Welcome back to the TamsPPC StyleTap review. Part 1 looked at the installation and setup process of StyleTap - now that StyleTap is running, let’s see how a bunch of popular Palm OS apps like it:
AcidImage
An old version of AcidImage laying around on a memory card worked and displayed images in QVGA mode - however, the program had a bunch of weird display quirks:
Discovery
PalmSource’s ever-popular bluetooth device scanner does not work with StyleTap - apparently, the program does not support bluetooth(yet):
Documents To Go 9
DocumentsToGo 9 worked well in StyleTap. Parts of the application even appeared in native resolutions - but other parts of the suite had incredible display problems leading to parts of the UI being displayed entirely in red:
PocketTunes
PocketTunes worked well in StyleTap - it could even run in the background.
Resco Explorer
Resco Explorer worked flawlessly, although it had its issues with the display resolution:
SrcEdit
Jogn Wilund’s source code editor works with StyleTap - as long as custom fonts stay disabled:
VersaMail 2.7.1
Palm’s ever-popular, always-crashing email client works in StyleTap but does not display the emails in list mode. This could be due to a missing file though…as the rest of the program works fine:
Overall, most Palm OS applications worked pretty well(although in lowres - Palm developers rarely support QVGA natively). Some applications still have minor but annoying quirks - however, the manufacturer is busily chasing these down. Tune in soon to find out more about compatibility with games!
How about SkinUI, Palm Insider Pro, and try an app that launches a second app with sysAppLaunchFlagNewThread.
How about my deal breaker that keeps me Palm oriented - Pimlico’s DateBk6.
also try Saguaro.
@ JW Norris:
Hi, for me datebk6 used to be the deal breaker as well. However Agenda One on the PPC platform is a good replacement (read not too chunky)
Bas
Just thought you might be interested in this.
We’re not ready to announce an official StyleTap for iPhone/Touch version yet, but we have done some experimentation with it. Here’s a short video of what it looks like so far:
http://www.viddler.com/styletap/videos/1
It looks promising. This experimental version can run ARMlets and because of the screen size, uses hi-res (double density) bitmaps and fonts.
If Apple’s security and application installation and distribution scheme isn’t too restrictive, it looks like StyleTap will be able to run the same applications on the iPhone/Touch, Symbian and Windows Mobile/CE platforms. This should go a long way in helping developers deal with the mobile OS fragmentation problem.