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    Apple vs Palm & 3rd Party AppsPosted By: Kris Keilhack on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:28:57 PM
Palm's Mark Bercow, the senior vice president of business development is quoted several times within the article on his role of chief evangelist of the Palm OS to the software development community. In short, Mr. Bercow states that the industry trend is heading towards openness of platforms and standards, something which stands in distinct contrast to the ironclad grip that both Apple and AT&T wield over nearly every aspect of the much-ballyhooed yet much-maligned iPhone.
For the most part, Palm has long enjoyed a positive relationship with their 3rd party developers, often touting the Palm OS’s strength of “thousands” of available software applications. For the time being, it would seem to behoove Palm to continue to play on the openness of its OS and the huge installed base of applications. Of course, doing so would place even greater importance on maintaining some sort of backwards compatibility layer in Palm’s future Linux-based “Palm OS II”. Mr. Bercow does not make any statements one way or another regarding Palm's future OS plans, short of discussing Palm's rather lenient rules regarding 3rd party development. Interestingly enough, no mention is made within the article that the actual Garnet OS code employed by Palm on much of its Treo line is actually owned by Japan’s Access Software and licensed to Palm Inc. under terms of a perpetual licensing agreement. Another interesting figure revealed in Hansell’s article is the statistic given by Palm that 2/3 of Treo owners purchased at least one third-party application. Then, quite surprisingly, Palm claims that ten percent of those users own ten or more third-party applications. It would be quite interesting to see any available data on what percentage of those Treo owners have decided to pay for full-featured or upgrade versions of the software Palm bundles with their devices. For example, most recent Palm Treos have shipped with some version of Dataviz’s Documents To Go v8.x, despite the fact that v10.001 is the most recent version of that application. One facet behind Apple’s fierce control over the iPhone’s available applications can possibly be found in Palm’s recent past. The fragmented nature of the Palm OS developer community, combined with historically difficult relationships between smaller software developers and Palm/PalmSource have led to, at best, numerous instances of “broken” applications from one device to another. At worst, many developers have chosen to cancel or scale back all Palm OS development, due in some part to the various tinkering performed to the OS 5.x kernel by Palm over the past five years. In a recent example, only Palm’s new $99 Centro ships with Normsoft’s Pocket Tunes 4 Deluxe, a $37.95 add-on for any other Palm device. All of Palm’s other Treos and PDAs bearing higher MSRPs than the Centro ship with only Pocket Tunes 3.x Basic, RealPlayer, or no MP3 functionality at all. This increased emphasis on bundled software is a win-win situation for Palm’s users but the increased out-of-the-box functionality might irk certain Palm 3rd party developers, somewhat mirroring the European Union’s protests against Microsoft’s pre-installed Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player on Windows-based PCs. While the NYT article does not offer any speculation or possible conclusions, Apple could be trying to intentionally avoid a similar situation, at least during the iPhone’s initial year on the market.
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Article Comments
25 total comments The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way. login or register for free in order to post comments.  RE: How can preinstalled software hurt?
Frank, The devs whose apps are bundled loooove bundled apps. Palm gets a value-added device by bundling MP3 playback for example. But for the third party devs who lose negotiations and are/may be shut out from being bundled have two responses: #1 Negotiate a rediculously low price to be the "bundled guys", possibly at a loss. or #2 Basically kiss the Palm OS market goodbye. Why? Because if your competitor's app comes on Treos for "free", then your similar product is going to be a near impossible sale to those who own the competition for "free". For example, how much competition really remains in the Palm OS Word/Excel/PPT/PDF department. Basically none. For whatever reason, DataViz has won the bidding as "bundled" Doc/XLS editor since the T|T. Only a tiny fraction would consider spending $20-40 for competitors when they "already" have the function "built in". The short answer: It makes software competition a one-man game. All others besides the "bundled app" creator, are eventually shut out.
RE: How can preinstalled software hurt?
It hurts *US* when Palm bundles the apps permanently into the ROM. I actually enjoy getting a few decent apps with the device - but when they're ALL outdated upon release(googlemaps, Docs to Go and Pocketunes on the 755) there's really no point to it. Just put them on a CD and let us install what we will use. And when they update the applications we're not stuck with a permanently useless apps in ROM and the current version wasting my RAM anyhow (and conflicting at times with the ROM version). Why in the world Palm put version 8.000 of DTG into the 755's ROM is beyond me - version 10 was current on release, and version 8.003 had already been out for a YEAR by then. If it's gonna be in RAM anyhow, there's no reason to put the stuff in ROM other than as "advertising." RE: How can preinstalled software hurt?
Just put them on a CD and let us install what we will use. I'm curious as to how difficult it would be to pre-load stuff into RAM instead of ROM. Is the ROM loaded before, during, or after manufacture? If it's after, maybe they could just dump that stuff into RAM at the same time. (Admittedly I don't really know how this stuff works, but I am curious.) Thinking about Vista? Think again: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt Want an alternative? Try this: http://www.ubuntu.com/ or http://www.mepis.org/ RE: How can preinstalled software hurt?
For example, how much competition really remains in the Palm OS Word/Excel/PPT/PDF department. Basically none. That's basically wrong: Quickoffice: MiniOffice: OfficeSuite Classic 7: PalmPDF: It seems there's still plenty of choice here if you only spend a few minutes to look. 
 Not buying this
Another interesting figure revealed in Hansell’s article is the statistic given by Palm that 2/3 of Treo owners purchased at least one third-party application. Then, quite surprisingly, Palm claims that ten percent of those users own ten or more third-party applications.
RE: Not buying this
Well if by "purchase" third-party software, you mean install or get beamed a 3rd party app (regardless of whether it's free or commercial) or install bundled apps as part of the Palm desktop CD, then I might believe that. Otherwise, I call shenanigans too. RE: Not buying this
"I refuse to believe that 66% of all Treo owners have purchased third-party software. If this is true, then why is the Palm OS developer community continually shrinking? How did they figure out the 2/3 number? If I were to take a guess, I'd say 15% of all Treo users have purchased third-party software." Then why guess yourself? Not valid either. RE: Not buying this
If this is true, then why is the Palm OS developer community continually shrinking? It might have something to do with how many of those 66% are "purchasing" one of the same three "great" apps. Of the "tens of thousands" of third-party Palm apps, there are a limited number that are truly good and useful, and only a percentage of those that would appeal to a large number of users (not simply a very useful niche app, highly valuable to a very small number of people). I'm not saying that the 66% is right, just that I can imagine how it might be and the community of developers is still shrinking. On the other hand, what statistical evidence is there that the developer community is shrinking? What does "shrinking" even mean in this context? If Billy Smith releases yet another clock app, did the developer community grow? If CES Dewar dropped out the next day, is it a wash because of Billy's clock app? How many apps do Billy and his cousins have to release to balance out a truly great app like DateBk? RE: Not buying this
Then why guess yourself? Not valid either. The difference is I'm not claiming accuracy, nor am I publishing my guess. On the other hand, what statistical evidence is there that the developer community is shrinking? What does "shrinking" even mean in this context? If Billy Smith releases yet another clock app, did the developer community grow? If CES Dewar dropped out the next day, is it a wash because of Billy's clock app? How many apps do Billy and his cousins have to release to balance out a truly great app like DateBk? In terms of sheer volume, Windows Mobile has more applications released monthly than the Palm OS. I believe this year is the first time that has ever happened. RE: Not buying this
abosco may be right in that this may be the first year they pass up Palm. However, I was one of those people who changed over from Palm way back when the X30 came out. I've used the X30h ever since, and haven't regretted doing so. But..., when it was starting to die (about 2 months ago), I was considering coming back to Palm. I looked at the different Treo's from Verizon, but I just don't like them. I liked the idea of a converged device that everyone keeps talking about. I just used my pda for PIM, photos, and music. If I could incorporate these things AND add a phone, then so much the better. I ended up getting an iphone that was unlocked off ebay, and bought a pay as you go phone from AT&T and changed out the SIM cards and it works fine for me. The thing is: I don't need a bunch of 3rd party apps on my pda / phone, and I feel that a great many users of pdas / phones don't add a bunch of other software on theirs either. As such, the real deal maker for me then was the quality of the specs and of the device; a few points I feel Palm is really missing the mark on. Here I was, a potential customer who was willing to spend $400+ for a pda/phone device, and their current product line didn't sway me at all. I'm not a developer, I'm certainly NO electronics wiz, but just an ordinary, everyday user.
All good things...
and another thing
Given the size of... certain forums... I wonder how many actually buy the third-party apps.
I reckon the bundled apps are good for the developers - at least that way they get paid a license, and the owner of the device is in a way fored to buy the software.
Why the iPod can be conquered
Why the iPod can be conquered (Fortune) -- Far be it for any mortal to tell Steve Jobs how to flog his world-beating iPod music machine, but here's one humble suggestion: consider reviving the old Pantene Shampoo slogan: "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." A week doesn't go by without some reminder of how seemingly dominant the iPod has become in the portable media world business - at least in the United States - and how annoying that fact must be for its rivals and, in some cases, its partners. http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/08/technology/ipod_siklos.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007100817 RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
Just look at the other MP3 players on the market. They all lack the stylish factor. People will be WEARING these devices, so they need to look cool. Brown Zune? Yeah, the iPod will be on top for a while with competition like that. -Bosco NX80v + Wifi + BT + S710a The iPod is DOOMED!
abosco, you should know better. The Death of the iPod is just around the corner. Look into the face of death and wimper, lad: http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/26/the-hello-kitty-mp3-player/ Goddam, can the whiskers on your iPhone light up? Eh, eh? RE: Why the iPod can be conqueredSeldomVisitor @ 10/9/2007 4:27:14 PM #
Interesting...the article mentions a 9-year old Japanese girl - I know a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl who would kill to get one... RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
>Just look at the other MP3 players on the market. They all lack the stylish factor. People will be WEARING these devices, so they need to look cool. Brown Zune? Yeah, the iPod will be on top for a while with competition like that.
RE: Why the iPod can be conqueredAdamaDBrown @ 10/9/2007 7:09:45 PM #
The question is whether they'll stay interested long enough to get it right. Microsoft's worst enemy is their short attention span. RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
MSFT will eventually get it right. I remember when Windows, Office, IE, WinMob, MSN, XBox, etc. were all going to fail. Ironically the foundation blocks of Office, Excel and Word, first started life as applications for Apple's then new Macintosh. Mercifully Microsoft still has plenty of healthy competition and rivals to MSN, XBox and even WinMob. I think Microsoft and other rivals will have to come up with something revolutionary at a fantastic price point to dislodge the iPod's dominance. The 2nd generation Zune isn't that product, especially when it's unable to use its wi-fi to download tracks directly from the store unlike the rival iPod touch.
Furthermore, it's unlikely manufacturers who sell players which use Microsoft's WMA will be impressed by a very successful Zune.
There is now evidence which leaves a very strong hint of more applications, possibly even third party applications coming for the iPhone and iPod touch: Third party applications for the iPhone will be the nail in the coffin for Palm. RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
>>>MSFT will eventually get it right. I remember when Windows, Office, IE, WinMob, MSN, XBox, etc. were all going to fail. You really want that to happen, Gekko? God, you're not a fool. You're a tool! http://mikecane.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/what-a-world-run-by-windows-looks-like/ RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
Gekko, that band was MADE for you: Boo F**king Hoo Boo Boo F**king Hoo Get Sally Struthers off of my TV, Don’t ask for change, please don’t you plead, Boo Boo F**king Hoo So sorry baby time for divorce, Excuse me Cratchit, you want a raise, RE: Why the iPod can be conquered
"Third party applications for the iPhone will be the nail in the coffin for Palm."
I agree. I have an unlocked iPhone and can't wait to see what programs developers may offer down the road. Right now, as is, it beats any of my previous pda's I've had in the past. So IF developers can enhance, further, my experience with the iphone the way they did for me (when I used to use Palm pdas), then I think the iphone will become more popular in the future.
iPhone vs Palm Third Party S/W
iPhone? Not on your life.
I got an iPod Mini when I was still using a Treo 300; my 4th, 5th, and 6th Palm OS device. I have plenty of 3rd party software and write my own with iziBASIC. I now have a Treo 680, 7th Palm OS device, and a third iPod mini; original was replaced twice by Apple after dead battery issues. And, that is the problem. iPhone battery is good for 300 full-cycle charges. Then you have to get a new iPhone (through battery replacement plan) for $100 similar to what I've gone through with my three iPod Minis. Figure spending this each year. I have figured out how to fix the iPod battery problem... quit using it. I've gone more than 20 months on my third iPod Mini by not using it more than 4 hours each day; was using it more than 8. I will replace the battery and upgrade the hard drive myself when this one finally dies; new battery and 8gb hard drive are ready to go in. Not long now since it's only holding a charge for two hours. My Treo 680 does all the Palm software I own, plus phone and music, but that is not why I would not have an iPhone. The Treo 680 has a removable battery that can easily be replaced without getting a new Treo. I even have a spare and charger so I can just pull one and insert a freshly charged battery each day. Features may matter to a point, but no user replaceable battery means no iPhone in my book.
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The New York Times has just posted an 
Frank