For those who do not follow the news, we offer a sort of digest of major changes in Palm OS 5 as compared to its predecessor - OS 4.
Processor Support
Palm OS 4. Honest 16-bit OS. Palm OS 4 supports the work of the processors series Motorola DragonBall 68000. At this point, all Palm OS PDA is equipped with various models of this series of processors. Palm OS 5. Will be enabled support for ARM-processors of different manufacturers (Motorola, Intel, Texas Instruments). From the perspective of users, this means roughly a tenfold increase in performance, given that the OS will be 32-bit.
Work programs
Palm OS 4. 4-I system is single-tasking. This means that per unit of time may be running only one application. For example, if you move from Notepad to Addresses, Notepad will be closed, and only then start addresses. Palm OS 5. 5-I system is multitasking. That is, multiple applications can run simultaneously.
Backward compatibility
Palm OS 4. All applications written for older versions of compliance with the recommendations of the Palm, is quite efficient for the fourth system. Palm OS 5. Taking into account the interests of developers and users of 5-th redundant system maintains a set of instructions API fourth system. Thus, all applications created with the requirements of the fourth system that will run on the 5th.
Khaki
Palm OS 4. For beginners: hacks - it's makeweights to the operating system that extend its functionality. Hacks are running OS 4, but not officially supported by Palm. Palm OS 5. Current hacks in the bulk of these work on the fifth system will not. However, most likely in the new OS will have its own ways of implementing hacks.
Security
Palm OS 4. Built-in protection system provides a password prompt when you turn on the device and hidden entries in the database. However, both the security system is not very reliable. More advanced ways to protect your information, such as 128-bit encryption, are implemented only in the third-party products. Palm OS 5. Protection of information given much attention. 5-I system by default includes a fairly strong remedies, including those implemented at the OS level 128-bit encryption, as well as services SSL, used in the Internet. The new authentication system designed to meet the different methods and data access layers, and using the methods of authentication, biometric data (voice, fingerprints, handwriting) and smart cards.
Wireless connections
Palm OS 4. In the fourth system built-in drivers and API with support for protocols, Bluetooth, GSM, CDMA, and 2.5G/3G networks. Palm OS 5. Fifth system extends the range of supported protocols: now you can work in 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless networks.
GUI - graphical frontend
Palm OS 4. Standard screen resolution for the 4th of 160 to 160. And, for example, Sony managed to modify the OS so that the system is running at 320 to 320. Palm OS 5. Includes support for the resolution to 320 by 320. Improved fonts, icons, graphics and other elements of the GUI. OS includes built-in support for themes and color schemes.
Multimedia
Palm OS 4. Extremely bad support for working with sound and images. Palm OS 5. Support for audio and video at a new set of API-calls that can be used to integrate multimedia functions into applications.
Web
Palm OS 4. OS built-in browser is not. Available good third-party solutions. Palm OS 5. PalmSource will develop built into a web browser that meets the requirements. Sources, Materials: