HTC Assessing Its Own Operating System
Bloomberg continues to drive the Palm speculation this week with another auspiciously timed piece. Their latest headline suggests that HTC is looking into having its own smartphone software platform. Without going into details the article also touches on the Palm acquisition meme, though HTC's chief financial officer declined to comment on the issue.
"We continue to assess, but that requires a few conditions to justify" having our own system, Cheng Hui-ming, chief financial officer of the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based company, said in a phone interview today.
HTC's own operating system would enable the company, which designs and produces phones using Google and Microsoft software, to reduce its reliance on outside developers. HTC is among possible bidders for Palm Inc., three people familiar with the situation said this month.
Thanks to engadget for the tip.
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RE: Very interesting
If the Pre had been successful, Apple would have sued Palm's pants off.
Palm's patents are predated by several of Apple's iphone patents (along with the Newton).
Considering that Palm hasn't sued anyone for violating their patents nor have they licensed them, it really brings into question the value of these patents.
RE: Very interesting
RE: Very interesting
First. The execs comments are totally benign (not that they could be trusted anyway) concerning an in-house OS. Read it. He says nothing but factual information indicating nothing for HTC's future. Do we even know when this was said? 2008? Who knows.
Second. Absolutely no information about an HTC buyout is given. Bloomberg puts two realities in one article. One, HTC does not have it's own OS and could create one if it wanted to. Two, Palm has an absolutely killer OS, but they are on the auction block.
While I'm glad Ryan brought this, the article has nothing any more valuable than Engadgets "HTC + Palm Could Make Beautiful" babies fanboy piece. This leaves me with the opinion that once again Wall Street is fanning speculation for it's positions that it plans to profit nicely from. Who at Bloomberg is connected with whom with a huge Palm position that will profit when buyout speculation runs the price of Palm outrageously beyond it's actual value. That's the news here IMO.
Pat Horne
RE: Very interesting
I think HTC said it recently and they're just thinking. Maybe they won't do anything, and maybe they'll make their own OS, but yet they may be considering buying Palm.
Now I know the article said nothing reliable about HTC buying Palm. Earlier in the week there was articles about HTC buying Palm and now someone at HTC brings up the idea of them having their own OS, so we're discussing it. It may not happen, but who knows it could.
Last week the CEO of Palm said they weren't even thinking of selling. So either something happened in the last few days or they're just seeing if its worth selling.
jca666us If the Pre had been successful maybe Apple would have sued Palm and maybe not. Maybe Palm hasn't sued anyone because they didn't want to. Maybe the CEO isn't the type to sue over everything like Steve Jobs is. Also when two companies have a good patent library its like nuclear war. If one fires, the other is going to fire and neither may win. So maybe Palm just didn't find it worth suing someone else. See Apple sued HTC because HTC doesn't have a lot of patents, but if they would have sued Google, Google would have gone for the throat and may have one or it may have been a stalemate and both sides not only loose but spend tons of money on lawyers and court fees.
RE: Very interesting
That would sound plausible except for the fact that we've always heard about Palm's legendary patent portfolio.
If Palm has such a great patent portfolio, they have three reasons to suing:
1. Their patents are being infringed upon.
2. Successful patent lawsuits will bring much needed cash into the company.
3. The publicity over any lawsuits would alert potential suitors to the true value of the company.
Maybe the CEO isn't the type to sue over everything like Steve Jobs is.
More often than not, Apple has been on the receiving end of these lawsuits.
Also when two companies have a good patent library its like nuclear war. If one fires, the other is going to fire and neither may win. So maybe Palm just didn't find it worth suing someone else.
Or perhaps Palm knows their patents are weak and they'd likely lose any potential lawsuit.
See Apple sued HTC because HTC doesn't have a lot of patents, but if they would have sued Google, Google would have gone for the throat and may have one or it may have been a stalemate and both sides not only lose but spend tons of money on lawyers and court fees.
I agree HTC is an easy target, however if Apple successfully sues HTC, then they'll have a precedent for going after any other companies infringing upon their IP.
RE: Very interesting
Palm is moving forward it is an innovative enterprise with a strong brand that can weather the storm and access the best of Palm's past present and future. Perhaps Palm works on the honor system by which an enterprise will come to Palm to use its assets. This way Palm does not have to litigate yet still maintain a strong intellectual portfolio.
Palm is a humble enterprise that is very confident in its ability to innovate. One would trust that no one would acquire Palms intellectual content (brain) without paying true market price.
It would be interesting to know at what price Palms stock must be to stay an innovative North American enterprise that could build a Palm Classic and build the jewel. The classic could be made of titanium and the Jewel of 14K or 10K gold. Stirling silver is an option too.
Just some thoughts to kick around.
E-T
e-tellurian
Completing the e-com circle with a people driven we-com solution
WiFi & BT? No strings attached
we_tellurian@canada.com
RE: Very interesting
HellcatM wrote:
Last week the CEO of Palm said they weren't even thinking of selling. So either something happened in the last few days or they're just seeing if its worth selling.
Jon Rubinstein doesn't have much credibility on that subject (among many subjects):
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63C1FZ20100413
Not "Pre-verted"- Android Assimilation?
RE: Very interesting
jca666us wrote:
Maybe Palm hasn't sued anyone because they didn't want to.That would sound plausible except for the fact that we've always heard about Palm's legendary patent portfolio.
If Palm has such a great patent portfolio, they have three reasons to suing:
1. Their patents are being infringed upon.
2. Successful patent lawsuits will bring much needed cash into the company.
3. The publicity over any lawsuits would alert potential suitors to the true value of the company.
The more I think about it, regardless of any effect of HTC and Palm's IP sale and participation with RPX Inc, WebOS and the fabled Patent Portfolio are so closely tied that one IP may be worth considerably less without the other.
Although defensive patent ligation is costly, the related question of value in buying a single company for a potential license opportunity that may not bring a revenue stream of any size is tough to weigh. Similarly, if a company thought Palm's PP meant a worthwhile defense from an Apple-HTC-type suit, you would think something would have surfaced before this point, especially given Ruby's "really, truly, I'm not looking for a buyer" fibbing.
The SCO business model aside, patent enforcement is an expensive and costly long-game strategy that wouldn't seem to serve Palm well, and taking into account the months or years such a tactic would take until it provided a license revenue stream, wouldn't seem to fit the 90 to 180 day survival window they seem to face right now, especially given their channel inventory. Even if they could develop a license revenue stream tomorrow, those streams don't typically produce the scale of cash flow Palm immediately needs.
MDB Capital's Bright Light Conference Revelations, and convenient (contrived?) timing aside, any subterfuge can be cleared with getting down the belief, (if any) that WebOS can still command enough of a market niche (or gain a foothold in a "new" market) to attract a sale. The results of Palm's attempt to execute on that premise with an immature OS and rough hardware leaves some deep questions.
Not "Pre-verted"- Android Assimilation?
Well.. well.. well..
I used to be one of those hardcore Palm OS fans that would buy all the handhelds up there in the 499-599$ price range. Those were the good old days for Palm huh?
Now, I still use my T5/TX and when they die, I don't know what I will do. I am using my iPod more and more.
Anyhow, I see Palm is collapsing. I would like to that a moment to say:
"I told you so!"
The Palm fanbase repeatedly warned Palm against
1- splitting off into Palm and PalmSource
2- giving up its diversified portfolio of Handhelds vs Treos
3- going the way of Windows Mobile
4- Giving up the Folio
5- handing over all power to the carriers.
on and on and on..
My advice,
1- HTC buyout Palm Inc
2- HTC buyout Palmsource
3- HTC merge both
4- Add handhelds back to the product line, running on WebOS (with a free built in Palm OS emulator)
5- make a new device to mimic iPad
handhelds (freedom from carriers)
phones (convenience for those who absolutely must have a cell)
tablets (for those who want a laptop/home desktop experience)
Diversity is the key, always has, there are no get rich quick schemes.
Back to the basics Palm!
RE: Well.. well.. well..
They should of remained humble and kept on with the line of Treos (alongside all their handheld lines).
As a consumer, my see credibility and confidence in companies that plow ahead like juggernauts in a stable, sustained way with their products. Not give up on them on a whim and try to be instant overnight stars and bet the house on a product like the Palm Pre.
2-3 years ago when I was a fan of Palm OS I promoted the hell out of it and everyone who knew me talked about Palm, and were always considering their products. Today at work, NOBODY even mentions the word Palm. It is all iPhone and Google phone talk now.
That is what you get for burning your bridges with your hardcore consumer base and the developers.
Sad.
RE: Well.. well.. well..
HTC merging PalmInc/PalmSource and bringing back a new line of complimentary handhelds running PalmOS/WebOS would be fun.
RE: Well.. well.. well..
To keep Palm a North American enterprise is still in the cards.
Building a Palm Classic and building a Palm Jewel utilizing the best of Palm past, present, and future can be done. It would put Palm product back into the premium market and premium stock price and keep Palm in North America.
E-T
e-tellurian
Completing the e-com circle with a people driven we-com solution
WiFi & BT? No strings attached
we_tellurian@canada.com
RE: Well.. well.. well..
E.T.,
Palm is barely an American company anymore. The assembly is all done abroad if I am not mistaken. As for the engineering brains behind product development, who the hell really knows how much is done in America. One of the last great American Palm intellects, Jeff Hawkins was spat on when Palm canceled his pet project the Folio like 2 weeks before its launch.
What are these 2 Palm models you are talking about? I think I read you somewhere else referring to jewel encrusted and gold plating? If so, that will never fly. Low price and high usefulness is what consumers buy.
RE: Well.. well.. well..
Oh my God what a disaster of a site. Boring as hell and only 2 products available, the Pre and the Pixi.
lol what a sick joke.
I see Rubinstein is no brighter than Colligan.
sidenote: I just read elsewhere on PIC that Dubinski (one of the Palm founders) FINALLY has recognized that splitting Palm into PalmInc (the VAR - value added reseller bullshit era) and PAlmSource was a mistake.
Better later than never I guess.
RE: Well.. well.. well..
Sold 14k or 10k gold, sold Sterling silver and real titanium no impostors ... please let's keep it real. Palm Jewel refers to the real precious metal used. The Palm Classic would be made of titanium. Certainly one could embed precious gems too. Give the customer what they want. Covering the whole spectrum assures that.
The Palm Jewel and Palm Classics has to be as precious on the inside as it will be on the outside.
E-T
e-tellurian
Completing the e-com circle with a people driven we-com solution
WiFi & BT? No strings attached
we_tellurian@canada.com
webOS security warning
RE: webOS security warning
It"s good to know companies are out there looking after the customer it would be beneficial to do that before the customer gets the product. We can only learn from the past to enhance the present and future. There is an i in innovation not team work. Companies that are assigned to break an OS or pass inspection would be responsible for future issues thus assigning ownership of future issues creating a quality incentive environment.
E-T
e-tellurian
Completing the e-com circle with a people driven we-com solution
WiFi & BT? No strings attached
we_tellurian@canada.com
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Very interesting
If it weren't for the Apple lawsuit I'd think HTC buying Palm would be good. The only thing is I'm not sure if HTC can afford to pay $1billion for Palm and support their legal fees and more money lost if they loose to Apple. If they buy Palm would their patents actually help with the Apple lawsuit? I think these are the things that HTC is thinking about.