10-20-2002, 07:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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HP realigns emerging technology group
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1040-962525.html?type=pt&part=msn&tag=cdf&form=base&subj=cn_fd
If I were an optimist, I'd say that putting the handheld group in with the laptop group would mean the Pocket PC line at hp has matured to the point where it's no longer an "emerging technology", but a matured product line that makes a useful laptop companion. If I were a pessimist, I'd say this means the hp Pocket PCs aren't going to get the resources and attention they need because they're now just a "little brother" to a laptop. But since I'm an inflammatory pseudo-journalist, I'll say neither. :lol:
"Hewlett-Packard has shuffled several business units, including its iPaq handheld division, as part of an effort to cut costs. Handhelds, which had been part of Iain Morris' emerging technology unit, are now part of HP's notebook division headed by Alex Gruzen. The emerging technology group is now part of the office of strategy and technology, headed by Chief Technology Officer Shane Robison. The move was announced to employees earlier this month, an HP representative told CNET News.com.
The emerging technology group, which oversaw handhelds and other new products such as tablet PCs, will now focus on products before they come commericalized, serving as a kind of incubator. The group will help take ideas from HP's labs and work to develop a business model and marketing strategy, and create an eventual product." Source: Gen-M
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10-20-2002, 09:14 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 717
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If I was a cynic I would say that HP is going to try to set some new marketing machine in motion, aligning its PPC�s with the laptop group makes it more important, in the sense that these are not just PPC�s/ fancy $700 organizers but truly portable versatile miniature laptops on the go.. Perhaps they want to be but they are not at least not yet.
But I am a realist not a cynic, right, and the reality of the situation is rather bleak for overpriced PPC. There are two things to content with � the sub $300 units from Dell and ViewSonic which offer everything iPAQ 39xx offers and then some at a fraction of the cost, and the forthcoming Tablet PC which in my view will be more of a laptop alternative then PPC could ever have hoped to be.
Now if Dell and ViewSonic flood the market with their inexpensive PPC�s, and at the same time make them more reliable than 38xx ever could be and back it up with good service like Dell always had HP will have two options of still playing the market and not losing face.
First they can still try to push forward with the overpriced PPC as they had and market it to the few willing to part with this kind of cash or drop the price and sell it as a laptop �companion� at a reduced price in the range of Dell and ViewSonic. Either way they stand to win something or at least not loose it all. Time will only tell..
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10-21-2002, 08:43 AM
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Swami
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,396
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Pocket PC Competition
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Originally Posted by szamot
But I am a realist not a cynic, right, and the reality of the situation is rather bleak for overpriced PPC. There are two things to content with � the sub $300 units from Dell and ViewSonic which offer everything iPAQ 39xx offers and then some at a fraction of the cost, and the forthcoming Tablet PC which in my view will be more of a laptop alternative then PPC could ever have hoped to be.
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There are two things you're forgetting. First, HP is supposedly coming out with a sub-$300 Pocket PC -- the 2000 series. That should be enough to match Dell and ViewSonic on price at least.
Second, Tablet PCs seem to be in the $2000 price range (on average). You will definitely be paying more for them than for a similarly equipped laptop. If people are whining about the "overpriced" iPAQ 3900s, do you really think a Tablet PC will encroach much on the PDA market?
Also, while the Tablet PC may be a laptop alternative, I don't believe handheld PCs (and especially Pocket PCs) were meant to replace a laptop. If you think they are, try to imagine carrying a Tablet PC everywhere you take your Pocket PC. I know that I take my iPAQ 3870 places that I never took my Sharp Mobilon Handheld PC because of the size difference.
I don't know how many people feel like I do, but I have no interest at all in a Tablet PC. I'm far more interested in the Mira smart displays, but that's for personal use around the house. Of course, I didn't really have much interest in Palm-Sized PCs (way back when), preferring my Handheld PC, but I now have an iPAQ 3870 and love it.
Steve
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10-21-2002, 01:37 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 566
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Re: Pocket PC Competition
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Originally Posted by Pony99CA
I don't know how many people feel like I do, but I have no interest at all in a Tablet PC. I'm far more interested in the Mira smart displays, but that's for personal use around the house. ......have an iPAQ 3870 and love it.
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Ditto.
IMO, the TabletPC is a created market. If MS hadn't put so much marketing muscle behind it, we wouldn't be hearing a thing about them.
OTOH, if Bill G had devoted those same resources to the PPC platform, MS would flat out OWN the handheld market. That may happen eventually anyway, but if it does, it will be almost by accident.
Think of the possibilities of a PPC device with the potential to output VGA (or better) to a Mira 'smart display'. Now that's a system concept that would permanently Borgify me. 
__________________
-= Sass =-
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10-21-2002, 03:14 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 384
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Re: Pocket PC Competition
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Originally Posted by SassKwatch
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Originally Posted by Pony99CA
I don't know how many people feel like I do, but I have no interest at all in a Tablet PC. I'm far more interested in the Mira smart displays, but that's for personal use around the house. ......have an iPAQ 3870 and love it.
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Ditto.
IMO, the TabletPC is a created market. If MS hadn't put so much marketing muscle behind it, we wouldn't be hearing a thing about them. |
I'm pretty sure that Jean-Luc Picard has a small hand to play in generating the concept of the tablet PC. He always had these lying around on his desk (Though if you think about it, he should have only needed ONE).
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10-21-2002, 03:36 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 384
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The glass is ...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1040-962525.html?type=pt&part=msn&tag=cdf&form=base&subj=cn_fd
"Hewlett-Packard has shuffled several business units, including its iPaq handheld division, as part of an effort to cut costs. Handhelds, which had been part of Iain Morris' emerging technology unit, are now part of HP's notebook division headed by Alex Gruzen. The emerging technology group is now part of the office of strategy and technology, headed by Chief Technology Officer Shane Robison. The move was announced to employees earlier this month, an HP representative told CNET News.com.
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Half full ...
First of all if you've been in corporate America, you begin to realize that re-orgs are a regular ritual that are all about internal POLITICS. They rarely have anything to do with substantial changes.
Half empty ...
Having said that, re-orgs have a much bigger potential to create harm than good. Re-orgs represent VPs itching to get their hands around more capital and more influence despite what it means to the well being of the company. Regular re-orgs ensure that no executive will ever be held responsible for their actions.
Half full ...
The iPaq IS effectively an established product. It is now a revenue source and has stradled the boundry between research and product.
Half empty ...
It is also now in the hands of exploiters instead of ... creators.
Half empty...
The iPaq is a Compaq holdover. Compaq is legendary for poor quality and poor workmanship. The iPaq is no exception.
Half full...
The HP product lines have always represented mature, intelligent design and good quality control. This is the business mentality that has produced the fine Jornada handhelds and splendid HP notebook computers.
The iPaq could benefit greatly from this type of direction. Hopefully will see the iPaq become a little MORE like the Jornada and HPs other great mobile solutions.
This is an old argument. But aside from the always above par display (iPaq's one feature of persistant dominance) the iPaq is packaged more like a toy than a tool. The Jornada, by contrast, has always embraced a professional elegance and included tons of functionality.
It would be nice to see the Jornada 570 re-emerge in the equation, even as a re-branded iPaq. The handheld space will see far more growth than either the PC space or the laptop space. The explosion in new vendors (ASUS, Viewsonic, Acer, Dell, NEC, etc...) is testament to the diversification in the handheld/mobile market-place.
When you go to the office store, you can buy new-fangled type stuff for school, or clasically styled equipment (muted colors, etc...) for an office environment. There is room for both. In fact, the glitzy iPaq style styling will likely be pushed down to the lower priced strata, while elegant designs (similar to Jornada) would represent the higher end devices due to obvious marketing strategies (boring professionals have more money).
Oh well. I wish iPaq the best evolution with their new Jornada/Omnibook task masters.
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