What is Palm going to release in 2008 with no immediate Linux OS rollout?
Back in June I posted that we wouldn't see Linux-based Palm devices until 2008, but it seems even that may have been a bit optimistic. During the Q1 FY08 investor conference call this week, Ed Colligan stated that the new Palm Linux-based OS should be available by the end of 2008. This usually means it goes out first and then devices have to be developed with the OS so I imagine we won't see these devices until early 2009, unless things get delayed again.
Back in June I posted that we wouldn't see Linux-based Palm devices until 2008, but it seems even that may have been a bit optimistic. During the Q1 FY08 investor conference call this week, Ed Colligan stated that the new Palm Linux-based OS should be available by the end of 2008. This usually means it goes out first and then devices have to be developed with the OS so I imagine we won't see these devices until early 2009, unless things get delayed again. I started with Palm OS devices and know there are many excellent people at Palm working hard to create good products, but the Palm OS hasn't undergone a major update since 2002 (June is when OS 5 was launched on the Tungsten T). Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet) was released in 2004 with some updates to improve many areas, but wasn't a radical change to the OS. These continued delays (Palm OS 6/Cobalt and the ACCESS Linux Platform) do concern me. If Palm hadn't adopted Windows Mobile then I think they just might have been another footnote in mobile device history.
With the ease-of-use of the Palm OS (Garnet) I think it would have been great for Palm to try to develop an iPhone competitor that was open. The Palm community is what really makes Palm OS a viable platform even almost 4 years after its release and it would have been great to see Palm embrace that open community of developers and users and update Garnet with some touch technology. Even something almost just like the iPhone, but with wonderful 3rd party application support could have been a killer device.
By the time Palm's Linux OS hits the street we will probably have iPhone 2.0 in hand with iPhone 3.0 rumors for 2009. Windows Mobile may actually have their Photon OS out. S60 will surely have an update or two to their platform and it may be tough for Palm to stay in the game at that point.
