Re: [NTLK] New Palm Device (flop?)

On May 31, 2007, at 1:17 PM, John Chu wrote:

> Sure, and if the Foleo were running NewtonOS, no one would wonder if
> 256MB Flash is enough. Different OS and different generations of
> machines have different requirements. People are just assuming that
> the Foleo belongs to the current generation, not to the generation of
> 10 years ago.

Sure, and maybe I'm going way out on a limb here but this looks to be
related to Palm devices. Granted, it doesn't have a Garnet
compatibility layer, but lets say it's four times as bloated as
PalmOS and the applications generate files four times as big. Looking
at handheld Linux distros, that seems to be a stretch, but OK, lets
assume that: I'd have trouble filling up 128MB, even with my books
and unabridged dictionary and a couple hundred Word docs.

> If this were a computer in its own right,
> it would be like running a Linux with a 256MB hard drive.)

That doesn't make sense to me. Isn't Newton a computer in it's own
right? Anyway, being "linux based" isn't really the same as running
Ubuntu on the device. Access's next (so far vapor) version of PalmOS
is based on a Linux kernel. I think it's safe to assume that compared
to PalmOS 5 whatever the Foleo runs will take up more resources, but
a lot more?

> Devices in this form factor which have a touchscreen and usable as
> tablets are available now. e.g., any UMPC, Nokia n800, a bunch of
> subnotebook laptops.

They're not the same thing. The n800 maybe, but those of us that use
Newtons demand instant on. I've still never seen a Windows or Mac
laptop that would reliably "sleep" and wake up again. I've seen 'em
do it, but not reliably.

> I think the thing to hope for is not only the tablet use model, but
> also to have it at a reasonable price with decent battery life. (I
> think
> there are reasonably priced Tablet PCs now. If so, there's hope.)

But they're still PCs. Don't we demand something ummm... more suited
to mobile use? A more lightweight operating system? Simpler use? I'm
thinking more like eMate or Dana, less like a desktop computer shrunk
down.

> Sony has already done this. The Vaio UX390 has a 32G solid-state hard
> drive, and it's available right now. (Of course, it's also quite
> expensive.) Perhaps Palm made the right decision decision for the
> Foleo. However, someone has already started. Palm is following Sony
> here.

Vista and the Windows UI in that form factor does not seem like the
same thing as a platform designed for mobility. The question of
evolution versus revolution is not really even worth arguing---I
don't think the Foleo is all that original, but it looks like they're
following AlphaSmart, not Sony.

> I find my hard drive based iPod quite useful.

I take it you don't go running with it. I expect "portable" devices
to work even when I leave the house. My Nano is great, I just wish
that they'd offer a solid state 80GB iPod. I'd gladly pay twice the
price of the current 80GB model for an 80GB model that wouldn't skip
like a G*&^*^*& portable CD player from 1988.

Grrr.Pet peeve alert! Steve, step away from the keyboard....

=^)

Steve

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