Palm: Next Generation Expansion Technologies

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Palm Next Generation Expansion Technologies

• Riz Ebrahim
• Palm Programmers Group

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• The need for expansion
• Different kinds of expansion technologies
• Palms direction for expansion
• Palm OS 4.0 Support for Expansion and Secondary
  Storage
• POSE Demo

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The need for expansion

• Why create a new expansion solution when you can
  add more features
• to the handhelds instead?
• Compromise wearability and usability
• Diminishes battery life
• Add to the cost of the device
• Most customers prefer to add and pay for only the
  features they need

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SD, Memory Stick or Springboard ??
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Palms direction for expansion

• Secure Digital
• Compatibility (number of industry leaders)
• Size (32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm)
• Non-proprietary nature
• Security (SDMI and write-protected)

Schedule
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OS 4.0 Features for expansion

• Hot insertion and removal of cards/ devices (no
  reset needed)
• Support for various expansion media Support for
  various expansion MultiMediaCard, Secure
  Digital, Compact Flash, Memory Stick
• Enable auto launch application launch
  application
• FAT 12/ 16 file system support F
• Supports multiple cards in one device Supports
  multiple cards device
• Extends HotSync API to provide access to
  expansion filesystem
• Integrated with Palm OS Launcher LauncherAT12/ 16
  file system support

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OS Support for expansion
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Expansion Manager

• Services to slot drivers
• Install slot drivers during boot
• Interrupt safe card insertion and removal
  notification
• Slot number allocation
• Services to Application
• Slot enumeration and status
• Card inserted and removed notifications
• Detailed card information
• Direct access to slot drivers

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Virtual File System Manager

• Manages all installed filesystems
• Load and execute auto start apps if present
• Provide a unified API for file access

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Programming considerations

• Application(PRC) is copied into main memory on
  launch
• A CardLaunch launch code is sent, if not
  handled a Normal Launch launch code is sent to
  the app
• PDB and/or preferences may be created in main
  memory
• When the application completes it is deleted
• An application can be auto-launched when a card
  is inserted (start.prc)
• Application on second storage do not receive
  launch codes or notifications (e.g find)
• To receive and handle launch codes, apps should
  install stub applications on the device to
  register and receive these notifications and
  launch codes

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Demo

• POSE version 3_0a8e15 or later
• HostFS.prc enables a local directory on the
  desktop to be mounted as a card(PC or Mac)

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• Questions/ Comments