But if it's Linux, is it still a Palm?
Linux kerneled Palm Device planned for later this year
Before y'all get
too excited, take note of this, so you get exited the way you really want to: the approach they're pursuing seems to be to use a Linux kernel, but to support the Palm OS on top of it. The idea being to main compatibility with (most, I'm sure) existing Palm apps, while using the more powerful and flexible Linux core to increase the functionalities of the overall devices. Of course the side effect is going to be a ready-made (and slavering to go) legion of home-brewers who will doubtless turn out more applications than you can shake a stick at. Even a large stick.
Now some details:
Quote:
Palm will unveil a platform before the end of 2007 that runs the Palm OS on top of a Linux kernel, allowing the company to improve the performance and stability of its handhelds and smartphones, CEO Ed Colligan said Tuesday.
Palm will also continue to use Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS, which is in high demand by business customers and global telephony carriers. By continuing to develop applications on both tracks, Palm will extend its ongoing transition from selling PDAs to smartphones, Colligan said at the company's annual analyst and investor day in New York.
...
Palm does not intend to license the new Linux-based platform to other handheld vendors but will use it to upgrade the Palm OS, allowing it to handle simultaneous voice and data traffic while preserving its instant-on and instant application-switching abilities, Colligan said.
...
Palm also plans to increase the number of new products it launches in 2007 and 2008, said Mike Farese, senior vice president for engineering. Palm designers have created a reference design for a common smartphone platform, allowing them to slash development schedules even as they save money through high-volume purchases of shared components.
The common platform could also allow Palm to compete better with Apple's new iPhone. Colligan insisted he is taking the iPhone seriously as a competitive threat but that it will appeal to a slightly different segment of users than Palm products do.
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Sounds like exciting stuff is coming from my favorite PDA company.
That about covers it, I suppose, except to note that they did specifically decline to comment on "rumor and speculation" regarding the possibility that Palm might be bought out by another company.
Source (and full article): InfoWorld