The End of an Era?
I originally posted this article in reponse to Brighthand's Nov. 5 article(http://www.brighthand.com/article/No_Palm_OS_Cobalt_Devices_Until_2006?site=Palm). As an avid Palm user myself, I was disapointed to see the continual downward trajectory of this great company.
Is PalmOne's hesitancy to release the next version of Palm OS 6 a sign of trouble or a call for help? After repeated delays and continual announcements pushing back the date when consumers could expect to enjoy units outfitted with the latest technology, this announcement sent ripples throughout the traditionally loyal Palm ranks.Some have contemplated switching to PocketPC units, while others are considering straddling the line just in case. Many are still hanging on to the hope that PalmOne will put the time before a Palm OS 6 release to good use in solidifying OEM agreements and smoothing out software conflicts so legacy applications will work better with the new operating system's architecture.
The same ambivalence about Palm's future seems to be echoed in Palm's strategy. PalmOne's indications that it wants to hedge its bets and possibly produce Palm hardware capable of running Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system seems to suggest a realization of the growing adoption of their competitions' operating system of choice. Fans of the tried-and-true Palm operating system have expressed dismay at the most recent news. However, perhaps PalmOne's decision was partly rooted in the lackluster sales of its newest model, the T5. Hardcore fans of the Palm voted with their wallet in giving the T5 a less-than-warm response upon its release. Many veteran users were turned off by what they perceived as an lack of necessary features and incomplete implementation of assets. The sales of the T5 have remained slightly level by optimistic reports, and dismal by others.
Ironically, PalmOne's intransigence regarding details, release dates, and specific information about PalmOS 6 is counterbalanced by Palm president Ed Colligan's announcement today. What lies ahead is anyone's guess, but Palm enthusiasts have weathered their fair share of disappointment. With the loss of strategic partners like Sony, who introduced some of the most creative implementations of the Palm OS with their innovative hardware and unique software, Palm users are left with fewer and fewer options for the latest and greatest. Perhaps the grass really is greener on the other side. If PalmOne seems to think so, perhaps its users will follow.
posted by Unknown @ 11:30:00 PM
1 comments
