However, Palm Computing didn't release similar kits for Macintosh software developers until April of 1998. They are still pre-release, not final. If you want technical information read about the Conduit SDK on Palm's web site at http://palm.3com.com/devzone/conduits.html

Claris Organizer comes to your PalmPilot?
The first organizer for every PalmPilot Mac user is, of course, the PalmPilot Desktop software itself. Palm Computing has recently announced its plans for upgrading this application. You can read their press release at: http://palm.3com.com/pr/macintosh.html

According to Palm, the new software will be based on Claris Organizer, which they bought from Apple. Apple had broken up Claris Corporation, the Mac software maker, and so it seems this is where one of the pieces ended up. According to Palm, "Palm Organizer seamlessly integrates calendar, contacts, tasks, notes and intelligent features such as drag-and-drop scheduling, user-defined custom views and powerful printing options in one easy-to-use, compact application." When they deliver that, I'll be one happy PalmPilot user.

They have forecast release by "late summer". They say that all PalmPilot owners who have purchased the current MacPac version 1.0 will be able to download the new software from the Palm web site for free within the first 60 days after release. It will also be available in retail locations, as the new Palm MacPac, for the same approximately $15 price.

The Wadi of Now Synchronize
A wadi is a dry riverbed in a desert, where no water flows, but may one day. And that summarizes the noble attempt of Now Synchronize by Now Software. They did the best they could, in the absence of proper conduit support from Palm Computing, but what they were able to achieve isn't very satisfying.

The combination of Now Up-to-Date and its sister program, NowContact, form one of the premier personal information managers on the Macintosh. Now Software came up with a product called Now Synchronize to synchronize PalmPilot data and Now Up-to-Date data. You can get a demo version (of Now Synchronize, Now Up-to-Date, and NowContact) on CD-ROM or by download from their Web site: http://eudora.qualcomm.com/uptodate/syncro/pilotmac.html.

When you install Now Synchronize, it essentially replaces the standard PalmPilot Desktop 1.0 application with its own version. Now Synchronize synchronizes the Date Book, Address List, and To Do data from your PalmPilot organizer with corresponding data in Now Up-to-Date and Now Contact. Instead of being able to see your phone list in the Desktop app, you go to Now Contact. Various pieces of the PalmPilot software on the Mac, such as the HotSync control panel, appear with different names and version numbers than usual. There's no direct way to get at the Memo data in your PalmPilot.

There is one big advantage of this arrangement, which is that it works at all. I was able to install the software successfully and exchange data with my PalmPilot. However, it has several drawbacks. I certainly found it cumbersome. However, it has worked just fine for some people I've corresponded with. My recommendation: go ahead and buy your PalmPilot now, buy the MacPac, wait for the updated MacPac.