My Palm Centro
Why the Palm Centro? The Centro is not just a phone. It's a PDA (Personal Digital Organizer) . Anyone can make phone calls and anyone can surf the web, watch tv, blog, email and keep track of their appointments on a smartphone, but with the centro you can do all that and more. What I was looking for was a phone that was more than just a phone. I wanted to do all the things mentioned above but I also wanted to be able to first hook it up to my laptop and use it as a broadband modem and then be able to add just about any type of program that makes my Centro both appealing to me, match my personality and allow me to be productive in both my life and business. Continue on to see how I use my Centro and how you can too.
These are the programs I currently use on my Palm Centro.
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Change the look:
TAKEphONE
The first program I purchased was TakePhone
. This program changed the entire look of my phone. The main phone screen, the speed dial etc... Everything is right there for you in a more eye pleasing and productive way. I have immediate access to all my contacts just start typing the contacts name and your there ready to dial. Events from my calendar. My favorite programs, just click on the icon. The weather (with plugin from 4Cast), Click weather to see 5 day forecast and more . This program allows me to view the old speed dial, phone pad and call log in a more pleasing way.
   
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2Day
Ok now my todo list needed some spicing up. So I picked up 2day. Created by the same author as TakePhone
. This really made a difference on how I use my todo list and calendar program. It looks great and matches my main phone screens. It is very easy to use, with many options. I can see today's weather (With 4Cast plugin). I can easily add, edit or delete any task, appointment or reminder. This really compliments my pda.
  
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4Cast
I am going to jump the gun here a bit and suggest you get 4Cast. This is also created by the same author as TakePhone
and 2day and compliments your Palm. You can add 4Cast to both The TakePhone app and the 2Day app. One click access to your 5 day forecast for one or multiple cities.
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TouchLauncher
Next I needed a new way to view the Launcher. I looked at a few of them and decided on TouchLauncher. This program allows you to use a better choice of icons and lets you scroll left or right with your thumb, browsing through all of you applications. Drag an Icon to the trash can (visible when moving icon to bottom of screen) and it deletes the application form you palm and then removes the icon. Use the program to scan you applications to add any newly acquired applications !!.UPDATE!! TouchLauncher now allows you to swipe up and down changing the categories with ease.
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TouchBook
This application changes the look of your contacts list. I rarely ever use this area to find my contacts but I was looking for something that fit in with the rest of my style. Does a great job. Created by the same author as TouchLauncher. This program is free.
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SkinUI:
SkinUI allows you to skin your Palm Centro app's. There are many features to this program. No more boring box's and buttons. Note: If you are using FieldPlus2 SkinUI adds 5way functionality to the command bar. This program is free. |
FontHackV:
FontHackV allows you to change the fonts on your palm centro. The program itself is free. It comes bundled with FontSmoother which is shareware but not needed if your not going to be using fonts that require it such as italics. You will also need to download YAHM Yet Another Hack Manager for it to work. |
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| Security: |
NVBackup::
Ok this is a must have. Backing up your palm is crucial. I decided on NVBackup because first of all it is FREE and secondly while testing it I messed up and deleted some very important files. One click in NVBackup and 1 minute later I was up and running normally again. You can set NVBackup to do incremental backups or manually backup to your sd card at any time you want. You can FTP the file to an online service or to your PC for safe keeping.
Here are a few other programs you may consider:
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eWallet Professional
What would you do if you were on the road and lost your wallet? Do you have instant access to your credit card information to report your cards? Will you visit a website on your phone that you rarely visit, and would you remember the password? Well now you can have this information available to you anytime with eWallet Professional. Store your credit cards, passwords, PINs, calling cards, accounts, usernames and much more in eWallet. Your information is convenient for you, but encrypted for complete safety, and you can sync to your desktop for extra ease-of-use and backup. |
PearBlockIt
I hate having to enter a password every time I turn on my Centro so I picked up this little app to stop anyone form getting into selected applications if they happened to get a hold of my phone. Set a password for launch of the selected applications. So now it is impossible to open protected applications without entering the password. Improve protection of your data with PearBlockIt! |
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| Productivity: |
Java Virtual machine for Palm:
Ok Palm no longer supports JVM so if you want to run Opera or other java applets then you will need the IBM WebSphere Micro Environment Java Virtual Machine 5.7.2 for Palm OS. It is available from here for your convenience. |
Opera Mini:
If you need a program to view web pages in it's original format then Opera Mini is an essential. Opera mini offers both mobile and full views. It is fast and light. There are some limitations on the palm such as surfing with opera for a long period of time will cause it to slow down to the point where restarting the program is needed to pick up where you left off and continue. But, for a quick look around getting the info you needed quickly then this works just fine for now. Maybe in the future Palm will go back to supporting jvm and opera will work better. The best way to download Opera mini is from your phone. Point your mobile browser to this address. mini.opera.com |
Profiles:
Ok this is another must have if you need to control all the aspects of your Centro at certain times of the day or during certain events. Profiles allows you to automatically adjust just about everything on your PDA from Brightness to sounds. It can even start a program at your specified time or when a action is performed. I use this mainly to adjust my sounds while at work or at a social event. Yes the Centro has a simple switch on the top to turn off all sounds at once but I kept forgetting to turn the sounds back on at night so that my alarm would go off to wake me in the morning. With Profiles the sound automatically returns to my base profile when needed at no more worries about not hearing my alarm. This program is free. The link takes you to 1.07T beta version for the centro. You can find Version 1.01 here.
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FileZ:
I use FileZ to view any and all the files on my Centro. The most useful aspect of this program is when I install a program I can note any new files added to my Centro. Then if I need to delete that program I can check to make sure all the files have been removed and if the are not then I can remove them manually. The program is very simple and easy to navigate. This program is free.
There is also another great program called Resco Explorer. I did not choose this program only because it was a little more than I need right now.
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FieldPlus2:
FieldPlus enables users to use their 5-way navigation button
to select text in standard PalmOS text input fields. This is the official use but I use it to get the command bar back which was dropped on the centro. The command bar allows me quick access to my DA's and other options. Combined with SkinUI you can use your five way to navigate the command bar and use iconCMD to add your own icons to the command bar. This program is free. |
iconCMD:
iconCMD allows you to add icons to the command bar for quick easy access to your favorite programs.This program is free. |
LightNzip:
Ok there are times when your on the road and you need to send a file but it's too large to send via email or you need to download a file or program you found on the web. This is where LightNzip comes in handy. I use it to open zip files of programs I find on the web when I am away from my computer. LightNzip is a must have for those on the go.
There is also another great program called Resco Explorer. I did not choose this program only because it was a little more than I need right now.
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EzFTP:
This I use for easy and quick access to my ftp server on my website. It allows me access to any file I may need to update.This program is free. |
Palm File Browser:
This program allows you to transfer your files from both main memory and SD card. To and from your pc. I use this to move the programs and documents I have downloaded on the go to my computer via my USB connection. This program is free |
Watchmaker:
This is my alarm clock. Simple to use. Customizable and best of all reliable. This program is free. |
BuzzOff:
Have you ever wanted to block annoying callers, marketers, unknown callers, your boss, friends or even family members? Ever wanted to be left alone and enjoy the peace and quiet times? Now you can with Buzz. Buzz will monitor all incoming calls and SMS and will apply the filters that you have setup to use. If you choose, a log file will be created for blocked calls. |
Card Reader:
Card Reader allows to use Palm-powered handheld's as an ordinary USB or Bluetooth card reader for quick and easy file exchange. It has the unique ability to export the card in the background mode allowing you e.g. to transfer MP3s simultaneously with web browsing. |
Palmary Clock Wireless for Treo and Centro:
I wanted a more interesting clock on my night stand when I went to bed as I use my Centro for everything these days. I also got tired of polyphonic ringtones waking me up and wanted to use my mp3's. Why not I have them on my sd card. This program lets me now wake up to my favorite songs. I also offered many different options including the weather forecast updated when I wake up, world clock and moon phases just to name a few. |
| More to Come |
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