Phasing out Palm OS conduit support in Life Balance
We believe that the time has come for us to phase out the Palm OS conduits from Life Balance.
We've really enjoyed developing for Palm OS. It represents many years of our work and we're a little reluctant to let it go. Palm essentially rescued us from the demise of the Apple Newton Messagepad, and over the years we've made great friends with other Palm OS developers both within and outside of Palm. We plan to keep the friendships, and let go of the code.
Palm has transitioned from Palm OS to Web OS. The last update to the Conduit Developer's Kit (CDK) was in 2004. On Macintosh, it was 2002. On both platforms, other development tools have evolved to the point where they are increasingly incompatible with the Palm OS CDK. We've worked hard to maintain backward compatibility with Palm OS to support our large installed base of customers, but now this compatibility is interfering with our ability to move forward.
What does this mean if I am still running Life Balance for Palm OS?
First, nothing that you have now will stop working. Your existing licenses remain valid and your existing software will still run.
If you want to continue HotSyncing Life Balance to your Palm OS handheld, we recommend that you stay with the following versions of Life Balance:
- On Windows XP, use Life Balance 5.2.1
- On Windows Vista or 7, use Life Balance 5.3.8 and be sure to install the conduit for the current user (not all users).
- On Mac OS X, use Life Balance 5.3 (9)
Can I still buy a license for Life Balance for Palm OS?
For now, yes. But get it soon since we'll be removing it from our product line before the end of the year.
Can I still get support for the Palm OS conduit?
We'll do our best to continue to provide support to our Palm OS customers. But since development of the conduit is ending, we will no longer be able to fix problems in the conduit itself. Our support will be limited to helping you install the correct version of Life Balance, and getting the conduit installed properly.
We recommend that all of our Palm OS customers consider upgrading to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
How can I move to an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch?
Perform one last HotSync of your Palm handheld to the desktop edition of Life Balance. Open your desktop file in Life Balance to make sure that everything is up to date.
Once you have checked your desktop file, install the latest desktop edition of Life Balance from the Llamagraphics web site. Open the file on the desktop, and enable iPhone sync. Then use the Network > Receive command on the iPhone to copy your desktop file to the iPhone.
What about Palm's new webOS phones?
We're looking into it. Palm has been gracious enough to provide us with a Pre Pro and a Pixi Pro for development, and we're evaluating how to migrate our existing code to their webOS development tools. It looks like our C++ data engine may port to webOS fairly easily, but we're still working out how that would communicate with webOS's Javascript-based user interface environment.
What about Android phones?
We haven't really evaluated yet what it would take to port Life Balance to Android.
When Android first came out, all development had to be done in Java, which prevented us from leveraging our existing C++ code. It looks like that has changed, so it may now be possible for us to reuse our C++ code on Android.
How will this change benefit the development of Life Balance?
The legacy code for Palm OS consists of approximately 250 files which result in about 2000 additional compilations each time we build Life Balance. By eliminating this legacy code, we can accelerate the development of Life Balance. We will be phasing out our most common and time consuming support issue, which is support for the Palm OS conduit on Windows. During development, our cycle to build, debug and test new versions of the software will be shorter, which will allow us to add new features more quickly. The Palm CDK will no longer prevent us from simplifying the installer on Windows and modernizing the Life Balance interface on Macintosh.
Comments
Wise decision
Hi,
I think it us a wise decision, and I am looking forward the work on modernizing the interface for the Mac version and the version for iPad.
Regards,
Martin.
Phasing out Palm OS Support - Sad but not surprised
As a long-time Palm OS LB user (and still am using it), I'm sad to see this announcement but can't say I'm surprised. I'm just glad that you did an awesome job developing the Palm version all these years. In its current form, it has everything I need; I see no problems with being able to use LB on my Palm devices for years to come. Good thing I have back-up devices (Treo, Centro and a TX!) :)
What should us Palm LB-lifers do to make sure we continue to have access to our registered version? I assume, in time, the downloads will be removed? Should we save the appropriate installer for safe-keeping? Or would we be able to contact Support for a copy later?
Best to you in moving forward!
RETURNING TO PALM
I've just come back here to pick up with my Palm Treo 680 after a year of trying to get to like a Palm Pre. Newer devices are designed for people who have difficulty with words and menus; they're part of the functional dumbing down of life. I wish someone would take on the old Palm OS and run with it. As my two Treos and Centro still have life in them, I'm re-loading all my old programmes and feeling energised by having responsive machines again. Could someone remind me please what version of Life Balance to use if I want to sync Windows xp and Palm? I've already bought licences for Windows and Palm versions.
Thanks
John
Thanks for your understanding...
Thanks so much!
It certainly won't hurt to have your own backup of the installers stashed away for safe keeping. My motto, back in the days when I was a sys admin was "I am only as good as my last set of backups!" It is always a good idea to backup the data and the applications that you rely on every day, regardless of platform!
That said, yes, we do keep a special archive of every version we've ever released.
And... of course we do strive to be helpful when we can with our tech support.
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Can Missing Sync be used instead?
I use Missing Sync to sync with the Palm rather than the Palm Desktop. Will support for that disappear at the same time?
Peter.
Missing Sync too...
Good question.
Yes. We're phasing out support for our Life Balance Palm OS conduit code. This includes Missing Sync.
The sync for Palm OS devices is based on the Palm's Conduit Developer's Kit, or CDK, and the CDK is not working for us in the latest build environments.
Just as with Palm Desktop, you can continue to use the versions you are using now with Missing Sync. We are not shipping new conduits for Palm OS in future desktop builds.
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify that.
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Right now, I'm not able to use LB at all
Is there someone there that could help me get straightened out, please? I seem to missing my current registration number and I can't use the Life Balance that I currently have loaded into Classic. If this is not the one that I am paid up to, then I need to get a new copy of the one that I do have. Also, is there any word on when you will have a copy ready for WebOS ready?
Thanks ....
MPC
Happy to help...
Please open a ticket and we can look up your registration information in our database.
http://www.llamagraphics.com/support-center/contact
As for Web OS, we are looking into it. Please continue to breathe normally while we do our research. Outcomes are not certain.
Thanks,
--Catherine--*
Looks like a fairly painless migration
Just began researching the migration from my Palm Centro (which has not been synced to LB in Windows in over a year since I migrated my computer to a Windows7 computer that lacks a bluetooth device) to an iPhone . . . I was ready to give up on Life Balance, but since it looks like it will be a fairly painless migration and the iPhone app costs are minimal, I'll hopefully be reinvigorating my Life Balance setup. Hope the rest of my migration is as-painless as this appears it will be.
Looking forward to Android support
When I moved from Palm to Android, loss of Life Balance on my mobile platform was my biggest concern. Hopefully, I'll be able to get it back sometime soon, on Android. Thank-you, developers!
In many respects I agree with
In many respects I agree with this decision whole-heartedly. It makes business sense and quite frankly the Palm OS version hasn't changed much in eons so maintaining the code base just to keep sync working must be a pain.
But, and this is a biggie, consider the fact that you have a preponderance of users clinging to their palm devices who have no migration path forward?
To wit, let me use myself as an example: I'm the very ecstatic, overjoyed owner of a shiny new HTC Evo running Android (2.2), for about 2 months now. I love this device in almost every way excepting the fact that where ever it goes in my other pocket trails my trusty Palm Centro.
Catherine, I speak directly to you when I say that many if not MOST Palm users will NOT consider a move to an iPhone unless they are Mac converts and as you know the Mac world is still less than 10% of the PC space so that's a limited market.
I know that *I* did not even consider getting an iPhone as I don't want to get on Apple's "hardware treadmill" and I would never consider the god-awful insanity that is AT&T. I'm a New Yorker and I need a phone that makes calls.
So... the ONLY paths forward for me and the PRIMARY migration path forward for your myriad Palm OS users is Android (WP7 is very new but could make a splash, RIM is in a downward slide and WebOS just hasn't gotten traction, though that could change soon).
It's already been shown that most Palm users are NOT moving to the iPhone and since your primary user base was on the Palm you are not positioned to where your user base is going.
Essentially, w/o an Android version (and by ceasing dev and conduit support for Palm) you are leaving your Palm users on an island. Able to survive but nowhere to go. LB alone an iPhone user will not make so when the migration happens you get left out. In my case, yes I'm still an LB user, but you got no license money from me on the new platform I just stayed with the old.
And as soon as I find a suitable replacement on Android, bon voyage Centro. I'd prefer that replacement to be LB Android but at this point I don't care. I'm frustrated as hell and so I'm carrying both. Catherine, you are (and have been, imo) missing the boat.
What you REALLY need to do is identify (and please do it quickly) a cross platform development enviroment. By that I mean one that will work for Android, WebOS and WP7 (I don't expect iPhone will ever play nice with anyone. It's not in Master Jobs' interests and, as in the 80's/90's, will be how Master Jobs shoots his company in the foot, yet again). I'm not a coder but I know there are environments out there for that. I may have heard that Qt is one of them (don't quote me) and I'm sure there are others.
Find that platform and port all your code to it. Maintain the iPhone stuff seperately (as I suppose you must) but be prepared for the future. Android is already out-shipping iPhone and more phone makers are coming on the scene.
If WP 7 hits or if WebOS gains traction (HP has boatloads of money..) at least you'll be ready there. And there's a good chance that a cross-platform language will support RIM too, so if they stage a comeback...
Bottom line: You want help from the users? You want users to recommend your products? How about putting a product where your users are?
I owned LB on the Palm and Windows desktop for years and advocated it heavily but don't expect a review from me on the iPhone app store because I don't have access to it.
Until I'd moved to Android, I'd never heard of Pocket Informant but my search for something lead me there. They've already got their public beta out. Lucky for you it's no LB replacement. Horrid, imo. I think the beneficiaries there are ex WinMo users and BB converts that were PI users before.
So, imo, LB still has it's shot. Go do it soon and your user base will follow. Before we find suitable alternatives and the window of opportunity closes.
Signed,
LB User Pulling Out Hair Over This
I switched from PALMs to an iPod Touch
I empathize with those who don't want to move from PALM to an Apple product. Maybe my experiences can help someone with their decision. I have used LB on various PALMs and the PALM desktop on WINDOWS computers for years. My last PALM bit the dust and I was disappointed in the support from PALM. I also thought the days of PALM were numbered so I needed a change in my future LB device. I use LB constantly so most important criteria for the device I chose was that it had to run LB. I didn't want to change to an Apple product so I was stuck. To further complicate the decision, all of my family members have VERIZON so we use the "family and friends" a lot and I like VERIZON's service and coverage so AT&T with an iPhone was out of the question. I consulted the Llamas and they suggested that I consider the iPod Touch. I had many acquaintances who were happily using Apple products with reliability, service, and no problems while I had crashes and all kinds of problems with my WINDOWS and laptop. I finally bit the bullet and bought an iPod Touch and installed LB on it. My database was very large and caused problems in the conversion process but Stuart came to my rescue with typical Llama knowledge, helpfulness, and friendliness. After he fixed the problem, I have not had any trouble with the iPod or with the synching to my WINDOWS laptop LB program.
Benefits of using the iPod Touch are: reliability is great, ease of use is a lot better than PALM or WINDOWS based devices, I don't have the monthly phone fees to pay, the iPod Touch is faster with WiFi in my home on the internet than my computer, and most places I go have WiFi networks so I don't need the iPhone to access the internet. I had resisted the idea of having to carry two devices around all the time but now that I have them, I like it better than one device. I have a lot of audio books and music on the iPod (over 1500 songs and chapters) that I won't be changing. I also have a lot of programs that I loaded from iTunes (which is a very easy process by the way) like Bible versions and helps, various calculators, outliners for maintaining information, games, and reference programs. These are programs that I keep adding to so they are kind of "permanent" records. I can keep my "permanent" records, information, stories, music, and programs on my iPod while using my cell phone for "Temporary" purposes, i.e., telephone uses. I change cell phones about once a year due to malfunctions in the phones so I can change the phone without changing my important "permanent" data and programs on the iPod. That is very nice and was an unexpected benefit.
The change to an iPod Touch was the right decision for me at this time. If Verizon ever handles the iPhone, I will have to rethink my situation but in the meantime, this fits me very well. I get to keep using LB and various data on a handheld that is more reliable and easier to use than the PALMs ever were while staying with VERIZON for my cell phone needs.
I hope that my experiences may be of benefit to some people.
I see you didn't like my last comment
so you chose to censor it? Nice.
Well I guess now I'm most definitely looking for an LB replacement. If you won't even allow an open dialog amongst you and your users, I think I need to take business (and subsequent recommendations) elsewhere.
buhbye.
We're back...
Sorry for the delay posting, we've been out of town for a funeral.
I will consider all your points carefully.
Many thanks for taking the time to voice your concerns.
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
From Palm to Windows Mobile to iPhone to ???? - Tech Marches On
I'm that rare former Palm user who (gasp!) doesn't hate AT&T and ended up by "necessity" getting a Windows Mobile phone (Treo 750) and then when that device broke, I got an iPhone. OK so I'm not thrilled. One thing I've learned through my rides with Commodore Amiga, DEC VAX and Alpha, and now sadly Palm, is that technology moves on. And the best technology doesn't always win. (doesn't usually win? doesn't ever win?) I liked my Palm. It worked decently, but I had issues with that technology as well. I have an iPhone and it works - usually. I'm finding that I use LB on the computer more than on the phone, and it has been that way since before I had to let go of my Treo 680. I'm finding that I don't like any new phones. Maybe I'm getting too old.
I was really annoyed that I couldn't use LB on my phone anymore, and there was no way I was going back to carrying multiple devices. I let it go. And then voila! It appears on the iPhone. I have my Life (Balance) back! But yes, if this phone ever dies, I hope that Apple has one less customer. Where I find LB may make a big difference in my tech choice. And then again, it will probably depend on what's most important to me at that time.
That said, I'm certain the llamas are concerned that all their mobile eggs seem to be in the iPhone/iPad basket. I'm certain that burned by Mr Jobs once, they won't repeat that mistake. But time is not an unlimited resource, and they need to plan carefully. I appreciate that they are taking the time to let us know what they're thinking and they are considering what we are saying. They know what's out there better than we do. (It's their livelihood!) They'll make the right decision and they'll let us know what it is. But it will be change, and sometimes change hurts. Don't blame the llamas!
By the way, I'm glad they didn't waste any time porting to Windows Mobile. Or maybe they did. . .
Anyway, I look forward to what the future brings, and how the llamas bring it all into (Life) Balance.
. . . To Android to ???? Still Marching
So I handed down my iPhone 3G to my still at home 21 year old daughter (who is most appreciative). I moved on to Motorola Atrix 4G (on AT&T - this is 4G? Whatever). Nice phone, works OK, lots of memory, pretty responsive, but no LB. Looking around for a replacement I found as others have reported, nothing compares to LifeBalance. The main thing missing in every other app is the ability to give weight to the goals and projects and have that cascade down through the subtasks to the tasks. Without that, less important tasks appear in my lists before more important tasks. So with all other apps I have to do this additional filtering or prioritization in my head.
Currently I'm using ToodleDo on the web (because it's free), but I don't like it at all. It reminds me of my Franklin planner days, because everything is calendar based. I do like that I can use it at home, at work and on my phone (via the web browser - and other phone apps that sync with it). As someone else suggested, a web platform for LB would be a good idea before doing the Android version. While all other technologies are marching along, and all Androids are NOT created equal, the web has been there awhile, and will likely stick around a good while longer. (But all browsers are not created equal!)
Not that you are asking me for ideas for the future of your product, here are my thoughts anyway.
If you do provide a web platform or cloud sync, I think it would be a good idea to do like Evernote and have a way to keep some things on the PC and off the web (with the understanding that those things will not sync to other devices).
If you do a web platform or cloud sync, that opens up the possibility of collaborating with others - having team projects in LB. Not sure how effort and importance would transfer to the team concept. ToodleDo claims to be able to do this, but I'll never know. I won't recommend it to my friends!
If you do a web platform or cloud sync, you can continue having the richer client experiences on Windows and iPhone and yes Palm, and still permit mobile access (via a mobile browser interface) using any smartphone or tablet the user prefers, and web access from any computer the customer has access to. My stock trading platform does this.
You also open up the world of LifeBalance to so many more users - your diehard Palm, Mac and PC users, and newer iPhone users. They will pass the word around to the Android and Windows Phone, Windows 7/8 users and whatever else people use to get on the web.
So I think the future is the web. But I understand, limited resources dictate you plan carefully.
+1 friendly bump for Android
I know your stance, have read it time and time again and support it.
That said, just a friendly reminder from a once and would-be-again mobile LB user. Nothing else measures up quite as well. Having it on the desktop at home is good, but the manual sync between LB and other products would be a time thief. So I make due. Partly by mentally approximating what LB helps with as an overlay on what I do now.
One word of unsolicited advice/experience if you head towards Android, though. Make a web-based service first. Syncing with the desktop via WiFi I've found to be hit-or-miss with other products (e.g., SplashID). It might be my home router, but I've found products that sync to a web service work flawlessly once they're done right -- seems to be just the way Google wrote the thing.
Best regards,
Random
Please support Android!
Just like you, I've finally given up Palm, and I think you made the right decision. Personally, I've moved on to Android, which I love, except for the lack of Life Balance. Please move as quickly as possible towards an Android version! I'm sure there are many like me who love your product but will never buy an iPhone.
License phase-out
Can we have a more specific timetable for the end of Palm licenses? I ask only because I have been greatly concerned whether it will fall before or after my next paycheck :-S
Big enough to apologize
Catherine I owe you an apology.
I wrote a heartfelt tirade directed to you [above] on 11/9.
On 11/12, I accused you of censoring my comments because [I assumed] you didn't like the content.
As I've come to see, you were out of town (for a funeral - my condolences). My apologies for being quick to jump to conclusion and kudos for keeping an open dialog.
I still stand behind every word I [originally] said and I could write a thousand more, but I'll eat the words of condemnation. I'm glad to stand corrected.
Now... about that Android version.....
Thanks...
Thanks for that.
C
Checking in...
Hi Catherine,
It's been about a little over a month since my last post. Is there any news you can share on when we might see an Android version?
Pimlico Software just released Pimlical for Android (the replacement for DateBk6). This leaves Lifebalance as the only reason I hold on to my Palm. It also complicates my life because I cant really keep the two devices in sync (now with pimlical calendar got easier but phonebook is still an issue).
In short, LB is the last piece of my puzzle. Anything you can share would be helpful.
thx,
J.
Android version
Just my two pennys worth.
I to would like an android version. I have been searching for a stop gap android app and now found one that does offer aspects of LifeBalance in the task management arena. My point is to echo the comments made already in that your window of opportunity maybe smaller than you think.
Whilst the Ipad is great form factor on which to use apps such as Life balance the ipad over time may well get overwhelmed by other cheaper and better devices....
However I can appreciate why you have focused on the iphone/ipad as the ipad has sold particularly well..and new versions of software take allot of work.
google calendar sync
I've read that you are working on or perhaps thinking about syncing LB IPhone/Ipod with google calendar. I hope you do. I also would like to see alarms added to the calendar on the Ipod touch.
I've been using LB for many years and my last Palm T5 just died so I'm moving to the Ipod touch 4G. I loved the setup on my Palm. I could enter events on the palm calendar and have them imported into LB. I liked the alarms on the Palm calendar so I didn't have to think to keep checking to see if it was time to leave for the meeting. I could concetrate on what I was doing knowing I would be reminded when it was time to go.
When I completed a task in LB I had the task put in Daynotez, which isn't available for the Ipod. This gave me a good record of what I did and when. I hope there will be some similar functionality in the Ipod LB some day.
Thanks,
MDW
LB, DayNotez, Palm calender and outlook sync.
I couldn't agree more. The Palm world still is a world apart as far as integration of different apps is concerned. I don't think we'll see any new platform (iOS not Android) offer these capabilities soon...
Is a pity you are killing the only sync that works...
Totally, utterly agree. To sync my current Palm Centro and LB in Windows is a breeze. Just turn on the Bluetooth and voila! done!
No horrible, irritating wifi nightmares, no cables, no internet connection required!!!! Could you believe it?
Now let's have a quick look at the iphone sync'ing:
- I don't have wifi neither at home or work, ethernet in both cases. How I am supposed to sync my Ipad now? (and how is going the Ipad HD version BTW? :-))
- I tried to set up an 'ad-hoc' wifi connection from my wifi capable laptop but that is disabled by the corporate admin.
- I tried to use the File Sharing window on iTunes to upload the LB file but that capability is not enabled in LB.
- So, do I need to buy and set up a wifi router at home just to sync LB?
- And how about work? Shall I buy another wifi router for work? (and hope IT won't catch me setting up unathorised IT equipment?)
- And how about travelling? Am I supposed to wait until I am back home to sync? In UK most wifi spots are NOT free, so I rarely connect to wifi networks anyway.
- How about international travel? I travel sometimes up to one month to other countries with no wifi services. How am I supposed to sync?
Now let's compare that to the old Hotsync method... gosh, I can't believe I ever complained about it.
As much as I like my LB I have to look for other alternatives as the iphone version is, for all practical effects, not able to sync... something my Centro does everyday... amazing...
Android version please!
Great software! Just where is the Android Version? I'm a coder and you do have the option to port it over to android without a complete retooling of the app. It would be great to even have an alpha or beta version that you wonderful user community would be willing to help you out with!
As of April 2011, Android OS exceeds iOS worldwide: http://mohitkj-politics.blogspot.com/2011/04/inmobi-android-exceeds-ios-.... There are tons of users that you are alienating by not taking the steps to get an android app. If you have one in development, at least post some news that it is in development.
Also, remember that Android is here to stay and continues to grow regardless of fragmentation or other issues that come with any software ecosystem. As much of a paradox as this sounds, Android is very organic in it's growth and maturing process. Analysts are still expecting great things to keep coming from this OS with newer versions like Gingerbread and the slew of new hardware tablets. It would be suicide to ignore Android as it has been done so far.
Please let me know if I can help!
Kind Regards and Respect for your Software Accomplishments,
Moiz
Thanks...
Hello Moiz,
Thanks for your kind suggestions.
We will give that some thought.
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Please...
Please consider developing for webOS.. I can't find a decent app like this on android n it seems so unfair that ISO gets everything. Btw... I don't like android anyway...
Recently HP killed webOS but the community has surprised them and so has the response to their tablet... Allow me to introduce value based processes with my children in a way they can understand, on electronic devices... The way it began...