 |
ZDNet published an interview with the Head of Technological Department Palm Bill Maggs (pictured - Bill Maggs), which is a little bit about the current situation of the company and some looked to the future. Bill Maggs raised the issue of competition with Microsoft, which still lags behind Palm's popularity. In the autumn, when the Palm is to lead in sales figures, research agency Meta Group predicted that Microsoft will have at least 50% of sales in the PDA market. But in summer, but Palm still holds its 80% and is not going to loosen his grip. There is a perception that the rate of sales in recent months can not objectively present the general situation with the CPC, as Microsoft just recently introduced Pocket PC and users do not have time to properly absorb the goods. But sales - the main indicator of popularity, and the conversations that Pocket PC has a huge potential yet have no effect on this indicator. Now the user selects a proven, simple and aimed it at him, saying more research, targeted product. Pocket PC has a bright future. This is a really strong competitor and Palm should not be complacent.
 |
But back to the interview with Bill Maggs. In his view, Microsoft is spending big money to convince users that they really need a full-fledged "Wintel box" in the pocket. Palm also comes to the subject easier, producing a product meeting customer needs here and now, and it therefore has great popularity. This applies to bulkiness and unsuitability of Windows CE for Pocket PC, then this was too much to say. Microsoft has responded to the charges as follows: slightly changed some of the features in the operating system, making the job easier, and began to actively promote the Pocket PC is not just as an organizer, as well as a real PDA. Here, too, has some truth. The only question is, Do I need a real handheld user, and what it is. In addition, Bill Maggs confirmed that the company intends to integrate the wireless connection in all models of Palm. Yet produced only one model with built-in wireless connectivity - Palm VII. Rumors of these plans have already appeared on the web, and now, we can assume they were officially confirmed by the representative of the company. In general, Bill Maggs believes that the fundamental difference between the mobile Internet on your Palm and desktop PCs or laptops is that, working with the PC you are adjusting to the Internet and on handheld Internet adapts to you. This refers to the fact that Palm users will not necessarily somewhere special to go and do something to get online. "Palm tends to the natural and helps the user to live my real life ... And this - our main position," - said Bill Maggs.
 |
Wicked journalist asked cautiously, not prevent a Palm Computing activities of licensees, of course referring to Handspring. His question is quite logical, because in recent Handspring unfolds very active. Important news about the company's activities appear daily, constantly enter into agreements and release new devices expand. In addition, Handspring products are not so long ago began to spread through a network of online stores, including through Amazon.com. Popularity Visor PDA is so increased that level of sales of devices over the Internet often becomes higher than the model Palm.On this Bill Maggs said that Palm carefully selects partners. In the case of Handspring, a company gets a lot of money from the licensee OC, and while that revenue from licensing than the damage from competition with the manufacturer. To date, Palm has a leading position among the producers of the CCP and its market position already established. Maggs has compared the current situation with the position of Palm Yahoo in 1997. Interviews did not bring any surprises, but reaffirmed a number of informal reports of plans for the future of Palm. Camym interesting event will surely be the integration of wireless communications in popular models of PDAs Palm, but when it happens, it's hard to say. The simple fact is that Palm must constantly be active, without losing its leading position in the PDA market. That's why we can assume that the models with wireless connectivity will be available in late summer 2000, and their prototypes will be presented at PC Expo 2000. Sources, Materials: