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Press Release
Palm OS Compatibility Tools Unveiled at PalmSource Palm OS 5 to Provide Compatibility for Current Software
SAN JOSE, Calif., PalmSource Conference and Expo, Feb. 5
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PalmSource, Inc., the Palm OS(R) subsidiary of
Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), today announced it is providing its vast
development community with compatibility tools to ensure that existing
software programs run smoothly on Palm OS(R) 5. The Palm OS 5 beta will be
previewed today at the PalmSource(R) Conference and is the next major Palm OS
release that supports ARM-compliant processors from industry leaders Intel,
Motorola and Texas Instruments. More than 13,000 software programs run on the Palm OS today, exclusive of
in-house software programs developed by enterprise organizations. Software
programs that comply with Palm OS 4.0 application programming interfaces
(APIs) are expected to work smoothly on Palm OS 5. The new tools will enable
developers to test their applications to ensure continued support for the
20 million Palm Powered(TM) devices in the market worldwide as well as to
provide future support for new handhelds and smart phones. "We began to evangelize developers last year to ensure a strong
compatibility story for current products as well as future products. Through
compatibility we will protect developer investments and provide them with even
greater market opportunities," said Gabriel Acosta-Lopez, senior director of
Platform Development Services for PalmSource, Inc. "We anticipate that most
developers will support compatibility since it gives them access to the market
of over 20 million Palm Powered devices, as well as future Palm OS 4.0 and
Palm OS 5 devices." Here at the PalmSource Conference, which runs Feb. 5-8, developers will
receive a Palm OS 5 Compatibility CD that provides a preliminary version of
Palm OS 5, tools, and 20 compatible applications. Members of the Palm OS
Developer Program will be able to download the following tools from the Palm
OS website ( http://www.palmos.com ):
<![CDATA[ -- Palm OS 5 Simulator -- Runs on Windows NT and enables developers to
test if their applications are compatible.
-- Palm Universal Debugger -- Enables developers to debug Palm OS
applications and runs on Mac OS and Windows 95/98/NT platforms. It now
supports new ARM-based development platforms so developers can easily
find and fix bugs in their applications.
-- Constructor and PalmRez -- Enable developers to create and/or convert
resources.
-- Conduit Development Kit for Microsoft Visual Studio .NET -- Takes
advantage of the new COM environment and wizard support under Microsoft
.NET.
-- Conduit Development Kit for Mac OS X -- Provides connection between
Palm OS software programs and the Mac OS X desktop.
-- Third-party developer tools -- Enable developers to continue to use
their current tools, such as CodeWarrior, Constructor and GCC, to
revise or create software programs that are compatible with the current
Palm OS 4.0 and the future Palm OS 5.
]]> The Palm OS Developer Program has two levels to meet varying needs. Basic
membership is free and provides Palm OS developers with development tools and
resources, including source and sample code, technical documentation and
online knowledgebase. The Advantage level targets developers who need to
shorten their development cycles. It includes direct technical support, a
quarterly resource CD containing the latest development tools and
technologies, and marketing opportunities. More information on the program is
available at www.palmos.com/dev/programs/pdp/. In addition to running on powerful ARM-compliant processors, Palm OS 5
will focus on enhanced performance, data security, multimedia, and
compatibility with existing Palm OS software programs.
About PalmSource, Inc. PalmSource, Inc., the Palm OS(R) subsidiary of Palm, Inc., provides the
most successful operating system for mobile devices in history. It is the
foundation for most of the handheld devices sold worldwide. Palm Powered(TM)
devices include those made by Acer; HandEra; Handspring; Kyocera; Palm, Inc.;
Samsung; Sony; Symbol Technologies; and, in the future, AlphaSmart and Garmin.
Currently, there are more than 13,000 applications available for Palm Powered
devices, exclusive of in-house software programs developed by enterprise
organizations.
About Palm, Inc. Palm, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of mobile and wireless Internet
solutions and a leading provider of handheld computers, according to IDC
(December 2000). Based on the Palm OS(R) platform, Palm's handheld solutions
allow people to carry and access their most critical information wherever they
go. Palm(TM) handhelds address the needs of individuals, enterprises and
educational institutions by offering the foundation for thousands of
application solutions. Palm stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market
under the symbol PALM. More information is available at http://www.palm.com .
NOTE: PalmSource and Palm OS are registered trademarks and Palm and Palm
Powered are trademarks of Palm, Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
SOURCE Palm, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.palm.com
CONTACT: Alexa Ender of A&R Partners, +1-650-762-2819, or aender@arpartners.com, for Palm, Inc.
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