The end of the Toshiba Pocket PC?

[Jonathan1]

It appears that Sony isn't the only one to exit the PDA market this year. bargainpda has all but signed confirmation that Toshiba will be, at minimum, dropping north America distribution locations
http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2225


We report this with a heavy heart, but in a meeting with bargainPDA.com, Toshiba has confirmed they have no plans to release the e830 or any other PDAs in the US this year. They went on to say that the US is not in their foreseeable roadmap for PDA product launches. They will continue to offer the e830 in Asia and other pockets of the world. While this is not an official exit from the PDA business, a la Sony, this announcement has roughly the same effect.

I guess the hyperbole put out over at Brighthand ended up being pretty spot on. :?

[Jason Dunn]

Don't believe everything you read - if that's the case, why did the 830 just launch in Canada?

[arnage2]

its not like you will never be able to get a e830 in the USA. all you need to do is order one from a canada retailer and its yours.

[Jonathan1]

Don't believe everything you read - if that's the case, why did the 830 just launch in Canada?

There is some speculation over on brighthand that Toshiba was well into the development cycle when the decision was made. Whether its true or not? Time will tell. I'm hoping not. That leaves us with what? 3 main PPC OEMS right?

HP, Dell, and Asus if this is true. :?: Which obviously wouldn't be a good thing.

[Wiggster]

Don't believe everything you read - if that's the case, why did the 830 just launch in Canada?

There is some speculation over on brighthand that Toshiba was well into the development cycle when the decision was made. Whether its true or not? Time will tell. I'm hoping not. That leaves us with what? 3 main PPC OEMS right?

HP, Dell, and Asus if this is true. :?: Which obviously wouldn't be a good thing.

You forgot about PalmOne :mrgreen:

[Solarix]

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Toshiba_Confirms_Its_Leaving_US_Market?site=PPC

[Stephen Beesley]

And the brighthand discussion GOES ON (http://www.brighthand.com/article/Bye-Bye_Toshiba?site=PPC).

I for one will be very sad if Toshiba has indeed decided to leave the PDA market. I only recently got myself an e755 and find it an excellent machine. I am not a great fan of the "look" of the e8xx series but it has definately been the front runner in pushing the Pocket PC envelope.

As a former Newton and Jornada owner I seem to be on a streak of picking devices on the way out... :(

[Janak Parekh]

Don't believe everything you read - if that's the case, why did the 830 just launch in Canada?
Indeed. I've talked to a number of Toshiba employees, and they basically said "we currently have no plans for a US release", but that's far from saying "we will never launch PDAs in the US again". The fact that a Canadian release is imminent strongly suggests that Toshiba doesn't know what the heck it's doing. :P

That's why I'm holding off the BargainPDA article -- I've read many "Toshiba's out" news submissions and I'm not quite what to do with any of them. ;)

--janak