Free Games for Palm OS Smart Phones and PDAs

Astraware has a free download called Fireworks so you can have a mini fireworks display on your handheld. While you’re there, checkout the other free games.

Tips to protect your PDA and cell phone

There were several alarming articles this week about mobile device privacy at News.com:
Used mobile devices share secrets
Stolen smart phones scream to be found

Smart phones and PDAs offer the benefit of storing information, but consumers may not wipe the data clean before selling the devices on eBay, according to research results released Wednesday.

“Personal and corporate data is being sold on the open market through eBay, and it’s also available to anyone who finds, steals or purchases a used smart phone or PDA from any other source,” Nick Magliato, chief executive of Trust Digital, said in a statement. “The general public needs to immediately be made aware of this fact.”

Be sure to read the complete article for more startling statistics.

The point is, the more you become dependant on technology, the more you have to put safe guards in place:

• Use the built-in PIN/password security on your PDA or cell phone.
• Set your device to automatically lock after 30 minutes or when you close the lid.
• Keep a backup copy of your device data. That means sync to your computer often.
• If you store sensitive information, don’t file with titles such as “My passwords.” Use non-descriptive titles that don’t draw attention.
• If you are selling or exchanging the device, figure out how to wipe the data first.
• If you are disposing of the device, make it unusable. But be sure to dispose/recycle the battery properly.

It’s a hassle to lose a device, but with a little precaution and common sense, it won’t be so devastating to you.

-Roland

Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional who is concerned about how companies handle personally identifiable information. His observations can be found at Chaos365.com and AdMadMan.com.

©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.

Instant Messaging with Treo 650

Back in the mid-90’s, I used a simple Day Runner paper planner to “organize” my life. My wife urged my evolution up to a Franklin Planner, which was more of a leather bound philosophy and way of life.

I think it was around 1998 when I picked up a Palm III in an office supply store and was instantly hooked. I even had a leather Franklin Planner case that integrated a Palm IIIx sleeve with the paper ring binder (pretty much an oxymoron now that I think about it).

My PDA journey started with the III, then a Palm IIIx, a Tungsten C and finally led to a Smart Phone Palm Treo 650 — simply the best PDA ever!

I swear by electronic organizers to keep me sane. The PDA is also my curse because it is loaded with an everlasting list of tasks to accomplish. Plus, my mom thinks my handwriting is horrible.

Part of being organized and productive is the need for instant access to info. IM is great for that. My co-workers depend on AOL Instant Messenger to stay in touch throughout the day. My family also occasionally ping me rather than call, since it’s less intrusive. I’ve wanted instant messaging (not text messaging) on my Treo, but just couldn’t justify the expense.

Finally, a few free alternative for Instant Messaging on the Treo 650 have surfaced.
Here are two worth checking out if you are looking for simple features. See the full list below for other software solutions that offer more features, yet come at a price.

Free Solutions:

• AtomicCog.com’s Toccer for Treo Agile Messenger 2 BETA for Palm 3.5+
  Platforms: ICQ, AIM, Yahoo!, MSN
  Investment: Free Beta

Paid Solutions:

• AOL Mobile
  Platforms: AOL
  Investment: $19.95
• Chatopus
  Platforms: MSN, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, GaduGadu and Sametime, Google Talk, Jabber
  Investment: $16.95
• VeriChat
  Platforms: “An always-on presence on the Yahoo!, ICQ, MSN & AOL chat networks.” Investment: $24.95/$34.95 annual subscription fee, depending on level of features.
• IM+ Mobile Instant Messenger
  Platforms: ICQ, MSN, AOL, Yahoo, Jabber, Google Talk
  Investment: $29.95
• Causerie Messenger
  Platforms: Yahoo!, MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk
  Investment: $29.95

Occasionally, Palm software download sites run special discounts. Keep an eye out and maybe you can get 10% off.

The EverythingTreo.com Instant Messenger Roundup November 2005 has a review that compares Chatopus, IM+ and VeriChat.

If you ever need to IM while at a someone else’s computer, or your company IT dept refuses to install IM software, check out AIM Express. It’s slow, but works via the Web browser.

I hope this helps you be more productive. Let me know if you have any experience with the above or other solutions to check out. Thanks.
-Roland

Roland Reinhart is an interactive marketing professional. His observations can be found at Chaos365.com and AdMadMan.com.

©2006 Roland Reinhart. All Rights Reserved.