Comments on: PDA Market Continues Steep Decline

"Axims being phased out in 2207?"

Or maybe even in 2007. But seriously, I wonder if the PDA market's decline would stop if manufacturers would release some new devices. That hasn't happened in a while...

The Dock is nothing but a glorified Windows Quick Launch bar. Give me a Taskbar or give me death!

Yeh, I wonder if Palm were to actually _market_ - say - a VOIP wifi handset / PDA combo device would give that downward spiral another direction? Oh well ..

No one is making a PDA worth crap anymore. The battle is all smartphones. So it is no suprise that PDA sales are in the gutter.

The simple truth could be that few people and enterprises want or even need a PDA...

Sgiga, can you please tell us what you see as the difference between a PDA with phone capabilities and a phone with PDA capabilities?

I fail to see any difference in the same way that a horse with cart is different from a cart with horse, unless you're fool enough to put the cart before the horse or worse, the horse in the cart!

Also how would you define HTC's s710. It looks and works just like a phone until you slide the keyboard out and then it's a PDA.

Even a mildly refreshed Z33 (miniSD or SDHC slot, headphone jack) and a TX2 (larger capacity battery, 1gb internal flash, SDHC-capable slot, built-in MIC & charge LED, updated software bundle) would find takers in today's market. It would make sense for Palm to have a few MILDLY refreshed PDAs to debut alongside the Fooleo to bolster their presence at retail.

Remember, a lot of consumers (soccer moms, neolithic sales types etc) still only find out "what's new" from what they see at retail...they don't read magazines, peruse websites, or talk to techie types on a regular basis. Thus, the presence of any kind of Palm product/sighage/branding at the local BB, Staples or Office Depot is an invaluable asset.

2nd thought:
Barring a line of refreshed PDAs, it would be a fantastic move if Palm could somehow sell the GSM Treo 690/Gandolf at $199 unlocked at retail, blister packaging and all. It'd really pull the rug out from the under the carriers strangelehold that exists in the USA and might even let some nervous PDA types dip a toe into Treo waters...try out the device as a "Zire with keyboard" type machine first and then add a SIM card if they want to get online with it.

With "hip" styling (Palm's opinion, not mine) and no external antenna, it could really pass as T|C style PDA or a phone.

Off the top of my head, CompUSA is the only major US retailer (There are no Fry's around here) selling a wide variety of unlocked GSM handsets. But their asking prices are absolutely astronomical!

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

The PDA market is committing suicide. I have a Palm m515, which has been great. I would like to upgrade to a TX but I'm afraid that Palm will not support it. I really would prefer NOT to have a smartphone. Things I like about a PDA are the handwriting recognition (grafitti), ease of use of the Palm and what I would like is WIFI capability.
Palm seems determined to exterminate its own handhelds, as people have said, there are no new ones coming out. The Foleo seems to be a stupid idea. Who wants a dumbed-down laptop?
I really hate to see the death of the PDA as I have known it, but Palm seems to want to kill it. A newer version of the TX would restore confidence in the company. The Foleo doesn't cut it.

Palm owner since 3x, now m515, don't want smartphone

...by the PDA makers. No duh. How do they expect the market to grow when they aren't improving & expanding it any more??? I think there are lots of people who would still carry a PDA, for many uses. However, as we all know, developement has completely stagnated.

PDA's that are also great e-book readers, with bright big sharp screens for entertainment or medical & reference type stuff? PDA's that also have a HD and play music & movies WELL? PDA's that are full featered and 1/4" thick for pocketibility? PDA's with real, good, voice recognition & screen reader capability? PDA' with GOOD browsers to use over WIFI, & a battery that can last all day?

Hmmm. Nope, can't get any of these.

Handspring Visor, Palm V, Treo 180, Treo 90, Treo 600, Treo 650, Treo 700p
MTT

Sure they did Gekko. But they also offered us significantly better devices to upgrade to, devices that exceeded the VCR in specs and features.

But that's why some people around here are still using their old PDA's. Palm has yet to offer a true upgrade cf. the specs and features of those people's PDA's. Instead Palm wants us all to upgrade to a single form factor smartphone that is a downgrade cf. too many of the specs and features already present on those "extinct" PDA's the people are holding on to (screen size, Wifi, device size, expandability, battery life, etc.).

When Palm offers a true upgrade, whether it be a smartphone or another PDA, these people will probably buy it. Until then, they'll complain.


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