The software compatibility with previous versions of Palm OS is important for the enterprise market because it protects corporate investments while reducing support costs. According to PalmSource, Inc., Palm OS 5 offers important enterprise functions, such as extended information security through a recently announced relationship RSA Security. Palm OS 5 offers strong 128-bit systemwide data-encryption services based on the RC4 encryption algorithm from RSA Security. In addition, end-to-end security is provided through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) services for email, Web browsing, and online transactions.

Other improvements in Palm OS 5 include the following:

• Multimedia: the ability to record sound and play CD-quality digital audio;

• Support for high-density screens (up to 320 x 320 pixels): doubles screen resolution, and new selectable color themes will let users customize devices;

• Wireless: in addition to current support for WAN and Bluetooth, Palm OS 5 supports 802.11b for connections to wireless Local Area Networks.

Palm OS compatibility tools
As was already mentioned, PalmSource, Inc. provided its development community with compatibility tools to ensure that existing software programs run smoothly on Palm OS 5.

More than 13,000 software programs run on the Palm OS today, exclusive of in-house software programs developed by enterprise organizations. Software programs that comply with Palm OS 4.0 APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are expected to work smoothly on Palm OS 5. The new tools will enable developers to test their applications to ensure continued support for the 20 million Palm OS devices in the market worldwide as well as to provide future support for new handhelds and smart phones.

The Palm OS 5 Compatibility CD given to the developers included a preliminary version of Palm OS 5, tools, and 20 compatible applications. Members of the Palm OS Developer Program download the tools from the Palm OS Web site (at http://www.palmos.com). The tools available include:

• Palm OS 5 Simulator: runs on Windows NT and enables developers to test if their applications are compatible;

• Palm Universal Debugger: enables developers to debug Palm OS applications and runs on Mac OS and Windows 95/98/NT platforms;

• Constructor and PalmRez: enable developers to create and/or convert resources;

• Conduit Development Kit for Microsoft Visual Studio .NET: takes advantage of the new COM environment and wizard support under Microsoft .NET;

• Conduit Development Kit for Mac OS X: provides connection between Palm OS software programs and the Mac OS X desktop;

• Third-party developer tools: enable developers to continue to use their current tools, such as CodeWarrior, Constructor, and GCC, to revise or create software programs that are compatible with the current Palm OS 4.0 and the future Palm OS 5.