Easter Eggs

Palm OS Easter Eggs

An Easter Egg is a secret feature or function of a software application designed to amuse. A popular use for software easter eggs is for the developers of a product to hide their names inside the application, making the user go through strange menus and clicks to uncover them. Luckily, we've uncovered a whole bunch of Easter Eggs for you! What a nice surprise!

Description: The Easter Egg OS 2.0x and above required Procedure: OS 2.0x to 4.x, non-PalmOne OS 5.x Open up the preferences page (General Category). In the Bottom right hand corner of the screen (above the calculator) draw a tiny clockwise circle An Easter Egg will pop up on the screen. Procedure: Handera 330 Open up the preferences page (General Category) Graffiti in the word Handera. The Easter Egg will pop up on the screen. Procedure: PalmOne OS 5.x Open up the preferences page. Click on Power. In the Bottom right hand corner of the screen (above the calculator) draw a tiny clockwise circle. An Easter Egg will pop up on the screen.

Description: Taxi Drives Across Screen Procedure: Pull up the "The Easter Egg" Switch to Memo Pad Then hold down the PageDown key while drawing a line from the middle of the graffiti area to the left edge of the case. Note: Handspring has updated the easter egg to be a sporty red convertible on the Visor Prism.

Description: Development Team Credits OS 1.x and 2.x only Procedure: Go to the Memory App Hold stylus tip on system version number. Press the down button with your finger.

Description: Development Team Credits OS 3.x and 4.x only Procedure: Select Info... from the Applications Menu in the Launcher Select the Version button at the bottom. Hold stylus tip on title bar. Press the down button with your finger.

Description: Development Team Credits OS 5.x only Procedure: Pull up the "The Easter Egg". Tap Home, Menu, Options, About Applications, Hold down scroll and keep holding down scroll and hit ok. Repeat step 3 two more times. The last time, keep the down button pressed. The credits will will continue to scroll until you release the down button.

Description: Graffiti Version and Info Does not work on Palms using Graffiti 2 Procedure: Open up a new memo in MemoPad Enter the Punctuation Shift Mode (Tap once on the Graffiti Area) Write the word palm You should get "Graffiti 1.0, Copyright Palm Computing 1995." Note: Make the P by starting at the bottom move up and loop, I tend to make my P's by starting at the top, moving down then up then looping.

Description: The Inchworm Procedure: Open up "Prefs" (General worked for me) Draw a graffiti # (. h) Wait about 10 seconds An inchworm will work his way across the screen.

Description: Developers Back Door Procedure: Go to the hotsync application Hold both of the scroll buttons down Tap on the upper right hand corner of the screen DLserver wait forever is now ON (this only lasts for one hotsync)

Description: Developers Back Door #2 Procedure: Go to the HotSync application Hold both of the scroll buttons down Tap on the lower right hand corner of the screen The following will be displayed: DEVELOPER'S BACKDOOR #00000002 uControl=$0006508 uBaud=$0000c10b uReceive=$00000008 uTransmit=$00000B00 uMisc=$00000040 intControl=$000000800 intMaskHi=$00000006A intMaksLo=$000080ED slkNumReceived=$000014D1 Note: Performing this on a Treo 600 (substituting the down arrow on the scroll pad for both scroll buttons) will cause the Treo to soft reset. (Thanks to Stan Sieler for the tip!)

Description: Dot Shortcuts Procedure: Issue the shortcut command (in graffiti, it looks like a lower case "L") and then a "." followed by a number .1 - some sort of "debug" mode, opens the serial port. SERIOUS drain of the batteries if left open (soft reset to close) .2 - opens the serial port (another debug mode). Soft reset to close. .3 - Turn auto-off off .4 - flashes user name and number - Unknown purpose .5 - removes user configuration and hotsync log CAUTION: If you re-sync after doing this shortcut, you will create duplicate entries! Better to hard-reset and PC to Pilot Sync instead. .6 - displays the ROM date .7 - toggle between NiCad and Alkaline battery mode. Meant for those using NiCad batteries, to show proper "fuel" gauge on the app screen. On models with built in batteries (such as the Vx), the only option is Lithium Ion. .8 - toggles the "inverse" backlighting on the new Palm V or Palm IIIx. NOTE: If you upgrade from older Palm device, this will not work unless you delete the Graffiti_ShortCuts.PRC from your backup directory BEFORE you do your first HotSync. If you've already done a HotSync, you'll have to back everything up (I highly recommend Backup Buddy to do this), delete the file mentioned above, hard reset your device, and then HotSync. As this doesn't work for all people, I really do recommend instead using a "Hack" that does this automatically and doesn't have to be re-issued after a soft reset (like a dot shortcut does). GreenLightHack is the one I personally use in my Palm Vx. .i - enables Beam receive for a short time. No longer do you need to have Beam Receive turned on in Prefs/General! .s - toggles between serial and IR modes. In serial mode, info sent via the IR port is instead sent over the serial port. .t - toggles loopback mode for the IR Exchange Manager. Note: These undocumented shortcuts should be used with caution, as they can cause several "bad" things to happen.

Description: The Old Switcharoo Procedure: On a PalmV (OS 3.3) launch the Welcome app to see a spinning PalmV. Activate The Easter Egg. Go back and run the Welcome app again. You should see a PalmVII spinning instead of the Palm V. Note:You may need OS2Launch to run the welcome application again.

Description: PalmVII Tiny Screen Text Procedure: On a PalmVII Activate The Easter Egg. Run the Setup application. The spinning PalmVII now has text written on it. Note:You may need OS2Launch to run the Setup application.

Description: PalmVII Credits Procedure: Go into the Palm.net app Tap on the lower left side of the screen, all the way to the left and about 3 pixels up. You'll see a little square highlight if you tap in the right spot. You should see Key Contributors screen for Project Eleven. Extra Credit Copy the page using the "Copy Page" menu Item. Pasted it to Memo pad You should see "Thanks Adam Tow!" And Pictures Too! Click on the pixel located approximately to the right of the name (represented in the image to the left) [Not all shown]

Description: PalmVII Open URL Procedure: Activate The Easter Egg. Go into ANY clipper application. Tap four times in rapid succession right over the calc silkscreen. Then tap the menu silkscreen button. If you do it right, you'll see a new menu called Page. Select "Open URL" menu selection. You may now enter any URL to view using your PalmVII. Note:Using this Egg may severely Deplete your PALM.NET Account. This Egg also adds a new preferences screen that allows you to change the default history storage amount.

Description: Handflips for HandSpring Procedure: Go to the Launcher screen in the Handspring Device. Hold down the upscroll key. Tap the time tab in the top left corner. You should see the HandSpring Logo doing Flips. Note:This only works on the HandSpring Devices Note:After activating the Flip Easter egg, hold the Down button while the Flip animation is running. You will see a date. (possibly the day the handheld began production?).

Description: Visor Platinum/Prism Battery Voltage Procedure: Go into the main applications launcher Press the up button and hold the stylus down on the battery meter You will receive numbers for your battery's voltage, load, and the percentage remaining. Note: On a Treo you have to put the stylus in the top middle of the screen (where it was on standard PalmOS), not at the far right where the battery icon moved to.

Description: Adjust the Visor Prism Contrast Procedure: Go to Prefs Change Date to Jan 1 1904 Hold down the Prism's Power button Adjust Contrast (Labeled Brightness)

Description: TRGpro Easter Egg Procedure: Open the Application launcher Open Menu via Silk Screen Menu Button Select System Info Write a Graffiti a

Description: "Error reading Drive C: Abort, Retry Fail?" Procedure: Start the Giraffe game Place your stylus on the top of the screen then press the down button

Description: see a full screen photo of two guys in suits Procedure: Start the Giraffe game Place your stylus in the lower right corner then press the up button Note: The two gentlemen in this picture are Rob Haitani and Chris Raff.

Description: hula-dancing tree appears on the screen Procedure: Start the Giraffe game Hit the Help button then draw the '#' character

Description: Rally's Revenge Procedure: Open up Rally 1000 (version 2.0) Begin writing in graffiti are (around 20 alpha characters) A pop-up window will open with a message Note: The Author informed me that this will give you an advantage over the PalmPilot.

Description: Time for Games Procedure: Open up The Game (Listed Below) Write the lowercase t in the graffiti area a tiny clock will pop up on the screen Games that have the "Time" Egg: Go Moku Reptoids HardBall Subhunt

Description: Shhh! It's a secret Procedure: Open up the Address app in the Desktop program Create a new entry with a last name of "Who Wrote This?"' Mark it private (make sure you have show private records on) You should see Shhh! It's a secret! Move it to a category called 'secret' You should see a list of names

Description: Desktop Credits Procedure: Open the Desktop Application Open up the 'About' Screen by clicking Help | About Hold and the left mouse button while you double-right click on the about box above the graphic where it says 'palmpilot desktop 2.0' A scrolling list of names should appear

Description: Omniremote Credits Procedure: Open Omniremote Create a new button Name it "Credits" without the quotes Click (OK)

Description: MindMeld with Nancy Procedure: Start MindMeld In the Graffiti area write the name nancy while you do this n-a-n-c-y will display in the lower left of the screen. (If you get a letter wrong you have to start over) A womans face will appear on the screen.

Description: Thumbprint of a King Procedure: Start Thumb Scan Tap the "menu" silkscreen button view the "about" section and click "OK" Press the "up" scsroll button before scanning your thumb you will see an image of a young Elvis hidden within the thumbprint graphic.

Description: Gaydar Makes Me Smile Procedure: Start Gaydar Tap the figure's crotch It will put a smile on his face.

Description: Communications Spy Procedure: Open Datastick Connection Application Switch to "Numeric" view in application In Graffiti Area, draw an 'S' Press the scroll down button Display will redraw and a hex string will appear just above the "Record" and "Channel" buttons. These are the raw hex words read from the A/D hardware. Note: Doing the procedure again will turn off the Communications Spy.

Description: Happy New Year from BigClock Procedure: Set Date to 1/1/00 Set Time to 00:00 (Midnight) Open BigClock Version 2.5

Description: ICQ Picture Procedure: Start ICQ session on your Palm On main ICQ screen tap with your pen on right bottom corner just above "Send..." button If you find a right spot you will get a picture of two girls Note: The names of the girls in Palm ICQ are Lior and Ofir! Back to Top

Description: Music to keep your Patience Procedure: Download the Solitaire game Patience Start a new game Make the Grafitti letter "P" in the Grafitti area and the device will play a song. There are 3 or 4 different songs.

Description: BugMe for an Easter Egg Procedure: Install the latest version of BugMe! or BugMe! Messenger. Pick the Solid Square or Circle drawing tool. Tapping in the blank area at the top of the screen to the right of the Note/Menu tab toggles between normal fill and "groovy" invert mode.

Description: An Egg for Captain Kirk Procedure: Install StarShip Make sure you are flying trough space and NOT in orbit. Click on the end panel on the far left console. (The Name "Jane" should appear on the screen) Click on the center of the captains chair. (The Name "Scott" Should appear on the screen) Note: The Names of the developers are Scott, Jane and Keith. The Keith Egg has not been found yet (if there is one).

Description: 9-Ball PinBall Procedure: Install 9-Ball PinBall On the Info screen, tapping on the 9-Ball logo three times displays a message. On the main screen, entering a Graffiti or keyboard 'h' will display the high score briefly. On the main screen, after the ball is drained (during the bonus display), entering a Graffiti or keyboard 'o' will give you an extra ball (if you haven't already earned one for that ball). [The analogy here is to a last-second save of a drained ball by giving the machine a strong shove at the right moment...]

Description: Babies Like Eggs Procedure: Install BabyMelodyPilot Set the Palm's clock to either Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, July 4th, or September 11th. Set the BabyMelodyPilot Graphics Preference to "Logo" Instead of the BabyMelodyPilot logo bouncing around the screen, you should now see various other images (a tree on Christmas Eve and Day, a message on New Year's Eve and Day, and an American Flag on July 4th and September 11th).