Last April, Palm’s CEO said:
“We will bring out more products this year on the existing platform, but you can also expect Linux-based products to come out from us this year as well. On the smartphone side, you can expect more traction around that in 08. There will be a transition time there.”
It is not unreasonable to think that Palm could have been one of Google’s first partners on the Linux phone OS “Android“. I am betting that one of the first Android phones we see is from Palm. The Centro form factor is nice, but I can’t really consider getting one because of the lack of advances in the Palm OS. I am not alone in feeling that Palm OS is antiquated.
I am not willing to sing the praises of a Linux phone OS just yet. I am very familiar with Linux and even had one of the few Linux mobile devices to ever make it to market (the Sharp Zaurus). I am excited by the hackability of a Linux phone, but I am not willing to sacrifice stability (which has historically been the trade off).
Time will tell if Android is a home run or a non-starter. Either way, I think Palm’s fate is closely coupled to the success of Android.
Prediction: Palm will release one of the first Android phones. It will be Centro form-factor. It will be announced (or “leaked”) before the end of the year and will ship (late) Q1 2008. You heard it here first.
