Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 56

Something that I have noticed at palm computing. Since Jeff and Donna have left 3com has yet to release a device that was not incepted by Jeff and Donna. You may disagree, but rumors of the Pilot Razor (Palm V) and the Wireless Palm (Palm VII) have been around ever since the Pilot Pro was released. This shows that these devices were at least pioneered by Jeff. Now they have gone on and improved upon all of the qualms with the Palm III and previous models. The other interesting thing to note is that there really is not any major changes rumored at 3com for future Palm devices. The only thing that seems to be rumored and happening in their department is liscencing the PalmOS and making a color unit. Other than that no major redesigns of the Palm seem to bee floating around the rumor board. Despite Jeff and Donna's rough start with Handspring, I think that HS will emerge at the leader the market due to their innovation. The Visor is not revolutionary, but I just think it is a way for the duo to dip their toes in water. I would expect radical things out of HS in the future. Anone else agree or have another take on this?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Beaverton, OR USA
Posts: 87

Actually, this is one of the primary reasons I went with Handspring over 3Com. The forward-thinking mentality that conceived of and built the Palm Pilot and its following generations left 3Com to build Handspring. That mentality is necessary for a company to win in today's markets. Donna's and Jeff's abilities to bring a product from dream to reality is proven. The vision drives the company, and 3Com's "vision department" is now Handspring.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Gainesville, FL USA
Posts: 112

If I remember correctly, hasn't 3Com said that they are going to be de-emphasizing the hardware aspect of their Palm involvement and will concentrate on the OS and licensing?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 70

.... gee, i wonder why?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

There was some news about 3Com entering into a partnership deal with Sony to use Sony's DataStick technology.

Again, notice that the technology is not coming from inside 3Com.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

I cannot disagree that Hawkins is currently the master of the PDA techno innovation game. But will he remain as much? And I wouldn't put Palm so far out of the game as you all seem to think. I see real prospects from Sony's partnership with Palm in developing some fabulous new devices in the multimedia area. Plus, Palm is pushing the edge with their partnerships in wireless technology (Nokia, Ericsson, Bluetooth consortium). Combine Nokia, Motorola, Palm and Sony into the development of your next wireless communications/PDA/multimedia device and it virtually guarantees you're going to come out with something great.

It's just a thought, but I don't think the new new thing in PDAs is going to come out of Handspring. They so badly botched their start-up, that they'll be struggling with building market share, implementing sales channels, and improving their customer/technical support groups for months to come.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Jackal said:

quote:

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It's just a thought, but I don't think the new new thing in PDAs is going to come out of Handspring. They so badly botched their start-up, that they'll be struggling with building market share, implementing sales channels, and improving their customer/technical support groups for months to come.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

True, hardware geeks do focus entirely on the product and taking it to the next level of innovation. But when the marketing group and much of senior mgmt is focused on simply cleaning up the huge mess from the first product, hiring much needed employees, building sales channels, etc. then those innovations will likely slip. What I mean is, I'm not sure Handspring can move fast enough to keep up with the rolling wheels of bigger players. They'll certainly come out with some great ideas, but someone else is likely to beat them to the punch.