MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Palm Foleo - Will it be another step for e-books?

Bob Russell · 05-30-2007, 02:20 PM

No touchscreen?
Focused on email and web browsing... does it even handle ajax/flash/etc?
What about applications? Seems like PalmOS and internet apps through the browser at best.

Until there is a thriving set of developers and owners, the only real benefit I see is for two groups:
1) Those that are satisfied with their Treo functionality, but want a bigger screen and keyboard. For these people, they should buy one asap. They will be in heaven.
2) Those that just use their laptops for email and web browsing and document editing. They should also be in heaven. They are actually also in group 1, but may not know it. Docs to Go should probably be functional on this device. And hopefully the browser is more capable than anything we've seen on a smartphone before.

The sad thing is that except for the quality of DocsToGo, I think in the short run I'd rather just do the same thing on a UMPC.

I'm afraid this is such a niche, proprietary solution that unless it's viewed as a Treo accessory, I don't see it as a hit. You need to want to do Treo things on a big screen. Maybe in the future the PalmOS ecosystem will be so vibrant that it will be a proprietary platform worth adopting for all your computing needs, but I suspect not. Instant on is not worth losing Windows compatibility.

So, to summarize, I'd say on first impressions (which can be very dangerous, so I reserve the right to change my mind) stick with a UMPC or laptop unless:
* Killer apps appear that you can't get elsewhere
* Carriers only charge basic phone data fees so it saves big money for being connected (i.e. not the "attach the laptop to your phone for lots of extra $$" plans), or, most likely,
* You only want to use PalmOS apps, but want a big screen and keyboard

Interesting concept, and I love the size. But will it sell? About the same way we saw the thin client market succeed, I'm afraid. To repeat myself, it just sounds like too much of a niche and proprietary solution. Bummer. I hope I'm wrong!

Edit: Another thought... think of the tiny market. It may get a few more Treo purchases for novice business users who want email and web browsing, but not any "real" computer users. And most of the market will have to be from among the Treo users, already a limited market. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

05-30-2007, 02:20 PM	#7
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	No touchscreen? Focused on email and web browsing... does it even handle ajax/flash/etc? What about applications? Seems like PalmOS and internet apps through the browser at best. Until there is a thriving set of developers and owners, the only real benefit I see is for two groups: 1) Those that are satisfied with their Treo functionality, but want a bigger screen and keyboard. For these people, they should buy one asap. They will be in heaven. 2) Those that just use their laptops for email and web browsing and document editing. They should also be in heaven. They are actually also in group 1, but may not know it. Docs to Go should probably be functional on this device. And hopefully the browser is more capable than anything we've seen on a smartphone before. The sad thing is that except for the quality of DocsToGo, I think in the short run I'd rather just do the same thing on a UMPC. I'm afraid this is such a niche, proprietary solution that unless it's viewed as a Treo accessory, I don't see it as a hit. You need to want to do Treo things on a big screen. Maybe in the future the PalmOS ecosystem will be so vibrant that it will be a proprietary platform worth adopting for all your computing needs, but I suspect not. Instant on is not worth losing Windows compatibility. So, to summarize, I'd say on first impressions (which can be very dangerous, so I reserve the right to change my mind) stick with a UMPC or laptop unless: * Killer apps appear that you can't get elsewhere * Carriers only charge basic phone data fees so it saves big money for being connected (i.e. not the "attach the laptop to your phone for lots of extra $$" plans), or, most likely, * You only want to use PalmOS apps, but want a big screen and keyboard Interesting concept, and I love the size. But will it sell? About the same way we saw the thin client market succeed, I'm afraid. To repeat myself, it just sounds like too much of a niche and proprietary solution. Bummer. I hope I'm wrong! Edit: Another thought... think of the tiny market. It may get a few more Treo purchases for novice business users who want email and web browsing, but not any "real" computer users. And most of the market will have to be from among the Treo users, already a limited market. Again, I hope I'm wrong.