Mobile-Net

Palm And Windows Divorced

The once mighty PDA/smartphone leader in the US market Palm is now a basket case ripe for a takeover.  Its share price that once peaked at $95 now hovers between $4 and $7 depending on the rumours and speculation that there's a takeover bid or not.   Its share priced did some rebound to rise 20% early April as reported by Bloomberg when rumours circulated that either Taiwan's HTC or China's Lenovo were interested in acquiring it.

Other companies have likewise been rumoured to hold some interest after looking at its books, like Texas PC giant Dell, China's ZTE Corp and Huawei, but all these speculation were doused and company's share prices promptly settled back to where it was, around $6.

Strategies that backfired

2009 could have been Palm's turnaround year after realizing its past marketing errors.  Apple's tech wizard Jonathan Rubinstein who among the engineers behind iPod's success was taken it first to least its Product Development arm and then as CEO.  The future was a lot brighter.  But the company remains in the red a year after.  It looks like the strategies that could have saved the company were not enough to reverse its free fall.

It took time for the company to realize its local PDA market was shifting to smartphones and when it finally did, its smartphone products failed to compete. Its narrow focus to match Blackberry with its own version of the candybar QWERTY handsets in the Treo line-up didn't do much damage to the Blackberry juggernaut.  You can't simply try to match a leader and expect to overtake it.

But it was really a case of too little too late, aggravated by a haughty attitude to maintain its upscale prices in the face of better and cheaper smartphones from its rivals.  CEO Rubinstein did the right thing abandoning its Windows Mobile efforts that only bring higher production cost with its licensing when it already has its own OS development team behind the PalmOS which it also abandoned in favor of the newer WebOS.

Its Palm Pre product might have saved the company had it been released earlier and not when HTC and Blackberry were at their prime. And certainly not when iPhone was making headway as another unstoppable force to reckon with.  Without even a simple FM radio, no microSD card slot, an underpowered battery that delivers only 5 hours at the most and no video recording, it was not surprising that Palm Pre performed poorly despite the fact that it was among its best products ever.

Missing Android

Many industry pundits have pointed to Android as Palm's best option to remain competitive.  It's an open source OS that costs less to maintain than either Windows Mobile licenses or having a dedicated team of OS developers that it has for the WebOS.

This could bring its pricing in line with HTC and not be pricing itself out of market reach.  While many have praised CEO Rubinstein's decision to abandon Windows and PalmOS in streamlining the company, it didn't go far enough to latch itself on the industry's darling Android.

About the Author

Find out more about Palm at www.moby1.co.uk. They compare contracts for all Palm phones. You can also search through the best deals available for PAYG phones

.

gpe on htc wizard

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions GB Auctions

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

NEW OEM HTC BATTERY MDA 8125 9100 WIZARD PHONE WIZA16 $6.98 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $6.98 Buy It Now

HTC 8125 WIZARD ATT POCKET PC 13 MP B $39.99 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 21m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now

OEM HTC Mini ExtUSB Usb Data Cable 73H00296 01M Dash Wing Shadow G1 Wizard Tilt $1.99 Time Remaining: 8d 13m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now

PDA Battery For DOPOD 838 WIZA16HTC Wizardi Mate K JamMDA VarioO2 mini Pro $5.00 Time Remaining: 8d 11h 10m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 Buy It Now

2X NEW OEM HTC BATTERY 8125 MDA 9100 WIZARD WIZA16 $10.98 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 32m Buy It Now for only: $10.98 Buy It Now

LCD Digitizer Assembly for HTC 8125 Wizard Display Screen Module Flex Cable $14.58 Time Remaining: 20d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $14.58 Buy It Now

2X NEW OEM HTC BATTERY 8125 MDA 9100 WIZARD WIZA16 $9.55 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $9.55 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.59 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 41m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 Buy It Now

Replacement for HTC Wizard 100 Battery 2800mAh WIZA16 $13.49 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 39m Buy It Now for only: $13.49 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.99 Time Remaining: 27d 23h 31m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now

HTC WIZARD 8125 Pocket PC WIZA100 Housing Cover Case $6.95 Time Remaining: 15d 23h 17m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now

Black Belt Clip Holster for T Mobile Mda HTC Wizard $4.24 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 20m Buy It Now for only: $4.24 Buy It Now

HTC Wizard Replacement Spare Battery 2350mAh $12.53 Time Remaining: 3d 4h 23m Buy It Now for only: $12.53 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.99 Time Remaining: 11d 11h 5m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now

NEW OEM HTC BATTERY MDA 8125 9100 WIZARD PHONE WIZA16 $6.07 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $6.07 Buy It Now

NEW HTC WIZARD Mini Usb CHARGING Data Sync Cable $4.49 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 15m Buy It Now for only: $4.49 Buy It Now

HQRP 2400mAh BATTERY for HTC Wizard Dopod 838 MDA Vario $7.45 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 46m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.59 Time Remaining: 28d 22h 32m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.59 Time Remaining: 23h 3m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery fits HTC Wizard i Mate K Jam $12.95 Time Remaining: 15d 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 Buy It Now

NEW BATTERY FOR HTC 3125 Wizard 3100 QTEK 8500 STAR161 $6.90 Time Remaining: 18d 9h 9m Buy It Now for only: $6.90 Buy It Now

Battery Home Charger Phone for HTC WIZARD 8100 MDA $4.10 Time Remaining: 20d 3h 54m Buy It Now for only: $4.10 Buy It Now

Battery Charger for HTC Wizard Dopod 838 QTEK 9100 $13.98 Time Remaining: 25d 6h 56m Buy It Now for only: $13.98 Buy It Now

NEW OEM HTC BATTERY MDA 8125 9100 WIZARD PHONE WIZA16 $6.82 Time Remaining: 11d 6h 33m Buy It Now for only: $6.82 Buy It Now

Battery Car Charger Phone for HTC WIZARD $2.99 Time Remaining: 18d 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now

Battery Charger for HTC Wizard $13.98 Time Remaining: 18d 22h 43m Buy It Now for only: $13.98 Buy It Now

TRAVEL HOME Wall Charger for HTC PHONES AC POWER SUPPLY ADAPTER CORD $4.99 Time Remaining: 27d 3h 26m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $4.00 Time Remaining: 11d 20h 14m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.59 Time Remaining: 24d 34m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 Buy It Now

37V 1250mAh PDA Battery for HTC Wizard Pocket PC $9.98 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.98 Buy It Now

NEW Original 3 Pack Stylus PEN Styli Pens for HTC Wizard 8100 8125 $9.99 Time Remaining: 21d 9h 59m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now

NEW HTC WIZARD MINI USB VEHICLE AUTO CAR CHARGER $11.89 Time Remaining: 28d 2h 13m Buy It Now for only: $11.89 Buy It Now

OEM HTC 35H00064 00M WIZA160 Standard Replacement Battery for Wizard NEW $15.99 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 55m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now

37V 1250mAh PDA battery for HTC Wizard I MATE K JAM $9.98 Time Remaining: 8d 11h 32m Buy It Now for only: $9.98 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.67 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.67 Buy It Now

OEM HTC Adapter Google G1 Wizard Sedna Shadow2 S630 Cavalier MyTouch 3G 35mm $2.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 22m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 Buy It Now

DC+AC CHARGER+HEADSET FOR HTC Voyager Pure Wings Wizard $7.05 Time Remaining: 27d 10h 29m Buy It Now for only: $7.05 Buy It Now

WALL+ car BATTERY CHARGER V3 FOR HTC WIZARD TYTN TYTN 2 $6.45 Time Remaining: 16d 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $6.45 Buy It Now

NEW BATTERY FOR HTC 3125 Wizard 3100 QTEK 8500 STAR161 $6.95 Time Remaining: 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.79 Time Remaining: 23d 23h 41m Buy It Now for only: $3.79 Buy It Now

USB Data Cable Htc Tytn TyTN II Wizard 110 Google G1 $3.85 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 46m Buy It Now for only: $3.85 Buy It Now

OEM HTC Mini ExtUSB USB Data Cable 73H00296 01M Dash Wing Shadow G1 Wizard Tilt $3.49 Time Remaining: 24d 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 Buy It Now

CHARGER PORT OEM FOR CINGULAR 8125 HTC WIZARD P4300 FIX $5.99 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 36m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now

1G MINI SD Memory Card fr CINGULAR 8125 HTC WIZARD E039 $7.99 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 32m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now

For T Mobile HTC Wizard MDA Leather Case Cover Pouch $3.97 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 29m Buy It Now for only: $3.97 Buy It Now

Travel Charger FOR HTC CINGULAR 3125 WIZARD 3100 NEW $6.07 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 8m Buy It Now for only: $6.07 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.60 Time Remaining: 22d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $3.60 Buy It Now

Replacement Stylus for ATT 8125 HTC Wizard 2 Pack $7.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now

HTC Wizard MDA Leather Case $11.00 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 3m Buy It Now for only: $11.00 Buy It Now

For ATT HTC Wizard 8125 Leather Case Cover Pouch $3.97 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 6m Buy It Now for only: $3.97 Buy It Now

Replacement Battery For HTC P3400 P3400i P4300 8100 8125 Gene 100 Phone Wizard $3.99 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now

AUTHENTIC MYBAT BRAND - LI-ION BATTERY for HTC 8125 / Wizard / 8100 / MDA (USA) / K-JAM - MYBAT RETAIL PACKAGING Sale Price: $4.50   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description LI-ION BATTERY for HTC 8125 / MDA (USA) / K-JAM - RETAIL PACKAGING

Htc Corporation Mobile Phones: Htc Dream, Htc Tytn Ii, Htc Magic, O2 Xda, Htc Touch Diamond, Htc Wizard, Htc Hero, Htc Touch Pro, Htc Universal Sale Price: $26.52 See Reviews For This Product

950 mAh Li-Ion Battery for HTC Wizard / Cingular 8125 Sale Price: $7.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Count on staying connected by getting extra battery power today. ... Compatible with: HTC Wizard, T-Mobile MDA, Cingular 8125.

1250mAh Battery fits Dopod 838 / Wiza100, HTC Wizard, I-Mate K-Jam / Jam, O2 XDA Mini Pro, Qtek 9100, MDA Vario series List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $14.50 You save: $15.49 (52%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Compatible with: Dopod 838 / Wiza100, HTC Wizard, I-Mate K-Jam / Jam, O2 XDA Mini Pro, Qtek 9100, MDA Vario series. 6 months Manufacturer warranty.

Premium Accessory Power Pack for your HTC Wizard 110 Phone! Kit includes : (1) A Days Tech Charging USB Data Cable, (1) Travel AC/Wall Charger with Folding Blades, (1) Car Charger DC/Vehicle with rapid charger & fuse protection. List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $45.00 (64%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Premium Accessory Power Pack for your HTC Wizard 110 Phone! Kit includes : (1) A Days Tech Charging USB Data Cable, (1) Travel AC/Wall Charger with Folding Blades, (1) Car Charger DC/Vehicle with rapid charger & fuse protection...

Brand-New HTC Wizard/ MDA Leather Case Elastic to Expand to Any Size Battery One Year Warranty List Price: $31.58 Sale Price: $13.79 You save: $17.79 (56%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description HTC Wizard/ 8100/ 8125/ MDA/ K-JAM Leather carrying case with clear vinyl keypad cover FEATURES a heavily reinforced, leather covered, metal belt clip that really stays on your belt!

Professional Kingston MicroSDHC 4GB (4 Gigabyte) Card for HTC Wizard 110 with custom formatting and Standard SD Adapter. (SDHC Class 4 Certified) List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $16.99 See Reviews For This Product Description This Kingston MicroSD card is specifically designed for the HTC Wizard 110

FOR HTC: G2 / Fuze / Touch Diamond (CDMA) / Touch Pro (GSM) / Touch Pro (CDMA) / Shadow II (2009) / Wing / P4350 (Herald) / 8125 / 8100 / MDA (USA) / K-JAM / P4300 (Wizard)/ Fusion 5800 / HTC Touch Dual / Shadow / Shadow ii/ LUXURY CLASSIC POUCH/CASE HOLSTER Sale Price: $5.50   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product

FOR HTC: G2 / Fuze / Touch Diamond (CDMA) / Touch Pro (GSM) / Touch Pro (CDMA) / Shadow II (2009) / Wing / P4350 (Herald) / 8125 / 8100 / MDA (USA) / K-JAM / P4300 (Wizard)/ Fusion 5800 / HTC Touch Dual / Shadow / Shadow ii LEATHER POUCH Sale Price: $0.91   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product

Skinit Washington Wizards Htc Evo 4G Skin Sale Price: $14.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Protect your smartphone in style with this Skinit® NBA HTC EVO™ 4G skin. It boasts a 3M® vinyl construction for easy application and residue-free removal. Designed to perfectly fit the unique contour of the device, its low-profile design ensures zero interference with chargers and other accessories.