The Palm Foleo

Some of you may have seen late last night or early this morning information about the Palm Foleo.Now it's "officially" official. And no, the Palm Foleo is not a plane, train or portable waffle maker. It's a smartphone companion that has a large screen and full-size keyboard (which makes email and working with documents much easier), Wi-Fi, and an on/off button that actually does just that...instant on, instant off (i.e. no boot up).

More details can be found here:

http://socialnews.palm.com/release.aspx?hid=11

http://investor.palm.com/pressdetail.cfm?ReleaseID=246403

Check back for more info on the Palm Foleo during the coming weeks.

Paul Loeffler - Palm, Inc.

Comments

[Cliff]

I like it. The most important thing to me is that using it with my Treo won't be looked at by my cellular provider as tethering like if I used a laptop. That would convince me to buy this.

I also hope that it includes pidgin (gaim) or some fully featured IM client and some method to rip cd's if I plugged a CD player into my USB drive.

[mvk]

Maybe I'm not understanding the real purpose of this device (yeah, email and stuff, but still... that can't be "it"). It is quiet expensive too for such limited functionality.

I think the form factor and overall physical attribtues are very good, but it could do with some more "stuff" inside, e.g., a GPS and (maybe) a DVD player. Software-wise, it should definitely have an Office-like suite built-in, especially Word + PowerPoint + Excel + PDF(reader+writer). Mainly PowerPoint.

What kind of third-party applications will be available for this? Or is this a stepping stone for the ultimate: a Palm-Linux-Treo-Smartphone?

[1PTUser]

I believe my initial disappointment may have been due to the fact that I was not expecting what I saw. Additionally, what was being "sold" was not what I needed. However, I then considered the following:

1. I, and all the other mobile executives in my company have been using 10 1/2 inch screened Fujitsu P-series sub-notes for years. We need basic laptop functionality but hated lugging around our 14 or 15 inch Dell and IBM units. Anyone constantly rushing between airport terminals, rental counters and parking garages would understand. Not including broadband data cards, we spend $2100+ for each unit(they're less than Sony Vaios; but, there are NO cheap business sub-notes.) A $500 substitute could be interesting. It cost about $350 to replace a drive the last time one of our laptops fell.

2. In addition to its solid-state storage, the Foleo accepts compact-flash cards for use as a primary storage "drive." Compact flash is fast, energy efficient, ridiculously rugged and have a higher capacities than SD. Samsung announced 32 and 64 gig card technology last September...Hmmmn, interchangeable work and play drives. Still,the Foleo has an sd-card slot too. Very interesting.

3. It multi-tasks, has built-in Wifi, Bluetooth 2.0 and available hard drive like capacity without the mobile hard drive pitfalls. It's slimmer, lighter and waaaay cheaper than my sub-notebooks.

4. It runs Linux. There are already cheap or free Linux apps for (VNC, VPN, Terminal Services, Citrix, IM, office docs, email, multi-media, MS Windows networking and more for) almost everything I need for work and play. Give developers a little time and the device a little better processor, and I wouldn't need anything else. I haven't had Microsoft's office apps on my laptop for at least two years.

What's the point? It would not replace our Treos or XV-6700's. It would not be on me all the time. But there is a business segment that could use this, if it could replace a laptop when needing laptop utility. Offer me a $500 mobile computing platform for my business - let's talk. Heck, I'd get one for every one of my building managers. At that size and weight, offer the case in different colors, include Open Office and full multimedia for $399, and it would be a Home Run with students. It's 2007, multi-media is a must. In my personal experience, almost every teen to college-age person who sees one of our little P-Series laptops think they're the coolest. Girls especially think they're cute.
Palm is marketing the Foleo as an email and web client. For $500, that is not enough use. It's suppose to be the first in a new line. Well Palm, you almost have the right product. But, it's not for everyone. You're definitely "selling" the wrong concept to the wrong people and at the wrong price.

[Ed FitzGerald]

Could this be the tweener I've been waiting for...I could buy hundreds of these for students grades 4-8 IF I can web function; that is really do web 2/web 3 stuff like Google Apps for Education. I need small, light-weight device with Wi-Fi that kids can carry for $500.

[josh s]

Wow. THIS IS LAME. I guess for the Foleo to work, first Bluetooth would have to start working on treos, then treos would need file sharing via bluetooth, unless Palm wants us all to go out and buy iPhones. Then battery life on the 750/680 would need to be improved. aka a ROM UPDATE sometime this century would be great.
I do not see a bright future of the Foleo. Things are very vague at this point with this new device. RAM, mHZ speed etc. Keep it up Palm and you will be teaming up with HP and building outdated pdas/smartphones.

[Julian]

What an interesting device, you guys! I think its biggest downfall is that it looks too much like a laptop.

I believe in Mr. Hawkin's vision, but I really think you guys need to work on a stronger and simpler 'message' to differentiate this device to a plain 'ol notebook.

Good luck!

[lacruise]

Nice, but not enough!

Dear Palm Guys,

The only reason I don't have a Treo, because it doesn't have WiFi! All the competitors has a WiFi smartphone solution.
It is nice to see a new Linux based Palm device, but I can just hope, that we don't have to wait too long for the REALLY NEW WIFI TREO, running Linux.

Hurry up guys,the market is not only US!

If the Foleo can communicate with othe phones and not only with Treo, I might have one for my business, but 500 USD..it is too much!

[Rev. Rhino]

Looks good & very interesting. Can't wait to see the final version...

[KultiVator]

Strange.

A product that just does a couple of things - shouldn't appeal to techies who like the "one gadget does it all" approach.

Yet, it seems to be the techies that are seeing more potential in the Folio.

I'm a techie myself and since I have to carry a laptop with my work role - this is not really the thing for me.

I guess for professionals and students who do not generally carry a laptop, this could represent a more interesting proposition.

I would still like to see one in person - just not sure where in the UK will stock these things in a retail setting.

KultiVator

[LouC]

All I can say is... well nothing.. this is supposed to be innovation?? All it is, well to me at least, is a wireless thin client?? Instant on?? mt Treo is instant on Why is this so innovative...?? Syncing with e-mail?? My Treo does this (when it is working properly) Keyboard?? I can get a bluetooth keybard for my Treo... oh wait my blue tooth doesn't work properly so you have me there.... Innovative...?? What the 10” screen...??? Come on palm you guys have lost touch with what truly is innovative. I can see how it would be useful and convenient and all, but to me it is lacking in things like a full fledged Internet browser(i.e. Mozilla), and full suit of office applications (Docs to go is nice, but bundle something like open office since it will run on Linux)...

How about the 700p MR... Where is that?? What good is a bluetooth connected "companion" when my 700p bluetooth barely functions at all??

About the only thing innovative about the Folio is the fact that is uses Linux as an OS... At least it will not crash (I hope)...

[Naranek]

Now that the foleo wasn't what pretty much everybody was expecting, but instead a device for a certain business type users, I'm wondering if Palm has any plans to release any updates on their good old PDA line. I'm still using my trusty Zire 72 because there haven't been any serious advances after that. Is the whole PDA-thing deserted in favor of Treos and Foleo, or is there still hope of getting that perfect swiss army knife of a PDA that would be Zire 73..

[Garman]

Only 6 comments on my since yesterday at my current time of 7:40am EST Thursday May 31, 2007. Don't tell me there were actually only 6 comments made since the launch. This is not rude comment but commentary about this blog. The comments are way too slow in appearing. It is not efficient for a blog. Also, I hope now is not the time you would choose to exercise censorship either.

[Julian]

Ed, I don't think drawing comparison between Foleo and Wii is working. The Wii has so much innovation on revolutionizing gaming interface and I'm not sure that is the gist of Foleo.

I think you should draw comparison between foleo and the simplicity of ipod. IE: Ipod for your electronic office. It's simple and it just work.

[David P. Evers]

I have to weigh in in agreement with the first comment, and others I have seen elsewhere. What I want, to replace my T5, is a TX-style device (large screen and WiFi) with Treo-style connectivity (GSM cell phone) built in. Run this on the new Linux-based OS with a standards compliant Web browser and E-mail client. I can use my portable keyboard for longer E-mails and data entry, and a headset to make telephone calls. Allow it to use SDHC cards, and it does everything I need. Deliver it for <$500.

A Treo has too small a screen and too small a keyboard to be useful. The Foleo is too large to be always with me.

Right now no manufacturer is serving this market.

[Dave]

I hope that Palm has some other enhancements in mind for this device. The form factor competes with my laptop I can't and won't carry 2 laptops and it doesn't look like this thing can replace my laptop. I would have preferred adding wifi capabilities to my 700p or as soemone else mentioned a cell radio to my T|X.

[Hengeem]

Absolutely not interested. What I need is a replacement for my TX with better web browsing, and stability. Having a cell radio on a TX would be amazing. The TX has the perfect screen size for a mobile device, which is why the iphone uses the same type of screen. Will Palm miss the boat again?

It's either new TX PDA or Treo with a TX sized screen for me, or no buy. <<<

That is whats being asked here:

http://discussion.treocentral.com/showthread.php?t=144201

[Hengeem]

I am just totally flabergasted by this company.

Palm has got to be kidding right?

It comes down to this:

Either Palm has a super real revolutionary device they will release soon

orrrrr....

They are the gold medalist in the fastest way to kill a company olympics.

[Msweet]

I was very excited about this product and figured I would happily dump my laptop and any thoughts of Vista.

Then I learned it won't run the Palm PIM apps... no datebook, no to-do, no memo.

What is Palm thinking? This is a big no go for me and I am a huge Palm supporter and user.

No Hot Sync = No buy

[Bruce]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this thing can't be used as a notebook PC, can it? It has no hard drive, no modem, and the CPU is too underpowered to play video, no? In fact, it can't really do anything useful without a Treo connected to it, right?

$600 is a lot to ask for a wireless keyboard+display for a cellphone.

And why would anyone lug around a 2.5 lb. cellphone accessory?

[Jaron Horst]

Must say, I like the idea but you really need to work on the price tag that goes along with that! There is no way I will spend $500 on this when I can get a far superior laptop to do the same thing!

I have to agree with the above posters though - with your current rep with the 700p, why on earth would I get another product from you with a NEW OS on it?! And bluetooth dependability.... oh my.

[Aces]

If this is truely a third buisness product, then I'm assuming it will work with other brands of smartphones. I don't see any compatability lists yet. Or does it only "officially" work with Treo's? I curently use a Nokia E70 smartphone and a PDA. Could I use a foleo with an E70?

[700Puser]

Interesting... I must say that an instant-on linux palmtop is a somewhat attractive proposition. That said, I'm not sure it would replace my laptop. Digging around more, though, I'm reading that the foleo will have something on the order of 120MB free RAM. Are you serious?

Also, where's my 700P MR? It's now thursday, near the end of the week of 5/28 :(

[webedc]

It's a brand new concept. Palm has an up-hill battle to rid the image of Foleo being just another ultra-light laptop. "Laptop-like device" is a common adjective the press chose yesterday to describe Foleo.

Foleo is a 'mobile companion' and so it's purpose is an extension to a smartphone such as Treo. So if you don't own a smartphone, Foleo quite frankly is not for you.

Foleo would be truly revolutionary if it can be somehow folded up in a candy bar shape and be pocketable. Until then, people would still believe Foleo is just another ultra-light but dumbed down laptop that a mobile professional needs to come up with an extra bag or case to haul it around.

[PDATeacher]

Well they have lost it for sure now. The LifeDrive was a good mobile companion. It had the memory, speed, and it was a Palm. I have to agree with most everyone here and say I have a laptop, thank you, and it is 200x's more powerful.
It is time for Palm to start listening to what people really want and stop playing in the sandbox!

[Paul]

Foleo doesn't do much for me, but perhaps Palm's medical segment and non-tech executives would find it appealing. I tend to look at it as something I might have used 5 -10 years ago. I recall an HP sub-mini laptop that ran off ROM, had PCMCIA expansion, and Windows CE apps. It was marginally useful for writing emails, reports, and such. Now my Macbook suits my needs better.