Microsoft product manager Mike Hall has posted (http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall/archive/2005/09/23/473531.aspx) a link to a teaser video (http://casting.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/e/5/8/e580fbf8-4f1c-4a4e-b5b0-11bed1cc08cc/SFO_Teaser.wmv) and a podcast feed (http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0509/25267/SFO_Press_Conference.xml) of the upcoming press conference today at 9am PDT.

For the live webcast, go to one of the following links:

http://metahost.savvislive.com/microsoft/20050926/sfo_press_conference_20050926_56.asx (for 56 kbps)
http://metahost.savvislive.com/microsoft/20050926/sfo_press_conference_20050926_56.asx (for 100 kbps)
http://metahost.savvislive.com/microsoft/20050926/sfo_press_conference_20050926_56.asx (for 300 kbps)


Related: Treo 700w announcement coming Monday 9/26 (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5054)

[via Geekzone (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=5252)]

Watching right now... nothing breath-taking yet.

Loved the question of this one reporter though: "Ed, is there any other OS in the plans like Symbian".... Ed was lightly embarrassed and promised "to focus what they got on the table."

Btw I hate Ed's laugh... it's so annoying!

It's over, attached are some screenshots of the webcast. Palm stock is +3%.

According to the official press release (http://www.palm.com/us/company/pr/news_feed_story.epl?reqid=760974),

Full product details will be disclosed when the product is available for purchase in early calendar 2006. No plans were revealed for additional mobile operators. Palm indicated that a Treo smartphone using Windows Mobile based on other wireless technologies was not anticipated to be released earlier than the second half of 2006.

Any explanation why only Verizon? Wouldn't it make more sense to make the device available to more operators for stronger sales?

Any explanation why only Verizon? Wouldn't it make more sense to make the device available to more operators for stronger sales?

Maybe because they want to limit the initial release to EV-DO and Verizon is the biggest carrier in the US that offers EV-DO? (I don't live in the US, so I might be wrong about that.)

My prediction is that Palm will switch to WM for the Treo and stick with PalmOS for PDA's.

Laurens, I don't think you're taking into evaluation the perception that Windows Mobile is viewed as the BUSINESS OS, regardless of the lack of funcionality of any Office Suites, or other such Business Applications.

I can easily see Palm using the PalmOS 6 for Home Use, with WM5 for "Business Use".

Personally, I would switch those two around in a HEARTBEAT! Windows Mobile (as of version 2003) is WAY better in the entertainment department. There are some Microsoft proprietary games that (a) just can't be beat, and (b) are only on Microsoft operating systems. Age Of Empires is one such title. Although, there are other titles that are multiplatform and can easily give it a run for it's money.

Palm, however, is still getting into the entertainment area. What started off as a business device, somehow got the wrong perception. Palm has had serious issues controlling Product Perception of their devices. They could have done a better job here. While I do not have experience on their Lifedrive or T5 units, their T3 (while starting out pretty shakey) became a very rock-solid device.

But such is life. Palm will either get it together, or become one with the bor, (*coughs*) I mean Microsoft.

Investors didn't buy it. While the stock was over +8% still in high expectations this morning, it's now already back to where it started from the end of the dismal earnings release last Friday. In fact, it's going further down in after hour trading and is currently at 28.56.

This is a huge victory for Microsoft. And a safety net for the future of Palm Inc in case PalmOS can't carry them. Plus, of course, the obvious entry point into a lot of businesses. It looks like a nice device despite the 240x240 screen and no built-in wifi in the initial version.

Is it really a safety net for Palm? If Palm becomes one of many (to offer WM products), will they be able to remain skillful in the heat of competition?