Get Gmail Email on Your Palm TX

Thursday, October 11, 2007

GMail PalmOS PhotoIf you’re like me, you were disappointed when Google released a mobile Gmail client for PalmOS 5, but did not provide support for Palm TX devices. The TX, after all, is Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled, and thus an ideal candidate for any mobile application that takes advantage of unfettered wireless internet. Sure, you can access Gmail through the web-based mobile interface using a mobile browser, but that method is slow, menial and inelegant.

But fear not. It turns out that getting Google’s Gmail client up and running on the Palm TX is both quick and easy. And rewarding, too, if you’re on the go as much as I am!

Before you get started, you’ll need two things:

  1. The IBM WebSphere Everyplace Micro Environment (IWEME) [ Available Here ]
  2. The Gmail application for PalmOS 5 [ Direct Download ]

Begin by installing the IWEME. Palm provides the following instructions, for Windows and Mac, respectively. This Environment MUST be installed onto the Palm in RAM and NOT on an external SD card.

Windows Installation Instructions:

  1. Download JVM.zip (1.77MB ZIP File)
  2. Extract the contents of the zip file using a standard unzip utility. Note the location where the folder PALMOS JVM 5.7.2 is unzipped to.
  3. Launch Palm Desktop. Select Quick Install icon.
  4. Select the correct user name from the User list.
  5. Navigate to the PALMOS JVM 5.7.2 folder that was unzipped in Step 2.
    1. In that folder, open the JVM folder.
    2. In that folder, open the ARM4T folder.
    3. In that folder, select J9JavaVMMidp20.prc and JavaVMCheck_enUS.prc.
    4. If you want a non-English version, you must install these files:
      • J9JavaVMMidp20.prc file
      • J9JavaVMMidp20_xx.prc file with your language version (“de” is German, “es” is Spanish, “fr” is French, “it” is Italian, “ja” and “jp” are Japanese, “zh” and “CN” are Chinese)
      • JavaVMCheck_xxXX.prc file with your local version
    5. Drag and drop the selected files to the Quick Install window.
  6. Depending on your setup and requirements, you can explore the other folders and install the other files. The ones listed above are mandatory; the others are optional. Consult the Java software developer for more information about which files you need to run the application on your device.
  7. Perform a HotSync operation.

Macintosh Installation Instructions:

  1. Download JVM.sit (1.68MB SIT File)
  2. Your web browser should automatically expand the file and you will see a folder named PALMOS JVM 5.7.2 on the desktop (or in your default download folder). If your web browser does not expand the file automatically, you will need to use an expanding utility (such as Aladdin Stuffit Expander) in order to decode the .sit file. Note the folder location.
  3. On your Mac, launch Palm Desktop.
  4. From the HotSync Menu select Install Handheld Files.
  5. Select your user name from the drop down menu.
  6. Navigate to the PALMOS JVM 5.7.2 folder that was unzipped in Step 2.
    1. In that folder, open the JVM folder.
    2. In that folder, open the ARM4T folder.
    3. In that folder, select J9JavaVMMidp20.prc and JavaVMCheck_enUS.prc.
    4. If you want a non-English version, you must install these files:
      • J9JavaVMMidp20.prc file
      • J9JavaVMMidp20_xx.prc file with your language version (“de” is German, “es” is Spanish, “fr” is French, “it” is Italian, “ja” and “jp” are Japanese, “zh” and “CN” are Chinese)
      • JavaVMCheck_xxXX.prc file with your local version
    5. Drag and drop the selected files to the Install Handheld Files window.
  7. Depending on your setup and requirements, you can explore the other folders and install the other files. The ones listed above are mandatory; the others are optional. Consult the Java software developer for more information about which files you need to run the application on your device.
  8. Perform a HotSync operation.

Once you’ve installed the IWEME, install the Gmail app (gmail.prc) like any other PalmOS app–using Quick Install feature or other method of your choice. I recommend installing this application to RAM for speed and efficiency reasons associated with the Java VM/runtime; however it should be able to run directly from an SD card.

Now, connect your Palm to the internet. You can do this however you normally do–via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Lastly, launch your newly-installed Gmail app, enter your login credentials, and check your email!

Thanks to Dennis McCunney for helping me locate the original .prc file.

Now you go:

26 comments:

  1. Thursday, October 11, 2007DMcCunney says:

    You’re quite welcome on the PRC.

    As mentioned, it fails on my Tapwave Zodiac with a certificate problem. This may be JVM related. The current IBM JVM for PalmOS won’t run on my device. I have an older version that will, but it has quirks, like Opera Mini refuses to use the full 320×480 Zodiac screen, even though this reportedly works on the TX.

    I’m pleased it was such a painless process for you.
    ______
    Dennis

  2. Wednesday, October 17, 2007Mark Andrews says:

    Many thanks for this; I was initially excited about the Java Gmail app, then disappointed when I tried to use the regular instructions to get it.

    It works well on my T|X, but the JVM seems to slurp an awful lot of power judging from the warming case and battery meter.

  3. Wednesday, October 17, 2007Robby Grossman says:

    You’re absolutely right, Mark. Unfortunately, that price is inevitable when you run a JVM on a handheld device; the simplest of computations converts to many, many, many machine-code calls.

  4. Sunday, November 4, 2007Ben Mattison says:

    Hi,

    Thanks for the instructions and the links. It seems to work fine on my T|X except for one thing — I can’t seem to get to the “All Mail” folder. If I click on “Go to” it doesn’t show up and I can’t add it. Is this normal?

    Ben

  5. Friday, December 7, 2007Brian says:

    Thanks great help.Worked seemlesly

    Its cool to be kind.

    Brian

  6. Tuesday, January 1, 2008Dustin Earnest says:

    Hey Robby, Great Site here. I followed your instructions for putting gmail on my TX, but when i click an email to read it puts has the box that asks can it use airtime – but the box is distorted and has no yes/no thus not allowing me to read the message. ???

  7. Thursday, January 17, 2008crendon says:

    Thanks Robby! it works like a charm.

  8. Monday, April 21, 2008Roberto says:

    hey, it works great!! thanks a lot!

    only one question: where do you get that prc file?? i searched for it for a while, and i couldnt find it in any other place!!
    do you made it from the .jar?? in that case, can you explain the proccess??
    really, thanks.

  9. Tuesday, April 29, 2008Amara says:

    Thank you so much! My new AT&T centro wouldn’t let me download and install the gmail app through blazer, but I was able to install it no problem by downloading it directly and installing it from my computer. I loved my gmail app on my old phone and was bummed when I thought that I wouldn’t be able to us it on my new smartphone! Thanks again!

  10. Thursday, May 8, 2008Aaron says:

    Robby, thanks for the Gmail prc!!! I’ve had the Gmail jar running via the IBM Java App on my Palm Centro but it always looked weird on the screen (like it didn’t fit). This one works perfect. Until I can figure out how to get versamail to always download my entire message via Gmail IMAP I’ll be using this app.

  11. Wednesday, May 14, 2008Adam says:

    Hello Robby, I tried to use your gmail application, but I was unable to do anything more than see my Inbox. When trying any other action, this error message pops up “This program requires a working data connection. Please check your signal strength. I am sitting with my Palm TX next to the WiFi router at home and the signal level is excelent.

  12. Tuesday, May 27, 2008D. Gray says:

    The IBM software is no longer available. What do you do now? Also, how can you open pictures on your palm tx?

  13. Friday, May 30, 2008Robby Grossman says:

    Hi D,

    I’m sorry to say that I don’t have another source for the IBM WebSphere kit. It looks as though Palm lost its distribution rights. Your best bet is to get in touch with IBM directly.

    –Robby

  14. Saturday, May 31, 2008pseudus says:

    Here it is: http://websphere-everyplace-micro-environment.en.softonic.com/palm/download

  15. Monday, March 16, 2009http://rich-niche.info/cookie/img/smilies/happy.gif says:

    nice! [IMG]http://rich-niche.info/cookie/img/smilies/happy.gif[/IMG]

  16. Thursday, April 16, 2009Jose says:

    Thanks for keeping everyone educated.

  17. Wednesday, May 27, 2009olga trilova says:

    It would be nice to see more of this.

  18. Wednesday, May 27, 2009yusuf bilir says:

    I got your point. Thanks a lot for this. I love my Mac :)

  19. Sunday, June 21, 2009David says:

    Thanks. This works on my TX with both gmail and opera-mini. Well done!

  20. Thursday, July 2, 2009MarkitoXs says:

    Thank you very much for this post.
    Works like a charm.

    TX is still alive!

  21. Friday, July 3, 2009Govindaya says:

    I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful …

  22. Wednesday, September 16, 2009Quick Dinner Recipes says:

    Hello webmaster I like your post …. Do you have a feed? I couln’dt seem to get it to work

  23. Sunday, October 24, 2010Mary Darter says:

    Nice article, Was so bored, this read made my night! LOL at some of ya people!

  24. Saturday, October 30, 2010Schedule says:

    Maybe you could change the post subject title Get Gmail Email on Your Palm TX | Robby Grossman to something more better for your subject you make. I liked the post yet.

  25. Friday, January 28, 2011resan flygbiljetter says:

    I simply wished to thank you so much once more. I am not sure the things I might have taken care of in the absence of the type of opinions contributed by you on that area of interest. It had been the scary issue in my view, however , being able to view the professional style you processed that took me to weep with fulfillment. Now i am happy for this service and hope you know what a powerful job you happen to be providing training people today thru a web site. More than likely you’ve never got to know any of us.

  26. Wednesday, April 6, 2011renan says:

    Hi,
    Thanks so much for having this app here. I am exited about having gmail on my palm. however, it keeps repeating that I need a data connection even though my internet is connected. Another thing, whenever I try to go to any google site it says it cannot resolve the address. One more thing, I just installed opera mini, but it only works when it wants to, 50% of the times it say that cannot connect.
    Thanks!
    sorry for so many questions at once.