Xtndr—Steroids for Your Treo

[Ulfrinn]

Hey there, 1src folks! I’d like to introduce to you a handy extension for your Treo: Xtndr.

Xtndr is an extension for your Palm Treo smartphone. It allows you to assign more application to the application buttons on your device, it features a customizable info pop-up that can show you all kinds of information, including but not limited to the current time, the phone and bluetooth statuses, and the number of unread SMS and email messages. This handy info pop-up can also replace the system default Keyguard. But Xtndr doesn’t stop there. In addition to all this it lets you customize the alternative character selection system that is provided when you press the Alt key.

http://de.bloo7.com/images/screenshots/xtndr-animation.gif

Xtndr supports the Treo 650, 680, 700p and 755. Testing has mostly been done on the Treo 680.

Xtndr is shareware, the trial version, however, is neither feature- nor time-limited. A registration code can currently be obtained through the bloo7 website, though I will probably make it available through Palmgear eventually as well.

Check it out at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr.

Any kind of feedback is appreciated, be it praise, criticism, bug reports or feature suggestions!

German users might also want to check out the thread on the forum at Nexave.de: http://www.nexave.de/forum/thread.php?postid=239292

[johnj2803]

what is the difference between the registered version and the shareware version?

[Ulfrinn]

what is the difference between the registered version and the shareware version?
The idea behind the shareware approach is, that you pay for software, you use often. Since most of the features of Xtndr are such daily-use features, most users will want to consider purchasing a registration code.
The difference between the unregistered version and the registered version is, that the unregistered version will nag you from time to time, remindind you, that you should purchase a registration code. People, that don’t get annoyed by this reminder, probably don’t use the Xtndr often enough.
To cut a long story short: The unregistered version differs in nothing but the regular reminder.

[johnj2803]

thanks for clearing that up :D

[asghar]

Sounds like a good program.

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.2 that should hopefully make the operator widget in the info pop-up compatible with the 700p and fix the crashes that occured when pressing the home button on the the same model. The fix for the latter problem was to simply disable the ability to remap the home button. You can get this new version either at my website (http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr) or by using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu in the Xtndr application itself.

[darkm22]

the program causes my treo to reset.

[Ulfrinn]

the program causes my treo to reset.
That’s good to know, but unless you tell me, what you did, that provoced the crash, no-one will ever be able to fix this issue.

[Tam Hanna]

Hi,
send me an email at Tamog AT gmx dot AT and I will review it on TamsPalm...sounds cool. I have a Treo 680 and can dedust my old 600 if needed :)

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.3 that should features rewritten info pop-up handling. This should fix an issue with the Treo 680 where the device would crash when being turned on after a missed call. This version also introduces info pop-up shortcuts: You can now open the applications assigned to the info-widgets by pressing a shortcut character. Quote from the manual (that is sure worth a read):
Instead of tapping the info widgets, you can also press the respective shortcut key. The shortcut keys are K for the clock, I for the internal memory widget, C for the expansion card widget, S for the messages widget and M for the email widget.
To get this new version either visit at my website (http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr) or use the Check for Updates command in the Options menu in the Xtndr application itself.

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.4 that should circumvent a bug in the system-supplied operator widget on the Treo 755 similar to that on the Treo 700p. There is now also a Calendar widget that shows the next upcoming event from the Calendar application. Tapping it will take you to the displayed event.

To get this new version either visit my website (http://www.bloo7.com) or use the Check for Updates command in the Options menu in the Xtndr application itself.

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.5, that should further improve the operator widget on CDMA Treos where a bug in the Palm OS system software prevents me from using the Palm-supplied one. This version also includes some other minor improvements.

There also appears to be a bug that can cause your device to crash when using the Pics&Videos application and then launching another application, though it’s not yet sure, whether this bug actually is in Xtndr or in the Pics/Videos application or in the Palm OS.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://www.en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.6, that should fixes a few minor bugs and improves background performance.

Additionally, you can now open the command bar by pressing Shift + Menu.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://www.en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

[jbadilla]

any chance DA (Desktop Accesories) launch support can be added to this software?

[longforlong]

what a pity that i am with treo 650.

[Ulfrinn]

any chance DA (Desktop Accesories) launch support can be added to this software?
This is in the making for version 1.1 (after a 1.0.7 bugfix release).

what a pity that i am with treo 650.
You will be happy to hear that the next version will significantly improve Treo 650 compatibility. There is only one issue left with the Calendar widget.

You can download the current 1.0.7 beta (http://www.bloo7.com/downloads/beta/Xtndr%201.0.7b%20(English).prc) that Treo 650 users might want to try (although it does also fix issues with other devices where a crash could occur when pressing any non-letter key or button). I have had positive reports about this version, there are, however, two issues left: As mentioned above, the Calendar widget might cause a crash. Yet, the Pimlico Software’s dbScan utility (http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/dbscan.zip) might cure this problem. The second issue is of a non-fatal nature: Shift key presses might not be detected properly by Xtndr.

Edit: By now, version 1.0.7 is out of beta. See below for details.

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded version 1.0.7, that should reduce crashes significantly by circumventing a bug in the Palm Key Library and improving the Keyguard replacement routine.
There’s another minor fix for international users: Floating point numbers are now properly localized, e. g. German users should see »1,7 GB« instead of »1.7 GB«. The format for this can be set in the Formats control panel (Prefs application).

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://www.en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

[Ulfrinn]

Today sees the release of Xtndr 1.5 which features some bugfixes and the innovative, new Launch Pad that allows you to assign even more applications to the four application buttons on your Treo—you’ll hardly ever have to use the application launcher again.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

As usual, I appreciate any feedback!

[Ulfrinn]

I’ve just uploaded Xtndr 1.5.1. This version includes some bugfixes for the info pop-up and Shift key handling rountines.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

As usual, I appreciate any feedback!

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.5.2 of Xtndr is now available. This version includes some bugfixes as well as new features: You can set the time to show the time as an analogue clock in the info pop-up.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

As usual, I appreciate any feedback!

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.5.3 of Xtndr is now available. This version includes bugfixes and is thus recommended for all users. The Launch Pad preferences are now saved properly and the info pop-up should now replace the Keyguard more reliably.

This latest release can either be downloaded at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.5.4 of Xtndr mostly contains bug fixes but some new features are in their, too.
If you press a key in the Special Characters preferences view, the corresponding mapping will be selected (provieded there is one). Also, if you press the Alt key when entering text, but there is only one alternative defined, then this alternative is inserted without showing the list of alternatives.
This version also includes some changes to the way the keyguard is replaced.

As always this release of Xtndr can either be downloaded at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or directly using the Check for Updates command in the Options menu of Xtndr.

Note for potential customers: In the recent past some people had problems when purchasing a license through PalmGear/PocketGear.com due to several errors on their side. PalmGear/PocketGear.com even failed to contact me for two weeks, leaving the customers in frustration. Since I know that some of you here have likewise made frustrating experiences after the PalmGear/PocketGear merger, I’d like to encourage you to make your purchase directly at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr as this will guarantee fast and reliable processing.

[thebat1]

I just downloaded this and I am not sure what I had activated in the settings as it crashed my treo680 while I was looking through the program features. Now I can not figure out how to Unlock it. Please help as I am locked out of my treo completly. I do the the password to my treo but don't know how to make the screen stop or intercept the lock screen and the default system key lock as both are popping up.
Please help.
thanks so much.:confused::confused:

[Ulfrinn]

Now I can not figure out how to Unlock it.
In short: Press the select key on your Treo to dismiss the keyguard dialog (just as you would do with the standard system keyguard). You can disable Xtndr’s enhanced keyguard dialog in the info popup preferences screen of Xtndr. Please refer to the manual for extensive information (or the online help available by tapping the Tips buttons) on what the individual options in Xtndr do and how to get the most out of them.

[Ulfrinn]

Finally, after some delays version 1.6 of Xtndrs is available.
And there are many reasons to update: Not only has Xtndr become more stable, this version also adds new features. The GSM and CDMA Centro models are now officially supported as well.

It would really take to long to talk about all the news in Xtndr 1.6 here, so please refer the release notes (http://www.bloo7.com/kb/19/xtndr-1.6-release-notes/en.html).

You can download this new version either at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or through the built-in software update feature.

As always, I appreciate any feedback.

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.6.1 of Xtndr is now available. It includes a fix for a bug introduced in version 1.6 that might cause a crash when starting a HotSync operation. This version also improves compatibility with Initiate: The application selected in said launcher should no longer be started when unlocking the keyguard using the center key. Additionally, you now have two more option in the info popup appearance preferences: One to hide the info widgets when the device is locked and one to disable the unlock slider.

The full release notes are available at http://en.bloo7.com/kb/xtndr-1.6.1-release-notes.html.

You can download this new version either at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or through the built-in software update feature.

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.6.2 of Xtndr is now available. It improves the reliability of the special character input system.
The telease notes are available at http://en.bloo7.com/kb/xtndr-1.6.2-release-notes.html.

You can download this new version either at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or through the built-in software update feature.

[Ulfrinn]

Version 1.6.3 of Xtndr is now available. It improves compatibility with ARM-native applications such as the version 3 of the GSM Phone application (Treo 680 and later models) and Blazer/Web.
The release notes are available at http://en.bloo7.com/kb/xtndr-1.6.3-release-notes.html.

You can download this new version either at http://en.bloo7.com/xtndr or through the built-in software update feature.