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-- Palm computing survive or die? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=893)

Thoughy I'd open up a thread about the future of palm computing.

It seems to me that unless palm begins to lower the prices on it's handhelds and devises some way to offer an analog to springboard technology, they are as good as dead. Why do I say this? Who wants to spend anywhere from $100 to as much as $200 more for a Palm device that has less memory, and cannot connect to wireless networks? The Palm VII can connect to the internet wirelessly in theory, but it is only web clipping and is merely a landmark more than a useful feature. With the announcements recently from xircom to make a wide array of wireless springboards to connects to wireless LANs I think that extra $100-$200 for a sleek palmV isn't worth it. I am quite happy knowing that when xircom releases its wireless sprinboards, I will be first in line so I can browse the real internet in my home and at the office. (I also have heard rumors that there are wirless internet connection springboards in development that use cell/PCS networks).

Palm computing has done what is necessary to continue playing a role in the overall market.... They have licensed their OS. That'll keep them going for a long time (at least in computer terms). Despite the deficiencies of Win CE, at least it was a technology that many companies had access to.

Note that the 802.11 boards from Xircom are not the same thing as the VII wireless. While I think that the Palm implementation of wireless is crap, it is at least "real" wireless, as opposed to being for local use only. However, other technology will eventually be implemented both by Handspring and Palm I'm sure, and we'll be rid of this Palm.net garbage. Actually, some of this already exists - eg. see www.option.com. Don't forget that it isn't hard to put wireless capabilities on a Palm - they just do it through the serial port (increasing the size of the PDA) instead of thru the Springboard slot.

I wonder if Handspring would allow Palm to licence the Springboard. My guess is yes, for the same reasons that Palm has licenced the OS to Handspring.

I don't think that Palm with need to change a single thing to "stay alive" in the handheld market. Palm devices are the most recognizable and trusted PDA on the market. Windows CE is bloated and slow, daVinci is inferior, Sharp Wizards are too old, and the Visor, though a great product, is still the "new guy".

Speaking for myself only, springboards don't impress me all that much. The fact is that you can only use one at a time, you'll have to lug them around with you, I don't think I would use them that much. I would also venture to say that there are probably a lot of folks out there just like me who want their PDA to hold contact info, play games, and hold a couple of e-books. I don't need it to play MP3's or locate my position via GPS.

Besides, with the PalmIIIc on the way, we'll have to see where the demand lies. If the IIIc has plenty of memory (at least 8mb) and isn't too bulky, you can bet that it will be the new "hot" product.

I guess you can summarize this post this way: Though Palm should continue to develop new products and innovations, they have little to worry about as far as market share.

Disclaimer: This is just my 2 cents. Don't flame me too bad. I think that Visors are great products. They have a few things I wouldn't mind on my Palm. It's also true that they have more memory for less money. However, at this point, I feel that more people go with Palm because it is the "proven" product.

I believe that, if technically possible, there will be an eventual Springboard "connector" device allowing multiple Springboards at once.

While this reduces the portability and convenience of a palmheld device, it is an intriging idea to me. Of course, I realize there are issues with memory addressing of the processor and the like, but that's what the engineers are for... figure it out, folks.

I can't wait to get my hands on my first Visor and, hopefully, a bunch of cool, useful Springboards to go with it.

Just another 2 cents worth...

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MarkEagle

Happiness is a Vis r...

One thing that is interesting about computers in general is the fact that companies play the game of leap frog all the time. Sure .. right now Handspring seems to have the lead in the "coolness" arena (especially after the announcements of all the new Springboards to be released) -- however, Palm will be releasing color Palms, doing the IPO thing(which basically will equate to more money for them), they have the royalties from the PalmOS, larger customer base, etc.. My guess is Palm will wait it out on expansion to see what type of problems may arise from the Springboard implimentation and then either (hopefully) add Springboards to their lineup or have a better plug-in technology.

From a marketing POV this will give them a few advantages -- they will have the color palm OS which will probably include a faster CPU along with (I am assuming (?)) more storage, updated applications, etc.. If they have a decent price point, I think they will have a very attractive product compared to the current offerings (including the Visor) for atleast a few months. During this time they can be working on the expansion port and have a tentative July - September release date (which depends on the success of the Springboard).. My guess is Handspring wont be releasing a color visor until atleast may-june at the earliest to compete in the color palm market..

In conclusion, Palm will remain a very strong competitor to the Visor which I feel is probably a really good thing .. So in 12-18 months or whatever when I end up buying my next PDA, hopefully I will beable to get a color unit with about 3-4 times the memory, a fast CPU and some type of networking capability built in for about the same price..

Joe