Update: Palm webOS Tips And Tricks
Palm’s latest operating system called webOS had great potential since its launch. Unfortunately, a series of bugs and flaws prevented it to become a successful OS. Even though the smartphones running the webOS already received a series of updates, it seems that it remained “an OS with potential,” that still hasn’t reached maturity.
Since HP bought Palm, the former company stated that one of its main purposes is to improve Palm’s fans experience with the webOS, thus we might see some serious work in the future if HP keeps its promise.
Anyway, for those of you that had the pleasure of using a Palm smartphone running webOS, here are some tips and trick that could make your life easier, and who knows, maybe it will turn you into a power webOS user.
As one of the first smartphones running webOS, Palm Pre will be the first to receive its share of tips.
One of the most important things you might wanna learn is how to quick reset your webOS device.
Even though there are different ways to reboot your Palm Pre, one of the easiest ways is to press Orange carrier key (Verizon users have a gray button instead of this one), SYM key and R key, all at once.
Taking a screenshot with Palm Pre is also easy, you just need to know what keys you need to click.
Press Orange key, SYM key and P key at the same time, and you’ll find your screenshots in the Pictures app, where a new “Screen captures” folder will be created.
In case your smartphone will become unresponsive and you are force to reset it, you will have to do a basic reboot.
The webOS launcher seems to have multiple uses besides its main purpose to launch and show the installed apps.
Some of these uses you might not even know about, so here it goes.
The webOS launcher is also working as a powerful search engine built into your smartphone.
That means that you won’t need to open up your contacts list to be able to find a certain name that you want to call, or using your browser to do a Wikipedia search.
Here is a list of new implemented shortcuts, that can be used into Universal Search:
1. Type SMS or TEXT in the Search field so you can go directly to Messaging area.
2. Type STORE to go directly to the App Catalog.
3. Type TIME to quickly go to Clock and Date & Time
4. Type ADD to go to Contacts
5. Type PIC to start browsing the Photos gallery
6. Type NET to go to your Wi-Fi settings
7. Type NOTE to get directly to Memos
8. Type TODO to get to Tasks
9. Type EVE to go right to the Calendar menu
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use the Universal Search for calendars, tasks, or e-mails, but each of these apps has its own built-in search that you can use to search for something in particular, or you can always use a third-party app.
You smartphone comes with a Quick Launch bar that features four icons of most frequently used applications.
To add or replace application icons in the Quick Launch bar, simply open your launcher and tap and hold an icon in the Quick Launch bar until it lights up.
Then, try to move it to wherever you want in your launcher. Open your launcher and drag the icon you just added to the Quick Launch bar.
To quickly delete an application that you don’t use anymore, open your launcher, tap the Orange button or gray square for Pre Plus, and tap the icon of the application you want to delete.
As soon as you tap the application’s icon a window will pop-up where you can see information about the app, like version, developer and file size.
Besides being able to visualize the information you will also be given the option to delete that application.
There’s also a quick and easy way to check in-depth information about a specific application that you are using.
You will just need to press Orange button, Sym and I key while in an open card. Doing this in card view, will make the detailed information to pop up in the launcher. To redux the process, simply press the same keys again.
To make a soft reset press and hold the power button and move the ringer switch back and forth two or three times.
Messaging and email area of webOS has been greatly improved by Palm, especially compared with the old Palm OS.
For example, the addition of the All Flagged folder, which helps users find their most important messages in an instant.
Basically, anyone that has some important messages that he wants to keep can tag them as “flagged”, so he can find them easily next time he searches for them in the All Flagged folder.
This tool is very important for people that are receiving tons of messages from multiple email accounts and need to keep a certain level of order.
Another useful feature is the almighty “Search” tool that is so great even when looking for a specific message in the Inbox.
You just need to type in a certain word that you know for sure that the message contains, and a list of emails that include that word will be displayed in a matter of seconds. If you also know the author of the message, than that’s even better as the search engine also works with that.
Alert sound for messages can be changed easily if you think the default ones are annoying.
All you have to do is just open the menu and select “Preferences and Accounts” and select from System Alert, Ringtone. There’s also the option to shut off any text notifications entirely if you think it’s necessary.
Just like the gestures that you’re using when you want to copy, cut or paste, you can also use specific gestures while you’re in the email application. Simply press and hold you finger on the gesture area and use another finger to click on a letter key.
While reading an email use any of the below shortcuts:
Gesture area + K = “Mar(K) as unread”
Gesture area + G = “Set Fla(G)”
Gesture area + M = “(M)ove to Folder”
Gesture Area + S = “(S)how Recipients”
While writing an email use any of the below shortcuts:
Gesture area + J = “Set As High Priority”
Gesture area + D = “(D)iscard Message”
Gesture area + S = “(S)ave as Draft”
All the above commands can be accessed from the email application’s menu.
For those that like to send “flashy” messages, you will be able to bold, underline or use any color for your text. After writing the text of the message open the menu and click on the Edit tab. You will now be able to customize your email text as you see fit.
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Update: Palm webOS Tips And Tricks
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