Palm CEO: Wi-Fi at the Right Time

The Washington Post has a brief news snippet on Palm today. They are carrying a quote from Palm CEO Ed Colligan in regards to future Treo smartphones and Wi-Fi capability. The quote reads...

"We do believe Wi-Fi is an important technology," Colligan said. "There's no question that we'll ultimately put in our products, but at the right time."

Palm usually offers the above reasoning when questioned about the absence of Wi-Fi in its products, , citing the large impact on battery life.

Article Comments

 (31 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Start a new Comment Down

He (or someone) said that LONG ago

SeldomVisitor @ 7/21/2006 3:17:06 PM # Q
I remember hearing some HAND/PalmOne/PALM exec guy say that a long time ago - feeble synapses don't remember when, however.

But it ain't sumthin' new...

RE: He (or someone) said that LONG ago
Ryan @ 7/21/2006 3:18:51 PM # Q
yeah this is a pretty common response, It's been tossed out at almost every press/investor event when someone asks why no WiFi in product X since 2002 or so...
RE: He (or someone) said that LONG ago
hkklife @ 7/21/2006 6:40:49 PM # Q
Well, remember that the T|C came out in spring '03 and then no other Palm device had wi-fi (despite a solid initial implementation in the T|C!) until the LifeDrive over two years later!

Odd how Palm works sometimes....

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

RE: He (or someone) said that LONG ago
drw @ 7/21/2006 10:49:51 PM # Q
The wep wifi in my Tungsten C is useless since I changed to wpa. The 400 mhz processor in my T|C is something I'm used to and I wouldn't want to go back in time with a Treo 700p if it's slow like people say.

In other words, I can to without wifi in a treo, but it needs to be fast like my C before I'll buy one.

---
David

Reply to this comment

'at the right time'

joad @ 7/21/2006 4:15:13 PM # Q
"at the right time" in PalmSpeak = "once it's completely obsolete."

So I'll wager you'll see it about 2012 or so, glaciers permitting.

RE: 'at the right time'
Timothy Rapson @ 7/21/2006 4:39:50 PM # Q
It's still too expensive, that is why it is in the $120 Nintendo DS.

RE: 'at the right time'
jdfdc7 @ 7/21/2006 5:06:23 PM # Q
How many more people would buy a treo with wifi. Thousands? More? How much money will the phone companies lose from internet based phone service?

RE: 'at the right time'
Drmike @ 7/22/2006 3:35:57 PM # Q
"It's still too expensive, that is why it is in the $120 Nintendo DS."

Because Gameboys like othe gaming toys are sold as loss-leader to sell lots of games! The game makers pay Nintendo.

Theoretically. Palm needs to make some money...


RE: 'at the right time'
tipds @ 7/23/2006 1:12:09 AM # Q
I don't think VoIP would challenge the cellular providers any more than Vodaphone, or the like. You have to be at a hotspot to use something like that. Cellular works (more or less) all over. If you are near a hotspot, chances are you have access to a land line anyhow.

NOW is the right time for Wi-fi whether Palm likes it or not
ChiA @ 7/23/2006 5:10:11 AM # Q
Drmike said
Because Gameboys like othe gaming toys are sold as loss-leader to sell lots of games!

So I guess digital cameras with wifi are being sold as loss-leaders to sell lots of $40 memory cards.

Isn't it odd how Palm leaves wifi out of its handhelds because of battery drain yet digital cameras which make greater demands on the battery (they have colour screens AND a flash) can have it incorporated.

Most other premium smartphone manufacturers feel that NOW is the right time for wi-fi in a smartphone.

The inference from Ed's statement is that Palm lacks the ability which other companies have of making a wi-fi phone with reasonable battery life e.g. Nokia E61.

The demand for wi-fi with a smartphone is there. Even Palm acknowledges this by selling the wi-fi card for the Treo 700w. The big question is whether Palm can get its act together and incorporate wifi into the smartphone.

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President.
- President Theodore Roosevelt

RE: 'at the right time'
LiveFaith @ 7/24/2006 3:35:44 AM # Q
Possibilities off the top of my head ...

A. "at the right time" = "hell is nearing sub-zero temps, but still yet lukewarm"

B. "at the right time" = "Israel and all her neighbors hold their 3rd annual unity festival."

C. "at the right time" = "When a combo pack is released as standard on all Cobalt powered smartphones"

D. "at the right time" = All the above

Pat Horne

Reply to this comment

He means on WM

Surur @ 7/21/2006 4:19:09 PM # Q

Like the Treo Nitro for Vodafone and Cingular.

Surur

They said I only argued for the sake of arguing, but after an hour I convinced them they were wrong...
Hey!! I made associate writer at PDA247. Come see my nattering over there!!
http;//www.clieuk.co.uk/wm.shtml

RE: He means on WM
AdamaDBrown @ 7/21/2006 5:20:04 PM # Q
I think you're mixing--the Lennon was the WM one.

RE: He means on WM
joad @ 7/21/2006 7:02:07 PM # Q
I think Lennon was the one with the glasses...

RE: He means on WM
Surur @ 7/21/2006 8:22:36 PM # Q

True. Nitro is such a much better name than Lennon. I guess they are hoping to imply that the POS Nitro is fast and responsive, while the Lennon is sensitive and kooky.

Sigh.

Surur

They said I only argued for the sake of arguing, but after an hour I convinced them they were wrong...
Hey!! I made associate writer at PDA247. Come see my nattering over there!!
http;//www.clieuk.co.uk/wm.shtml

RE: He means on WM
Wollombi @ 7/21/2006 8:53:31 PM # Q
Didn't Lennon die in 1980? =P

Hey, Palm is following the same path, they're assisinating the brand name/product line.

_________________
Sean

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

Palm Yoko?
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 7/21/2006 9:25:19 PM # Q
I guess they are hoping to imply that the POS Nitro is fast and responsive, while the Lennon is sensitive and kooky.

Wanna bet the Palm Yoko ends up breaking Palm up? Biotch.

TVoR

RE: He means on WM
freakout @ 7/21/2006 11:52:48 PM # Q
Hey, a lot of people happen to think that her work on Double Fantasy wasn't... er... completely disruptive.

Tim
I apologise for any and all emoticons that appear in my posts. You may shoot them on sight.
Treo 270 ---> Treo 650
RE: He means on WM
naio21 @ 7/22/2006 12:41:35 AM # Q
When will they launch the McCartney, Harrison and Starr Treos? :-O

Ivan
Yoko Ono Special Edition LifeDrive?
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 7/22/2006 1:36:31 AM # Q
Hey, a lot of people happen to think that her work on Double Fantasy wasn't... er... completely disruptive.

Her screams, grunts and yodeling touched* the hearts and souls of millions.









In ways that a Catholic priest touches...

Pinching nose...
ReneeRoberts @ 7/22/2006 4:38:51 AM # Q
And running screaming from the site...

Baaaaaaaaaaad... :-)



Reply to this comment

What an Inert Comment

LiveFaith @ 7/22/2006 9:40:45 PM # Q
Ed said nothing when he said that.

C'mon Palm. Just put WiFi in the next Treo and throw in the 2400mah battery already on the market of the 650. Why keep trying to go bankrupt?

Pat Horne

Reply to this comment

Zaurus

legodude522 @ 7/23/2006 1:29:13 AM # Q
Just bought wifi card for my Zaurus. Bee-otch!

AirCrack <3 Wireless wardriving in the palm of my hand.

Palm m125>Palm Zire71>Tapwave Zodiac 1>Palm Zire 72>Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000
[url=http://yatuc.com/3d_]Zaurus for sale![/url]
[url=http://yatuc.com/y2]Palm screen repair guide.[/url]

Reply to this comment

PalmOS miles behind Symbian

smythe @ 7/23/2006 9:45:05 AM # Q
Hi Guys,

Ive been a PalmOS user since my college days (waaay back) and refused to change OS for a very long time. Believing in the Palm Zen and all that malarky,... BUT... when I tried out the new Nokia E61... I was litereally blown away. Although it has its quicks, etc (i.e. nothing is perfect) it seems like you are using a full blown OS. Dont take my work for it. Pop down to you local electronics shop and just give it a try.

Palm really needs to be competitive in order to keep up with Symbian and WinMob devices. The 700p is a REALLY dated design (although its probably one of the best winMob devices around today). Discussing whether or not to put wi-fi in a PDA/smartphone in 2006 is RIDICULOUS!!!!

Cheers,

Smythe...

PS: And no I do not work for Nokia...

RE: PalmOS miles behind Symbian
scstraus2 @ 7/24/2006 5:03:11 AM # Q
I've been thinking about ditching palmOS for symbian for some time, but every time I look for software for it, I'm very disappointed. I can't even find a PPTP VPN client (built into WM and easily obtainable for palm). I can't stand WM, and wouldn't mind using symbian, but the software scene seems absolutely abhorrent. I'm not at all happy with the state of any of the options right now:

WM: clunky, slow, unreliable, terrible UI, tons of sw

Palm: Used to be fast, reliable, and straightforward ui, but now starting to show signs of unreliability and slowness due to Palm's insistance that we must keep frankensteining a 6 year old version.

Symbian: Decent OS, mostly fast, mostly stable, decent UI, but software is almost non existant.

What to do?


Reply to this comment

Then why can't I get a VPN client for it?

scstraus2 @ 7/23/2006 10:49:13 AM # Q
I've been thinking about ditching palmOS for symbian for some time, but every time I look for software for it, I'm very disappointed. I can't even find a PPTP VPN client (built into WM and easily obtainable for palm). I can't stand WM, and wouldn't mind using symbian, but the software scene seems absolutely abhorrent. I'm not at all happy with the state of any of the options right now:

WM: clunky, slow, unreliable, terrible UI, tons of sw

Palm: Used to be fast, reliable, and straightforward ui, but now starting to show signs of unreliability and slowness due to Palm's insistance that we must keep frankensteining a 6 year old version.

Symbian: Decent OS, mostly fast, mostly stable, decent UI, but software is almost non existant.

What to do?


RE: Then why can't I get a VPN client for it?
SeldomVisitor @ 7/23/2006 5:39:03 PM # Q
Google "symbian PPTP VPN client".

RE: Then why can't I get a VPN client for it?
Timothy Rapson @ 7/23/2006 7:24:58 PM # Q
You have got the same place I have gotten to.

I might wind up with and E61, 9500, or similar in a couple of years when I can get the sort of software I have on my Toshiba e800 and had on my Zire 72.

It will be interesting coming full circle. The first mobile computer I ever found really useful was my Diamond Mako (Psion Revo Plus clone sold in USA). I have carried a PDA every day since I got that Mako. A mono iPaq, a Clie NR70V. I have so often longed for the stability of that Mako.

RE: Then why can't I get a VPN client for it?
scstraus2 @ 7/24/2006 5:00:22 AM # Q
Oops, this was supposed to be a comment on a "symbian is better than palmOS" thread, but it sorta fits here since I am planning on ditching PalmOS if they don't give me a new GSM phone soon. Anyhow, I did of course try googling it, which whoever posted that obviously didn't. I'm moving my comment over to the symbian thread.

Reply to this comment

'WIFI In Our Time.'

Gekko @ 7/23/2006 8:06:12 PM # Q

Colligan, Gates, Strigl -

http://tinyurl.com/khep9

http://tinyurl.com/fhdfp

Someone PhotoChop, please.


RE: 'WIFI In Our Time.'
Surur @ 7/24/2006 3:04:43 PM # Q
Just for Gekko

http://surur.sytes.net/edchurchill.jpg

Surur

They said I only argued for the sake of arguing, but after an hour I convinced them they were wrong...
Hey!! I made associate writer at PDA247. Come see my nattering over there!!
http;//www.clieuk.co.uk/wm.shtml

Reply to this comment
Start a New Comment Thread Top

Account

Register Register | Login Log in
user:
pass: