PALM… good move
Ed (the CEO) has been continuously saying PALM is a software company. But how could anyone possibly believe this when they had no control of their OS. Well a few weeks back there was an interview w/some PALM execs that suggested they would get control of their OS back from Access. Yesterday it became a reality… GOOD.
Access has done very little with the OS, pretty much just letting it collect dust.
I just hope PALM has already been working on a new interface and will have a product out sooner rather than later. I’m guessing the new UI will be in their next CDMA version Treo. (Or I’m hoping they could allow the OS to be updated even on the 680s and 700 series… that would keep user loyalty, especially on a seamless upgrade.)
PALM has a tough challenge ahead of them, especially if they view themselves as software company. I write this because of Apple. I never viewed RIMM as a competitor to what PALM does. (I personnelly think RIMM’s hardware/software is not at PALM’s level, even their newer devices.) Apple on the other hand is very good at an easy to use closed system interface with quality hardware and complimentary software. This, IMO, attacks PALM strategy going forward. If PALM truly wants to compete with this (really only the consumer level) they have to make their devices as easy to use and integrated w/Macs and Apple systems (ie iTunes) as the Apple phones. This must be done… and I wish they did it before the Apple phones come out. But it does not look like they were able to.
PALM may have some great enigneers and marketing minds, but they need some execution strategists.
