There may be many more Windows Mobile devices than Palm OS ones these days, but there's still a choice to be made between the two when shopping for a new handheld.
For years, these two handheld operating systems have competed fiercely to woo handheld buyers. Both do an admirable job with the core applications: Address book, calendar, to-do list, and memos. When it comes to devices available for the two different operating systems though, the contrast is remarkable.
The launch of new handhelds running Palm OS has slowed down to a trickle, while devices with Windows Mobile take the pole position for frequency of new ones rolled out, with at least a few new ones every month from many different manufacturers.
Palm OS 5.4 Garnet
The last major release of Palm OS was version 5.0. Since then, there have been incremental upgrades up to version 5.4, which is also named Garnet. The Japanese company Access now owns Palm OS, and licenses it exclusively to Palm for use on its handheld devices. One of the most significant changes in Garnet is its support for internal non-volatile flash memory, which makes sure that data does not disappear once the battery on a device goes flat. The next major release of Palm OS is expected to be based on Linux, and will be developed in-house with a device release expected at the end of 2007.
To input letters and numbers, Palm uses Graffiti 2.0, an updated version of its original handwriting recognition system, where you write in block characters that are similar to traditional letters but are easier for the handheld to recognise.
Many Palm OS devices still have a designated Graffiti area below the display, which limits the screen size. Newer models offer a virtual Graffiti area that can be minimised to give you more visual real estate, a feature that's been found on Microsoft-based handhelds for years. In the Treo range of PDA-phones, there is no Graffiti area, whether virtual or physical. They come with a QWERTY keyboard below a square screen for text input instead.
The Palm OS has some distinct advantages over Windows Mobile when it comes to PC synchronisation. First, it's compatible with Apple and Windows-based computers. Palm also offers an email program called VersaMail, which works with a variety of similar applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Microsoft Exchange, and Lotus Notes. Be sure to check and see if VersaMail comes bundled with the handheld; Otherwise, it'll cost you extra.
The Palm platform also benefits from the enormous library of third-party applications. For example, if you intend to work with Microsoft Office files on your handheld, the Palm OS doesn't provide built-in support. However, many models come bundled with DataViz's Documents To Go Professional Edition, a tool that not only lets you work with said files but does a good job synchronising with your PC and maintaining formatting. Check out CNET.com.au Downloads for other apps, from games to expense-tracking tools to media players.
Windows Mobile
The latest iteration of Windows Mobile is version 6 (WM6). Currently, there are no devices out for sale already with WM6 preloaded. WM6 has some significant changes over WM5, one of which is the inclusion of Office Mobile in the Standard version, so smart phones without touchscreens get Microsoft Office compatibility out of the box.
From an interface viewpoint, WM6 does not differ much from the current WM5. The company touts the fact that Windows Mobile resembles desktop versions of Windows, and is therefore easier to use. However, we feel the learning curve is actually steeper than Palm devices. Don't get discouraged -- anyone can quickly master the OS.
Where Palm offers just a single handwriting recognition system, Windows Mobile has three choices: Block Recognizer, which is similar to Grafitti; Letter Recognizer, which imitates the act of printing letters; and Transcriber, a system that recognises either printed or cursive handwriting, provided you write neatly. And as noted, Windows Mobile devices have a virtual input area that appears onscreen only when needed. When it's hidden, you have nearly 1/3 more screen real estate.
Windows Mobile 5.0 is intended to mesh with all of Microsoft's software. It comes with a copy of Outlook Mobile, and the synchronisation is top-notch. All the fields from your Outlook contact list are sent to the handheld, and you can even access Hotmail and MSN inboxes within Outlook. However, if your business uses Lotus Notes or some other email system, you're in a bit of a pickle. And if you're on a Mac, you'll need to purchase third-party synchronisation software.
In addition to Outlook, Windows Mobile comes with Office Mobile which supports viewing and editing of Word and Excel documents. PowerPoint presentations can also be viewed, but they cannot be edited.
There's a respectable library of third-party software available for Windows Mobile devices. Gamers and multimedia fans, in particular, will benefit from the collection of entertainment apps and media players that let you view native MPEG files and music composition tools with built-in software synthesisers. Again, CNET.com.au Downloads is a good resource for addons to your Pocket PC device.
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