Microsoft has recently been granted a patent which directly affects using hardware buttons on a Palm OS handhelds and applications. The patent is described as a "time-based hardware button for application launch."

The abstract describes the patent: "A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click." (US Patent No. 6,727,830, granted on April 27, 2004.)

People are describing this as a "double click" patent (which has sparked outrage), but really it's a patent that suggests that without being approved by Microsoft, a program can't have operations which perform multiple different actions depending upon the length of time an "application button" is pushed.

This suggests to some a hardware button, but the text of the patent is vague. Examples in the Palm OS world where this patent could potentially cause trouble include: multiple pushes of a hardware button switching Palm OS categories, launcher apps that allow you to launch a different app depending upon how long a hardware button is pushed, and security apps that turn off the palm if you don't press a hardware button twice within a certain amount of time.
SOURCE: Palm Infocenter