Foleo and Future Palm OS

Has anyone thought of these:

1. Why Foleo is using xScale CPU;
2. Why Foleo is using Linux;
3. Why Foleo is using Versamail;
4. Why Foleo is using Docs-to-go; and
5. Why Foleo is using Opera's browser.

I am not working in Palm therefore I don't know the reasons behind. If I link the relationship between Foleo and future Palm OS, I have some interesting speculations. Here are my thoughts:

xScale CPU - Treo will continue to use the xScale CPU in the foreseeable future. If any application complied for xScale CPU should be able to run in xScale device with same OS platform without any problem.

Linux - The next Palm OS will be using Linux Kernel and Palm shell. It announced by Palm officially. It makes perfect senses Palm to develop a Linux Kernel to use in both Foleo and Palm because any future enhancement will benefit both platforms

Versamail - Versamail is Palm developed mail client. It supports the Exchange Push mail. I knew that a lot of users bought the Chattermail and like its features. Since Palm had brought in Marc, I expect some of the Chattermail good features will be incorporated into Versamail.

Docs-to-go - Personally, I don't think Docs-to-go ported to Foleo is mainly because of the Foleo. (Even Palm does not expect a high demand during the launch.) I believe they may have information about the future Palm OS. Porting Docs-to-go to Foleo not only benefit their sales, if Foleo is success, and also save their effort in developing software for the future Palm OS.

Opera's Browser - The iPhone effect has made a lot of people raised their expectation of the users experience in portable device, especially the internet browser. Microsoft has already started developing the next mobile version of PIE. I predict the Opera's browser will be the next browser to be used in future Palm OS. Of course, Access may be the other options.

If my speculation is correct, Foleo actually is the larger version of next Palm OS device without Palm shell. Of course, by the introduction of Palm new OS, Foleo may be upgraded to compete with the Laptop.

If we think about the following advantages, my speculation is valid:

Platform - Palm can build their own platform and have full control of their future. As Jeff mentioned, they cannot modify any features without obtaining approval from MS when using WM.

Synergy - As I mentioned before, one development team can benefit two different category of products. Also Palm's partners will also take this advantage. This is a very good incentive from the Partners' point of view.

Availability - The success of the device is depending on the application availability. I expect Palm will build a Palm Shell for Foleo because all existing Palm application can be used. All future new Palm application based on the new Palm OS should be able to use in both Foleo and Palm natively. Of course, the application designers have to think carefully about the interface (small screen vs. large screen). I believe this is not a problem as some existing application already have two version, that is Palm and Windows/Mac version, such as ListPro. One of the most important thing is the data will be available in both devices.

I may be wrong, but time will tell.

What is Foleo?

What is Foleo?

Foleo looks like a laptop. Foleo works like a laptop. But it is not a laptop, it is a mobile companion.

How Palm defines Foleo?

The first product in a new mobile-friendly line, Foleo is designed specifically for the way you work on the go. Lightweight. Instant on. One-button email access. Simple and fast.

The Palm Foleo mobile companion is lightweight, elegant and thoughtfully designed for the things you do most on the go. Press one button and it's on. Instantly. Press another button and watch as Foleo connects wirelessly with your smartphone to bring your inbox to the big screen. You can also view and edit Office documents and even run PowerPoint?presentations from it. And with up to five hours of battery life packed into such a compact design, you'll do big things wherever you go. So leave your laptop docked at your desk more often. With the Foleo mobile companion, you carry only what you need. Not everything you have.

How other defines Foleo? (exact from Tealpoint)

A Foleo Mobile Companion is a new product from Palm that brings the ease of use and intuitive user experience of Palm handhelds to everyday computing. While sometimes misunderstood, it is essentially a cross between a PDA and small laptop, combining the streamlined interface and instant-on features of the former with the large screen and full size keyboard of the latter.

A Foleo is not intended to fully replace a laptop, but supplements one. The idea is that when you go into a meeting or a short trip and need to do a little work or email, you can often take your Foleo instead of your full laptop. It also features special connectivity features with Treo smartphones, but this is neither central or nor required for its use.

Still do not know what is Foleo?

Let's us first to understand the design concept of Foleo. Please go to Palm and click the "Future", you will see Jeff Hawkin, the founder of Palm, talked about why Palm designed this device. Oh... now we know Foleo is the device who help to overcome the short comings of powerful mobile handheld devices, that are small screen and small device. That is the reason why Palm called it Mobile Companion.

What is good about the Foleo?

Primary Capabilities and Attributes of the Foleo Mobile Companion (Source from Palm):

• One-button access to full-screen email
• Instant on, instant off
• Rapid access to various applications
• 10-inch screen and full-size keyboard
• Web search and browsing via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
• Editors for Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus a PDF viewer
• Compact, stylish design that fits on an airline tray table
• Lightweight at 2.5 pounds
• Fast, simple and intuitive navigation
• 5-hour battery life
• Linux OS for easy application development

What is the hardware specification of Foleo?

Palm does not give the hardware specification in details at the time we publish this article. Below is the information, we gathered from different discussion forums:

• CPU: Intel XScale Bulverde Arm 416MHz
• Graphics: Marathon 2700G graphics coprocessor
• Memory: 256MB (128MB available for user)
• OS: Linux (developed by Palm)
• Screen: 10" (1024 x 600)
• Headphone Jack: 3.5mm
• Speaker: Mono
• Keyboard: 18mm pitch fullsize keyboard / TrackPoint / Scrollwheel
• Bluetooth: ver 1.2 (Bluethooth PAN connections are NOT currently supported)
• WiFi: 802.11b (WPA2 is NOT currently supported.)
• USB Port: 1 USB Host
• Video Port: XVGA 1024 x 768 / Come with a propriety dongle
• CF Card Slot: 1 CF Slot to be used as internal memory
• SD Card Slot: Official not support SDHC but some people tested the SDHC and found that it is working
• Weight: 1.133kg (2.4 lbs)
• Dimension: 268 x 169 x 24mm (10.55 x 6.65 x 0.94)
• Battery Life: 5 hrs with WiFi turned on

What software are bundled with Foleo?

Same as the hardware specification, we do not have much information. The below information are based on the information posted in different forums. It may be incorrect or changed when Palm announce the availability of the product.

• Email client - support Versamail / Pocket Outlook (It does view HTML email. It cannot send directly from the client. have to sync it back to the smartphone)
• Contact - Only email address
• Word Processor - Docs-to-go (No "new document" but can use "Save As" to create a document.)
• Spreadsheet - Docs-to-go (No "new document" but can use "Save As" to create a document.)
• Powerpoint - Docs-to-go (Can edit Text only, no slide transition and animation)
• PDF viewer (Support screen rotation)
• Picture Viewer (not support rotation)
• Internet Browser - Opera (Not support Tab / Support Flash / Cannot handle YouTube Vidoe)
• File Manager

How much is the Foleo?

The introductory offer price is US$499 after US$100 rebate.

How many 3rd party software available?

The list of 3rd party software will be changed from time to time when more and more application will be available. We will put it in another thread, so we can update it from time to time. Please also note that you need to pay for the software as it is not bundled with Foleo.

Personal

• mDayscape -- MotionApps - Personal Information Manager
• TealPaint for Foleo -- Tealpoint - Drawing software
• TealSafe for Foleo -- Tealpoint - Storing password and account information
• TealDiet for Foleo -- Tealpoint - The diet, exercise and personal tracking application

Games

• Sudoku -- Astraware - Addicitive number puzzle game
• Solitaire -- Astraware - Traditional card game
• SudokuAddict for Foleo -- Tealpoint - Addicitive number puzzle game
• ShortCircuit for Foleo -- Tealpoint - Connect falling conduit

Business

• Security VPN -- Bluefire Security Technologies - Network Connectivity
• Access 'n Share -- Avvenu - File Sharing

Multimedia

• PocketTune -- NormSoft - Music player