Be it a currency converter or a shoe size convertor, finance or security software, there are several new accessories to jazz up your Palm. Ashish Gupta lists out a palm full of applications for your handheld

Ok, so you’ve got a new Palm device. Now you need new gloves for your toy. Here are some essential accessories that will let you dress it up.

Have Palm, will travel
WorldMate: This is the traveller’s Swiss knife. Clocks show you the time in various cities. The Time Calculator can answer the question, “When it is 8 p.m. in Bombay, what time is it in New York?” It includes a clock that shows you the new time format called Internet time, a currency converter for all the world currencies. Country phone codes. World map with weather forecasting. It can not only convert weights, distances, lengths, temperatures, speeds or volumes but also (believe it or not) a clothes and shoe size converter for US, UK, and Europe systems.

AvantGo: The complete Web browser and e-newspaper for the Palm. Take your favourite web sites and online newspapers with you when you leave home. Read it on the move or while waiting at the dentist’s. Updates automatically with every HotSync.

PocketChess: Chess enthusiasts, now develop your chess skills on the move. Play against a very competent computer player, or with another player, or even across two handheld computers.

e-Library
BDicty: The complete dictionary for the Palm OS. Choose your own dictionary files, use non-English dictionaries or industry specific dictionaries. This application also has a neat word-of-the-day feature.

ISilo: An excellent document reader for the Palm. Use it for novels, reference material, articles, short stories and more. Has an auto-scroll feature that allows you to read with no effort. Not that reading takes much effort anyway, but that’s how simple a Palm handheld computer makes life.

Alpha Font Collection: Don’t like the default fonts? Get your own! About 60 additional fonts for your device, designed for better legibility, better view and for style (or sometimes just for fun).

Documents to Go: The equivalent of Microsoft Office for your Palm OS. Synchronise documents between your PC and your Palm handheld computer. Supports Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

PocketMoney: A powerful personal finance software. PocketMoney was designed to do one thing and to do it very well: track your finances quickly with the smallest amount of work. PocketMoney will help you keep your checking, savings, credit card and petty cash accounts in line.

Palm OS enhancers
SilverScreen: The Palm OS on steroids. Making the simple, simpler. This application is to the Palm OS what Windows was to DOS.

X-Master : The Palm OS can be enhanced greatly by installing small programs called hacks. These hacks are controlled through a single software called X-Master.

TrapWeaver: Your Palm OS crash-guard. Installing hacks on your Palm handheld computer will make it a lot more powerful and easy to use, however it could destabilise your Palm at times. This application will keep crashes to a minimum. In the rare event that your Palm does crash, do not panic. A simple soft reset will restore your device; it’s like rebooting your PC.

PhoneMate: Your digital address book enhancer. Search for contacts with incredible ease. You don’t even need to use both hands. Just hold your Palm device in your hand, and use your thumb to navigate. Use the other hand to scratch...or whatever.

Text Plus: Improve the speed and accuracy of text entry on your Palm device. Text Plus supports intelligent dictionary-based suggestion of words and phrases to speed up your text entry. When you enter one or more letters of a word or a phrase in any Palm application, a list of words and phrases that start with these letters is displayed. When you tap on any of the words or any of the phrases, your choice is automatically inserted at the current cursor location.

OnlyMe: Secure your Palm device. Protect your sensitive data. A simple, yet effective, security software for your handheld computer.

Utilities
OmniRemote Pro : Convert your Palm handheld computer into a universal remote control. Your Palm device can now be used to control the TV, VCR, Stereo, Car deck and any other Infrared controlled device. You don’t need to find multiple remote controls any more.

Fire Viewer Suite : FireViewer is the industry standard graphics program for the Palm OS platform. View huge images, videos and web pages in full colour. You can even use the converter to create your own movies for the Palm OS.

DateMate : Have all your birthdays, anniversaries and any other events in one organised list. With reminders, never forget a birthday or anniversary again.

4.0 Student: The essential student assistant. Keep track of courses, schedules, projects, due dates, homework, and grades.

These applications are just a sampling of the thousands of applications developed for the Palm OS platform. But, they should keep you busy until the next article.

(Most applications mentioned in this and following articles are available for download from www.palmgear.com . If you still have trouble finding any application feel free to e-mail the author)

Ashish Gupta is the Founder and President of The Indian Palm User Group. He can be reached at ash@notcomguys.com

Feedback, questions and comments will be entertained, and appreciated. Technical support questions will be answered. This column will feature in the first and third issues of every month. IPUG Website: www.notcomguys.com/palm