Thursday, May 31, 2007
The new gadget is called the Palm Foleo and runs Linux
All were outstanding today, which Palm announced its new "revolutionary" device. The presentation has taken place and we already have data on the gadget.

Palm Foleo Mobile Companion, the new gadget from Palm
His name is Foleo, and is a device intended to accompany our smartphones (or this is what Palm thinks it will do with him). Makes its big screen and a full keyboard, and its function is to facilitate the editing of the documents that are stored on the phone, as well as manage e-mail, surf the Internet, instant messaging and so on. The gamble seems to focus on the Palm ease of use while the team itself and the development of software for it from developers. It remains to be seen throughout the match that he could get to this apparatus.
In CanalPDA have made a comprehensive follow-up presentation, while in Palmaniac show us a video of himself Jeff Hawkins, CEO of Palm Inc., Talking about the Foleo. I've uploaded to Youtube so we can all see it more easily:
On the Palm and there is a section devoted to the Foleo with videos and explanations, but I will summarize their technical characteristics so that we know what we mean:
- Dimensions: 254x152x24mm, 900 grams of weight.
- Battery duration: 5 hours sailing with wifi.
- Connectors: USB port, video output, SD card slot, headphone jack. Internally has a Compact Flash card slot.
- Compatible with standard Windows Mobile and Palm Treos. Intention of supporting any other smartphone, including RIM (Blackberry) and Symbian and the iPhone from Apple.
- Price promotion: 499 dollars.
- No touch screen with 1024x600 pixels resolution and 10 ".
- Flash memory storage (no disk).
- The scalability depends on the cards. Are undecided on the built-in memory (in Palmaniac talk about 128Mb RAM).

The Palm Foleo brings a full keyboard and a larger screen
After the objective data I will give my opinion on it. There are a number of key details:
- If you include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi integrated, I agree with the people of CanalPDA in which need not be exclusively linked to a computer connectivity via Treo. Surely be a good competition from other computers using the wireless network to surf the Internet and read mail as the Nokia 800.
- Incapié is much that is compatible with all types of phones that have bluetooth, not only with Palm. This is something fundamental to its success as it all Treo users is not large enough to demand that the Foleo is sufficient.
- The first idea that comes to mind is: "Why not take a laptop with extra instead of this?". Here Palm intends to differentiate his team for its ease of use, and speed in the on / off, elements that have always differentiated products to the Palm of your competitors. However, the price will have to be very competitive at the level of other products like the Nokia 800, and not that of a laptop computer.
- Palm bets by developers. An SDK will be distributed to all emplresas (and individuals) that they want schedule applications for the Foleo. They want to get a variety of applications such as was achieved with PalmOS, which has been without doubt one of the successes of their products.
The Foleo is undoubtedly a very risky bet by Party of Palm, which is trying to create an entirely new segment within the gadgets. Apart from its success or not with this team, Jeff Hawkins has given the nail on the head with the larger screen and full keyboard: it is quite necessary to work intensively with mail and data outside the office, and if it remains cheaper and simpler than a laptop, can be an excellent choice to it.
Time will tell if this team marks a new trend, or is in oblivion as so many disparate products. But I liked that have been so daring rather than stay anchored in the Treo forever, and I hope they succeed. Everything depends on how you focus, in every sense: usuos, public sector, freedom of change, and so on. What do you think? Did you buy someone? What should be able to do to be a viable option?
Published: I agree with point by point the views on the Foleo in Gizmóvil. I recommend reading it.
By: Mark Gonzalez Troyes in the News
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This clearly focused on a niche market that are ejeutivos. I think what the keyboard and the screen, but perhaps could have been smaller and touch screen. Well, I wish them success but also do not buy.
It is not a pocket device ... it is a small laptop, that is, mobility remains.
Palm should further improve the Treo, but with Wi-Fi and Palm OS (or compatible), that is where we would fully in the nail, otherwise ... commercial risks which may result in a company to launch, or the almost total ruin.
Currently have the Treo, which is great, but unrefined (680 with energy problems) and without Wi-Fi (totally behind the competition). They would need to focus more effort on it.
There is talk of a super Treo 800, with Wi-Fi, the same size as the current ones, and many improvements. I hope this is not a ghost, and whether a reality to it ... if I said, the Foleo ... or CONAE, at least for the needs of always having to carry one device with me, I do not want no bags or backpacks, or anything that is parezcann.
Greetings,
JCM
This device reminds me a lot to the Psion 7 and Psion NETBOOK. Bridging the gap clear
Tip: Foleo with the Treos do not need keyboard, which leaves us more free space on device
And will see
Well, I do not mind me as a gift
He reminds me a lot to the Toshiba Libretto http://images.tigerdirect.com/SkuImages/gallery/large/T24-U105-ao.JPG
Mmm I personally do not think we gave it to the nail and this is definitely the push they needed to fall into the abyss ... and not pushed for the worse but took the step without pressure of any kind in this abyss ...
... Think how many users have a Treo, many users call it a Treo Smartphone, Blackberry or other ... it is very likely that even Palm pointing this very specific user profile, and if they realize the invitation was for the videocast Media & Business is ... very likely that this product is sold at retail for enthusiastic users (I'm one of them).
But the ecological niche where they want to introduce it is in Enterprises and the executive. Corporations want to make money, be productive, but at a reasonable cost, and whether it can effectively with a more productive Foleo only then buy it. But this group of people is not massive.
... Now the specifications do not indicate that the device may be independent by itself. Ojala is autonomous, Words can be added more functionality through the aforementioned SDK, I hope to be able to function without a Smartphone.
I also think that the promotional price is due to a discount of U.S. $ 100, and that the normal price will be U.S. $ 600. Think about that for U.S. $ 549 can have a real laptop like a Dell Inspiron 1501, but dejemoslo at U.S. $ 649 which is its official price without promotion. IF you install Ubuntu Linux on that laptop ... do not believe it will be much better than the Foleo?
I am sorry to be pessimistic but I think I'm objective. I love Palm, I am an enthusiastic user of them, but I think we got screwed up so thoroughly that may not get to them before passing the boring above.
Greetings.
It is clear that this move will accelerate the Palm toward recovery or to ruin. I'm glad because at least I was already tired of so much inertia.
The success of the Foleo as well say that depends on its price down and that can be used independently of the smartphone. I do not like the approach that has given Palm (the Treo accessory and focused executives).
I think the functionality that you can give third party software is something to take into account too, but as long as the two previous conditions are given as well.
At the moment it is just to display e-mail and surf? ... Ok. I think it is a device with a good chance because it integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it a viable option. As I said, seems to be focused on a specific market segment. I am a user who needs a lot of mobility and I need a hotspot always available and download my mail as soon as possible outside of the office and home. So really what I considered as an option to buy, but we must see that other applications can be installed and what is their potential.
Another thing that hurts the screen is not touch. What hardware specifications and what is the OS?
At least Palm is beginning to move again, I hope they go well.
It seems good product as a user of Tugnsten C. It is a new option, we have to contemplate the price and accessories.