New Palm OS

[astonred]

I'm intregued to hear any new info on Palms up and coming OS anyone seen any screen shots, specs of device needed to run it etc??

oh, and sorry to be a bit thick here but whats the deal with the Centro using the Access Palm thingy?

[StoneRyno]

Which new OS? The linux based one we were supposed to see that runs all previous palmOSes? Or some other OS? Do they even have any announced upcoming PDAs, other than Treo smartphones?

[Dick Tracy]

PalmSource (who made PalmOS, Desktop and Hotsync) were acquired by Access in late 2005. A legal agreement does not allow Access to use "Palm powered" or the Palm name so their name appears on all devices using GarnetOS that were launched after the date the legal agreement specified.

As to the new OS Palm is working on, they have repeatedly and firmly stated that no information will be coming out until they are ready to announce it. There have been no leaks.

[Josser]

The new OS is code named NOVA. A Google search for 'Palm NOVA' should keep you updated.

[sgosnell]

The new OS from Access has been rumored to be coming Real Soon Now for a couple of years. So keep on looking for it Real Soon Now, probably some time in this century.

[Josser]

The new OS from Access has been rumored to be coming Real Soon Now for a couple of years. So keep on looking for it Real Soon Now, probably some time in this century.
Access Linux Platform (ALP) has been out for two years, still no takers.

[StoneRyno]

After reading recent articles on NOVA it would appear palm realized their mistake in not retaining design control over the OS aspect of devices. I look forward to seeing it and new devices. Hopefully we will start seeing devices and the OS before 2008 ends. It would also be sweet if we can put the new OS on existing devices. I would concider updating to a newer existing device if I can use the new OS on it.

[danielmaradona]

Access Linux Platform (ALP) has been out for two years, still no takers.

It is strange that ALP has been touted to be the next generation of Mobile Operating System and still yet no phone has used this OS commercially except for those few prototype units that we saw last year. We can see the this might be the repeat of Cobalt wherein the platform is ready for release but nobody bothered to take it.

[danielmaradona]

http://www.palm.com/us/company/corporate/
I think the next generation of Palm OS will look like this..... Hopefully the improvement will be under the hood that will allows it to use multiple network connections and take advantage of the GSM 3G network. Ed Colligan has recently stated that the direction that they are aiming to introduce built-in web features.

[Josser]

It is strange that ALP has been touted to be the next generation of Mobile Operating System and still yet no phone has used this OS commercially except for those few prototype units that we saw last year. We can see the this might be the repeat of Cobalt wherein the platform is ready for release but nobody bothered to take it.
Cobalt was never finished, it was abandoned after no interest was shown by Palm in using it.

"What Isn't in Palm OS Cobalt... Yet (http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=10900)". Cobalt was abandoned soon after this article was posted. Multitasking was only a single thread, i.e. a placeholder in the program, Filemanager missing, 3d graphics missing, new PIM's half written, non of the telephony features.

[sgosnell]

I think that except for smartphones, Palm is dead, and may be on life support there too. It seems as if Palm just lost interest, and I've lost interest in Palm. It was great while it lasted, but life goes on, and technology moves on.

[StoneRyno]

I haven't given up hope for palm completely yet. Recent news of when we can expect new devices with the new OS could mean new life for palm and those of us who are looking for PDAs to better suite our needs and wants that current palm PDAs offer. The world of mobile computing (PDAs) is changing rabidly towards being more like a pc in the palm of your hand and it sounds like palm is taking hold of that and working towards providing handhelds to meet the needs and wants of the consumers.

[Josser]

I haven't given up hope for palm completely yet. Recent news of when we can expect new devices with the new OS could mean new life for palm and those of us who are looking for PDAs to better suite our needs and wants that current palm PDAs offer. The world of mobile computing (PDAs) is changing rabidly towards being more like a pc in the palm of your hand and it sounds like palm is taking hold of that and working towards providing handhelds to meet the needs and wants of the consumers.
Jeff Hawkins says "NO NEW PDA's" (http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilephones/accessories/0,239025938,339278150,00.htm);
Q: This product (Foleo) seems to be the final shovel of dirt over the PDA's grave. Do you see any room left for innovation in smaller PDA devices?

JH: I don't know. Do you think of the iPod as a PDA device? I think the things people traditionally did with a PDA are more and more being done with a smart phone. We're not investing in that area much. That's not a secret. And of course the business is declining. I don't think it's declining just because we're not investing in it. We're not out to kill the PDA business. It's a good business. We still sell millions of them. That line is in its later years. It's mature. It's declining. We are not actively looking for a really clever thing to do in that space. It's probably not going to come from us.

[Jesus is Lord!]

Other than connectivity (Wi-Fi, better Bluetooth stack, 3g for GSM and much better web browsing) and multitasking, I don't know how the Palm OS can be improved (I would like a status bar on my Centro, like my TX has on the bottom of the screen). POS is just so quick and simple to use; and very stable. My Centro resets about once a month, or longer. Of course, POS could use a fresh look, but Skin UI (thanks, Dimitry!) goes a long way to solving that issue. Hardware is another story all together.

Louis :)

[Dick Tracy]

Jeff Hawkins appears to be former officer of Palm now. We don't know what Rubenstein & Co. are planning hardware wise. Hopefully they will surprise us in a positive way.

[StoneRyno]

I wonder if we will get any preliminary info on the new OS and devices for it in the very near future or if we will continue to have to wait until nov/dec before hearing anything special.

[JavaJiveJump]

... It would also be sweet if we can put the new OS on existing devices. I would consider updating to a newer existing device if I can use the new OS on it.
That would be sweet, but I heard from Alan G that this is unlikely. You'll just have to Pimp your Palm (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1049464#post1049464) to its max in the meantime. :)

[palmgeek5394]

That would be sweet, but I heard from Alan G that this is unlikely. You'll just have to Pimp your Palm (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1049464#post1049464) to its max in the meantime. :)
There are several reasons Palm is most likely not going to allow for an upgrade. Some of them are that most newer TXs have ROM, not flash, the E2 and Z22 probably don't have quite enough horsepower to run it very well (Same goes for current Treos and the Centro.), and they wouldn't make nearly as much money as they would if they were to sell a new device and OS. Unless they charges major $$ for it, of course. ;)

[StoneRyno]

I plan to buy a new device also but would love to also put the new OS on my T5 if it is feasible. Obviously if the OS requires hardware the T5 doesn't have or isn't powerful enough I wouldn't want it on it. I may even sell my T5 when the time comes dependant on the new OS. I seriously hope they hold to their word on making it able to run previous palm OS apps.

[palmgeek5394]

I plan to buy a new device also but would love to also put the new OS on my T5 if it is feasible. Obviously if the OS requires hardware the T5 doesn't have or isn't powerful enough I wouldn't want it on it. I may even sell my T5 when the time comes dependant on the new OS. I seriously hope they hold to their word on making it able to run previous palm OS apps.
The T5 is flashable (Some have flash ROM, some just have a flashable overflow [like mine]), has a higher default clock speed, and more memory. It's highly possible to clear the ROM (if yours has flash ROM.), install the new OS and a new FS, and start a zero out reset to reformat the RAM and internal drive. Maybe even have 256MB of RAM? :cool: But then again, if Palm is in major trouble, how are they going to make that much money from selling just an OS (if they were to make much, it would have to cost a lot for an OS upgrade.)? Besides, it's better to run an OS on the device it was intended to.

[JavaJiveJump]

There are several reasons Palm is most likely not going to allow for an upgrade. Some of them are that most newer TXs have ROM, not flash, the E2 and Z22 probably don't have quite enough horsepower to run it very well (Same goes for current Treos and the Centro.), and they wouldn't make nearly as much money as they would if they were to sell a new device and OS. Unless they charges major $$ for it, of course. ;)
Yes, I hear you. I still would wish that Palm wouldn't leave it's Palm OS 5 units in the dust. Maybe also release an upgrade to 5 that would give it a few of the enhancements, if possible. Of course, the hardware, like you said, is probably too limited to support whatever they are coming out with, but I don't want to discard my LD all together. I still have my old Clie's lying around. Well, one is my alarm clock. But it's sad that the device I tweaked and loved is now just a shell of it's former glory. :')

[Josser]

Palm has stated,
Garnet would still be used for consumer class devices
Nova OS for the new prosumer class
and WM for professional class.

[dmitrygr]

Garnet would still be used for consumer class devices
Nova OS for the new prosumer class
and WM for professional class.

translation: "thanks for buying, suckers!"

[palmgeek5394]

translation: "thanks for buying, suckers!"
Psst... Wouldn't that be "suckas"? ;) :rolleyes:

[alt236]

Palm has stated,
Garnet would still be used for consumer class devices
Nova OS for the new prosumer class
and WM for professional class.

So, let me get this straight:
Palm will provide three different, practically non-compatible (apart from Garnet -> Nova with an unknown compatibility level) operating systems to three vaguely defined categories of consumers? And will not aim it's own OS to the professional tier?

a. Good to see that they have faith in their product.
b. I don't even want to image the level of technical support they will be offering.
c. And this is going to help the company how? By splitting their resources by three?

[dmitrygr]

a. Welcome to the post-2004 world
b. Technical what? what is this "technical support" you speak of?
c. Help? Same way Gorbachev helped the USSR - make it fall apart and quickly

[alt236]

a. Welcome to the post-2004 world
b. Technical what? what is this "technical support" you speak of?
c. Help? Same way Gorbachev helped the USSR - make it fall apart and quickly

a. What can I say. I need to wake up and face reality. I'm still too idealistic :)
b. In the land of old, there was a legend about a group of people who were paid to help others to use the products of their guild. Surprisingly, they are extinct now :p
c. Surprisingly, that's what crossed my mind when I read the original bit :)


Oh well. Palm is SOL if they adopt this strategy. I wonder who makes these decisions... Even fresh graduates would not propose something like this.

[LupeValenz]

I am curious on what type of device will Palm use. Will it be a true touc screen where you use your fingers or will they keep the stylus. Me, I would like them keeping the stylus and have something like Decuma because I still like that natural writing but with this post iPhone era I'm afraid it is going to be a non-stylus touchscreen.

[davidconrad10]

So, let me get this straight:
Palm will provide three different, practically non-compatible (apart from Garnet -> Nova with an unknown compatibility level) operating systems to three vaguely defined categories of consumers? And will not aim it's own OS to the professional tier?

a. Good to see that they have faith in their product.
b. I don't even want to image the level of technical support they will be offering.
c. And this is going to help the company how? By splitting their resources by three?
[Just saw this somewhat outdated thread and this thought occurred to me:]

I doubt that Palm has any intention of selling--let alone "supporting"--three different OS's. Remember that they are still selling Garnet today. Were they to announce "we are dumping Garnet the instant we can get Nova out the door," it would depress whatever sales of Zires and TX's they might have otherwise made in the meantime. If they ever do come out with a Nova device, I expect that they will then drop the Zire and TX and all interest in Garnet along with them.

[StoneRyno]

I imagine the will have 3 product lines: PDAs (touchscreen/stylus), book type (netbook/foleo style), and smartphones (touchscreen, etc styles that are popular).

[phreakonaleash]

no, they won' release any more PDAs becuase
1) it isn't worth R&D costs,
2) it's too small a uesr base,
and 3) pdas appeal to a group of people outside of palm's (now) target demographics: Centro toting teens and others who want a cheap SM device with QWERTY, and the Treo toting businessers...

http://tinyurl.com/3yeug5 <-- at least since we had this discussion they've added the centro base. I cannot see the PDA base coming back strong enough though.

[Lamboguy2]

There are several reasons Palm is most likely not going to allow for an upgrade. Some of them are that most newer TXs have ROM, not flash, the E2 and Z22 probably don't have quite enough horsepower to run it very well (Same goes for current Treos and the Centro.), and they wouldn't make nearly as much money as they would if they were to sell a new device and OS. Unless they charges major $$ for it, of course. ;)

Now your saying that the newer txs have rom. Does my tx have rom or flash? I got a brand new one in dec. of 07. What I heard is that it was made in feb of 07. So do i have rom or flash

[phreakonaleash]

search 1src for RomFlashCheckerV3...
It's in the nuRom thread. It'll tell you

[Church Punk]

no, they won' release any more PDAs becuase
1) it isn't worth R&D costs,
2) it's too small a uesr base,
and 3) pdas appeal to a group of people outside of palm's (now) target demographics: Centro toting teens and others who want a cheap SM device with QWERTY, and the Treo toting businessers...

http://tinyurl.com/3yeug5 <-- at least since we had this discussion they've added the centro base. I cannot see the PDA base coming back strong enough though.


this guys is right. I have been inactive for a while because of this. Got my Centro and things are ok now but i def. miss my TX (resets very often now).

oh well, PalmOS wolrd :)

[LupeValenz]

How would you all design the new handheld for the Palm OSII/Nova? I'm not sure but I don't want that plastic design and would love to see them use the Rubberized paint. I still love the feel of the 755P in my hand, it feels solid, sturdy, and not going to slide out of my grip. Maybe a flip phone with dual screen, the main app on the top half and the botton half will be touch screen as well and it will change the buttons depending on the type of app your in, ex: phone app, the touch screen at the bottom will change to dial pad layout, music player will have music controls, email will have qwerty input. Thats just an example as it seems flip phones are still pretty popular to sell but I would like to have that Treo Pro design in rubberized paint, thats looking so nice to me :)

[StoneRyno]

I want netbook style. About 7" wide and proper ratio depth (5" [4:3]) (4" [16:9]). Thickness I would think under 1". I don't recall the thickness of others or the foleo. Combination touch screen and mouse style navigation would be neat though I am fine with either. Qwerty KB that fits within the dimentions. Must have excellent WiFi and BT connection cababilities. Should have plenty of internal storage space and have memory card slot(s) SDHC (is this pretty much the norm? I don't hear much about CF and memstick). If the memory card can be used for everything the internal memory can and is just as good then internal memory size isn't as big a deal. The battery must last a long time none of this 3 hours of reading email or browsing the web and the battery is dead crap quite a few of these other netbook style devices are plagued with. I should be able to get at least 16 hours or more heavy use out of it before needing to charge the battery. I wouldn't expect the battery to last that long for watching video but my T5 battery lasts about 6 hours watching video. Playing games, taking notes, reading ebooks, working with docs, and similar activity I get probably at least 30 hours out of the battery.

[Josser]

How would you all design the new handheld for the Palm OSII/Nova?
Nova IS a Web-centric Feature Phone OS just like the iFon and ill-suited to a true PDA. With most data saved to web servers for access anywhere a PDA user would need to be near a WiFi hotspot to access his data, just like the iDouch users.

I do not have high expectations about NOVA, I fear Palm will surpass Apples Web-centricity and not store any data on the handset or any 3rd apps, the Nova handset will be a dumb-terminal that accesses all programs and data from a web-server. It will be a sad day indeed.

But all we know for sure is that Nova IS a Web-centric Feature Phone OS.

[JavaJiveJump]

ugh! That's junk!

One big Palm advantage currently is it's diversity with 3rd party apps and local data. I synch wirelessly from time to time, but that's just with my PC on my network. Not some kind of web server cloud.

between this and smartphones, gone are the good days of the best handhelds, I fear.

[toymaker]

Josser, I don't know what your sources are but Palm has repeatedly said that NOVA is legacy app friendly. It will work with most properly coded PalmOS 5 apps. You are right that they are planning a big part of it to be about the Web experience but that doesn't mean an Apple-like strategy of Web based apps. Even Apple learned from that mistake with v2.0.

[Josser]

Josser, I don't know what your sources are but Palm has repeatedly said that NOVA is legacy app friendly. It will work with most properly coded PalmOS 5 apps. You are right that they are planning a big part of it to be about the Web experience but that doesn't mean an Apple-like strategy of Web based apps. Even Apple learned from that mistake with v2.0.
Why stop at ARM apps and leave Dragonball coded apps behind? So NOVA will have an ARM emulator that has an embedded Dragonball simulation layer? OK, Right.

The legacy apps statements all predate former Apple employees taking over. The latest statements from the former Apple employees at Palm all say 'Web-Centric OS', all your data anywhere etc. and never mention legacy apps any more.

As far as my sources, I'm just payin' attention :D