Predictions were very popular in the Palm OS sector a few years ago – there was a time when each and every Palm OS site had new years eve predictions from its head analyst. However, they got out of fashion eventually…until Handango, a major ESD chimed in:
Handango’s smartphone predictions for 2007
Essentially, their core message is that smartphones will continue to grow, and that GPS based applications will also be a hit. However, there is no mention if Palm OS anywhere in their release – so if its just Palm OS you’re interested in, you can safely skip it.
For all others, please tell me what you think!
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“Mobile TV Will Hit the Small Screen in a Big Way”?
Well, I don’t think so… Mobile TV sucks.
The Palm Third Product Line for 2007 … ?
1) In a in the Portland Business Journal, Jeff Hawkins gives an interesting talk about what he is currently working on.
“There is a third business that I’ve been working on but I’m not going to tell you what it is. It’s in mobile computing. It’s something different and it’s in its early stage. We have three businesses at PalmOne. One you don’t even know about, which is just a child. Another is the teenager and the other one is the mature 45-year-old.”
So we can think that the teenager is the Treo product line and the mature is the PDA line.
Actually, in 2006, the new market is the emergent Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC).
2) In June 27th, 2006 Marvell has bought Intel’s XScale Processors. And some months later, Marvell has announced the new line of his processor named PXA3xx series (the 30th November 2006).
The main features are :
* Scalable, general-purpose processing up to 800 MHz, a 256 KB L2 cache, and a 32-bit DDR memory interface for richer end-user applications, such as browsing Web content or streaming video. Extended headroom allows for execution of multiple applications at the same time, which is a key requirement for today’s wireless client devices with advanced capabilities.
* Wireless Intel® SpeedStep® technology with Instruction Power Manager software for MIPS/mW power efficiency, delivering long battery life and enabling consumers to spend more time enjoying the rich features their devices and service providers offer.
* Intel Wireless MMX™ 2 accelerating technology, a 2D graphics accelerator and a 768 KB frame buffer designed to support VGA resolution streaming video, enhances the user’s experience of popular usage models like video playback, video conferencing, camcorder functionality, video telephony, and digital TV.
* An enhanced set of peripherals eases connectivity to technologies like Wi-Fi, WiBro, WiMAX, and Bluetooth v2.0 and Intel’s Enhanced Quick Capture technology supports camera sensors up to 5 megapixels (MP) for a richer camera application.
This processor will be excellent for Ultra Mobile PC. And the Marvell PXA320 is available in volume right now !!!
3) Palm has bought recently the right to modify Garnet, the 5.4 version of Palm OS. So i think Palm ll try to adapt the actual Garnet to the new processor line.
But i hope too that Palm will modify Garnet to use the new feature of this processor for announce this Third Line Product code named Aurora.
Conclusion
I think so that Palm will introduce before June 2007 a new mobile device. A compromise between an UMPC and a PDA. To be avaible in June, i supposed that prototype of this device already exist in Palm research division. I think it ll be a PXA320 with a Hard Drive of 6Go, bluetooth, wifi, and a VGA or WVGA display on a 5 inches screen.
The Palm Third Product Line (2nd Part)
I ve read the FAQ From Access about the Garnet source code deal. And … i’ve found an other confirmation of this new third line product !
Q. Can Palm, Inc., use Palm OS Garnet with other system technologies?
A. Yes. Under terms of the agreement Palm may use Palm OS Garnet in whole or in part in any Palm product, and together with any other system technologies. However, as has been true in past, Palm will only be able to use the Palm OS trademark for products that meet the compatibility requirements, verified through the compatibility test harness used by ACCESS and Palm.
So Palm can now use Garnet for other products than PDA or SmartPhone like the old licence…
It ‘s my prediction for 2007 …
Well, maybe if it was free/ad supported with more channels and content, it might be ok. At least the sports fanatics would eat it up.