GSPDA To Deliver First Palm OS Cobalt Smartphone?

During a weekend Palm Users group meeting in Paris a representative from GSPDA announced in response to a user question that Group Sense PDA will be the first licensee to release a smartphone using Palm OS Cobalt.

The PUG meeting was this past Saturday in Paris and was organized by the Paris PUG and PalmSource. Tim Wong, the marketing manager for GSPDA made a presentation on the company's most recent smartphone the Xplore M68.

Someone in attendance asked if GSPDA was planing to released a Cobalt smartphone. After having hesitated a few seconds, Tim said that GSPDA will be the first manufacturer to released a smartphone using Cobalt, before the end of the year. He also further clarified that they would be the first to release a Cobalt smartphone, leaving open the possibility that another licensee could bring a cobalt handheld to market before GSPDA.

Thanks to Daniel Mosais of Kickoo Software for the tip.

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that is good!!

Tamog @ 2/21/2005 1:59:38 PM # Q
Hi,
If one licencee has Cobalt working on a smartphone, it will be easier for others to go the same way along. Lets hope that the device will sell well-but I beleive that it will as all developers will jump in it as it is the first available cobalt phone.
Just my 2 cents

Find out more about the Palm OS in my blog:
http://tamspalm.blogspot.com
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GSPDA can count on selling me one!!

benamy @ 2/21/2005 2:24:09 PM # Q
I will preorder if this becomes a reality. I am ready to retire my Treo 600 for the latest and greatest.

This is the best news I have read in a year.

Finally a company is going to step up to the plate and make what I have been waiting to buy. I hope GSPDA is very successful with their complete line of smartphones and breaks in the US market in a bigger way that Kyocera or Samsung ever did with those prehistoric OS 3/4 phones of 2001.

I hope this happens and puts PLMO on notice. PLMO is nothing without the Palm OS. PLMO hardware sucks and the only thing making it worth considering is the PALM OS.

I am extremely disappointed in PSRC misinformation campaign of why this has taken one year longer than promised and want to see some accountability for PSRC's COBALT fraud.

NAGEL HAS GOT TO GO. Management needs to be held responsible for this outrageous OS 6 product launch. This was not some little screw up that can be overlooked as it has jeopardized the entire PALM plateform. PSRC lost 30+ licensees to Mobile and Symbian and heads need to ROLE!!!!



RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
Colormeweb @ 2/21/2005 3:01:58 PM # Q
Someone needs to cut down their coffee intake.
RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
drw @ 2/21/2005 7:24:59 PM # Q
> NAGEL HAS GOT TO GO. Management needs to be held
> responsible for this outrageous OS 6 product launch.
> This was not some little screw up that can be
> overlooked as it has jeopardized the entire PALM
> plateform. PSRC lost 30+ licensees to Mobile and
> Symbian and heads need to ROLE!!!!

That's what I'm talkin about!!!! "Mr Nagel, your team has done a lousy job, and as project manager, I'm holding you accountable. Mr Nagel, You're Fired"

Can you imagine MSFT rolling out a new version of windows without any hardware that can run it for ONE YEAR???

---
David

Trump would have Fired Nagel by now
Gekko @ 2/22/2005 12:39:16 AM # Q
>"Mr Nagel, your team has done a lousy job, and as project manager, I'm holding you accountable. Mr Nagel, You're Fired"

drw - I agree.



RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
LiveFaith @ 2/22/2005 10:09:57 AM # Q
"heads need to ROLE" ... that has to mean a lot of things. :-)

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
Gekko @ 2/22/2005 10:27:23 AM # Q

Freudian slip no doubt

RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
benamy @ 2/22/2005 1:59:59 PM # Q
It might mean lots of things to you frueden archair psycologists but to the average joe it means losing the losers and getting PSRC leadership in order.

Those that have lead ChinaMobile from their birth through it aquisition should be PROMOTED to save this mess.

Without leadership and focus the best product is nothing more than a footnote of oblivion. PSRC needs ChinaMobile's CEO to become the PSRC CEO and restore investor, licensee, and user confidence in the PALM OS.

Until a change is made the PALM OS can expect more of this last year- GUARENTED.



RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
hkklife @ 2/22/2005 2:47:28 PM # Q
At least this year---if the rumors are correct--will bring the OS a dual wireless (err, triple wireless to the purists) device from P1. Short of that, expect many more knives in the collective back of the platform in '05.

I see Verizon's eventual decision on whether or not to carry the Treo 650 as a barometer of where they think the POS market stateside is going. I'd at least like to know if the 650 is currently undergoing VZW's "rigorous" trials and testing process or if they have already quietly decided to pass on it.

I know a VZW manager who has commented before on customers' relucatance to buy any phone from a manufacturer they have never heard of before (even Kyocera) or is VZW self-branded. That's why Motorola can continue to release garbage for CDMA and be assured sales solely on the legacy of their name & reputation. GSPDA would have a very hard time cracking the American market on the back of a decaying OS and with no brand clout.

RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
AdamaDBrown @ 2/24/2005 11:56:36 AM # Q
I would not put any stock at all in those rumors yet. There's unlikely to be anything like what you describe in the Spring releases, and it's too early to predict the Fall releases at this point.

RE: GSPDA can count on selling me one!!
RhinoSteve @ 2/28/2005 1:53:28 PM # Q
> Can you imagine MSFT rolling out a new version of windows
> without any hardware that can run it for ONE YEAR???

They did, it was called Windows CE.

Reply to this comment

Screen and compatibility

rasty @ 2/21/2005 3:14:07 PM # Q
Let's just hope the new phone will sport a better screen than M68's 168x220!
Also, we'll have to see how (good) is Cobalt compatibility with current apps..

RE: Screen and compatibility
hkklife @ 2/21/2005 3:27:08 PM # Q
Agreed. It all basically comes down to the screen, not the OS. I'd rather have an m515 than a Zire 21. However, I'm more intrigued by the GSPDA's smartphone(s) than I have been by the Treos at any point.

Now, how about that T|E replacement and the T6 coming this spring? Ryan, can we get a front page story on the PIC forums post entitled "Replacements for TE out in April; T5 in May" ?



RE: Screen and compatibility
Frenchie @ 2/21/2005 3:40:19 PM # Q
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah


The savior for Palm has arrived the first Palm OS PDA with Cobalt. Hopefully we will see this in the states ASAP.

The world will end in 2006. Just as it was predicted in the bible along with the release of Microsoft Longhorn.... :p

Why GSPDA?
Masamune @ 2/21/2005 4:46:12 PM # Q
This company are a bunch of evil teasers, they have released the M28 everywhere, with the lovely M68 soon to follow EVERYWHERE BUT THE UK! Do we smell or something? I don't want a Treo, I want a phone I can use for a PDA and not weightlifting exercises. C'mon GSPDA, toss me a bone here!

RE: Screen and compatibility
LiveFaith @ 2/22/2005 10:11:47 AM # Q
rasty,

I would imagine that a phone with Cobalt would be pretty robust in the screen department. 160x220 (phone size) and the ability to multi-task + all the other improvements of Cobalt would be sortof a waste. I would imagine a Treo size square or a small HVGA with a flip (p900), or slide out (XDA etc), or no (Qool) keyboard.

I too am excited about getting a Cobalt device, but if the Treo 650 functions better in 9/10 areas, except the OS, then one must weigh the benefits. The Treo is not the most powerful smartfone in existence, but the market is revealing that it functions as one of, if not the, best.

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Reply to this comment

GSPDA Quality?

Gekko @ 2/21/2005 5:09:50 PM # Q

Anybody here have a smartphone of this brand? (yes I know - China only - BUT...) Anybody know anyone that has one? Also any links to forums of those that use GSPDA products? Quality or junk products?

RE: GSPDA Quality?
Masamune @ 2/21/2005 5:19:43 PM # Q
I know of a company that supplies them in the US - Expansys USA. They usually have a support forum where people can whinge, highlight problems and get drivers 'n' stuff. Could be a good place to start.

RE: GSPDA Quality?
Gekko @ 2/21/2005 5:34:19 PM # Q

I just found this:

-----

SERIOUS bugs in GSPDA's xplore phone/pda line-up
thomasbkk @ 2/18/2005 12:25:40 PM

Anybody contemplating buying ANY of GSPDA's xplore phones should try searching user comments - there are entire forums dedicated to flaming this manufacturer's products - with good reason (my wife bought m28 Jan. 1st, sold it 6 weeks later at 55% loss after trying to get it to do just SOME of what was advertised)

Try:
http://www.kvpug.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10738

http://www.kvpug.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10760&postdays=0&

Don't EVER buy GSPDA xplore mobiles!


RE: GSPDA Quality?
palmdoc88 @ 2/21/2005 5:44:19 PM # Q
I'm from KVPUG and to be fair GSPDA have had teething problems with their first few models, the G18, G88 and M28.
My perception is that they have made steps to try to correct their faults. One KVPUG user has commented that with the latest firmware upgrade for the M28, it is stable.

http://www.kvpug.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=177040#177040

Like the T5 and Treo650, you gotta be careful what you install



T3 & T5 user

RE: GSPDA Quality?
hobbes1257 @ 2/21/2005 5:51:44 PM # Q

Not to be pessimistic, but I expect the first Cobalt device (from anyone) to be plagued with bugs, and precisely for this, the sooner the better.
RE: GSPDA Quality?
johnwong @ 2/22/2005 12:38:19 AM # Q
"SERIOUS bugs in GSPDA's xplore phone/pda line-up"

It seems a common problem of most wireless PDA, I am using both Treo 600 and Xplore G18. They both hang sometimes. My girlfriend's HP 41XX also hangs with wireless truned on.

One thing good of the Xplore G18 is the way it handles Chinese characters. It can distinguish the Chinese SMS from Hong Kong and China. I don't know what Chinese system it is using. While the Treo 600 will display mess up content.

The 160 x 240 is very good screen resolution. When it uses virtual graffiti, it keeps 160 x 160. I guess it is better design than Treo 600.

JW

RE: GSPDA Quality?
rasty @ 2/22/2005 5:14:28 AM # Q
None of the above links to the KVPUG forum seem to be working for me.. anyone can explain the issues with the phones?
Thanks!
RE: GSPDA Quality?
palmdoc88 @ 2/22/2005 6:47:37 AM # Q
I think KVPUG is down at this very moment. Do try later.

T3 & T5 user
RE: GSPDA Quality?
Masamune @ 3/11/2005 8:25:23 AM # Q
Don't ever buy from KVPUG - It's plagued with bugs! Just look at some the posts....oh wait, you can't. ;)

Reply to this comment

Time for some culture

vesther @ 2/21/2005 9:40:14 PM # Q
I hope that this phone will be released for use in ALL MAJOR US CARRIERS at the time of the phone's release. Someone's gotta bring this Palm OS Cobalt-powered phone to the US. The Palm-Powered Community is in dire need of some culture.

Also, if I was one of the stockholders of PalmSource, then I would fire David Nagel for ineffective licensing plus for the lack of Palm OS Cobalt rollout.

Powered by Palm OS since March 2002

RE: Time for some culture
LiveFaith @ 2/22/2005 10:21:15 AM # Q
vesther,

I wouldn't start sending my proxy or dumping shares just yet. This is a statement from a rep at a PUG meeting. Significant yes, but a lot of things may shake out before 12/31/2005. P1 has definitely got their radar tuned into a Cobalt Treo. That's where the money is at for them right now.

How does a rep from GSPDA know for certain that they will beat P1 to the market? I doubt that P1 sends their competitors a daily upcoming product progress fax.

Furthermore, he's talking year end! That's 10 months out. Remember the SGH-i500 and all should fall into perspective. :-)

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Reply to this comment

Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!

hkklife @ 2/22/2005 9:47:20 AM # Q
So long and thanks for all the Memory Sticks....
Masamune @ 2/22/2005 10:22:46 AM # Q
I've got to admit, it's a real shame to see Sony go. Perhaps they just suffered from burnout after releasing so many different models in a short space of time. My TJ37 was a great PDA - in one way better than my T3 Wifi. My only hope is that Palm gets the hint, gets their finger out of...well, just generally gets their act together. GSPDA, you could have a great future if you keep your promises unlike some companies round here PalmOne. Excuse me, I'm off to get some throat medicene....

RE: Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!
LiveFaith @ 2/22/2005 10:30:34 AM # Q
Is PalmOne not going to flow into the vaccuum of the Japanese PDA market. NO Palm OS devices available there? Correct?

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!
hkklife @ 2/22/2005 10:42:19 AM # Q
Last I heard, there were a handful of Zires and the T|E in Japan but P1 either closed their office over there, drastically minimized their presence in Japan, or had a falling out with the Japanese distributor. Either way, cel phones are big in Japan and the PSP/DS are all the rage with the kids, so there's no room for "real" PDAs anyway.

China & India looks to be much, much more lucrative up and coming markets for PDA-style products than Japan or Korea anyway.

What a shame. I wish Sony had just gotten the VZ90 out in the USA, even if just for a limited run of Sony web-only sales, so they could have canned global Clie operations all at once.



RE: Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!
SeldomVisitor @ 2/22/2005 10:58:48 AM # Q
WAITAMINUTE!

I thought I read within the last couple weeks that Sony was going gangbusters with the CLIE and was about to reissue it!

So much for message board posts, eh?

Giggle.

RE: Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!
Gekko @ 2/22/2005 1:23:09 PM # Q

Nice job, Nagel.



RE: Stick a fork in the Clie--it's officially done!
LiveFaith @ 2/22/2005 1:31:58 PM # Q
hkk,

Makes sense.

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

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