Gateway Freezes Plans for Pocket PC Release

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5062728.html' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5062728.html</a><br /><br /></div>A few other enthusiast sites reported on this story earlier today, but I was holding off hoping to hear back from a PR contact I have. It seems CNET dug up some further info on this:<br /><br />"Gateway has indefinitely delayed the launch of its handheld device. <br />The Poway, Calif.-based company, which had intended to release a handheld based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 software and sell it under the Gateway brand this month, now plans to hold back the device. "We've missed our launch window," a company spokesperson said. Gateway had already delayed the release of the device, which was originally slated for a mid-July debut, until mid-August for further testing. Because further delays would push it past the mid-August launch date and hamper its prospects for the 2003 holiday season, Gateway decided to put the device on indefinite hold, the spokesperson said."<br /><br />This is unfortunate news. Although the Gateway device didn't seem to be a breakthrough device in terms of specifications or looks, another player in the field would have been welcome. The Gateway statement puzzles me - I wonder what sort of issues they ran into?

[David C]

Maybe because so many people from so many enthusiast sites are complaining about how ugly and unoriginal the gateway device look, Gateway just decide to not release the device at all to avoid the risk of selling an un-profitable product.

[SandersP]

Well they did their test market (aka. leak that picture to the media) if you ask me. If they launch that rover thing, it'll be an instant flop at $300.

[CTSLICK]

This is unfortunate news. Although the Gateway device didn't seem to be a breakthrough device in terms of specifications or looks, another player in the field would have been welcome. The Gateway statement puzzles me - I wonder what sort of issues they ran into?

Your question is asked and answered by your own statement :D The "issues" are that there is nothing breakthrough about the device from a design, feature or price standpoint. How could they go forward with a launch without anything to create some marketing buzz? When Dell launched they clearly created a lot of interest on "bang for the buck" and they have done quite well with that approach. I think Gateway realizes there is not room in the market for another direct sale PDA without something to seperate them from the pack.

[Chairman Clench]

I agree with CTSlick... the "middle of the road" PPC category is too crowded right now. I think Gateway is smart not to release the device... they would have lost big money on it. With no product differentiation, it really didn't have a chance. What was it bringing to the table? Nothing that hasn't already been done several times.

Good call, Gateway. Now that you learned your lesson, how about being innovative and delivering a uniquely positioned device?

[rosettaZ]

I think if Gateway wants to make money in PPC, there is one thing that nobody has done it to its logical conclusion.

The cradle and sleeve model. Sell one or two PPC model, and make money on various fancy sleeve and cradle. Sort of like a milder version of the Razor and shaver model.

Basic strip down PDA with very consistant cradle plug/sleeve
-$160-199 basic single slot PDA
-$299-399 somewhat fancier model.

Various cradle $99-299...even more...
-simple docking port with printer slot , keyboard and monitor
-wireless docking port
-simple audio/video cradle
-projector adaptor
-various technical/measurement adaptor/port/cradle/sleeve
-technical toys...
-license the plug to anybody who fancy building attachment.

Basically it's Toshiba E3xx with very good cradle/sleeve system.

[AKBishop]

Hopefully this means that Gateway is a dynamic company that responds to the market. If they paid attention enough to know their PPC wouldn't do that well then maybe they took notice of what it will take for a successful PPC. That'd be nice... a company that listens AND responds.

[Fzara]

This month would have been great for the marketing team, considering the fact that it would have been a great bundle for the back to school season.

I don't know why all of you thought the device was so ugly; I personally thought it was sweet looking. Although the specs could have been better...

I guess we can't credit Foo anymore for his prediction. :mrgreen:

[Scott R]

Most here have already hit the nail on the head, IMO. Gateway either figured out themselves or saw initial feedback after the photos hit the web and decided that this would be a lackluster seller. Kudos to them for pulling the plug. Perhaps MS was already aware of their decision a while ago and that prompted the recent news of MS relaxing their standards. Perhaps Gateway indicated to them that they'd like to be able to do something a bit more interesting. Of course, I'm still waiting to hear more specifics on exactly what standards were relaxed by MS (and which standards still exist).

My understanding is that Gateway was going to use a design created by an Asian manufacturer, and that design may in fact be sold in other countries (as someone here mentioned, I believe it's called the Rover). So, it doesn't seem to me that Gateway personally invested/lost much in making this decision.

Scott

[Excalliber]

They whould go for the (original) Zire price range. 2.8 inch screen, minimal D-pad and button space, and less than 3/16 inch thick along all the borders with a Samsung 266 Mhz processor. Oh, and a flip cover that folds back flush against the back of the unit, with one SD slot that is SDIO compatible. I think that a simple design (like the e series of Toshiba) would be best. Just some rounded edges, with maybe a strip of rubber a little thicker than the e series' around the edges. And it has to be THIN!!!!!!!!! much thinner than the 19xx series. Too bulky if you want to break new grounds.

If they really wanted to go down in price, you could have no SD slot with 64 or even 32 megs of memory, but I like 32 megs with an SDIO capable slot better. something of this pricerange could settle for Windows Mobile 2003 professional with a 16 meg rom chip (if it will fit in there... anyone know about the new professional?). Target price: 130 - 150 Euros (Go Euros! :lol: ), or 150 - 175 American dollars, or 200 to 240 Canadian dollars.

Now that would be original. They would be the first company to break the standard definition of a Pocket PC that Microsoft just relaxed. Anyone know if having buttons are even a requirement anymore? If not, drop those too in favor of a line of buttons on the bottom of the screen.

Maybe that was too off-topic...



Nah :wink:

[Abba Zabba]

It seems that GW is entering into the electronics market more and more. Let's see what they have to offer. I think they did leak that pic to get a test market, but the article says that they "missed" their launch date...right :wink:

[Pony99CA]

Gateway claimed they might release the device later. That would be even more stupid. I can imagine the meeting: "Let's not put it out now in time for Christmas, which we've already missed (in August!?!). Let's let the competitors build market share and release it next year." :roll:

The Gateway Pocket PC seemed like another me-too device aimed at Dell. If they don't redesign it, they'll be even worse off than they are now.

Steve

[maximus]

If I have to choose between the gateway PPC and axim, that will be the easiest choice I have to take in my entire life. :mrgreen:

[TheDuk]

I think if Gateway wants to make money in PPC, there is one thing that nobody has done it to its logical conclusion.

The cradle and sleeve model. Sell one or two PPC model, and make money on various fancy sleeve and cradle. Sort of like a milder version of the Razor and shaver model.
....
Ah...but you're wrong. Handango tried that with its springboard interface and they later dropped it from their newer models altogether in favor of the more standard memory types.

The only manufacturer that I know of still doing this is Compaq with its iPaq series....even then, they have very few modules, mostly adding additional inputs. All of the other things your talking about are available by third party vendors in the form of a CF card , SD card or PCMCIA card which will be more economic for an end-user to buy since companies can design and sell them to a larger target audience.

[Kiyoshi]

Ah...but you're wrong. Handango tried that with its springboard interface and they later dropped it from their newer models altogether in favor of the more standard memory types.

It's Handspring! That thing was my first PDA! The original Handspring Visor, it was the coolest little thing in the world.

[billboonn]

especially interesting considering the fact that they're still advertising the iPAQ on our banner ads....

http://medicalpocketpc.com/images/posts/gateway.gif

[Kiyoshi]

I think that's for them reselling the iPaq, but it is odd that they'd advertise other companies PPC's when they still had plans to sell their own.

[Pony99CA]

I think that's for them reselling the iPaq, but it is odd that they'd advertise other companies PPC's when they still had plans to sell their own.
That's correct -- the Gateway Store sells many brands of PDAs, including Palm. If and when Gateway delivers their own, I wonder if they'll stop selling other brands.

Steve

P.S. Please lose that signature. Five lines and three graphics is a bit much. I also fail to see how it's Toshiba's fault that you got taken on eBay.