Comments on: Making the case for Windows on Palm devices

Palm exec talks nice about Windows, as the Net buzzes about what comes next for Treo handhelds.

[macemoneta]

Cluestick for Palm

There are already many Windows-based handheld units. Why on Earth would anyone consider a Palm unit running Windows? If Palm is entering that commodity market, they will need to be the "cheap, crappy, but minimally usable" alternative; every other niche in that market is taken.

Palm entering the Linux handheld market (the direction indicated by PalmSource) would be interesting, because it would be a major player with a kick-ass user interface and an effectively unlimited OS infrastructure.

Based on the recent mind-numbing decisions on Palm's part, I expect they'll go Windows and fade into obscurity within two years. Time for Palm users to order an iPaq. At least that way you have a choice of OS (Windows or Linux).

[Earl Benser]

If Palm goes for Windows CE....

... that's the end of PDA's for me. Or it will be when my Palm and
Clie PDA's die.

[Mendz]

As Bill Gates would always say...

Hardware and software are best as two separate businesses. I think Palm's move still respects the fact that Palm has good hardware technologies. Considering the outright high-end hardware requirement of Windows CE, Palm is brave to face the challenge. I think this confidence is quite assuring.

[Stating]

"CIOs don't get fired for using Microsoft"

No, they just get outsourced. I wouldn't hire a CIO today who didn't have a strategy for moving AWAY from Microsh*t where feasible.

Windows Mobile 2003. Give me a break. IE is stuck at v4.01 with no JAVA support. I can't even access Yahoo mail on it without fiddling around.

[catchall]

Can I come to your 'going out of buisness' sale?

That?s funny. I wouldn't hire (or have respect for) a CIO today who didn't look at every possible choice, and weight each in turn. Sometimes it?s Apple, sometimes it?s Linux, and sometimes it?s MS. Anyone with a ?holier then thou? bias about technology is doing their company a great disservice.

[philpacker]

CIO's may not get fired, but . . .

Maybe they don't get fired, but one this is certain: "Partners" of
Microsoft (the FOB's) to a firm get squeezed out of making any
money. Interesting strategy comming from a CFO, I guess
Brown wants to run a non-profit.

Palm becomes platform psychotic, not platform agnostic!

People buy Palm for 2 reasons I can think of:

1. Practicality: ie, ease of use.
2. Politically: ie, it's not Microsoft.

A Windows-based Palm device has neither of these features. But it does have several extra disadvantages:

1. Why would anyone buy a Windows-based Palm device when they could buy a me-too Windows device from bigger, more stable, more 'corporate' companies like Acer or HP or Dell?

2. Furthermore, why would anyone who had bought a Palm for political reasons continue to do so under the company's new lack of faith? Why not buy a Symbian OS device which not only *isn't* Microsoft, but also has by far the majority market share for smart phones?

[CNerd2025]

Palm devices

I think you completely missed the point of that article. No one said that Palm is moving to Windows Mobile or whatever for good. I see it as sort of an iPodesque move for Palm. They have seen market share drop (although the numbers seem fishy, they need to count smartphones) and need to regain it back again. Offering a Treo with Mobile and a Treo with PalmOS would be the best solution. That way a whole new market would be open to Palm, Inc., one that in the past was a rival. This is a very sound business move on Palm's part. Remember, market share is not the goal, profitability is the goal. We sometimes think that they are linked to each other, but they are not neccesarily. Apple Computer is not the greatest in terms of marketshare, but as far as profitability they are great. And apple users groaned when the iPod was released for Win and Mac. But lo and behold, Mac sales are slowly increasing after the iPod has really struck it big. Coincidence? I think not. Palm can lure its customers with solid devices that use power effectively, and those users may be open to using PalmOS based devices in the future. I think the long-awaited Cobalt OS is going to never be released, but I am confident an OS 7 will be released on top of linux, and that will make it utterly powerful. If only they would open-source the entire thing...

[vijaymaurya]

Thank God for Windows

Palm OS is not as user friendly as Windows OS. I am glad that Palm wants to wake up from its slumber and make a product that works for a change.

[dona83]

Haha no...

Windows Mobile is definitely not user friendly. I used a few devices
at the store and what some of my friends had and it's still a mobile
OS wannabe. PalmOS is simple and is better at getting the
information you need quickly.

Of course Microsoft has you so brainwashed in thinking that the
Start menu accepts no alternative.

Long live Macs and PalmOS. :)