Digital Common Sense

My friend Alec weighed in with a reality based historical perspective to counter the unbridled enthusiasm, I’d say unwarranted, that Palm’s announcement seems to be getting everywhere.

Palm ignores history, forges ahead.
I’ve long been a fan of clamshell design mobile companions.  They start quickly, they’re ultralight, and their batteries way outlast laptops.  Does anyone remember the NEC Mobilepro line?  How about the Sharp Mobilon Pro?  The Vadem Clio? Don’t worry.  Nobody will hold it against you if you can’t remember them… it’s been nearly 10 years since these products were on the market, although you can still pick up a ready (if dwindling) supply of used ones on EBay.
[Read full post from Alec]

I remember the clamshells well. I know right where two Sharp Zaurus devices sit in my personal equipment storage. They were indeed, incredible devices.

I’m perhaps a bit more negative. Palm has grown tired, with nothing to build on except the Treo, and it’s faltering on many fronts. I’m on my eleventh or twelfth Palm device with my Treo 700W, but I doubt I’ll ever buy another. I certainly have no interest in the Foleo. It’s a huge yawner for me.

Right now I’m keen on the Nokia N800 paired with an N-series phone. Sure I carry a separte bluetooth keyboard, but integrating a keyboard into something like the N800 in a clamshell design is a simple engineering feat.

Palm Foleo - Too little, too boring and too late to save Palm.

Technorati Tags: Palm, Foleo, too little too late

Filed by Ken at 12:28 pm under Mobility & Handheld, Portable Pleasures - PDA/Smartphones, Technology