RSSWindows Mobile Powered Treo Unveiled
By Aaron Dobbins | Published September 26, 2005, 1:00 PM
UPDATED In what could be considered a huge win for Microsoft and the Windows Mobile platform, former rival Palm announced Monday a new version of its Treo smartphone running the Redmond company's operating system for mobile devices.
Although not yet named, the new Treo will be carried exclusively by Verizon Wireless when it debuts in early 2006. Palm president and CEO Ed Colligan said Verizon would have exclusive access to the phone at least through the middle of next year.
Rumors have swirled in the media regarding a possible Windows-based Palm device for several months. Both Palm and Microsoft had refused to comment on any negotiations. However, Colligan admitted this was nothing new.
"We've been working on this for a number of years," Colligan told attendees at a press conference in San Francisco. "It was probably the worst kept secret."
Not many specifications were offered about the new Treo other than the fact it would run Windows Mobile 5.0, include an Intel processor, and support for Verizon's high-speed EV-DO network. Sources also claim the device will include Bluetooth and 64MB of built-in memory.
The price has not yet been decided, although Colligan said to expect it to be higher than currently available models.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates seemed to admit that Palm did have the upper hand in innovation for the mobile platform for quite awhile. "Palm always did great work. We lusted after the things they did well," Gates told the audience.
But while Palm has surged to life, the death knell has sounded for Palm OS after Japan-based Access purchased PalmSource and the rights to the Palm OS on September 9 for $324.3 million.
PalmSource had struggled since it was spun off by Palm in 2003. As PDA sales began to slow, Palm licensees shut down in favor of focusing on other businesses. Sony, one of Palm's biggest independent licensees, stopped selling handhelds last year.
Analysts called the deal with Palm a huge win for Microsoft. In August, Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg spoke of the possibility. "It bodes very well for Microsoft, the same company that was often derided by Palm's Jeff Hawkins for their mediocre work in mobile technology," he said.
"This event, if it actually happens, would mark a powerful turning point for Microsoft, more from a psychological perspective than a market share perspective, but that's the key to getting momentum going for the longer haul," Gartenberg added.
The Treo is one of Palm's best selling products; last quarter, the company shipped a half-million devices.
Well, Palm sucks. Hated since day 1. Its crap. After 11 years, I think Palm even realizes it.
I am glad to see a good device with a much better OS now, I can actually buy a Treo.
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I may want one too, Windows CE is very good
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This Treo will have Windows Mobile 5.0 though. I don't believe any new devices supporting Windows CE are being made anymore.
I could be wrong about that though...
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Microsoft & Palm join forces. That's incredible.
I will wait for the PowerBooks with Windows OS.
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Hold yer breath.
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I need to go outside and see if the sky is falling.
brb ..
;-)
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I think that depends on where you live...
Southern coastal US...sky is falling.
Pretty much anywhere else....Neh.
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Funny that everybody blames Micro$oft for killing competition.
In this particular case, I think PALM themselves killed their own Hightly Competitive due to smug laziness and handed over the crown to Microsoft like a wimmpy!
Palm OS was a fantastic OS as long as it lasted.
RIP
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Well, what other option do they have if there are not new Palm OS versions scheduled for the near future? Going to Linux? There is no mobile standard there. Remember the success of a platform is the number of apps that run on it. Windows Mobile has a very good number of apps already available in the market, therefore it was a natural choice.
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I wonder when Apple will get into the mobile OS business.
Of course, you would only be able to use it on their iPhones...
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You mean their iTunes capable 160GB iPhone Nano (now with scratch-proof case)?
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They used to be. Remember the Newton?
:-)
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Exactly.
Oh, and don't forget the click-wheel.
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That's one.
Do it 2 more times and I will hunt you down and shoot dead where you stand. The mere mention of that infernal device ought to get your entrails poked with an iron stick still dripping from the fires.
Anything, absolutely anything else in the world is peaches and creme by comparison. That "thing" should never have been.
Why...if it were standing in front of me...I'd kill it. I'd bury it... I'd f*cking throw a chair at it.
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The click-wheel is your friend, and don't you forget it.
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Yeah it is.
One other feature it will have: it will be as thin as a credit card.
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...a "scratch-proof" credit card.
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hopefully it doesnt' crack. lol or i'll be taking mine back.
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I wish my Treo 650 ran this. I don't want to have to buy a new one. I guess I will. *whines*
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