Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Classic HotSync for Palm Pre

HotSync is by far most requested feature that is missing in Classic. Not only that many of Classic users are asking us to implement HotSync, but almost every reviewer, blogger or journalist that is writing about Classic believes that HotSync is one of the key pieces of a complete Palm OS emulator.

So, we took this seriously and added HotSync support to Classic Palm OS emulator for Palm webOS devices. We have HotSync working on our development devices and it is successfully syncing with standard Palm Desktop software that is shipping with Centro and other Palm OS devices.

Some of the most useful features that HotSync will bring to Classic users include:

· Ability to synchronize contacts, calendar, notes, tasks and other PIM data between the Pre and desktop computer (including standard support for syncing contacts and calendar with Microsoft Outlook)
· Ability for existing Palm OS to easily migrate their data and applications from Palm OS phones to Pre
· Ability to use custom conduits and desktop applications that are syncing their data between desktop and phone through HotSync
· Easy installation of new Palm OS apps on the Palm Pre
· Easy and fast way for backing up data and applications on desktop computer


New version of Classic will be able to perform HotSync operations over Bluetooth or WiFi connections.

We are still testing the HotSync support in Classic, but as far as we can tell everything works without any limitations – including the numerous 3rd party conduits that we are using for testing to ensure 100% compatibility with Palm OS apps.

We still do not have the exact ETA for HotSync availability, but it will be included in one of the upcoming Classic updates as a free upgrade for all existing Classic users.

So, until HotSync for Classic is released, do stay tuned to our blog at motionapps.blogspot.com since HotSync is not the only thing we are cooking up for the upcoming releases of Classic.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Hot digity - Palm Pre here I come. This is THE reason I've been waiting for. I love all the new features of the Pre, but I just can't give up some of my trusty Palm OS apps that sync - especially the PIM apps.

Looks like I'll be shelling out the dough here pretty soon for a Pre and Classic.

THANK YOU!

Darren Embry said...

Are you guys doing any testing to make sure that Classic HotSync will work with pilot-link?

Pilot-link is the underlying set of command-line tools and libraries that work with PalmOS devices for Linux and other Unix-compatible operating systems. Most Unix Palm Desktop replacements are based on it.

http://www.pilot-link.org/

Unknown said...

Any plans to improve the sound functionality? Pocket-tunes is the only way I can play WMA files on the Pre, but while it kind of works, it also has some serious issues in Classic.

BillMo said...

This is great news! This will totally tide me over until more native apps show up. And wireless to boot? Sweet!

Palmdoc said...

Excellent news and an excellent job MotionApps.

Unknown said...

Woot, I can stop carrying two phone around for my work app.

Rob Robinson said...

Fantastic. Thanks so much, guys!

robertjsisson said...

Absolutely great news. As an attorney that used his treo 680 for everything; I need to be able to sync with the palm desktop. Question however, I use Lexis/Nexus front office for calendaring/contacts/notes and it would override the palm desktop conduit during a sync of the phone to bring my data in. The only actual information synced from the palm desktop itself was "memos". Should this all work the same, even thought we are syncing by wifi??? I assume this information would then only go into the calendar etc. on the classic side and not on the new pre side- correct? Thank you for all your help for business folks who have used palm products for years but now want to use the pre!

eric fehrman said...

SWEEEEET!

Thanks guys!

Chan said...

Interesting...

Anyway it will be eons before we get the GSM version of Pre it seems. I may stop half way by iPhone 3GS.

One interesting addition is that if can, why not make the other end of the HotSync (desktop) part reside on Pre as a native Pre App.

Ideally what I wan't is merge the Pre data layer with HotSync so the Pre Apps and Classic Apps can stay synced.

Obviously it will be holy grail of HotSync

Anonymous said...

Great News! Do i understand that correctly - the data from the desktop is not just synced with the apps within classic but also with the pre's own pim applications?

Nerd Progre said...

Hey... I left a message here the other day commenting on the lack of an IR port in the PRE, and how I'd love to get some sort of "bluetooth-to-IR" or "usb-to-IR-dongle" solution working on the PRE and supported in your Classic app to fake the Palm devices' IR port.

Why wasn't it published? It was polite and just wondering aloud.

Filtering posts is not the right way to handle one of the few PalmOS advocates in the IT press... :)

best
FC

Anonymous said...

I'm SO pumped and dying for the hot-sync. Please release that baby ASAP! Thanks.

SamCWB said...

This is great news. The lack of HotSync is the main reason I wasn't considering a Pre. (The other is Sprint. But if HotSync works I would give it a serious look.) Thanks guys!

Double-A said...

Are you accepting beta testers, or will it be released soon? I've got 27 days before I have to decide if I am going to return my Pre. Frankly without the hotsync for a Classic app that I use for work, I wouldn't keep the Pre.

Anonymous said...

thank god we switched to pre in the medical office and we still are using our old phones as palm pilots we thought pre would work but we need the classic app to and it must hot syn for surgical scheduling please inform us as soon as it is working peoples lives depend upon it, in addtion some of my partners want to kill me for switching the phones before the app worked eg syn ability

Unknown said...

Thank a lots. I am a heavy centro dependant on medical apps. Now I can stop carrying two handsets around. Please update the releasing date soon
Dave

MotionApps said...

@Fernando: sorry for not publishing your comment, we really appreciate it, but we filtered it because it was on another topic (trying to keep the discussion on the track). Feel free to contact us directly at any time, with all the questions and suggestions.

@Double-A: we're tied to Palm's release schedule, but we do hope it will be out soon. Also, thanks for offering to BETA test for us, we might take you up on that one if we're able to provide BETA versions (there are some tech limitations in this area)

@Anonymous: your comment added specific "weight" to Classic. This is what we call "a use case".

@Long (Dave): just as we said to Double-A, we're not in control of release date, but hope it's out soon.

@all comments: thanks very much, we enjoy your observations, suggestions and of course, support. Keep them coming!

Unknown said...

When you say you are tied to Palm's release schedule, do you mean that you are waiting for them to release the update in the App Store? Or are you subject to their Web OS update schedule?

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Best news I've heard so far! Since I'm heavily dependent on Pocket Quicken to record my finances, this news means that I won't have to go to all the hassle of moving over to a Windows Mobile smartphone just so I can continue to use PQ. Now the Pre is back on my radar screen...in fact, it's vaulted to the top.

Anonymous said...

In having to reboot my Pre from scratch, none of my programs or settings on Classic restored. This is definitely a needed feature! There has to be some way to backup my information that I store on the Classic apps or it is useless for many programs.

Anonymous said...

Got my Pre based on the announcement. I am an airline pilot who uses it with logbook pro's Airline Pilots Daily Logbook (as thousands of other airline pilots do). The hotsynch is the ONLY feasible way to use the program since the main purpose is to NOT have to enter all my flight schedule one flight at a time. I'll be waiting so I can stop carrying both phone as I galivant around the world recording my data.

Waiting patiently said...

Are we talking weeks, or months?

Unknown said...

I'll second that. Can we get an ETA? ie. weeks or months?

I recently bought a Pre on this announcement, and I love it, but I have to carry around my old device as I need those Hotsynching palm apps.

Any word?

Thanks much - you guys are awesome.

Brian said...

Lot of Filemaker Pro users out here that are wondering if Filemaker Mobile will work with this sync. I installed Filemaker Mobile 8 onto my Palm with the Classic app but am curious if it will sync. Other developers have created FM Touch which is released for the IPhone, ITouch & Blackberry but are not creating a realese for the Palm yet. Hundreds of developers are hinging on knowledge if FM will sync with the highly anticipated release of Classic HotSync. Thanks for creating this much needed tool as Palm left many of us in the dark not allowing us to sync with our computers. Peace out..

Anonymous said...

Has there been any testing with the Intellisync conduit?

Unknown said...

Have you had a chance to test Classic HotSync with the Pocket Quicken 2.5.1 conduit? Pocket Quicken is one of those apps I really don't want live without. I'm waiting for Classic to support HotSync before I finally buy a Pre to replace my Treo 700P. THANKS!

Steven Grimm said...

Ditto the request for Pocket Quicken. That's the app I most sorely miss now that I'm using a Pre; really no point installing it on Classic until I can hotsync. Actually I literally *only* care about hotsync for Pocket Quicken; everything else I can back up via the normal Pre backup techniques (which aren't exactly wonderful but that's not MotionApps' fault.)

Desperately Hoping said...

I am very interested in a Palm Pre because I love Datebk6 and understand with "Classic" I will be able to use Datebk6 on the Palm Pre. My Challenge is that I HATE Querty and LOVE " Graffiti on my HTC Touch using a stylus for writing. Is it possible to use Graffiti on the Palm pre and do I use my fingers or a stylus? If you have any idea, please let me know.

Anonymous said...

I've waited and waited for a smartphone. To think I could have a Palm Pre and transfer all my Tungsten C data will be awesome. I am wondering about the Splash Data series...Splash money, Splash ID, Splash shopper, etc.