It was interesting to read this week, that Palm would no longer offer a Windows Mobile phone in it's line up.  Interesting, because this company who pretty much invented the smartphone, one day woke up and realized that it had sat on it's hands and no longer had an innovative or "special" device.  Black Berry and Microsoft had their own offerings that revealed several weaknesses in the capability of Palm devices. Mulititasking was an issue with Palm OS. Clunky, and unreliable even after years of using basically the same Operating System. Palm knew they needed to do something to survive, and this was to license Microsoft's Mobile Operating System in that familiar Palm Candy Bar phone design.  In short, they probably owe Microsoft for saving the company.  NOT that the company has had smooth sailing since making this move.

Palm found itself drowning in a smartphone ocean with new predators like Apple, HTC, Android, and Samsung, all the while, trying to re-invent itself.  And it looks like Palm has done that for now! WebOS has been a success. The OS has a beautiful interface, and the Phone Hardware for the most part has been accepted by the public. Now, after the release of the Pre, rumors have circulated around Palm's next WebOS device.  The "Pixie". Experts are saying that this phone will probably sell for $99 with a two year commitment. Palm/Sprint recently lowered the price on the Palm Pre to $150 with a two year agreement.  And Palm's "App Store" is almost ready for Prime-time, with many new apps to expand it's abilities. All of this adds up to a real commitment to go head to head with the Great White of smartphones; Apple! 

Palm has said that they are putting all their efforts into WebOS. With limited resources in these times, I guess that makes sense. But something deep inside me feels a little sad. At the time that Palm stuck a Windows Mobile Operating System on a Palm branded Device, the World took notice.  They included the famous "Switch" that turned the ringer on and off, and added it to a Windows Mobile device. Before that, the only way to adjust sound was to enter the device through the Windows "start" screen and adjust.  It was a phone that worked well to merge Phone, email, web browsing, and more. In short, Palm complimented the Windows Mobile experience!

Now, as Palm has finally innovated, lets look at Microsoft . . . . .  I, myself am currently using an HTC touch Pro. It is running a 6.0 version, with HTC's touch interface laying over the top of it.  this makes the phone slow to reboot. In short, it is "clunky" compared to it's competitor's, one of which in now, Palm! Microsoft will unveil it's new increment soon.  6.5. NOT 7.0 and this disappoints many of Microsoft's toughest critics. Palm sees this in it's current sales figures of WM devices and knows that it's time to end this partnership. 

I am sure that this doesn't spell the end of Microsoft and its smartphone OS. Microsoft has a great sales model to license to many different companies, and I don't think they are going away. But I do see it as a little ironic that today, Microsoft sees itself in a very similar situation as Palm was in about 7 years ago. and I also believe that if Microsoft is going to compete, they too have got to do more to innovate. Even with this current sales model, Apple and RIM still out perform them. Palm has been a staple for Windows Mobile devices for several years now. This was a drop in the bucket compared to HTC sales I am sure, but it was still a Windows Mobile device that had a very loyal following. I can't help but wonder if years from now, when things in the mobile World have changed many times over, if Palm and Microsoft might not once again, combine forces to offer something that is innovative, and industry changing. The sentimental side of me would really like that!

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.

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