Palm's webOS does not support legacy Palm OS software. So Palm Pre, and soon Palm Pixi, users must turn to a third party, MotionApps, to run the thousands of Palm platform legacy programs available. The name of MotionApps' Palm OS emulator is, fittingly, Classic, and it was just updated this week to version 2.0.

The upgrade adds a host of new features, including the addition of HotSync support for webOS smartphones. This allows users to synchronize personal information, including contacts, calendar, notes, and tasks, and other data to and from their desktop and handset.

According to MotionApps, Classic runs side by side with other webOS applications on your Pre. It is not a replacement for webOS and does not put webOS into a "classic" mode limiting its features. Instead, Classic runs the Palm OS applications inside the webOS environment without affecting other apps.

Below is a comprehensive list of improvements and additions to Classic 2.0, which goes for $29.99:

 

HotSync support over network

 

Power consumption reduced considerably when device is idle

 

"prefTimeZone" preference value correctly set in Palm OS enviroment to match the one from webOS

 

Palm OS storage heap memory moved to flash memory

 

Migration of existing data stored in the storage heap is performed on the first run on new Classic, if enough space is detected. Proper form is presented to the user during the process of migration

 

Virtual storage card is named "VirtualCard"

 

Total and occupied size on storage card is correctly reported in Palm OS. If the total/occupied size exceeds 4GB, 4GB is reported to Palm OS due to its limitation.

 

Similarly, storage heap size is reported correctly, maximum reported size 128MB

 

Classic wakes up 45 seconds before Palm OS alarm time

 

Full screen mode

 

Quick keyboard mode switch

 

Improved reset functionality

Classic 2.0 is now available through the on-device Palm App Catalog. See here to learn more about the software.