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Palm Foleo

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Palm Foleo
File:Newpalmlogo L.jpg
Palm Foleo (right)
Palm Foleo (right)
ManufacturerPalm, Inc.
TypeMobile Companion
MediaCompactFlash, SD Card
Operating systemLinux
CPUIntel PXA27x 416MHz
Memory256MB Flash (126 MB available), 128MB RAM[1]
Display10.2" 1024x600 LCD, XGA video output 1024x768
CameraNone
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth 1.2, USB
PowerUnknown, but reportedly 5 hour battery life

The Palm Foleo mobile companion was a Linux-based subnotebook announced by Palm Inc. on May 30, 2007 [2], and cancelled on September 4, 2007, that was intended as a companion device for all brands of smartphones, though it only supported Windows Mobile or Palm OS-based Palm Treos. It was supposed to include 256 MB of flash memory and support an "Instant-On" feature, allowing an immediate boot-up with all applications intact in the past state. Jeff Hawkins' comments at D5 seemed to imply that this was possible because of a Linux OS and Flash-based storage. (video)

Its features included wireless connections through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Integrated software includes an E-Mail client which Palm claims could sync with the Treo E-Mail client, the Opera web browser and the Documents To Go office suite, although as the version is 1.001 (current Palm OS version 10.0) when viewed under "System Info Details," this indicates DTG was not a Palm OS application running under an emulation layer.[3] The E-Mail client would not be able to pass through the Wi-Fi connection. The only way this e-mail reader/composer/replier program was able to retrieve/send e-mail was through synchronization with a supported smartphone such as Palm’s Treo [4], although the Foleo itself could use other programs to access email through wifi.

According to Palm Inc., the Foleo was supposed to be available in the summer of 2007 at a price of $499 after an introductory $100 rebate.[5] However, as of September 4th, 2007, all development has been cancelled for the Foleo. Palm's CEO, Ed Colligan, announced that he wishes to focus on Palm's core product instead. [6]

Size and Weight

268×169×24 mm (10.55×6.65×0.94 in). Weighs 1.133 kg (2.4 lbs).

Software

The Foleo was initially reported to run a modified Linux kernel.[7] The kernel was reported as being version 2.6.14-rmk1-pxa1-intc2 ("rmk1" indicates this is the ARM architectural version, "pxa1" indicates it is of the PXA family of Intel/Marvell Technology Group XScale processors, "inct2" is possibly an IRQ handler).[8] On August 7th 2007, Palm announced[9] that it had chosen Wind River Systems to help it customize the standard Linux kernel to make it more suitable for this device.

The device used a custom-built widget framework called HxUI, which is based on the LiTE toolbox over the DirectFB framebuffer device. HxUI uses XML to describe its interfaces.[10] Bundled Applications[11] included the Opera web browser (Supports Flash and Ajax, but not Flash video), an E-mail application, a PDF viewer, and DocumentsToGo to handle Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

A number of companies had announced plans to release applications for this product. For example, LogMeIn planned to provide remote PC access capabilities to the Foleo,[12] Avenuu planned to provide remote file access,[13] Bluefire planned to provide VPN software.[14] On July 26th 2007, Normsoft was the first company to announce[15] an MP3 player for Foleo. Some executives at Palm had suggested that the fan-less CPU would probably not be able to play back video, while others had disagreed. Other companies had announced plans for games, a photo editor, and blogging tools.

Criticism

Initial reaction to the Foleo in the trade press was quite critical, noting that subnotebooks had never found a large market. A vice president of research group Gartner stated that Palm has "created a device that's not quite pocketable, but it's not quite full function, either".[16] Users on forums and news sites have widely mocked the name (calling it the Palm Fooleo), and criticized the apparent lack of ability to run Palm OS applications, the lack of multimedia features, and the price.

Palm continued to tout the device as an alternative to carrying a standard laptop when traveling, as it was cheaper, smaller, lighter, and sturdier, with a longer battery life and the ability to access the internet through a smartphone when not in range of a Wi-Fi network, despite its lack of computational power for such tasks as video playback or 3D games, and a few reviewers were very positive about this possibility.[17]

References

  1. ^ TreoCentral.com - View Single Post - Is the Foleo concept (wireless syncing) the PC of tomorrow?
  2. ^ Palm - Company - Investor Relations
  3. ^ Image: foleo-live-13-L.jpg - PalmInfocenter
  4. ^ Correction (with additional information) to my post on Palm’s Foleo | Berlind’s Testbed | ZDNet.com
  5. ^ Palm - Company - Investor Relations
  6. ^ The Official Palm Blog: A Message to Palm Customers, Partners and Developers
  7. ^ http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/004514.html The Foleo runs Linux
  8. ^ Palm Foleo runs Linux OS version 2.6.14
  9. ^ Palm Making Behind-the-Scene Changes to the Foleo
  10. ^ Palm Developer Network, Palm Developer Guide, Foleo Beta.
  11. ^ Palm Sets Its Sights On Your Laptop - News and Analysis by PC Magazine
  12. ^ http://socialnews.palm.com/release.aspx?hid=16
  13. ^ http://socialnews.palm.com/release.aspx?hid=13
  14. ^ http://socialnews.palm.com/release.aspx?hid=13
  15. ^ First MP3 Player for the Palm Foleo Announced
  16. ^ Who's Going to Buy the Palm Foleo? - News and Analysis by PC Magazine
  17. ^ My ideal laptop has possibly just arrived - The INQUIRER
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