Is Palm interested in buying back PalmSource?

Alexander Turcic · 08-28-2005, 08:41 AM

PalmSource stock has been on the rise for the past few days and BargainPDA is speculating that Palm might be behind the stock movement by expressing their interest in buying back the software company. While this is clearly just a rumor, we'd like to hear from you whether or not you would compliment this potential buyout that could transform Palm back to a company as we once knew it.

Bob Russell · 08-28-2005, 08:57 AM

Who knows?! But I think the movement may have come because Palm is hiring Linux people, not because of a buyout. That hiring would seem to suggest that Palm Inc is serious about PalmOS for Linux (unless it's their own separate Linux work), which is a great indicator that PalmSource will continue to supply the OS for Palm Inc devices. That seems to be worth a few dollars on the stock price.

Colin Dunstan · 08-28-2005, 10:42 AM

Perhaps Palm is just looking for a way to get back the $30m USD they paid to PalmSource for the name change?

Pride Of Lions · 08-28-2005, 11:54 AM

They jumped through all of these hoops just to get thir hands on the Treo 600 series from HandSpring.

Pride Of Lions · 08-28-2005, 11:58 AM

And is there a new Avatar Factory that you guys shop at? I'm seeing a distinct resemblance.
POL9A

Dick Tracy · 08-28-2005, 01:45 PM

There was a financial podcast midweek where a financial advisor speculated a buyback. As he couldn't manage company names and history, I didn't pay much credence to it.

doctorow · 08-28-2005, 03:12 PM

What is it that Palm could be interested in buying from PalmSource? Their research and development of an unfinished product? Or their employees, which they could probably buy more easily by offering them better salaries or simply hiring new Linux-minded programmers. And for licensees, there aren't many left beside Palm. To me these rumors are unfounded.

Jordanevan · 08-29-2005, 02:52 AM

Palm wouldn't buy back PalmSource so soon. I could see it happening in a few years but that's exactly what the stock needs, a few years to settle down. I wouldn't concern myself too much with this stock or specific sector either. Their is such a fight for market share and the price war will only hurt everyone in the longrun. Not the right right stock and not the right time.

-Jordan
www.2hot2handheld.com

Laurens · 08-29-2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobR

Who knows?! But I think the movement may have come because Palm is hiring Linux people, not because of a buyout. That hiring would seem to suggest that Palm Inc is serious about PalmOS for Linux (unless it's their own separate Linux work), which is a great indicator that PalmSource will continue to supply the OS for Palm Inc devices.

My thoughts exactly. It's encouraging that Palm Inc. appears to have genuine interest in Linux. If they were really interested in buying back PalmSource, they would've done so already. Why invest $30 million for ownership of the "Palm" name first and then buy the entire company just a few months later? What kind of impression would such a "zig-zag" policy make on (potential) investors?

Pride Of Lions · 08-29-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanevan

Their is such a fight for market share and the price war will only hurt everyone in the longrun.

I thought that price wars favored the consumer. I always like when competition heats up and, as a consumer, I can get more for my money. That's why the Palm OS hardware situation right now doesn't look good for me. There's no other company "forcing" Palm to innovate and still keep the price point palatable.
POL9A

hacker · 08-29-2005, 07:09 PM

Something else to note:

Palm signed a contract that gives them the right to use PalmOS on their devices until 2007/2009 (the date is unclear), and they bought out PalmSource's share of the holding company that was managing the "Palm" trademark. As part of this deal, PalmOne changed its name to Palm, and PalmSource has to change its name to something that doesn't use the Palm trademark in the near future. PalmOS will also have to be renamed.

So if Palm was to "buy" PalmSource, it sure would mix this up even more... whee!

View Poll Results: Do you think PalmSource should belong to Palm again?
YES!	4	50.00%
No.	4	50.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

08-28-2005, 08:41 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Is Palm interested in buying back PalmSource? PalmSource stock has been on the rise for the past few days and BargainPDA is speculating that Palm might be behind the stock movement by expressing their interest in buying back the software company. While this is clearly just a rumor, we'd like to hear from you whether or not you would compliment this potential buyout that could transform Palm back to a company as we once knew it. Attached Thumbnails

08-29-2005, 02:52 AM	#8
Jordanevan Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Device: Treo 650	hmmm...stay away Palm wouldn't buy back PalmSource so soon. I could see it happening in a few years but that's exactly what the stock needs, a few years to settle down. I wouldn't concern myself too much with this stock or specific sector either. Their is such a fight for market share and the price war will only hurt everyone in the longrun. Not the right right stock and not the right time. -Jordan www.2hot2handheld.com

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08-28-2005, 08:57 AM	#2
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Who knows?! But I think the movement may have come because Palm is hiring Linux people, not because of a buyout. That hiring would seem to suggest that Palm Inc is serious about PalmOS for Linux (unless it's their own separate Linux work), which is a great indicator that PalmSource will continue to supply the OS for Palm Inc devices. That seems to be worth a few dollars on the stock price.

08-28-2005, 10:42 AM	#3
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	Perhaps Palm is just looking for a way to get back the $30m USD they paid to PalmSource for the name change?

08-28-2005, 11:54 AM	#4
Pride Of Lions just kinda geeky Posts: 381 Karma: 30 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oakland, California Device: iPhone	They jumped through all of these hoops just to get thir hands on the Treo 600 series from HandSpring.

08-28-2005, 11:58 AM	#5
Pride Of Lions just kinda geeky Posts: 381 Karma: 30 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oakland, California Device: iPhone	And is there a new Avatar Factory that you guys shop at? I'm seeing a distinct resemblance. POL9A

08-28-2005, 01:45 PM	#6
Dick Tracy Detective Posts: 109 Karma: 4455 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Device: Palm TX	There was a financial podcast midweek where a financial advisor speculated a buyback. As he couldn't manage company names and history, I didn't pay much credence to it.

08-28-2005, 03:12 PM	#7
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	What is it that Palm could be interested in buying from PalmSource? Their research and development of an unfinished product? Or their employees, which they could probably buy more easily by offering them better salaries or simply hiring new Linux-minded programmers. And for licensees, there aren't many left beside Palm. To me these rumors are unfounded.

08-29-2005, 07:09 PM	#11
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Something else to note: Palm signed a contract that gives them the right to use PalmOS on their devices until 2007/2009 (the date is unclear), and they bought out PalmSource's share of the holding company that was managing the "Palm" trademark. As part of this deal, PalmOne changed its name to Palm, and PalmSource has to change its name to something that doesn't use the Palm trademark in the near future. PalmOS will also have to be renamed. So if Palm was to "buy" PalmSource, it sure would mix this up even more... whee!

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