Cameron's Thoughts

I purchased my Palm Pre the morning it came out. Within a couple of days, people had already figured out how to gain root access to the underlying Linux operating system. I've setup access since that time (early June). Since that time, everything has worked great. Update after update, Palm has never tinkered with anything related to the SSH access. After I installed WebOS 1.3.1, all of a sudden I could no longer access my phone over SSH. Unlike all those iPhones that just got hacked because they had enabled root access with no password, I have direct root access over SSH disabled. I have a separate SSH user created, which is just security common sense. Unfortunately, it seems that Palm had updated the /etc/passwd file in the latest update which removed my SSH user. Had I left the system insecure, I could have still logged in with the root user, but I didn't. I don't recall how I initially enabled the root access, but I seem to recall that it required connecting the phone to my computer and it didn't work on Windows 7. So, that was going to require that I load up a virtual machine on my desktop and figure it out again. Instead, I was able to install the Terminal application from Preware and was able to get a root console that way. I don't know why Palm made this change, but I now see they also updated the hostname on the device for some reason. Before, the hostname was simply 'castle', which was the Pre's codename. Now the hostname shows as 'palm-webos-device'. Hopefully this is the last time Palm makes this change as I like having control over the phone.

The latest version of WebOS came out today, and the third big update since the Palm Pre came out. I'm about to download it here shortly. Precentral has details of what's included in the update. I have been using Preware to install patches to my phone, so this update also means it's time to remove those patches, and then reinstall after the update. For my own personal note-taking and to share what I have installed, here are the current patches:

4x4 icons v3
Call Block/Rejector
Call Duration in Call Log
Character Counter
Default to Month View
Enable Add/Delete Pages
Enable Forwarding
Enable Landscape Email
Enable Vibration
Hide Nascar App
Hide NFL App
Just Charge By Default
Lower Swap Threshold
Match State to Area Code
Reduce Minimum Brightness
Show Wifi SSID
Sound Toggle - Grey
Unhide Dev Mode Icon
Unthrottle Download Manager
Virtual Keyboard

A lot of this stuff is indeed included in other phones by default, and I will admit that webOS is lacking in some features. Thankfully, the hacking community is really great and they have made the phone very nice.

Also, anyone running Preware should probably make the following modification to the phone. This will stop updates from occurring automatically. It's possible that you could really mess up the phone if you install an OS update over all the patches, so it's best to have control over the updates instead of letting Palm do them automatically. What this does is simply remove the execute ability from the update application. You need to have root access to do this. Once you are logged on as root, run the following:

mount -o remount,rw /
chmod -x /usr/bin/UpdateDaemon
mount -o remount,ro /
killall UpdateDaemon

Then, on days like today when once you've removed all the patches, you can reverse this and re-enable the updater by doing the following:

mount -o remount,rw /
chmod +x /usr/bin/UpdateDaemon
mount -o remount,ro /

Then restart the phone.

I created a little install script for my Pre. It makes it easy to install homebrew apps. This requires root access. There are some apps that allow you to install directly from the Pre and also apps that work if the Pre is connected over USB. I don't really prefer these methods as I never connect my Pre to USB, and copying and pasting URL's on the Pre isn't too user friendly.

# /bin/sh
mount -o remount,rw /
ipkg -o /var install $1
luna-send -n 1 palm://com.palm.applicationManager/rescan {}
mount -o remount,ro /

You can then just name it something like install and chmod +x install and easily install any ipk file either locally or over the internet like so:

./install http://forums.precentral.net/spe_attachment/download-24521-com.palm.app
.switcharoo_0.9.0_all.ipk

That installs the Switcharoo wallpaper switch app.

I have an updated review posted for the Palm Pre on GadgetNutz. It's mostly the same review I had posted here previously, but it's updated with my one month impressions.
Additionally, I don't post on this blog near as much as I used to. I mostly just post updates on Twitter, so you can follow me to get the latest info on there.

Could a greater device ever be made? Probably, but this is the greatest thing that has come along so far.

Just saw this bad news. Seems smart phones have become too smart. EPOC.Cabir is a worm that infects Nokia Series 60 phones. Busy, so can't comment much but, damn, that sucks.

PhoneScoop has a story about Sandisk's new T-Flash memory card. I think for once, they might have taken this shrinking of technology too far. How hard would it be to lose your 1GB T-Flash card. That would be really pricey to lose. It cool that it is really small for use in cell phones, but maybe they should just put more onboard memory in them, and worry less about the expansion cards.

The first music video shot entirely on a Nokia 3650. A cool idea, but I'm not sure I would exactly call this a music video. More like a guy doing a really bad dance to not so great music. But it was all filmed using a Nokia 3650 so it's cool with me.

I think this might just be my next phone. I LOVE Series 60 and this is the first clamshell Series 60 phone. Ever since purchasing my Nokia 3650, I have been wondering about my need for a Palm OS device. Maybe my NX60 will be my last PDA. I don't really use it much anymore. I have all my contacts and calendar synced to my phone, and it actually does an even better job than my Palm. The new Cobalt OS will have better support for syncing more fields with MS Outlook, but Series 60 already does.
There isn't a whole lot of info out yet on the X700, but it does look nice and Jørgen Sundgot gave the physical characteristics such as the keypad and navigation keys a good review. That kind of stuff is important, especially since I already know the software inside is good. Sundgot is pretty accurate in reviews in my opinion so I would trust this device will be pretty nice. I am curious about the RAM though. Series 60 doesn't really have any high requirements, but a nice supply of RAM is good for multi-tasking. Opera really eats it up too when surfing the web. That's yet another reason I question the need for a Palm device. I would like the large screen to surf websites, and NetFront is a nice browser. But, Opera for Series 60 (for any device actually), just kicks the ass of NetFront. It's a full desktop browser with compliance to every standard, desktop and mobile.
Anyways, Series 60 is about the only way I will go with any future phone, the software library is already large and growing fast. Everything about the system is nice. I would also like a clamshell phone. I hate the screen getting scratched up, and the keylock is starting to drive me wacky.
Also, there is some more info, and a hi-res pic here.

After owning my 3650 for a little while now, I have never been able to get the thing to sync with Outlook. I think the install of PC Suite must have been corrupted or something. I had uninstalled and re-installed numerous times (as seen in the Bluetooth fun posts), but that was to get the PC Suite to just see the phone. I didn't want to attempt another re-install just to get the sync to work as I figured another reinstall would probably do more harm than good.
I read through the instructions very closely, and it said to hit this 'New Task' button to tell it to sync with Outlook. Every time I hit 'New Task', the app would look like it's doing something for a second, then just do nothing.
Well, today I upgraded to the latest version of PC Suite. I don't really notice anything new about it, probably just some bug fixes, but now when I hit 'New Task', it actually allows me to choose a task. Now all my contacts are syncing between my PC, Nokia 3650, and my Sony Clie NX60 (thanks to Intellisync). I feel so much more organized now, but at the same time wonder how much longer my Clie NX would be of use. Now all my appointments and contacts are on my 3650, all my Clie does is store my shopping list, some handwritten notes, and it has some spreadsheets that I use.

On Sept. 26, I wrote the first part of this article, Bluetooth Fun. It's been a while and I just finally got the damn PC Suite to work today. Actually, I have no idea what I did, but when I tried it, it connected to my phone and worked fine. For the longest time, the PC Suite application kept saying 'Device not Connected' even though it was. There is another application called mRouter that is required to connect the PC Suite with the phone over Bluetooth and that showed the connection was fine. There are a number of website forums on the web where many other people have listed the exact same problems that I have had with no solution. It seems the solution to most problems is just to uninstall everything, the PC Suite, and all the Bluetooth drivers. Plus, there are a number of different driver versions available and depending on who you ask, some are evil and some are great. For example, my Bluetooth dongle came with the WIDCOMM ver 1.3.something drivers. Some people say, 1.4.something is available and it's the newest, so use that. Others say 1.2 is the best and the newer versions have flaws, so use that. I've downloaded the different versions, uninstalled and reinstalled so many times I can't even count them. I even resorted to using the rollback feature of Windows XP (I think it's called System Restore). Never used it before, but even rolling back to before my first Bluetooth install didn't help. I eventually gave up and figured I would go without the PC Suite. But, it's nice to have now since I can back up the phone to the PC. I would hate to lose all that contact info. Most of it is backed up on my Clie, but not all of it.

You would think after how many years it took for Bluetooth to finally get into the market, that using it would be a piece of cake. For some things it is, for some things it's a PITA. Having just recently purchased a Nokia 3650 and getting a Bluetooth dongle for my PC, I have now had my first experience setting up Bluetooth. For things like sending files back and forth, it's so easy. Actually, easier than I expected. Once the devices are in range (10 meters is what it's rated for, but I am in range in the office my PC is in, and in my bedroom and kitchen which are the rooms next to the office), they need to be paired the first time. It's an easy process, just enter the same code on the PC and on the phone and they see each other. Then on, you don't have to do anything. You can set it so each devices will automatically authorize file transfers and such. It's pretty secure since no one can just access the data with any other device since all devices must enter a passcode the first time they connect.
Now, whenever I want to send an app, or a ringtone to my phone, all I have to do on my PC is right-click the file, go to the Send To menu, choose Bluetooth, and choose my phone from that menu. It arrives on my phone in the Inbox where I can install the app, or save a file somewhere.
Sending things back to the PC is just as easy. If I want to send a picture to my PC, in the imaging app, I can choose the picture, click Options>Send>Bluetooth. Then I have have to select my PC's device name from the list and the file is send right to a folder in My Documents.
That process was easy, but the hard part is the PC Suite that comes with the phone and lets you sync your data with MS Outlook. I'd really like to have this feature since my Sony Clie syncs with MS Outlook using Intellisync Lite. I haven't got it working yet, but I have done quite a bit to so far trying.

To be continued...

Since one of the cool features of my new phone is a camera, here are some pics that I took with the phone.

This one is a picture of my sister Teddy.

Here's Hailey with Nickcole.

Just a random picture I took while driving.

I'd say the image quality is fairly decent for what it does. Maybe if I get around to it, I will set up a way to upload the pictures from the phone, straight to my web site. Then I have lot's of pics to show!

I have been busy recently trying out my new phone. I just upgraded to the Nokia 3650. It has so many features it's hard to believe it's a phone.

I will soon be working on a webpage dedicated to the Nokia 3650 phones (why not!! )
This will probably take away from any possible chance for me to update my Clie NX page which is in major need of updating. Much of the page is so out of date, I'd almost be afraid to have people use it as a reference. Maybe someday I will reorganize it and update the info, but don't count on it. If anybody is interested in working on it as their own project, contact me at cbulock (at) cbulock (dot) com.