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Access Linux Platform 3.0 live, in person, and oh-so-full of widgets

by Paul Miller posted Feb 19th 2009 @ 7:31AM

We got a quick look at the latest version of the Access Linux Platform (ALP) today, running on an early build of TI's OMAP 3-based Zoom hardware. Access seems excessively enthused with widgets, and really isn't doing a bad job at them, featuring transparency galore and even a second home screen for housing a separate set of them (perhaps "work" or "home" or "really great world clocks"). The machine also run's Access' own NetFront browser, which isn't quite as butter as we've seen WebKit get lately, but might be about on par with Microsoft's new builds of Internet Explorer Mobile. Unfortunately, aside from a jerky, barebones "flickable" photo browser, that's all Access is showing off of LiMo-compliant 3.0 at the moment, and we didn't get a look at that Garnet OS compatibility layer we all know and love. Still, if you suffer from some irrational fear that we'd be short on mobile operating systems here at MWC you can at last rest at ease. Video is after the break.

Gallery: Access Linux Platform 3.0 live, in person, and oh-so-full of widgets

Continue reading Access Linux Platform 3.0 live, in person, and oh-so-full of widgets

ACCESS outs NetFront 3.4 Technical Preview for Windows Mobile

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 4th 2007 @ 11:49PM

Opera Mini gets the lion's share of the attention among third-party browsers for Windows Mobile, but there are other contenders out there looking for a share of users' hearts and minds. Replacement browsers probably wouldn't be such a vibrant category on the platform if it weren't for Pocket Internet Explorer's utter ineptitude in its current iteration, but hey, it is what it is -- we're just happy that devs are out there coding up much better stuff (Microsoft included). Anyhoo, ACCESS has just taken the Technical Preview of its NetFront 3.4 release for Windows Mobile to the public with a couple awesome features in tow like visual bookmarks and full-page preview. NetFront powers the browsers on a number of phones from Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and others, and we've generally found it to be good stuff; anyone give 3.4 a shot yet?

[Via jkOnTheRun and Brighthand]

Update: Turns out 3.4's been doing its thing for quite some time now; ACCESS has simply extended the expiration date through to February 29 of next year. Thanks, commenters!

ACCESS to partake in 3GSM festivities

by Darren Murph posted Jan 26th 2007 @ 10:50AM

It's perfectly understandable if you're still grieving after yesterday's news dashed any hopes of Palm OS ever resurrecting itself, but your new leader has just announced that it'll be showing its stuff at the 3GSM World Congress next month in Barcelona, Spain. Working with the "Unleash Your Digital Life" them, it looks as if ACCESS is planning on showcasing elusive "ALP products, NetFront Browser, and the NetFront Mobile Client Suite / Media Player," all while dodging arrows from Palm OS fanboys, we're sure. Furthermore, the firm does throw in a snippet about Garnet OS along the way, but doesn't specifically mention any hardware partners that might be getting announced on the big stage. Nevertheless, at least ACCESS can't conquer Palm OS and then run for cover, as you'll be hearing a good bit more from this crowd come February 12th.

[Thanks, Alan]

Pocket PC gets LocationFree thanks to... ACCESS?

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 26th 2006 @ 11:25AM

Imagine a world where Sony, Microsoft, and ACCESS (owners of Palm OS) all live in perfect harmony with one another. PlayStation and XBOX games are completely interchangeable, Blu-ray and HD DVD are one and the same, and that HTC Hermes in your pocket can triple-boot Windows Mobile, Palm OS Garnet, and ALP. Alright, enough with the touchy-feely peace and unity stuff... back to reality for a moment. For the first time, US customers have been able to get their hands on ACCESS' NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC this month thanks to a new version 2.0. No, it's not exactly PlayStation / XBOX interchangeability, but it's one small step in making strange bedfellows out of corporate giants and sworn enemies -- and more importantly, it gives SlingPlayer some competition in the Windows Mobile placeshifting landscape. You can get your hands on NetFront LocationFree now for about $20; see ACCESS' press release for details.

[Via Impress Watch]