowerPC processor-equipped Macintosh computers. The new Palm Desktop Software for Macintosh version 2.5 adds several new features, including:
- Native HotSync® software developed specifically for the Macintosh
- HotSync Manager can now be directly accessed from both the Palm Desktop and Instant Palm Desktop menu
- Enhanced user management integrates the ability to switch users from within the Palm Desktop Software or HotSync menu
- Drag-and-drop installation of handheld applications and files can now be accessed via the Instant Palm Desktop menu
- Drag-and-drop installation of third-party synchronization conduits
- USB compatibility with the new PalmConnect® USB Kit
- Improved control over alarm settings
- iMessenger Conduit for Palm VII? users
- Electronic registration, and more!
System Requirements:
- Any Palm Computing connected organizer and HotSync cradle
- Apple Macintosh or compatible with a Power PC processor
- Mac OS 7.5.3 or later
- One open serial (printer/modem) port (USB-equipped computers, such as the Apple iMac, require the Palm Connect USB adapter.)
- Macintosh Serial Adapter (included with original Palm MacPac kit, or available for purchase)
- 20 MB free hard drive space
- 6 MB free RAM
Note for current Pilot Desktop for Macintosh 1.0 users:
If possible, you should perform a HotSync synchronization between your Palm handheld and the Pilot Desktop 1.0 software before installing this software.
- Download the dtmac25.bin or dtmac25.hqx file.
- Your web browser should decode the file and you will see dtmac25.bin appear on the desktop (or in your default download folder). If your web browser does not decode the file automatically, you will need to use a decoding utility (such as Aladdin Stuffit Expander) in order to decode the dtmac25.bin or dtmac25.hqx file.
- Use Aladdin Stuffit Expander or similar utility to expand the dtmac20.sit archive (This may have been done automatically when you decoded the file).
- The "Install Palm MacPac v2" folder should appear. Open it and double-click the file labeled "Palm Desktop Installer".
- Follow the software installation dialog that appears to complete your installation.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL users of beta versions of the Palm MacPac (build 34 and earlier) MUST uninstall/remove the beta software from their Macintosh computers as instructed here before downloading and installing this full-release version. Users who do not remove all pre-release versions of the software will NOT be able to perform a HotSync operation and will likely experience serious system crashes.
The Palm Desktop For Macintosh is a free download. For download links and more information, check out the release page at the Palm web site.
The Mac Observer Spin: It's always good to be surprised by a cool new release, and the Palm Desktop For Macintosh 2.5 certainly qualifies. Since being a bit behind with the release of version 2.0 of the software package, this is a relatively swift release of a follow-up. Kudos to Palm for that!
Blue Line Studios
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