Will Convergence Happen Around the Tablet PC?

7 Responses to “Will Convergence Happen Around the Tablet PC?”

pocketables, on January 17th, 2007 at 7:31 am Said:

Hmm. I’ve never heard the OQO referred to as a smartphone before. It can be used to make Internet calls (assuming users sign up with Sprint), but other than that, it’s not really a phone.
rosenft, on January 17th, 2007 at 6:54 pm Said:

You’re right that it’s a stretch to call it a smartphone….but it’s a small step for them to add bluetooth calling capability.
artis, on January 17th, 2007 at 9:19 pm Said:

I was thinking more along the lines of skype or vonage softphone over Sprint EVDO. Pair a bluetooth headset and a bluetooth Watch with caller ID display and speed dials and I can’t think of much else I’d need in terms of productivity and portability in one device. NO MORE SYNCING! Down with Hotsync!
dhumfleet, on January 17th, 2007 at 10:50 pm Said:

Just wondering if maybe we will see an article on a …. TREO? Not much goin on or what?

Wow! I’m a die hard treo owner, but that Iphone looks B. A.
rosenft, on January 18th, 2007 at 6:25 am Said:

Unlike Apple, Palm doesn’t pre-announce devices. In fact, Palm goes to great lengths to keep form factors and specifications secret until the very last minute. Palm insiders are saying that there will be an acceleration in device releases by Palm in 2007. There are indications a new high end device may be coming. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a monster release from Palm that takes the iPhone on directly.

One thing interesting to note is that the LifeDrive is quietly being ended. I read somewhere that Palm has already stopped shipping them to Europe, and that it will shortly be EOL in the US. It would be interesting to see a high end device appear in that form factor directly competing with the iPhone.

If Palm and Apple went head to head, I would bet on Palm. They have the experience to make the device work swimmingly. The iPhone already represents some questionable engineering choices– low data transfer rates (except via wifi) and no physical external keyboard. Who wants to use a stylus? Who wants two handed operation? Palm’s design abilities are key.

In any event, IMO it will be very interesting to see what 2007 holds in store. ;-)

Cheers
mw22, on January 22nd, 2007 at 6:51 pm Said:

maybe that third device will come about Suspect it to be a large screen possibly 5″ and similiar to xgen more a umpc device that will rival a pc
Jorozco, on January 23rd, 2007 at 3:49 am Said:

I wonder if you also think the future is the all in one device(business productivity software/high quality video camera /wifi(skype capable)/bluetooth, lots of storage, gps, hot swappable memory cards and phone of course) the size of let say a Palm? Something you can carry with you attached to your belt or in your pocket. I love my treo600 but it is completely insufficient today and the new treo models do not seem to be the solution. Besides been a business man I love to relax in my spare time that is why I need a good quality camera and a gps. There are some products in the market with this idea in mind I would like to see Palm taking a giant step with PalmOs in this direction