Palm launches laptop 'companion'

Yesterday (May 30), Palm officially launched a line of laptops (laptops) running the new open source Linux operating system platform.

The manufacturer said the Palm Foleo is just a device similar to a laptop. In fact it is a "companion" for smarter phones.

Palm Foleo is easily connected to a smartphone that allows users to browse text editing emails or browse the web. The device also comes with a built-in wireless connection for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that allows Internet connection via a bridge that is a smartphone.

In addition, Palm Foleo is also equipped with USB connector, signal output port, headset slot and SD memory card slot, Compact Flash.

Although Foleo is only designed specifically for smartphones, it is fully compatible with devices running Windows Mobile platforms without any modification. Foleo can also be compatible with the smart phones of Research In Motion, Apple, and Symbian.

" The big initiative is about the same as launching our first PDA more than a decade ago. Palm Foleo is the first representative of a whole new range of solutions aimed at redefining people. used to work on a mobile desk , "said Ed Colligan, Palm President and CEO.

Palm thinks this is the right time to launch a line like this because the smart phone market is growing very fast. Meanwhile the content types today are digitized.

Now Palm also plans to add functionality to Foleo and open the device platform to allow developers to build new applications. The software can be installed via the integrated browser on the device.

Analysts evaluate Palm's new product with great potential. However, the device will also face many challenges. " The first thing to answer is whether Foleo can become a new platform or just stop playing here. Is Palm trying to develop a new mobile platform or just a copper device? Smartphone operator , "said analyst Michael Gartenberg of JupiterResearch.

Foleo is expected to officially appear this summer with a price of about 499USD.

Hoang Dung