LB might work on WebOS with MotionApps Classic 2.0
Earlier, I had posted that a company called MotionApps had come out with a product called Classic that allows you to emulate the Palm OS on the new Palm Pre. I had been hopeful that this might provide a way to continue using Life Balance on the new platform, but then learned that there was no support for HotSync.
Well, I'm happy to report that version 2.0 has recently been released, and it adds HotSync support!
The main drawback I see is that there may not be a way to sync your LB tasks that occur by calendar to the calendar in WebOS, because Classic programs cannot access the WebOS PIM database.
However, there may be a way to "round-trip" the data by syncing the Palm OS calendar to a desktop program like Outlook or iCal, and then syncing that to either Google Calendar or via MS Exchange.
It would be great if someone could try this out (or get a friend who uses the Palm Pre to try it).
Even better would be for one of the Llamas to officially test the application for MotionApps certification. They can do that here:
http://www.motionapps.com/classic/developers/certification_program/
Needless to say, this would be a great way to keep those loyal LB users at bay who do not want to switch to the iPhone. It's the sad reality that Palm OS devices are becoming more and more scarce, now that neither Palm nor any of the big carriers are selling them, with the exception of Sprint.
I just wanted to check that
I just wanted to check that one of the Llamas noticed my post. I found a possibility that might allow longtime LB users who don't want to use the iPhone to avoid jumping ship (and instead use the program on the Palm Pre). I'd think this would be something you'd want to look into, as soon as you can...
I'm using LB through Classic
I'm using LB through Classic Apps and it works. I sync the Classic datebook (actually I use DateBk6) up to my Google Calendars via Goosync, also running in Classic, and it takes up the LB tags. Hallelujah.
Yes, I wish there was a native LB for Palm Pre, but I can't wait for it and I don't want an iPhone, because I have other palmOS essential apps not available on other platforms.
The mild annoyance is no stylus which makes LB a bit fiddly, but I'm getting used to navigating around using the keyboard, and apparently you can get a stylus for the iPhone which also works on the Palm Pre - I'll be trying that out soon.
It beats carrying around my Centro for LB as well as the Palm Pre and my secure Blackberry from work. Three phones is too many!
Great to hear that it's
Great to hear that it's working for you, and thanks so much for posting! As far as I can see, no one else has mentioned trying this, so you're pioneering this for the rest of us.
I believe the stylus to which you're referring is the Pogo Stylus.
I found this report that while it works with 98% accuracy on the iPhone, it's much less accurate on the Pre. The author did note, however, that the accuracy improved with update 1.1, so it may have even gotten better since. I wrote to him, so I'll update you if I hear back.
LB and DateBk in Palm WebOS/Classic environment
Thanks @hortonr for the good news (which must have been with the moderator when I posted on 28th). That's just removed the final obstacle holding me back from moving from Treo to Pre.
JohnC
palm Pre and LB
Thanks. I was wondering how well LB worked with the classic app. There was only one review when I last checked it out.
I am looking forward to upgrading to the Pre Plus on Jan 25 when it arrives at Verizon. I just ordered the touch stones today.
Have you tried the stylus yet?
Jennifer
I'm on the bandwagon too
I was waiting for the hotsync feature of Classic 2.0. From what I've read, it will support all the apps I like to use (DateBk, Bonsai, DayNotez and LifeBalance). I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Pre on the 25th. I just checked with the IT dept of my company and I'll be able to get my corporate email also via Exchange ActiveSync which was something I couldn't do with Palm. They stopped ActiveSync support for the old Palm platform for security reasons. I'll report back once I've got the Pre and am running everything.
Viva la LifeBalance!
But syncing still needs to be confirmed
Now that the Pre is available from Verizon, I'd like to upgrade as well. But I'm still not totally sure that it will work.
Something that you and HortonR could report back to us is whether you are able to sync LB itself between the Pre and a desktop version. You see, Classic only syncs over WiFi or Bluetooth, but not via USB. I believe that this is less of an issue for Windows than it is for the Mac. In the latter case, they indicate that you'd need to use the Missing Sync for Palm OS, which would add another $40.
Then there's the whole issue of how to sync your other data with the Pre. I'm an unlucky user of MS Entourage on the Mac, which means I'm going to have to jump through a whole lot of hoops, probably have to use additional third-party software (only some of it free), and still run the risk that my data will be duplicated or deleted.
LB and DateBk in Palm WebOS/Classic environment
I'm a longterm user of LB and DateBk on Treo 650/680. They work well together under PalmOS (LB has an option for this). I'm close to jumping to Palm Pre for the improved web access and messaging while still using some old favorite Palm apps under the MotionApps Classic emulator.
My plan/hope is to ignore the WebOS calendar, continue to use DateBk under Classic and keep my fingers crossed that LB and DateBk will still play together under the emulator as well as they do in PalmOS. DateBk6 is a Classic certified app - in fact, although the developer is now focussing on a java based evolutionary PIM product, he has tweaked DateBk6 to work smoothly in the emulator.
Using DateBk should get round the drawback pointed out by ethanise since both LB and DateBk data reside within Classic. If/when I get there, I'll let you know if it works in real life!
JohnC
I just stated to use LB and
I just stated to use LB and I love the system! It really helps me a lot.
Actually I am thinking about getting a plam pre to use LB also mobile...
I read the forum and now I am not sure anymore if LB works on palm pre. Can anyone give me a recommendation? Does the software work properly on the new plam pre?
thank you very much for your support!
Pre Motionapps and lifebalance
I have a palm pre and I love it. I run Lifebalance on it using motion apps classic 2.0. I can run all my old Palm programs in this way. The only extra cost is a for classic 2.0 , $29.99. This includes software to sync with my desktop over my laptop wifi, I believe you can also use bluetooth but I haven't tested that.
The program runs correctly and synchronizes fine with the desktop version.
There is one problem to be aware of. The pre uses a finger instead of a stylus and this means that selecting an item can be difficult. You can magnify the screen to get round this although this does slow things down slightly. I wonder if the lamas could look at adjusting the side of some check boxes to make it a little easier.
It would be great to have a native app but I understand that until/unless the Pre becomes more popular it makes commercial sense for the Lamas to concentrate on the Iphone.
OK, it is a slight compromise but it all works and you don't even need to plug in your phone to sync. I can now lie in bed and sync my phone :)