02-11-2002, 09:34 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Is Palm's Pocket PC Clone Too Late?
http://www.mbizcentral.com/story/FRONTPAGE/MBZ20020206S0011
I think that title says is all - Palm's OS 5, not even shipping yet, isn't very exciting to most people who have seen it. We'll have to see what the new OS 5 devices look like (Sony might produce a killer device), but let's face it: the Palm advantage is eroding. Does anyone think that Palm can put a 200+ Mhz StrongARM processor, 32+ megs of RAM, high-resolution 16-bit colour screens, real speakers, a headphone jack, control pad, and other hardware...and not have the price rise, the battery life get worse, and the physical size get bigger? And then there's the software...
"...In a move that could alienate some of Palm's developers and users, arguably Palm's greatest asset, the new OS will not offer native support for applications developed for 16-bit versions. Instead, the older architecture will now be emulated in the new OS, and stories circulating the wires suggest that only around 80% of current applications will survive the transition. Palm, however, estimates that it has "a couple hundred thousand registered developers" in the OS 5 program."
Source: Todd Ogasawara
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02-11-2002, 09:53 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 335
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If Palm OS5 devices have the same facilities as PocketPCs then they will become very similar...
...this is NOT what Palm want, otherwise there is no reason to buy a Palm over a Windows CE device.
What Palm must not do is hobble the hardware to place it in a different market. Palm OS5 must be able to handle larger screens than 160x160 with proper landscape or protrait QVGA screens (preferably switchable - something I miss on my iPAQ).
Here's a thought.... why not sell Palm OS5 as an upgrade for the iPAQ/PocketPC2002 as a ROM replacement or a program that can run as a WindowsCE task... and then see what hardware wins out 
I for one would love to run BOTH operating systems on my iPAQ. It also gives palm an instant hardware base for their OS, thus stimulating software development. If OS5 can compete with WindowsCE on a WindowsCE machine, then they'll have a much better claim for their own hardware...
My 2c.
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02-11-2002, 10:28 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 243
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it's all a matter of timing...10-15 years ago, Apple clones would have saved Apple. Now...they've no hope of ever being anything other than a tiny piece of the pie, though if they keep making desktop lamps they won't even be that
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02-11-2002, 10:35 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 414
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Palm clones the PPC that aped the original Palm
So, a Palm model that shares virtually all hardware features with the PPC 2002 model, but sells at 5 times the volume per model meaning the efficiency of production scale makes it possible to sell it for $100 less.
One can bring all the software one has along to the new model, saving millions of current users $100 to $400 each.
Because it uses the latest OMAPI and X-Scale processors with no old inventory of old battery sucking ARMS to protect, battery life is 5-10s as good as the PPC 2002s.
PPC 2002 gets "recreated" again as .NET mobile with a rewrite needed of all current software and no way to make it work on older models without Flash ROM cutting market potential for developers.
One can bring old hardware along from my old Palm with Universal connector.
Yeah, sounds like Palm can't win this battle.
Look this is not Apple converting from Motorola 6800 to Power PC processor with a 10% market share going against WinTel with 90% market share. This is Palm going for a newer better processor with help from TI, Motorola, Intel, and Sony. And PPC still at the very best has 25% of the market.
I really don't get the point of a PPC site pointing to this article. It's not a religion.
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02-11-2002, 10:47 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
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Palm clones the PPC that aped the original Palm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Timothy Rapson
I really don't get the point of a PPC site pointing to this article. It's not a religion.
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Agree. Please concentrate on PocketPC software and stuff! Making fun of other PDAs can only make demage. Schadenfreude is not good for PocketPCthoughts...
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02-11-2002, 10:57 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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I think Palm is making the age old mistake of thinking the best way to beat your competition is to do what he is doing and try to do it better. That is not always the way. Just because us power users want a high resolution, mutimedia, slim version of our desktop in our pocket, doesn't mean that is what everyone wants. Most don't. They don't want to spend that much, or carry that big of a brick in their pocket
I think things will "click" for Palm when they find the right combo of price, organizer, communicator, size, and marketing.
Right now if you want something to handle your PIM's what could be better then an M100 for less than $100.00. I stand to be corrected on this buy I think there are more of them out there then there are Ipaq's.
I still love my HP565 
Dave
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02-11-2002, 11:02 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Palm clones the PPC that aped the original Palm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Timothy Rapson
PPC 2002 gets "recreated" again as .NET mobile with a rewrite needed of all current software and no way to make it work on older models without Flash ROM cutting market potential for developers.
One can bring old hardware along from my old Palm with Universal connector.
Yeah, sounds like Palm can't win this battle.
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Where is your source that all current PPC 2000 (StrongARM builds) and PPC 2002 software cannot be used on the as yet unverified Pocket PC based on .NET?
Palm OTOH readily admits that 20% of their apps will not work on OS5, and we already know that 0.0% of current devices will get the upgrade.
By the way - don't get too hung up on your "Universal Connector." Palm only did that to pacify Kodak on their Camera sled, and only promised to keep it around for 2 years. Come 2003, we may see another connector. BTW, Palm isn't sharing the connector. They have denied Handera the rights to use it forcing them to stick with P-III connections. And Sony has already switched their connection in the less than 1 year the Clie's have really been out. Then there is Handspring, essentially discontinuing the Visor and Springboard concept. :roll:
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02-11-2002, 11:25 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 14
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Potential
I think that judging by the response to this, and other sites, Jason has an opportunity to really expand this site.
With the facility that now exists to have other forums and groups of forums, why not change the whole site to PocketTechnology.com (or something like that).
a) It provides news on more than the PocketPC.
b) This site is visited by people who don't have a PocketPC but do have an interest in the field of wireless technology.
This could be the opportunity of a lifetime because as long as people like Andy keep posting provocative and polarising thoughts, there will be arguing between zealots from all technology camps, and a decision will have to be made; Ban talk that is non/anti PocketPC or diversify and keep the arguing to certain forums set aside for such discussions.
Would Microsoft mind if that PocketPCThoughts diversified?
Just a few thoughts.
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02-11-2002, 11:26 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Palm clones the PPC that aped the original Palm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by jpzr
Agree. Please concentrate on PocketPC software and stuff! Making fun of other PDAs can only make demage. Schadenfreude is not good for PocketPCthoughts...
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We've always posted about other PDA's, and we always will. It's important to see what other companies are up to...and I think you can learn something from EVERY other PDA out there.
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02-11-2002, 11:59 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 113
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I'm actually jealous of Palm
I've been a long time, pocketpc/wince user. However, since the release of the new palm wireless device, i'm a bit jealous. Has microsoft and ppc hardware vendors dropped the ball here?
I was at CompUSA the other day and got a chance to hold the new palm 501 wireless device in my hand. And I was amazed by how light it was. The form factor was just incredible! Ok some might argue that PPC has wireless options also. What wireless options??? Omnisky, $59 a month that I';m paying right now for ****ty service???. GPRS, not where I live. And who wants to connect via their mobile phone to make a gprs connection to their ppc and have to pay hefty charges??
Ok, the palm lacks some of the gee-wiz features that PPC has, such as MP3 playback, video etc and better displays.
But when will the PPC software and hardware vendors get their act together?? I do a lot of day trading. My online brokerage firm has wireless applications for me to do trading.
What do I do? I'm seriously thinking of jumping ship here...and go buy myself a wireless palm. Thinking about just selling off my Ipaq 3870 now...
I just needed to vent a little...
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