Would you buy a Palm webOS-based Tablet Device? Don't Hold your Breath 6
That's the question that Jason Perlow asked in his Tech Broiler post ("The Ultimate Tablet: On Palm's webOS?") at ZDnet.com. Perlow muses about the tablet form-factor and the possibilities from Palm's webOS...
"Palm’s webOS has all the DNA to be the ideal embedded OS for a mass market mid-sized touchscreen tablet device that would serve the functions of browser, PDA, media player and e-book reader. Its Mojo development platform is reputed to be very easy to create software for. And unlike Google, Palm has the most experience of developing and shipping successful handheld devices and software than any other company in existence, Apple included."
All of which is very nice, but at D7 Jon Rubinstein just quashed those rumors -- at least for awhile. When asked about tablets, he replied "We're very focused on smartphones. [...] Our focus right now is smartphones." In other words, the tablet Foleo II is a little ways off. Bummer.
Thanks to Spidermonkey The Pre Tablet (NetPilot Tablet) Design Concept!
6 Comments
methinks that some licensing might make this possible. Of course, I know that Palm won't try to repeat the spin-off fiasco that was palmsource, but I know that once tablets become cheaper (and webOS could certainly help bring that about) we could see a tablet running webOS. Whether Palm wants to spend their own short $$$ on r&d for that...I don't know. But they might license it...
This would be awesome as a tablet. Of course, it will never happen, but it's nice to think about.
I don't see why this couldn't be a hit. especially if the pre is a solid hit. I mean the netbook sector is blowing up and all they really do is surf the net and make word files from what I've heard. if this processor is powerful enough, maybe two working tandem? is that possible? keep the capacitive touch. add in a nice sliding keyboard. bam netbook contender, no? I don't know, I'm probably dreaming hahaha.
Definitely ! ! ! In a heartbeat. Must be priced right - like the Pre.
They stated they are focusing on smartphones. What did they call the Foleo? A smartphone companion. Also the question was asked for a netbook. This does not mean that Foleo will not be released. But also Palm need Pre to be a hit. If it does not then it does not matter about Foleo II or another smartphone.
So does this mean eReader and Mobipockets won't have programs developed for the Pre? This is an absolute dealbreaker for me if I am not able to read eBooks on the Pre.