Photos: Palm Foleo

Click on the image to start the Palm Foleo slide show

(Credit: Rafe Needleman/CNET Networks)

So after all the months of teasing, Palm cofounder Jeff Hawkins finally unveiled the company's new mobile device at the D5 conference today: the Palm Foleo. A companion product for smart phones, the Linux-based Foleo looks like an ultraportable laptop and is designed to let you more easily view and edit e-mail and office documents, among other things. It synchronizes to your device via Bluetooth and features a 10-inch screen, full-size keyboard, and integrated Wi-Fi for those times when you need to see everything in full glory.

Hey, I can certainly understand the concept and thought behind the whole project (what smart phone owner hasn't wanted a bigger screen or keyboard), but do I think it will fly? Not so much. My smart phone and laptop pretty much have me covered at all times. There's not enough there to compel me to carry another gadget just to get a little more screen real estate and room to stretch my fingers. But that's just me. What do you guys think? You can take a photo tour of the device by clicking on the image above, then I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

[myth90045]

Blah I Dont need this..

I was very disappointed in the news about the Foleo. Just another accessory I don't need. Granted it can help when you need to see your docs on a big screen and be able to edit those docs. But how many people actually do this on a daily basis. For $400 I go and just get a cheap laptop or spend the money on useful software for my smartphone. I just wish that Palm came out with a new phone design. This day was a big let down. First the MS tabletop and now this! : (

[Kev50027]

How light is this?

How light is this thing, because you can easily get a 2-3Lb laptop that can do so much more, for not that much more money.

I think it's absolutely useless, and will get nowhere.

Also, Palm is already going down fast, this will just speed their demise.

[kengnelson]

Deja vu in 2005

This almost sounds like the Pocket Surfer which was linked to your phones data access through Bluetooth also. No email client though. Email was web based. I'd rather stick with a laptop. It has more options for about the same money. Pocket Surfer is about $199 for hardware.