Will Cell Phones Squash Palm?

PC World has published an editorial predicting that cell phones and voice technology will remove the need for PDAs and the wireless Web. Read it then please chime in below about whether you think Mr. Schwartz is correct or just blowing smoke.

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They'd better get another reporter

Prayer @ 8/10/2000 9:17:36 AM #
Only one true fact is stated in the article, namely that cell-phones and PDA's will converge in an hybrid device (e.g. Motorola, Nokia).

Will the wireless web disappear??? No. People want to receive only the things they want, that's true, but it's also true with an ordinary PC and the web didn't disappear either, did it? Some people just want to be able to surf the web from anywhere...

Partially True

Tony @ 8/10/2000 9:32:29 AM #
While I do agree with the fact that people whant bursts of info (what they want or scripted content for corprate use), I disagree that PDAs will disappear. However, I think the editor also agrees with that statemnt.. Notice he hides behind "as we know them today" ... Long live the PDA
RE: Partially True
Harold @ 8/10/2000 9:41:36 AM #
So how are you going to "take notes" or take down a number or info while you're on the cell phone if all you carry is a PDA and the cell phone *is* your PDA?

Solve that (and if we carried pens and pads with us, we wouldn't be carrying Palms...) and I'll believe it.

RE: Partially True
Jason @ 8/10/2000 2:28:47 PM #
Ever hear of headsets (or "earsets")? You'll be able to use your PDA while talking on it using an earphone and lapel mic.

Voice Mail Hell

Hared @ 8/10/2000 10:12:47 AM #
I think the new drive for voice controlled Internet access is just going to turn the Web into an endless round of Voice Mail Hell. You know, a snotty voice saying, "Please listen to all 40 options before making your choice. Push 1 for movie times, push 2 for stock quotes, push 3 to go slowly insane..."

Either that or the airports will be filled with people shouting at their phones, "NO, I said I wanted movie tickets, not monster trucks!!"

the coming food technology convergence

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2000 11:09:24 AM #
Because of the reduction in leisure time, we will eventually be able to buy exciting new appliances like combination microwave oven/toilets.

Vanishing PDAs? I doubt it.

Mike @ 8/10/2000 10:58:18 AM #
PDA design is a bit of an art. Right now I have a Palm Vx with a Silkyboard decal & software. I find this so amazingly more useable than my previous organizer (which got little use because of poor software design and an unmanageably small keyboard) that I actually use my Palm full-time to keep my life in some semblence of order. I'd be amazed if they can work this kind of useability into a cellular phone. I also have a 2-way text pager with PDA functions in it, and if I'd had it before the Palm, I might have used it, but not to the degree the Palm gets used.

While I can understand the appeal of all-in-one devices to some, I prefer to use devices that are optimized to thier purposes. A cell phone makes a great tool for talking to people, adding the functions for PDA starts to make for an unweildy device. A PDA is optimized for organizing your life, adding internet connectivity makes for a rather clunky box because of the extra hardware. Vitally important e-mails can be handled with a 2 way pager, the rest can wait.

I hope that specialized devices continue to exist even if we see the predicted convergence. If nothing else, I like to avoid single-point-of-failure situations.

Convergence is wishful thinking

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2000 11:38:27 AM #
For some folks who don't really find a PDA essential, the convergence of the cellphone and the PDA will seem like a natural. For me, I know it won't work unless I can access the PDA while I am on the phone. I do this now. This does not work in an integrated device even with voice support.
RE: Convergence is wishful thinking
Alex @ 8/11/2000 3:40:23 AM #
Of course it does. A good example is Nokia's Communicator. You can easily access your timeplanner or anything else, while you're talking. Why should'nt this work with a phone powered by PalmOS?
RE: Convergence is wishful thinking
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/11/2000 7:05:14 AM #
I have yet to see a phone that I be listening and talking on while I hold it 18 inches away viewing and entering data with my stylus. I can do this if I am wearing a headset but then I am back to carrying two devices again. The Palm allows me to work with any phone I need to use. I carry a very small phone optimized for being a phone. I always carry the PDA but not so the phone.
RE: Convergence is wishful thinking
Alex @ 8/11/2000 1:54:55 PM #
I allways leave my Nokia on the table to type in appointments while I'm talking. The
external speaker and microphone works really good.
I wish it was a Palm compatible device (so I'm waiting for the rumored new Nokia with PalmOS).
RE: Convergence is wishful thinking
Raishe @ 8/11/2000 3:29:54 PM #
http://it.asia1.com.sg/newsdaily/news001_20000612_prt.html" CLASS=NEWS TARGET=_NEW>http://it.asia1.com.sg/newsdaily/news001_20000612_prt.html
this is from an article way back in the day (6/12/2000).. before the thought of blue tooth headsets. i think we can all agree right now, at this very nanaosecond there is no perfect solution. there is the nokia with the palm os on the horizon. there is the nokia communicator.. there is this thing in the article that i can find no mention of on the manufacture's website (http://www.ubinetics.com).. but this device looks pretty phat.. when i am running around i typically just carry my fone.. and when i am running around for a length of time i will bring my palm too.. it would be nice to have something similar that combined both.. or even just a to do list and/or a calender on the phone.. i know there is one.. but who wants the sore thumb syndrome.. esp since workmans comp won't cover it. anyway check out the sites.. we all know theoretically we could just have a SIM card in our new clip on device for our palms and have a headset connect via bluetooth. lemme know what you guys think" CLASS=NEWS TARGET=_NEW>http://www.ubinetics.com).. but this device looks pretty phat.. when i am running around i typically just carry my fone.. and when i am running around for a length of time i will bring my palm too.. it would be nice to have something similar that combined both.. or even just a to do list and/or a calender on the phone.. i know there is one.. but who wants the sore thumb syndrome.. esp since workmans comp won't cover it. anyway check out the sites.. we all know theoretically we could just have a SIM card in our new clip on device for our palms and have a headset connect via bluetooth. lemme know what you guys think.

He Must Be Kidding

Larry B @ 8/10/2000 12:08:17 PM #
I can't imagine that these comments are from an industry 'expert.' He probably just wrote it to stir things up because the idea is so preposterous. Either that or he must be really pleased with his printer/scanner/fax-modem/answering-machine/coffee-maker and he's out there looking for other technologies that might merge in the future.

It seems Mr Schwartz has entirely ignored those things the Palm does so well (schedule planning, to do lists, contacts with comprehensive notes and general electronic file management). He assumes the ONLY thing people want from a handheld is wireless e-mail and Web, yet the vast majority of Palm users DON'T surf the web with their Palm, they manage their lives. Palms are replacing paper planners for the masses, not replacing desktop computers or web browsers.

I'd be willing to wager Mr Schwartz doesn't receive any job offers from tech companies because of his commanding knowledge of the industry and his visions for the future.

I'd be willing to bet he will be reporting the sale of the 20 millionth Palm device long before my cell phone HotSyncs with my desktop computer just to do a simple back up!

What's the address

Larry @ 8/10/2000 12:47:33 PM #
What's the web address for information on this new portal?

No way

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2000 1:04:53 PM #
I want to fight!

Is that practical?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2000 12:51:13 PM #
Great! Now I can view www.palminfocenter.com on my cell phone. Let me just enter the URL on the numeric keypad:

w(9), w(9), w(9), .(1,1), p(7), a(2), l(5,5,5), m(6), i(4,4,4), n(6,6), f(3,3,3), o(6,6,6), c(2,2,2), e(3,3), n(6,6), t(8), e(3,3), r(7,7,7), .(1,1), c(2,2,2), o(6,6,6), m(6)

Is this more convenient?

Without a practical form of input, I doubt a cell phone can directly compete with a PDA (especially for net access).

RE: Is that practical?
denisew @ 8/11/2000 1:26:34 PM #
Exactly, I would be entering data how? Hell recalling a number in memory if often more time consuming than dialing it out right. The screens would have to be a lot biggerand as a palm IIIc users I'm not going back to grayscale despite the case contructions issues that continue to plague the IIIc

Oh Sure

John Bomba @ 8/10/2000 1:53:06 PM #
He's as correct as Gates was when he predicted Microsoft B.O.B. would be the "next big thing" for Kid computing!

nokia+bluetooth+pda

dr.mabuse @ 8/10/2000 2:32:50 PM #
devices that are optimized to thier purposes and equipped with bluetooth
gives the picture of a tech.user with wireless microphone/earpiece- the cellphone in the pocket and the pda in your hand - all of them conected wireless with bluetooth-
- and if you upgrade one pice of the info chain - you can still use the other - wellcome to a brave new world -
you can read a book in the dark if you have a candle - but you need matches to - and matches might make you rich

Convergence will happen?

Michael @ 8/10/2000 3:30:24 PM #
It is all but certain that we will see a device that has both PDA and Cell Phone capabilities. It expect it will look like todays Palm PDA, but with a earpiece/microphone combination hanging down from the side, similar to hands free phone accessories available today. You'll dial the phone with a keypad on the PDA, or just speak the name of the person your calling and the PDA will locate the number in the phone book and dial it for you. You'll also do web surfing on the same unit.

Join your local Palm User Group TODAY!
For a list of PUG's, go to http://www.ne-palm.org/pug.htm" CLASS=NEWS TARGET=_NEW>http://www.ne-palm.org/pug.htm

Want to see the future? Click Here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2000 3:44:10 PM #
RE: Want to see the future? Click Here!
Eric @ 8/10/2000 5:51:38 PM #
Actually, I kinda like that. I wish they used palm os, or will use it in the future.
RE: Want to see the future? Click Here!
Vinod @ 8/11/2000 2:45:51 PM #
Where can I get this!!!!! Have any of you guys looked at it. It is both - the pda, and the phone. Incredible. No reason to have both a pda and a phone in my pockets - This is both!
RE: Want to see the future? Click Here!
Raishe @ 8/11/2000 3:38:54 PM #
now i wish i had read all the rants before spouting off on mine.. this thing is phat.. i might have to go on a diet just from seeing it. i personally feel (the views held by me may not reflect those held by you, your mom, or palmstation).. but i think it is a step in the right direction.

way of life

SigTerm @ 8/10/2000 4:06:51 PM #
Palm isn't only a h*ll of a PDA, it's a way of life! I wouldn't trade it for the world with an PDA'ish phone!!

Yes and No

kfgecko @ 8/10/2000 4:52:20 PM #
For the people who just use their PDA as an addressbook/calendar then, yeah, that market share will leave the PDA for the phone.

But for the rest of us who are moving more and more portable computing tasks into out palm, there's no way it's gonna replace it.

Why should they?

Don Strawsburg @ 8/10/2000 5:27:38 PM #
Why should Nokia, etc. do such a thing. Most people want a inexpensive phone. And may not have a need for a PDA. The cost of a combined unit, would reduce sales of phones. The revenue of two products is greater than of a single product.

Imagine a phone has wide as a Palm. But a Visor with a phone springboard might sell!

I read the article, wrote and submitted this comment from my Mobile Access T250 phone.

Erik @ 8/10/2000 5:44:27 PM #
I use a Palm Vx for work. For the wireless part I choose to WAP browse. I used to use Omnisky but I find WAP life more flexible in dealings with the non-techie crowd.

I read the article, wrote and submitted this comment from my Mobile Access T250 phone.

Erik @ 8/10/2000 5:46:33 PM #
I use a Palm Vx for work. For the wireless part I choose to WAP browse. I used to use Omnisky but I find WAP life more flexible in dealings with the non-techie crowd.

RE: Erics post

Jonathan K @ 8/10/2000 8:23:57 PM #
Why must this device run the Palm OS?
I recently purchased a Handspring Visor, during my search for software it became increasingly clear that only two PDA OS's were ever being mentioned Palm OS and WinCE.

This struck me as strange because there was a third popular OS EPOC32.

This didn't entirely surprise me because many of Psions products (original developers of EPOC) seem to have been ignored by the US were as here in the UK it seems to be vice versa with my search for UK vendors of Palm products has been extremely difficult.

Back to my point... My point really is that while the Palm OS has a wide following does not mean should dismiss any other PDA OS.

Both OS's have the flaws, PALM OS with its 4k record limit and its lack of a real word processor. EPOC with its limited US market appeal and its poor Sychronisation tools 'EPOC Connect'

But both OS's have there plus's to PALM OS has excellent Synch software and a compact design. EPOC has more powerful built in Apps (imho) and scalability in that not only can it run on a device such a Revo but also a Palm type device to even a sub notebook.

Basically just give it a chance, I use my Psion 5mx daily, alongside my Visor. I was willing to give the Palm OS a go and would be willing to give a CE device a go if I had the money.

Just dismiss EPOC or any other Pda OS without trying it first

Thanks for reading this and apologies to people who took up there valuable space on there palm/CE to read this

PDAs will merge with everything else

Chris @ 8/10/2000 11:11:31 PM #
This is how I see it. A single PDA like device, smaller, and simpler to use. With Voice recognition that really works. Integrated in this unit is a telephone, all pda and web browsing functions, as well as bluetooth and two way paging/ messaging. This will have a connectable eyeglass image projector, MP3, and MPEG player integrated. This one unit will replace everything else, and also add some more features, such as a digital camera with sound for video conferencing on the go.
Anyone with any foresight will see that total integration is the next logical step. After that, microchip implantation and direct video input to the optical nerve will follow.
You heard it here first!

Chris (quite possibly stark raving mad)

RE: PDAs will merge with everything else
Chris @ 8/10/2000 11:36:56 PM #
here is a URL for something that looks possible in the near future...
http://www.zdnet.com/yil/content/mag/0006/quest.html" CLASS=NEWS TARGET=_NEW>http://www.zdnet.com/yil/content/mag/0006/quest.html
RE: PDAs will merge with everything else
Chris @ 8/10/2000 11:36:56 PM #
here is a URL for something that looks possible in the near future...
http://www.zdnet.com/yil/content/mag/0006/quest.html" CLASS=NEWS TARGET=_NEW>http://www.zdnet.com/yil/content/mag/0006/quest.html

Ha HaHa

gourry @ 8/11/2000 2:43:38 AM #
ok. I don't have wireless web. Hrmm. I don't use a cellphone. Hrmm. I use my Visor for mainly email and phone # storage (and dang, it is So much easier to keep in touch when you don't loose friend's numbres) and avantgo. All of those I use through my old 486 and a serial hotsync cradle. as far as emails. Well I know some people who use email pagers, and they all about that. Then they see my whipout my visor, slap on the folding keyboard, and jack my thincom modem into the dataport on a payphone, and in 5 minutes i can bang out an email that would take them 20 minutes to write on their pager. Now they say "well why not just get a laptop if yer gunna do that" . Then I pop my keyboard off, fold it up and stick it in my pocket. then I snap the screen cover on and stick it in my other pocket. then I make some comment about how great it is to not to spend 300 a month on the pager service. At this point I stand back and try not to laugh as they weep. sometime If I am feeling cruel, I play void. now here is my point. I can enter data on my palm faster thanany celphone or those little $10 pdas. Slap on attachments, accecories, games, and a screen larger than then can ever dream aobut on a phone, and that is adding insult to injury. and like the guy saif, I bet the 20millionth palm os device will be sold before a cellphone ever hotsyncs with my desktop.

palm has a chance

Dermot Short @ 8/11/2000 5:32:02 AM #
palm might have a chance if they adopt colour, springboard or similar, blue tooth and wireless cheap internet it will only survive if teenagers think it's cool.

y'all need to wake up

snitch @ 8/11/2000 12:39:39 PM #
why must you all be so closed minded? confined to your happy little palm OS-run, non-multitasking, this is great because someone said so box? i'm not denying that the palm is cool but 70% of the palm users out there don't do anything more than use it as a glorified day-runner. these people would MUCH RATHER just carry a cell phone than a palm and a cell phone if this can achieve the same result.

and for you people who complained about text entry on a cell phone, get a nokia 82xx. i dare you. first, it has t9, second you can enter contacts in your pc and then send them to your phone, how hard is that? wake up people!

soon, when palms run on ARM processors and get more powerful you'll see. the avg. joe will have an advanced cell phone a la microsoft's stinger or the ericsson 380 or benefon's Q phone, and POWER users will be carrying their big, ugly pdas. get used to it.

Does It Really Matter?

Binx @ 8/11/2000 3:30:19 PM #
Eventually integration will occur, but the standalone handheld will continue to offer greater functionality, flexibility, ease of use @ a lower price than integrated units for a long time to come without all the tradeoffs. Case in point - the Qualcom / Palm phone which has almost nonexistent sales.

I doubt it...

James @ 8/11/2000 4:56:20 PM #
Will refridgerators replace the automobile? It's apples and oranges. PDA's and cell phones are entirely different entities. If one is the type of person who owns an all in one audio/video system, get a phone/PDA combo. They will be happy and life will be simpler. If one is a power user, specific devices for specific tasks is really the only option at this time as well as in the future imho.

The Merge of PDA/Cell makes a lot of sense!!

Roman @ 8/11/2000 4:39:41 PM #
Pda/Cell makes more sense(only if it is Palm/Cell) since many of us carry both anyway. The only disadvantage of this combination is you cannot use both of them at the same time. E.g. you need to talk and check appointments at the same time. I would love to buy a Palm/Cell combo if it were small enough and I believe they will be. Currently Palm Vx is 3 inches wide, thus a possible size of the phone theoratically could be 3 inches width by 3 inches height foldable from two pieces. One piece would contain the display and the other buttons and entry pad. So the whole piece shouldn't that big. In the future foldable screens could make the phone even smaller. Also if dot pitch improves from .29 to .22 , the screen could be made smaller.

Fusion one

Chris @ 8/12/2000 3:24:06 PM #
Check out the webpage, Fusionone allows tou to sync data from your handheld to your( or anyone elses) PC
AND to your cell phone through a internet based system.!!!

www.fusionone.com

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