LG Electronics Licensees the Palm OS

Posted By: Ryan Wednesday, July 6, 2005 9:57:08 AM

PalmSource today announced that LG Electronics has signed an agreement to license Palm OS worldwide. Under terms of the agreement, LG Electronics can develop and market smartphones based on Palm OS.

LG Logo"LG Electronics is pleased to have entered into this agreement with PalmSource," said Skott Ahn, executive vice president of LG Electronics, Inc. "The flexible, open and powerful nature of Palm OS is an ideal match for our industry leading mobile handsets. We believe our customers will appreciate the new Palm Powered phones we will develop and distribute."

"LG Electronics is a leading innovator in the development and manufacture of mobile devices including award-winning mobile handsets," said Patrick McVeigh, interim CEO of PalmSource. "We are excited to welcome LG Electronics to the Palm Powered Economy and look forward to working with LG to develop new, cutting-edge smartphones for delivery to the worldwide marketplace."

About LG Electronics
LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world's leading manufacturer of WCDMA (UMTS), CDMA and GSM handsets, and the fastest growing manufacturer of mobile phones worldwide. The Company provides a total range of wired and wireless solutions, and is rapidly establishing a global presence as it cultivates international market share in 3G handsets.

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Just like Samsung

Timothy Rapson @ 7/6/2005 1:09:17 PM # Q
Most every LG phone I have ever seen looked just like Samsungs. They are most often in the US (afaik) rebranded by the phone companies, so they don't even say LG on them.

I suppose it is possible that something good would come of this, but I don't see "Samsung lite" as likely to produce any surprises.

RE: Just like Samsung
cypher76 @ 7/6/2005 1:20:52 PM # Q
Your post is completely untrue. I've never seen a rebranded LG, just look at Verizon and Cingular's websites. They both feature LG phones, all featuring the LG name and logo. Some LG and Samsung models have similar features and looks, but many are distinctively different. Samsung has no models that can compare to the LG VX8000 or VX4650/VX4700 on Verizon, or the F9100 on Cingular. With the broad variety of regular mobile phones LG offers, I have a lot of faith in the diversity they can bring to the Palm platform.

RE: Just like Samsung
siralien @ 7/6/2005 2:18:23 PM # Q
Very good phones, especially in the 3G lineup which they seem to dominate in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Have had two now. Bought one while in Russia and the build was excellent. All metal, red colour and wonderful quality.

Appreciate the similarity with Samsung phones but they are direct competitors in the same market. Never seen an LG rebranded under another brand. Could happen, but never seen it. Would cause too much confusion. If rebranding does happen it would be in a market where LG isn't selling directly.

I hope to see a 3G phone here on '3' or 'Vodafone' soon with Palm OS-Linux or Cobalt.

Mark

RE: Just like Samsung
siralien @ 7/6/2005 2:18:23 PM # Q
Very good phones, especially in the 3G lineup which they seem to dominate in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Have had two now. Bought one while in Russia and the build was excellent. All metal, red colour and wonderful quality.

Appreciate the similarity with Samsung phones but they are direct competitors in the same market. Never seen an LG rebranded under another brand. Could happen, but never seen it. Would cause too much confusion. If rebranding does happen it would be in a market where LG isn't selling directly.

I hope to see a 3G phone here on '3' or 'Vodafone' soon with Palm OS-Linux or Cobalt.

Mark

Yeah, probably.
Timothy Rapson @ 7/7/2005 11:22:51 AM # Q
" RE: Just like Samsung
cypher76 @ 7/6/2005 1:20:52 PM #

Your post is completely untrue."

Yes, it probably is. I don't have a cell phone and I don't even play someone who has one on TV. I really have almost zero experience with one. Oh, my wife has a Nokia Tracphone and that is about it.

So, I did post fast enough off the top of my head to get "first post" LOL.

Reply to this comment

Let's see those phones!

heavyduty @ 7/6/2005 1:06:03 PM # Q
Hopefully LG already has a Palm phone or two up their sleeves, developed and ready to be launched soon.
If not, the wait might be too long, especially if we have to wait until the PalmLinux phones arrive in a couple of years...

Palm Vx (a classic) -> Palm 505 (yawn...) -> Dell Axim (slooow...!) -> Palm TE (great) -> Qtek 9090 (lousy sound quality) -> Nokia 6630 (a toy) -> SP3i (not bad) -> Treo 650 (awesome)
RE: Let's see those phones!
SeldomVisitor @ 7/6/2005 1:24:32 PM # Q
There is NO WAY LG has a phone ready to go if the wording of the PR-fluff announcing this is any clue at all.

That is, (1) this is THE "tier 1" deal PSRC talked about and (2) it is a recent deal.

It takes a finite amount of time to develop and debug a phone/pda.

RE: Let's see those phones!
LiveFaith @ 7/6/2005 1:49:41 PM # Q
Here is the first one that I've seen. The LG 600i. Looks like it will definitely be Cobalt and have either on-screen or rear slide out keypad. These guys are on the ball!

http://www.churchoflivingfaith.com/images/lg600i.jpg



Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: Let's see those phones!
Scott R @ 7/6/2005 1:56:37 PM # Q
Well that's the big question. Was this announcement delayed for competitive reasons with LG already ready to release something, or does this announcement signal that they're just about to start developing some new devices, in which case the end result will be a long ways off?

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -
RE: Let's see those phones!
Timothy Rapson @ 7/6/2005 4:06:27 PM # Q
Livefaith you are insane!

It never fails to make me laugh.

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/6/2005 4:23:30 PM # Q
Actually Livefaith, I'm not sure I why you keep posting those dumb mockups (it wasn't even funny the first time).

And the two times I've accidently clicked on the link the jesus freak website, it crashed Mozilla. Thanks....

RE: Let's see those phones!
twrock @ 7/6/2005 7:15:59 PM # Q
What "recipe" of Mozilla are you using? Firefox running on Windows works fine. I can't imagine why a link to a JPG would crash Mozilla.

I'm still waiting for the mythical "color HandEra."
RE: Let's see those phones!
twrock @ 7/6/2005 7:29:58 PM # Q
Oops, sorry, may bad. Just noticed you weren't talking about the link to the JPG.

I'm still waiting for the mythical "color HandEra."
RE: Let's see those phones!
LiveFaith @ 7/7/2005 9:47:29 AM # Q
treo007,

Then don't worry about that big tip to my PayPal account. I'll let you view for free even if it is a mistake.

By the way, I would upgrade that FF browser to 1.004 from the beta version you must be using. ChurchofLivingFaith.com doesn't even crash Netscape 6.0.


Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Disagree on both counts
Timothy Rapson @ 7/7/2005 11:42:26 AM # Q
RE:" treo007 @ 7/6/2005 4:23:30 PM #

Actually Livefaith, I'm not sure I why you keep posting those dumb mockups (it wasn't even funny the first time).

And the two times I've accidently clicked on the link the jesus freak website, it crashed Mozilla. Thanks...."

My Mozilla doesn't crach on LiveFaith's but I suggest my common sollution to the "jesus freak" trouble. USE WINDOWS! See that window over your shoulder? If you come across and idea or site you don't find interesting, useful, or nice, just look out that window while you browser takes you away from it. You need not come back here and whine about it......or go ahead and express your dislike....I can alway look the other way if your post bore me as LiveFaith's seem to bore you......yet, you keep reading them, don't you?

Those mockups are a gas. Keep it up, LF.

RE: Let's see those phones!
heavyduty @ 7/7/2005 12:38:19 PM # Q
[Getting back on topic again....]

Personally I believe LG will introduce a device sooner rather than later ("sooner" = compared to the two-year PalmLinux transition). I doubt they (Palm + LG) would announce something like that now, only to wait a couple of years until they have something to show for it.

Palm Vx (a classic) -> Palm 505 (*yawn*) -> Dell Axim (slooow...) -> Palm TE (great) -> Qtek 9090 (great idea, lousy platform) -> Nokia 6630 (a toy) -> iMate SP3i (not bad) -> Treo 650 (almost perfect)

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/7/2005 1:44:23 PM # Q
Rapson: You must find Jerry Lewis and Carrot Top funny as well. And go re-read the post, ACCIDENTALLY clicked on. You think I WANTED to go to the site he pimps here? It really belongs on a PDA website no doubt. Unless of course Jesus has come back to give us his opinion of Palmsource's shift to Linux.

Live Faith: No, I'm using the most recent, and non-beta version. It crashes it on 2 separate computers. Your coding sucks as bad as sense of humor.

RE: Let's see those phones!
LiveFaith @ 7/7/2005 3:02:16 PM # Q
15,000 +/- hits and the only 2 known crashes are from James Bond. Hmmm, sorry about the inconvenience. Site coded in M$ Frontpage probably explains it.

PS, my faith is not strong enough to be believe the "accidental" clicks ... inquiring minds must wanna know. :-D

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/7/2005 3:53:29 PM # Q
Or do you mean the only two crashes that were reported? Face it, your site sucks as bad as your mockups.

And yea, both accidental clicks to the jesus pimping website (wouldn't shock me by the way to find out that you have a section for "donations" on there) came from attempting to click your lame mockups. Now I know better.

RE: Let's see those phones!
Wollombi @ 7/7/2005 5:58:22 PM # Q
Treo007, you're COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE. If you don't like Pat's "artwork", fine. If you don't like his faith, fine. But stop attacking him just because you disagree with his faith. Most of your accusations are totally unfounded to say the least.

Pat, I believe I've mentioned having problems before with Firefox on your website, but I went there again, and the fphover applet seems to wreak havoc. I had to close down Firefox and end task the process in Windows before I could use it again. You may want to look into it.

Back on topic, Let's see some LG tech wizardry!

_________________
Sean

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/7/2005 6:41:10 PM # Q
Wollombi: Wow, thanks for 1) your self righteous post. We needed your conscience here to tell us who is and isn't "OUT OF LINE!!"..hehe. Jerry Springer called and said he's reserving an audience member spot for you now.

and

2) for confirming that I was indeed correct regarding the site and it's compatibility. Which was one of the original points that I was derided on so vehemently by LF and his side kick Rapson.

RE: Let's see those phones!
Timothy Rapson @ 7/7/2005 9:58:30 PM # Q
Look Wolombi and Treo, we know who you are with your satanic browser and you evil cult that comes here spreading lies about Jesus. Now, don't make us come over there in spirit and kick your spiritual buts.
FireFox. Yeah, we know where fire comes from....could it be......SATAN!

Yes, I am kidding. I actually miss all the scraps like this little distraction from the old days of anonymous posting here.

I liked Livefaith's site, have no problems with it using Mozilla, and still find his fotos fun. Sorry you don't.

Life goes on.


So, does anyone know anything about LG's lineup. I am following threads here, at Brighthand, and at BargainPDA about this move and have yet to see a good link to the models most likely to show up with Palm OS first. Anyone?

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/7/2005 11:58:57 PM # Q
Cool, thanks for your sense of humor Rapson. Yes, I'm being serious, I actually laughed...Reasonable people CAN disagree.

As to potential LG phones, don't they have one with a horizontal qwerty slider? That would make a perfect Palm OS phone.

RE: Let's see those phones!
LiveFaith @ 7/8/2005 12:11:04 PM # Q
Hey Treo! Don't get back on topic and actually put something of value in here.

Yeah, what he said. We want an inquisition to slay all destractors and empty their PayPal accounts thru a donations page. That'll make em' all believe! :-o

... oooh, I guess I need to uninstall that FF browser now? :-(

... and by the way, I think this is an upcoming LG phone.
http://www.churchoflivingfaith.com/images/lg600i.jpg

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/8/2005 1:13:54 PM # Q
LF, couldn't leave well enough alone could you? I'll try to take the high road here.

RE: Let's see those phones!
sr4 @ 7/8/2005 1:53:31 PM # Q

LF, I hope he doesn't complain to Ryan and have you banned :)

Its funny how you can find one person who is always rubbed the wrong way.

Surur

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/8/2005 2:07:30 PM # Q
Hey Surer, save it. I wasn't "rubbed the wrong way".

I made comments that 1) the mockups are old and tired, and 2) the linking of his site (which really doesn't belong here anyway) causes mine and apparently some other folks browsers to crash.

No one's trying to get anyone "banned". I could care less, but apparently you couldn't resist chiming in with your poignant commentary. How original....

RE: Let's see those phones!
sr4 @ 7/8/2005 2:49:22 PM # Q
What you don't get is that LF and his mock-ups is practically an institution here.

Have some respect, man!

Surur

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/8/2005 5:52:28 PM # Q
Or so says you, Surer. If it's true, then the emperor clearly has no clothes.

Respect? For what? Call a spade a spade.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch...
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 7/9/2005 1:36:38 PM # Q
Hopefully LG already has a Palm phone or two up their sleeves, developed and ready to be launched soon.
If not, the wait might be too long, especially if we have to wait until the PalmLinux phones arrive in a couple of years...

Now that those two yappy puppies are through with their little pi$$ing match (both lost, by the way) perhaps the rest of us can continue with a more mature discussion. Next time both of them will get a swat on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper...

LG is a huge company and has several phones that could easily be adapted to become low to mid-range "Below Average to Average Intelligence"Phones™. Now that Handspring brilliantly hacked PalmOS 5 into a stable SmartPhone OS, most of the hard work has been done. Any decent-sized handset maker could put out an IQ100Phone™ (or even an IQ70Phone™ [featurephone]) within six months. If LG is smart, they will AIM LOW. A small, light, attractively-styled $100 - $200 PalmOS IQ100Phone would be able to tap a potentially HUGE market.

TVoR



------------------------
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
------------------------

The Palm Economy = Communism™
The Great Palm Swindle: http://www.palminfocenter.com/comment_view.asp?ID=7864#108038

LiveFaith: please keep 'em comming
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 7/9/2005 1:55:43 PM # Q
Your designs are much appreciated. Especially the Treo 800g (your finest hour). It's sad that your designs are almost always better than anything Palm comes up with.


http://churchoflivingfaith.com/images/treo800g.jpg

http://www.palminfocenter.com/comment_view.asp?ID=7073#96697

TVoR



------------------------
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
------------------------

The Palm Economy = Communism™
The Great Palm Swindle: http://www.palminfocenter.com/comment_view.asp?ID=7864#108038

RE: Let's see those phones!
treo007 @ 7/10/2005 12:00:25 AM # Q
From the master of the mature discussion...knew you were just twitching to chime in. I find it hilarious yet not at all surprising you consider yourself the real judge as to 'who won'.

Do you do anything but post here on every single topic? It's ok to get yourself out of the house every now and then.

Reply to this comment

Garnet or Cobalt?

Gekko @ 7/6/2005 1:21:28 PM # Q

If and when LG ever does produce a PalmOS phone, will they use Garnet or Cobalt? And why?



RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
cervezas @ 7/6/2005 1:43:09 PM # Q
My guess is Cobalt, if only because of the timing. If this were happening in 2004 before the Linux announcement you might figure they'd go with the tried-and-true Garnet as palmOne did with the Treos. And if this were happening in 2006 you'd figure they wanted to be first on the Palm OS for Linux platform. But in July 2005, knowing what they know about PalmSource's new focus on Linux, it makes sense for a licensee to do all the phone app and customization work on an API that's moving forward onto Linux, and that would be Cobalt.

It's not clear from the announcement what the term of the license is, but unless they're just planning a one-off they're going to be looking for how they can transition smoothly going forward. Garnet would not be a smart choice--not for a phone handset manufacturer.

The other reason to guess they might be planning to go with Cobalt is that Cobalt is designed to scale down to small form factors that are more popular as handsets. Look at that Oswin Cobalt phone with the 240x320 display, for example. It looks more like a Nokia phone than a Treo and is likely to strike down in the broader mid-level market instead of just the high end.

People talk about how Cobalt is stillborn, but frankly I think the recent announcements are more of a sign that Garnet is entering its end of life cycle.

It's all speculation, but that's my guess.


David Beers
Pikesoft Mobile Computing
www.pikesoft.com

RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
neuron @ 7/6/2005 4:03:39 PM # Q
That's it, guys. Cobalt is alread dead now. Only Garnet and PLinux are there. Discussing garnet or Cobalt may make more sense two weeks ago, but not any more.

RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
mikecane @ 7/6/2005 5:36:24 PM # Q
Garnet 6.0!!!

Be afraid.

Be VERY afraid!

RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
Gekko @ 7/6/2005 7:41:01 PM # Q

>Cobalt is already dead now.

"Sometimes dead is better."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098084/

RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
Scott R @ 7/7/2005 1:48:59 PM # Q
There's another possibility: They could be using that feature-phone nonsense with the Palm OS "look and feel" with none of the app compatibility (other than PIM data beaming). Wouldn't *that* be a letdown?

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -
RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
Admin @ 7/7/2005 1:53:45 PM # Q
I asked PalmSource about which version of the Palm OS LG licensed, and the response was that neither company is disclosing it.
RE: Garnet or Cobalt?
AdamaDBrown @ 7/7/2005 4:59:51 PM # Q
Which means one of two possible things. One is that they haven't decided yet, which means that they haven't even started serious development. Two is that they've licensed Garnet, and neither company wants to admit it. My money is on the latter.

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