Mary Jo's Favorite Palm Apps

If you're a new Palm user, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of good freeware and shareware, and even commercial applications available for this little PDA. This is a list of the applications I use, why I like them, and why I think you should get them.

• PalmReader
  Probably the most common add-on program for the Palm is a DOC reader. There are thousands of documents and books that have been converted to this format for you to enjoy. Palm provides both a free reader that can handle both DOCs and their own proprietary format, and a Pro version that is nice as well.

• Deep Reader
  This is an excellent reader for DOC files. Excellent fonts, just beautiful to look at. Now supports books on expansion cards and full screen on the Sony NR and NX series.

• TealDoc
  Another excellent, full-featured Doc reader, TealDoc is worth a look. Adds additional DOC features like links and images.

• CSpotRun
  And here's one more Doc reader. A nice reader for the price...free!

• Documents to Go
  Need to work with MS Office files on your Palm? Here's an excellent suite of products you can use.

• QuickOffice
  Another excellent suite of Office products for the Palm.

• WordSmith
  Considered by many to be the best word processor for the Palm. Seamless integration with Word.

• AvantGo
  This is one of the most popular add-ons for the Palm, and is FREE! It allows you to automatically download webpages everytime you sync your Palm. You can choose from many sites for news, sports, weather, etc. that are pre-configured, or add your own. Get maps and directions from Mapquest, etc.

• Datebk5
  I didn't think I really needed to improve the Datebook...until I tried this program! The amount of extra functionality it adds for the price is hard to believe! This is a real must-have, do your best to make room for it!

• Tealmaster
  Hackmaster allows you to enhance the functions of the Palm in a variety of ways. You have to have a hack controller of some kind to run hacks, TealMaster is my personal favorite.

• PopUp Favorites
  Allows you to pull up a list of favorite programs as well as switch to ones recently used. Also check out some of their other programs like PopUp Time and PopUp Calculator.

• TealLaunch
  Another hack for switching programs, this also adds other types of functions as well as map the buttons on your Palm to launch programs. It can really do a ton of stuff, check it out!

• ZLauncher
  My personal favorite for a replacement launcher. Backgrounds and skins, tabs along the top, expansion card support and much more! All for less than most launchers.

• Launcher X
  Not quite as many features as ZLauncher, but still very nice.

• FitalyStamp
  This is a suberb way to improve your text input. Easily one of the best things to come out for the Palm. A variety of options are available, I use FitalyVirtual on my NR70V, FitalyStamp is excellent on models that have a graffiti area.

• TealScript
  If you absolutely must stick with graffiti, TealScript will greatly improve the recognition ability.

• TealGlance
  TealGlance is a neat hack that shows your appointments and To-do's for the day (and tomorrow if you want) when you turn on your Palm. Very customizable.

• TealPhone
  An excellent replacement for the built-in Address Book.

• TealLock
  What can I say, I really like Tealpoint software! This one adds extra secuity to your Palm, locking it when turned off so a password must be entered to use it, plus other enhancements.

• SplashClock
  A very nice desktop clock program for Palms. Let it run while your Palm is in the cradle.

• Big Clock
  An excellent freeware clock program.

• SplashID
  Another must-have application. This provides an encrypted database for all your passwords, registration codes, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. Comes with a desktop companion and will work on multiple computers. Highly recommended!

• MegaCalc
  My choice for a replacement calculator. Nice specialty calculators built-in like a tip calculator and mortgage calculator. Looks great on high res devices too!

• TealPaint
  The best drawing program for the Palm. Easy to use, tons of tools, good price, very good program!

• Pop!
  One of my favorite Hacks, you can create lists of common phrases that pop-up on double-tap, or defined keystroke. I use it for things like my name, address, common entries for the date book, etc.

• McFile
  If you run a lot of applications from the expansion card, a good file manager is really nice to have. This is the best one you'll find.

• PiDirect II
  This utility allows you to run programs directly from the memory stick. They can be read only, but will a little testing, you'll find lots of programs that will work, and run very fast no matter how large they are. Well worth the money if you have a lot of programs.

• PowerRun
  An alternative to PiDirect, this utility will actually move the program back and forth from the memory card to run it, so can be used for any program at all.

• HanDBase
  This database is well worth a look! If you want to develop your own databases for the Palm, this one has the most capabilities of any out there. Calculated fields, images, drop-down lists of common words/phrases, and most important - linked databases! Comes with an excellent desktop component as well.

• ThinkDB
  Some people prefer ThinkDB's tabbed interface, more fields than HanDBase, etc. I personally find it a little harder to use and not as stable, and more expensive to boot.

• Pocket Quicken
  Superb Palmtop companion to Quicken. The latest version has color coding, memorized transactions, more account types, etc.

• AcidImage
  IMO, the best image viewer for the Palm. No need to convert your files, it can handle bmp, gif, and jpeg files natively. Can handle images of basically any size, in greyscale or color. Zoom out, or pan around the image. Wonderful support for high resolution Sonys too.

• SplashPhoto
  Another nice image viewer, well worth considering as well. Includes a nice desktop program for converting and resizing your images.

• Kinoma
  If you have a color Palm, particularly a high res Sony, you have to try this one out! Great video playback, and you can even create your own videos. Runs off expansion cards, visit the ClieFlix site to download videos.

• Planetarium
  If you are into astronomy, you have to check this out! Awesome star charts with great color and high res support.

• Eudora Suite
  A nice freeware email reader and web browser.

• MultiMail Pro
  The best email program for Palms. Handles multiple mail accounts and various types of attachments.

• Xiino
  One of the best web browsers for the Palm currently. Could be even better, but the best I've used and can try before you buy (unlike Blazer).

• Astraware Games
  Every one of their games is suberb, I could play Bejeweled for hours on end!

• Breakout
  Superb high res game for Sony Clies. Very addictive. Try their board game TakTik as well!

• BeBop
  It's the Sims for Palm! Lots of fun, and new featurs always being released. Try their trivia game BrainBop too.

• Billiards
  Probably the best game for high res color devices, totally rocks on the Sony NR series.

• Monopoly
  A tad expensive but sure is a nice rendition of Monopoly! If you like the game, this is well worth getting. Be sure to check out their nice Scrabble game as well.

• YahtChallenge
  Several variations of yahtzee to keep you occupied.

• PalmJongg
  If you've played the tile-matching Mahjongg on the PC, this is basically the same. The tiles expand in size as you remove the edge ones, but even the smallest ones are clear and easy to match. Nice high res support.

• 300 Bowl
  Fun game to play with friends, easy to learn and play. Looks great too!

• Patience Revisited
  A nice freeware game that includes several variations of solitaire, now in color.

• AcidSolitiare
  If you are really into Solitaire, then be sure to check this one out. Much more than just the basics and beautiful in color. Don't miss AcidFreecell either!

• Seahorse Software
  So many good card games, I really couldn't list them all! Reasonably priced, great in color, always being improved. Save money by getting their game packs. My favorites are Pyramid, Crazy 8's and Rummy.

• SimCity
  Wow, SimCity on the Palm?! Hard to believe, but it truly is the Classic game brought to life again. Not cheap but worth it. Comes in color too!

• Rally 1000
  One of my favorite freeware games for the Palm. Similar to the popular road race card game Miles Bournes, this is a lot of fun and very addicting.

• Amusement Park
  An addictive and fun game for adults or kids. Three version plus a cool "find the differences" picture game.

• Hearts
  An old favorite of mine. This is a very addictive game that can be a lot of fun...or incredibly frustrating!

This page and all graphics are ©1998-2006 by Mary Jo Sminkey; no portion of it may be used without permission.