Speculation is in the air again that Palm, Inc (not just PalmSource) is working on their own operating system for future mobile devices. David Beers is reporting on his blog that a analyst “in the know” privately confirmed that Palm is experimenting with developing its own Linux based operating system.
Is Palm Building Its Own Linux-Based PDA OS?
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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What are the speculations? The ALP is already announced, so the fact that PalmSource (btw, what is “Palm, Inc.”?) develops its own Linux-based OS is officially confirmed long ago.
You have it all confused in your head.
Palm, Inc. IS NOT Palmsource. The Linux that Palm is building is the NOT the same as PalmSource’s (which is the one that has been announced). Palm and Palmsource are DIFFERENT companies.
Palm used to only do the hardware and Palmsource only did the software. Now, Palmsource is bought by japanese Access Ltd, and Palm is trying to piece their future together as they don’t want to use PalmOS 6.1 and PalmOS 5.5 is a dead end. So they recently tried Windows Mobile for their devices and the rumor says that they also develop a Linux mobile distro inhouse to replace PalmOS. They don’t have the interest to use Palmsource’s ALP.
Edited 2006-03-30 07:40
Sorry for probably stupid question, but I was not following Palm case for quite some time. What happened to their BeOS based OS, if ever any of their os versions was based upon BeOS remnants?
thanks a lot,
-pekr-
That would be Palm OS Cobalt. It’s here but nobody’s using it, so it’s effectively dead. Video here : http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/8437/palm-os-cobalt-video-demo/
It may or may not contain any Beos code though (most people seem to assume it does contain some media-related stuff) and certainly isn’t directly based on the BeOS.
Edit: recommended is also this interview by OSNews with George Hoffman of Palmsource http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=6148&page=1
Edited 2006-03-30 09:56
this is REALLY FRIGGING OLD news. like a year or more.
I wish that people like you get a grip that PalmSource != Palm before they reply here like that. We aren’t idiots you know, not with 9 PDAs in da house.
oh right. woops
I mean unhealthy. Why did Palm become PalmOne/PalmSource for?
When I read a news item like this it doesn’t make sense. It would make more sense if they are creating configuration tools for the MS OS.
OSNews says that palminfocenter says that David Beers says that an analyst says that Palm, Inc says…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_game
I’ll bet they’re really looking into growing apples or something.
Oh, sorry, I’ve missed the moment when palmOne switched back to Palm, Inc. name…
Palm announced there would be 4 versions of the Treo released in 2006. One labled Treo 700W (Windows Mobile 5), one labled Treo 700P (Updated Garnet..yet again), another one that has an internal antenna which also supports 3GSM and a forth which is a low cost version. The latter two I have a feeling will be pushed to release late Q4 just in time for the holiday shopping season.
It was also reported that ACCESS is working on providing a Linux OS for the Treo which will help migrate PalmOS users over to Linux. Though that isn’t going to happen till either late 2007 or sometime in 2008. Some reasons for the delay have been reported to do with getting increased ISV support and backing by Telecom carriers to provide technical support for Linux customers.
As for my personal opinion on the subject of Palm Treo using a Linux OS I actually like the idea. Reason being Palm’s use of Garnet is getting very long in the tooth so to speak
I also dislike the Windows method of wasting resources such as is currently being experienced by Verizon Treo 700W customers. For example Windows Mobile 5 has an issue with closing applications. The user is under the impression the application is closed but the OS just minimizes the program and leaves it running in the background. Another issue with Mobile 5 has to due with “call waiting” where Verizon customers currently are being billed for two calls due to a glitch in Mobile 5 not being able to disconnect the first caller while the user is talking to the second incoming caller. There’s also the issue with low screen resolution, etc. Anyway, I’ll be happy to continue to use the Treo 650 until a 3GSM version with hopefully Linux otherwise PalmOS is released.
I do have a question for Palm. Who’s idea was it at HTC to not have a form factor design that includes a L.E.D. flash for the camera? Seriously the device cost more than models sold by HP, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Nokia though those competitors have no problem including a flash with their camera cellular devices.
Edited 2006-03-30 14:55
The bug is actually in Palms software on WM5.
If you’ll notice, no other WM5 product has this issue.
The 700w is also grossly underpowered and as such has TONS of problems. Even browsing on the 700w is DOGGEDLY slow (but this is not true on any other WM5 device).
Re: “The bug is actually in Palms software on WM5.”
Please clarify what software you believe is not Microsoft’s running in Windows Mobile 5.0 that is causing the issues mentioned (ie: memory hog, inability to close applications, poor screen resolution).
Re: “The 700w is also grossly underpowered and as such has TONS of problems. Even browsing on the 700w is DOGGEDLY slow (but this is not true on any other WM5 device).”
This is not a hardware issue but instead is an OS memory allocation and resource issue directly associated in the way Microsoft designed Windows Mobile 5.0. If you take a look at the Treo 650 you’ll notice that even though the device has less memory the OS (Garnet) handles multitasking better and the use of memory is more logical. Reports flying around the net is that the Treo 700P is similar to the 650 with the way memory is allocated. Which means with the increased memory added in the 700 series there should be more memory accessible to the user than those using the 700W. Unless of course Microsoft produces a free update to resolve the glitches.
Edited 2006-03-30 15:14
too bad garnet doesn’t support real multitasking…
Actually, there was no memory increase from the 650 to the 700w.
It is running on the same exact hardware.
Of course WM5 is heavier than Palm (as it should be, it’s a much more capable OS, though it should be lighter than it is, but that is beside the point).
No other WM5 device has these problems that are on the 700w. There is also a LOT of Palm software on the 700w. Microsoft only made the OS (same OS that runs on any other WM5 device, which all work perfectly fine).
This has nothing to do with how WM handles memory.
CPUGuy,
Do you own a Treo or at least have taken time to read each hardware specs? My assumption based on your comments so far is that the answer would be no. A good example of this is your comment that there was no increase in memory from the Treo 650 to the Treo 700W. The Treo 650 has 32 MB memory with 23 MB available. Where as the Treo 700W has 128 MB memory with 60 MB available to the user.
If you take time to look through some of the posts at Trecentral.com you’ll notice a lot of mixed comments regarding experienced Treo users who have tried the 700W. Some like features like voice command for voice dialing and being able to use a WIFI card in the SD slot with out needing the WIFI sled. Others find that even though there is increased memory the way Windows Mobile 5.0 makes use of it causes decreased performance than was experienced with the Treo 650.
Also even though I asked for proof you failed again to detail what software you believe Palm provided with the Treo 700W is causing issues such as an inability to close applications properly, problems with call waiting, etc.
http://web.palm.com/products/smartphones/treo650/specs.jhtml
http://web.palm.com/products/smartphones/treo700w/specs.jhtml
Edited 2006-03-31 17:01
I have actually used both a 650 and a 700w.
My appolgies about the RAM amount, I’d read a review on it that said it only had 32mb of RAM (which I did not check on).
Apps that don’t close, on WM, is NOT a bug. It is by design (I personally HATE this, but it is indeed by design and has always been that way since the 1st PocketPC).
The problems with call waiting are specific to the Treo 700w and no other WM device has this issue (hell, I’ve owned 2 of them).
I’m not sure Palm has the engineering to do this, but if they can, it would be good. PalmSource was working on a Linux kernal based OS that would replace Garnet and Cobalt, be mostly backwards compatible, and be similar and consistant with the old PalmOS version.
After Access bought Palmsource, it appears they threw out most everything, and demonstrated a Linux-based OS that looked like a cross between a cellphone interface and WinMob, with only an emulator for Palm built in. (Really makes you wonder why they bought the company for how many million.)
This isn’t what Palm users are hoping for… all we really want is a modern, solid, stable, quick, lightweight OS that gives a solid base to go forward with. A modern OS compatible with the current OS5 apps without too much modification that gives the quick responsive feel we are used to.
I’m a linux head, but for embedded stuff I really like what I see with something like “Think”. Of course I haven’t worked with it…
http://think.objectweb.org/
One downside of a system like this is lack of already available applications & especially lack of developers who have experience with this particular system.
I really hope they pull through on this one. I’ve used many PDAs over the years (from a PalmOS Visor Deluxe, to a linux Zaurus, back to a PalmOS Zodiac, to my current WM5 Axim x50v) and I must say I’ve been happiest with my palm based devices. I loved the capabilities of linux on a PDA and how easy it was to write software for it (QT was a large part in that) and I like the multimedia and net capabilities of my x50v but I think the PalmOS devices were the most usable out of all of them. The other OS’s try to be too much like desktop OS’s (having a “start menu” on a PDA is stupid). If I could have a device with the multimedia/net capabilities of a WM5 device (VGA res, bluetooth and 802.11anything, maybe a intel gfx chip), the flexability of a linux based device and the interface of a PalmOS device I would be in heaven.
I was really looking forward to PalmOS 6 in large part due to the abiltiy to have more than one app running at once, but after years of waiting I know that won’t come to pass.
As long as Palm doesn’t pull a Motorola and only allow development in Java, I’ll be happy.
Chances are, Palm is already looking at pre-alpha version of the ALP platform from Access/Palmsource now.
If that’s the case, what if ALP slips? (the debactle with Palm OS 6 Cobalt doesn’t bring a lot of confidence in my mind).
If I am Palm, I will be working with the pre-alpha version of the ALP and then work on another version with limited manpower at the same time. If the worse comes to worse, Palm will still have a half-decent Linux platform ready to go. If ALP comes through, they could always merge some of the code and make it available.
Hello,
I used to own a palm PDA, actually Kyocera 6035.
But I lost it ;< It was way before the Treo.
Now I like to get a regular PDA because the
accessories were too hard to come by.
I would like to get a Palm PDA but now it seems
like the palm platform is pretty shaky. What is
the future roadmap for Palm PDA? I don’t want to
invest in a new device ( platform ) if it going
to be “focus-shifted”…