PalmOS Cobalt going to be released?

Bob Russell · 07-11-2006, 01:23 PM

Palm Insider noticed about a month ago that Cobalt 6.1 was listed at the PalmSource web site as "under development." Now, Palm Addicts has followed up and tells us that it has now been moved to "new release."

That's a set of exciting observations. And it leaves us with some questions... * What does this mean?
* Is Cobalt about to be released to a community of PalmOS users, desperate for a new upgraded major version of PalmOS?

While I hate to disappoint, I'd have to say the answer is a clear no. For a number of reasons:
* Cobalt really was released, so it makes sense to list it that way on the web site. In fact, that update might have even been inspired by the Palm Insider story.
* The PalmSource web site tends to have some outdated material on it, such as the expert guide on e-books, which is clearly out of date based on their omission of MobileRead.com as a web resource!
* Access owns PalmSource now, and they have clearly devoted resources to their new ALP (Access Linux Platform), not Cobalt.
* We haven't heard any other rumors about a release of Cobalt, and other device makers are very unlikely to release a Cobalt device at this late date. The only possible exception is that Asian phone maker that had already almost had one ready, who could, I suppose, decide to release that product for some reason. Sorry, don't remember that company name, but they even had a working Cobalt phone at the last, and final, PalmSource developer's conference.
* There are new people involved with the PalmSource web site in conjunction with the Access takeover. It's natural that they would be making updates that seem unusual or oddly-timed.

So my conclusion is simply that the PalmSource Cobalt 6.1 OS is still destined to remain a theoretical exercise that will never see the light of a real-world commercial product. The OS might have been ready to use, but product makers were not. The window of opportunity slammed shut very quickly because Garnet (OS5) remained very viable and capable, and Access has new direction for the future. It's a shame to see that effort go down the drain, but you can be sure much of the work will show itself in ALP.

Until then, we must still wait for the next generation/revolution for PalmOS. Let's just hope that this next version catches on better than Cobalt did. There are a lot of other competitors out there who are hoping to close this window of opportunity as well, including some suspicions that Palm, Inc. is working on a Linux platform of their own. Maybe even to support that new generation of devices that we have been teased about by Jeff Hawkins.

But no matter how it evolves, we know the mobile device explosion is sure to continue. Eventually, maybe even on the e-book and e-ink front!

Dick Tracy · 07-11-2006, 08:19 PM

Bob, I have to agree with you on this one.

It's been mighty quiet over at Access, wonder whether there is any news on ALP...

TadW · 07-12-2006, 08:09 AM

I agree with Bob. Palm is way too busy right now consolidating its business on PalmOS and Windows Mobile handhelds. Instead of introducing a third OS, it's more important for Palm now to reach for new markets (geographically and demographically).

Laurens · 07-12-2006, 10:13 AM

Cobalt was too buggy and slow and didn't make for a compelling business proposition. Vendors would be out of their minds to invest any money and effort into this dead OS now, more than two years after the fact.

07-11-2006, 01:23 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	PalmOS Cobalt going to be released? Palm Insider noticed about a month ago that Cobalt 6.1 was listed at the PalmSource web site as "under development." Now, Palm Addicts has followed up and tells us that it has now been moved to "new release." That's a set of exciting observations. And it leaves us with some questions... * What does this mean? * Is Cobalt about to be released to a community of PalmOS users, desperate for a new upgraded major version of PalmOS? While I hate to disappoint, I'd have to say the answer is a clear no. For a number of reasons: * Cobalt really was released, so it makes sense to list it that way on the web site. In fact, that update might have even been inspired by the Palm Insider story. * The PalmSource web site tends to have some outdated material on it, such as the expert guide on e-books, which is clearly out of date based on their omission of MobileRead.com as a web resource! * Access owns PalmSource now, and they have clearly devoted resources to their new ALP (Access Linux Platform), not Cobalt. * We haven't heard any other rumors about a release of Cobalt, and other device makers are very unlikely to release a Cobalt device at this late date. The only possible exception is that Asian phone maker that had already almost had one ready, who could, I suppose, decide to release that product for some reason. Sorry, don't remember that company name, but they even had a working Cobalt phone at the last, and final, PalmSource developer's conference. * There are new people involved with the PalmSource web site in conjunction with the Access takeover. It's natural that they would be making updates that seem unusual or oddly-timed. So my conclusion is simply that the PalmSource Cobalt 6.1 OS is still destined to remain a theoretical exercise that will never see the light of a real-world commercial product. The OS might have been ready to use, but product makers were not. The window of opportunity slammed shut very quickly because Garnet (OS5) remained very viable and capable, and Access has new direction for the future. It's a shame to see that effort go down the drain, but you can be sure much of the work will show itself in ALP. Until then, we must still wait for the next generation/revolution for PalmOS. Let's just hope that this next version catches on better than Cobalt did. There are a lot of other competitors out there who are hoping to close this window of opportunity as well, including some suspicions that Palm, Inc. is working on a Linux platform of their own. Maybe even to support that new generation of devices that we have been teased about by Jeff Hawkins. But no matter how it evolves, we know the mobile device explosion is sure to continue. Eventually, maybe even on the e-book and e-ink front!

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07-11-2006, 08:19 PM	#2
Dick Tracy Detective Posts: 109 Karma: 4455 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Device: Palm TX	Bob, I have to agree with you on this one. It's been mighty quiet over at Access, wonder whether there is any news on ALP...

07-12-2006, 08:09 AM	#3
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	I agree with Bob. Palm is way too busy right now consolidating its business on PalmOS and Windows Mobile handhelds. Instead of introducing a third OS, it's more important for Palm now to reach for new markets (geographically and demographically).

07-12-2006, 10:13 AM	#4
Laurens Jah Blessed Posts: 1,295 Karma: 1373 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Netherlands Device: iPod Touch	Cobalt was too buggy and slow and didn't make for a compelling business proposition. Vendors would be out of their minds to invest any money and effort into this dead OS now, more than two years after the fact.

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