Palm OS 5.4 Seeded to Developers

PalmSource has sent an email to developers informing them that they now have access to a pre-release version of Palm OS 5.4. The latest version of the Palm OS is very similar to the previous one, with just a few tweaks.

The most significant new feature in Palm OS 5.3, which was seeded to developers last fall, was the inclusion of a standard API for handling virtual Graffiti areas. For the first time, Palm OS 5.4 includes version of the standard PIM applications that support the virtual Graffiti area.

This comes at a time when some of the Palm OS licensees are moving away from using the standard applications as a way to differentiate their products from their competitors. palmOne included new versions of the built-in apps with the Tungsten models introduced last fall that lack many of the drawbacks of the regular ones, including removing the limits on the lengths of memos and notes. In addition, the upcoming Clie TH55 from Sony will include a single application that displays the contents of the Calendar, Address Book, To-Do list, and Memo Pad.

Most of the other changes in Palm OS 5.4 aren't even this significant. It brings many of the improvements that were included in OS 5.3 to the British, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Japanese versions. These changes had already been made to the Chinese version.

This does not mean that handhelds running Palm OS 5.4 are imminent. Developers are being given access to this upcoming version of the operating system so they can insure that their applications are compatible, before it is part of a shipping handheld.

Also, Palm OS 5.4 is not available to users. Distributing new versions of handheld operating systems doesn't happen the same way it does with desktops. When PalmSource finishes work on a new one, it is only given to the licensees, who have to customize it for their individual models. It is up to the licensees as to whether upgrades are created.

Palm OS 5 for Smart Phones

Even though Palm OS 6 was given to the licensees at the very end of last year, PalmSource will continue development of Palm OS 5. A version specially suited to smart phones is being developed.

While Palm OS 6 will be appropriate for handhelds and high-end smart phones, PalmSource says the lower hardware requirements and maturity of Palm OS 5 will make it better suited for low-cost smart phones.

This is scheduled for released later this year.

Thanks to Riemann Zeta for the image.

Related Links

• PalmSource Seeds Palm OS 5.3 to Developers
• Palm OS 6 Given to Licensees on Schedule
• Smart Phone Version of Palm OS 5 Coming Next Year