Sending a Message with SharkMsg
You really have to credit PalmOS developers for rising up quickly when challenged.
The latest episode follows the recent presentation of the Treo 700w running Windows Mobile where Microsoft Senior VP Pieter Knook proclaimed that “A feature that Palm had been unable to implement with Palm OS enables users to decline a call with a friendly SMS, signaling “In a meeting” or “Talking with the boss” instead of simply ignoring the call."
A feature in Windows Mobile that the Palm OS can’t do on our Treo? Not possible thought one particular 15 year old (!!) developer called Tyler Faux with a ‘can do’ attitude who promptly went to work on an application to prove Microsoft wrong.
SharkMsg, now in version 1.3, is a free and small 67k application for your Treo that allows you to respond to a call (for example because you’re in a meeting or on another call) with a fully customizable SMS message (below right) that let’s the caller know that you’re there but currently unavailable.
SharkMsg is activated when you press the Ignore button as you receive a phone call (below left). A SharkMsg window pops up (below right) which allows you to select any one of a pre-defined pull-down list of messages and then to send these via SMS.
As Tyler writes on his website, SharkMsg currently works pretty much like an emulation of what will be on the Treo 700w but his intention is to make it even better. In this vein, one of the things that I would like to see in the future is for SharkMsg to also work with a missed call and not only with an ignored call. Currently the only option that you get when you’ve missed a call is to Call Back (below left) but with SharkMsg you could also have the option to again send an SMS message instead.
SharkMsg is so simple to use that every Treonaut should have it installed and because it’s completely free it should make it even easier.
One thing is for sure, young Palm OS developers like Tyler and the many thousands of others like him worldwide will continue to create extraordinary applications in the future helping to improve our experiences and maintain our Treo as the best smartphone in the world.
Treonauts are always one step ahead… 
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One of my pet peeves with my Palm Treo 650 is the same gripe that I have with every other phone - how do I correspond with someone when I miss their call? I realize that they could leave me a voice mail, and I can get back to them at a later date. Ho... [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 24, 2006 9:40:48 AM
Comments
Excellent info. Tidbits like this are what keep me subscribed to the Treonauts feed.
I started using SharkMSG since it came out. It's really helpful and I'm hoping v 1.5 when it comes out will be even better.
Maybe there will be a way to just start typing a custom message in the future?
And side note: What is this silver aqua like skin that you're using in these screenshots?
15! Tyler Faux. Now that's a name we'll probably be hearing for many years to come in the technology world!
Tyler does the PalmAddict Podcasts as well. SharkMsg is truly a superb app, and with his enthusiasm and intelligence, it will only improve!
Been using SharkMsg on my Treo 600 and been loving it. Tyler is a great developer. And really makes me wonder why I wasnt developing PalmOS apps at 15 8-0
Thanks for the kind words!
Little Bean Curd - the MacOS X skin is called PalmRevolt. You can read my post about it here: http://blog.treonauts.com/2005/10/a_skin_revolt.html
Cheers, A.
Tyler Faux looks like he's going to be able to write apps for Palm OS 5 for a while. The PalmLinux kernel isn't going to be ready in time for the Treo 700p. That unit is going to run an updated version of OS 5.
http://www.permanent4.com/2005/11/palm-os-5-not-dead-yet.html
In the leaked 1.43 Treo ROM the option to send an SMS to a missed call is there, just like your mock-up
Just started using SM a few days ago. It's awesome! Saw some information that on Sprint service, it will even send a SMS to a landline (how it does that I don't know - must turn it into a voice message).
Here is another good Cover you should look at.
http://www.zcover.com/zCover_Product_gloveOne_Treo650.htm
Will 700p have 128 or 64? How large is SD capacity? Wi-Fi add-on? "push" email or variable active sync? Anyone know?
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