Rumor: More Details on the Next-Gen Palm Handheld

Sony has managed to make some of the thinnest models to date, and still have an MS slot, hi-res screen, on-board DSP, and other features. I can't see any reason to have this unit be so thick.

The unfortunate thing is that when Palm does come out with this hardware, it will be immediately comparable to (cover your eyes) Pocket PCs, which have significantly more impressive hardware. With something like Toshiba's e310 to compete with (which is half the thickness of Osloe) I think Palm will have a tough road to hoe.

Is the .75" thickness of "Oslo" vs. .5" of m515 that much diff in the real world?

I wonder how the rest of the dimensions/weight compare?

I guess it depends on who you ask. I agree that it's not that significant of a difference. But when I put my Palm m505 in my pocket, it's much more comfortable than my Palm III ever was in that same pocket. :) Every little bit helps.

: The fact that the bottom slides into the top kind of
: makes the extra thickness mandatory plus the fact that
: it is plastic which is going to make the case thicker
: too. For the extra thickness you get shorter length.

Interesting point. Initially I thought that the TI OMAP1510 chip was bigger than the Intel StrongARM one in the slim 0.5" Toshiba PocketPC e310, but that's probably not the case. Then maybe because of integrated BT?

If the extra depth is due to accommodate the sliding out bottom, then I'd rather wait for a model that does not have moving parts. Not only for a more slim form factor, but because I moving parts scare me; they're more likely to break/loosen over time and through repetitive use. Anyone with a TV remote that has a sliding cover should know what I'm talking about. ;)


Jim

To me, Yes. It is 1.5 times the thickness of a Sony Clie T6xx or Palm m5xx series. That is not an insignifcant size difference.

The poster who mentioned the Toshiba PPC was right on the money. At first I thought it might have something to do with the processor, but the Toshiba PPC certainly proves that is not the case.

this is not true - I always buy high end and never bought a case. if you take care of your things, don't work on a construction site, and aren't a klutz, you don't need a case.

Seriously, Gm has been selling their Astro/Safari vans for the past 15 years with a few tweaks and updates every few years (airbags, CD player, etc) to keep it current. As long as there's a market, they'll build 'em. Look how long Motorola has sold the Startac phone--most people don't care if it's a first gen analog model or a recent one with an EL screen and a web browser-they are still dazzled by the small size and Captain Kirk style flip action!

I think the number of Vx units still in use by executives and middle-aged types is a testament to the popularity of that formfactor and style. I think most middle management types would be hard-pressed to fill up their existing 8 megs, much less know what to do with a 175/206 mhz CPU. So yes, I too would continue to buy m5xx/V formfactor units if the could keep ramping up the battery life, screen quality, and clock speed, regardless of which OS they run. For what I use a Palm for, I am served well by OS4.

Illuminate us please - how does Pocket PC have 'significantly more impressive hardware'? yeah - PPC run on 206 mHz vs 175mHz here (and yes - some now run on xscale - but we know the story there...), but Palms now have 320x320 screens (as opposed to 320x240 ppc), also have capability to do same quality sound of a PPC (whther or not they do is up to Palm or other liscensees). This unit also has built in bluetooth - like certain ipaq models. So where is the 'significantly more impressive hardware'??

I'm completely in the minority.

For me, what made my old IIIc "unpocketable" compared to my m505 was the LENGTH, not the THICKNESS.

Hey, to each his own.

For instance, I think Sony has it all wrong. I'd rather the device be WIDER (like a Palm III), and shorter, instead of narrow & tall. Again, Sony made those decisions based on the difference in hand size between our 2 peoples, so I completely understand their motive.

The Treo 90, for instance, has exactly the form factor I'd like. Shorter would be even BETTER (for me). Sounds like the Oslo fits the bill, as it is even shorter than the Treos.

My curiosity has officially been piqued.

I'm sorry, but I believe you completely misread my previous post, as well as the other person's reply to it. What I meant was that there is still quite a market for a "relatively high end" OS4 handheld in an ultra svelte/thin m5xx formfactor.

Imagine an m515 with the Sony 665C specs....and w/o mp3, of course. Same OS.

If Palm could sell their new m105ish OS4 unit for under $100, and begin pricing their OS5 units at $300 or so, that leaves a huge gaping hle in the line. Imagine a slighty beefed up m515, "m525" we shall call it for now, to cater to those that want a somewhat more powerful unit than what Palm currently offers, but for whom an OS5 multimedia machine is total overkill (for now, mind you). This device could be brought to market cheapily, quickly, and easily and appease all of those that have sunk some $ into m500 style accessories and cases.

That's all I was saying--that for the forseeable, especially in the all-time great m500/Vx formfactor, there will be a good market for an easily pocketable, stylish OS4 machine. I never meant anything about a 66 mhz dragonball running OS5. At the very least, they could bump up the clockspeed and screen quality of the last of the OS4 models without cannabilizing any OS5 sales.

GAME-OVER MAN!

Note to Palm: The Palm V was the best selling and reviewed Palm of all time. The m505 and m515 were nice units that remained elegant although failed to have industry leading technology or a decent screen. When are you going to understand that thousands of people like me are waiting on a simple, THIN, Palm OS 5 handheld with the design elegance of a Palm V (or m505) mixed with Apple designs (ie. iPOD, etc.) for a new handheld?

I can't believe their isn't a "Palm V" handheld coming this fall, I am floored. Yeah Sony will have something and likely I will finally be forced to buy one (I am loyal, although I did buy my wife a Sony T615 so I could "try" it out... hehehehe).

Unreal.

No it doesn't. This is a lie. I have one and the battery life is about 2 hours.