Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 142

I recently read an article that mention about the possibility that Handspring is looking at another OS (in order to compete with Palm). Anyone else hears anything like this?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 60

Was this an internet article? If so, could you post the URL? I would think that it would be hard for them to switch now.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 289

I think Handspring's official stance is that they are not tied to a particular OS and I believe Jeff Hawkins has said that he would use the best OS for Handspring's products -- however, given that he made the Palm OS/design/etc and probably has quite a bit of influence on the direction/development of the operating system, I'd guess that Handspring will not be departing from the Palm OS or even introducing competing OS into their product offerings for a very long time, if ever.

Joe

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: McLean, VA USA
Posts: 216

Although, I have to disagree with Cerulean a bit in regards to his comment about the influence that Jeff Hawkins has on the Palm OS (it is owned by Palm and since Handspring is their biggest rival, IMHO I don't think that Palm is going to solicit a lot of input from him), it should be noted that Handspring still has a licensing agreement with Palm for the OS. I believe that there is still 3-4 years left of the agreement. Unless some truly "KILLER" PDA OS comes along, I don't think that we'll see Handspring switch anytime soon.

What does everyone else think??

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What the Heck! It's what I want!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I'm not sure. Jeff Hawkins created the Palm OS but was forced to sell it for the financial backing. He has that backing now with Handspring and he could create an OS that surpases his first creation (I think he'd keep software compatibility to refrain from alienating current users). Who knows? It'll be interesting to watch it play out.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I think he'll stick with it, happy to modify it as much as he wants. I don't think he could totally leave the Palm OS because the Springboard drivers require it. When Visors first came out there was talk of maybe comming out with stuff like sub-notebooks, so if he ever did want to do that he would have to get a new OS.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

quote:

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Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
I think he'll stick with it, happy to modify it as much as he wants. I don't think he could totally leave the Palm OS because the Springboard drivers require it. When Visors first came out there was talk of maybe comming out with stuff like sub-notebooks, so if he ever did want to do that he would have to get a new OS.

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