Ed Colligan re-confirms commitment to PalmOS

[Bob Russell]

Sam McLoughlin from Palm Addicts is reporting a conversation with Ed Colligan in which he (Ed, that is) states once again that Palm, Inc. is commited to PalmOS and not abandoning it. And additionally, he confirms their commitment to WiFi technology. With the uncertainty associated with the Access purchase of PalmSource and the questions about the future of PalmOS for Linux, those words are reassuring in the short run, but certainly cannot calm all anxieties about the long run future of PalmOS.

Fortunately, the next year or so looks bright and we have expectations of multiple new Treo devices, including a likely PalmOS model parallel to the new Treo 700w. And in the long run, there's no telling what will happen anyway. For all we know, that secret "third business" will kick in anyway.

The irrelevance of thinking too much about the long run is captured in the saying, "In the long run, we are all dead." So much more true in the tech world, where there is really not much certainty in the future of mobile computing. Maybe the best we can really say is that it will progress in capabilities and connectivity, and someone will bring solutions that customers are demanding. The real long run picture probably looks a lot different than we would guess right now by looking at PalmOS, Windows Mobile and even Linux.

Jump on over to Palm Addicts to read about Sammy's thoughts on his conversation with Ed.

It's interesting that in the midst of all the uncertainty relative to PalmOS, somehow it always seems that Ed Colligan comes out proving himself to be an excellent leader of Palm, able to deliver some great devices, able to diversify into Windows Mobile, and still appears to have remained true to his word so far with regard to all his past assurances about Palm's plans. We are forever suspicious of him, and yet he has been impressively faithful to PalmOS fans.

I'd have to say that unless there are some unexpected negative surprises out there, that Ed is deserving of quite a bit of appreciation for his leadership and his commitment to delivering great PalmOS products. I know he hasn't really been seen this way very often in the mobile community, and I may shock you with my perspective, but I think he has earned "hero" status with the PalmOS community in a lot of ways.

Sure, there are plenty of things to complain about, but as we start to regain our perspective over time, I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see him universally viewed as a PalmOS superstar. Don't be surprised if we end up looking very fondly one day at the greatness of the "Colligan era" at Palm, Inc.

This is a treacherous time to be commited to PalmOS. And yet he has remained steadfast. I believe he has been faithful to PalmOS even beyond what was absolutely necessary simply due to revenue dependence on PalmOS devices. Who knows? One day he may even be considered the man that saved PalmOS.

I'm just getting carried away you say. Maybe. The story is still being written. But a few more good chapters and I think you'll find that these kinds of accolades may be not only well-deserved, but commonplace. Today you think this is naive. Tomorrow you might just be joining me in the chorus of praise.

[Antoine of MMM]

Interesting thoguhts there. Ed is a good guy, never had any issue with him or the vision he is leading. But he's working about 2 model cycles ahead of our rumor mills, anything that he says has to be taken within the forward perspective first, before asking what is the effect from the past. I'd too be interested in the history book of this as well, but only after catching up to where history is for people such as Ed.

[medevilenemy]

I only wish he would at least tease us with some details (nothing major). Ed never gives any actual information... he only gives very indescript hints. Good guy, though.