We wish we were kidding. Palm is sticking with its early-2009 projection for the upcoming Linux-based relaunch of the Palm OS -- possibly
codenamed Nova. That means this date isn't exactly a surprise, but we've really been hoping that this 2009 business was some sort of bad dream, since it's abundantly clear that Palm needs a new OS yesterday. To clarify further, Palm's Stephane Mass stated that Palm expects to wrap the OS late in 2008, and get tool to developers in time for devices early in the next year. Palm plans to keep offering Windows Mobile and Palm OS devices, and to make Centro the heart of its 2008 lineup.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MasterCKO @ Jan 14th 2008 11:30PM
I honestly don't think that it's quite the doom and gloom scenario you're predicting, guys. As far as I've heard, the Centro, while not exactly the most revolutionary thing in the world, has been selling fairly well. All it needs to be at this point is the stop-gap that keeps them going until Nova- (or whatever) based devices show up. It'll probably be alright for them. We'll see.
Zak @ Jan 15th 2008 1:12AM
I've really been hoping Palm would get this thing together soon. I've been hanging on to a (serviceable, but dated) Treo 700p that I've had the itch to replace for about 6 months now. I'm a decent CDMA android-powered phone away from jumping ship at this point.
robinsmad @ Jan 15th 2008 2:04AM
Why would anyone think Palm would move the date up? Cobalt was supposed to be here and usable in 2004, and they've been trying to do the Linux-based thing since 2005, delaying the arrival date each year. Even if they magically said, "Big surprise, guys! It will be done and shipping by July!" would you believe them?
Eric @ Jan 15th 2008 12:13PM
Apple's iPhone is nice - still not one-handed and poor synch of PIM stuff
WM5 and WM6 are pathetic. I went from a Treo 650 to an 8525 and it takes two hands and four times the strokes to enter a calendar item. No one-handed operation even for email or SMS. Sadly, Garnet is, IMHO, WAY ahead of WM6 for phones or PIMs. I already have a laptop and need a one-handed device for airports and the like. The only reason I still have the 8525 is that it's UMTS and works in Japan. A UMTS 750p would get me in a heartbeat.
Scott Skibell @ Jan 15th 2008 4:45AM
Yes, it's too late. Palm is a non-factor now.
I've owned Palm devices since about 97. I've owned a Treo since the gawd-awful 300. My next device will NOT be a Treo. Apple changed everything.
It's really a shame. Palm had so much potential but buyouts & spin-offs distracted them. They could have owned the desktop syncing market a la iTunes but never capitalized on music. Additional web-enabling of the Palm desktop would have helped too.
It's really a shame. They could have done so much but they've fallen short for investors and consumers alike.
tim_from_att @ Jan 15th 2008 8:07AM
Yup, its to way to late for palm, and by the time they release this new software, consumers wont look as them as an option for pda use. Once we release the white palm centro for AT&T, i could see some customers getting this phone, mostly people who are in real esate, unless the real estate lockbox feature is being removed...anyways...way to go palm...way to go
www.myspace.com/att_mobility_solutions
Lorne @ Jan 15th 2008 8:28AM
hmmm....company on its way out or a Pearl
Tell me, other than a touch screen that Palm does that the BB cannot do these days.
There is no advantage of Palm over a BB
Craig @ Jan 15th 2008 11:14AM
There's still way more software available for Palm OS devices than there is for Blackberries. Bb are catching up, for sure, but you still have many more options in the Palm space.
robinsmad @ Jan 15th 2008 3:16PM
The advantage is not having to pay the monthly BB fee, which is $30+ on some carriers.
Atanas Boev @ Jan 15th 2008 9:25AM
"...2009, is it already too late?"
Yes:( A new OS, compatible with an old one which almost noone writes software for anymore.
Its like trying to sell PC OS compatible with "thousands of apps" working on win95, but not compatble with winXP. And trying to sell it in 2009.
MasterCKO @ Jan 15th 2008 3:54PM
wait a second, how is it at all like that? (what does Windows XP represent in your analogy?) This OS would be a new platform on which to develop. One that hopefully would draw enough consumer attention to get developers interested in Palm again. It's more like bringing out a new OS that is backwards compatible with its previous iteration. Oh wait, that's exactly what it is.
Michael @ Feb 5th 2008 4:40PM
I have owned 3 Palms starting back in 1997, and while still happy my TE (v1) is the lowest quality in finish and durability of the three I've owned. I have to charge up every day now and maybe even that is not sufficient. The sockets, speaker and on/off button have always given me problems. I am looking for another device (hence why I'm here) but I don't think it'll be a Palm now: mainly due to battery INflexibility.