Palm Foleo
| File:Newpalmlogo L.jpg | |
| Manufacturer | Palm, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Mobile Companion |
| Media | CompactFlash, SD Card |
| Operating system | Linux kernel variant |
| CPU | Intel PXA27x |
| Memory | 256MB Flash (126 MB available), RAM unknown[1] |
| Display | 10.2" 1024x600 LCD, XGA video output 1024x768 |
| Camera | None |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth, USB |
| Power | Unknown, but reportedly 5 hour battery life |
The Palm Foleo mobile companion is a Linux-based subnotebook announced by Palm Inc. on May 30, 2007 [2] that is intended as a companion device for all brands of smartphones, though currently it only supports Windows Mobile or Palm OS based Palm Treos. It includes 256 MB of flash memory and supports 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 Linux OS and Flash-based storage. (video)
It features wireless connections through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Integrated software includes an E-Mail client which Palm claims can sync with the Treo E-Mail client, the Opera 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 is not a Palm OS application running under an emulation layer.[3] The E-Mail client will not be able to pass throught Wi-Fi connection. The only way this e-mail reader/composer/replier can retrieve/send e-mail is through synchronization with a supported smartphone such as Palm’s Treo.
According to Palm Inc., the Foleo will be available in Summer 2007.
Size and Weight
268×169×24 mm (10.55×6.65×0.94 in). Weighs 1.133 kg (2.4 lbs).
Pricing
Launched at an initial price of $499 after $100 mail-in rebate.
Software
Reported to run a modified Linux kernel.[4] OS Version Number 2.4.21-rmk1-pxa1-intc2 (2.4.21 is the kernel version, 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)
Bundled Applications[1] include: Opera web browser (Supports Flash and Ajax, but not Flash video), E-mail application, PDF viewer, DocumentsToGo (Lets you edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.)
No video or music applications have been announced as of yet. The Foleo has a sound jack, suggesting that it will probably play mp3s, but announcements from Palm suggest that the fanless CPU will probably not be able to play back video.
Criticism
Initial reaction to the Foleo in the trade press was quite critical, noting that subnotebooks have 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".[5] Users on forums and news sites have widely criticized the name, the apparent lack of ability to run Palm OS applications, the lack of multimedia features, and the price.
Palm continues to tout the device as an alternative to carrying a standard laptop when traveling, as it is 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 wifi network, despite its lack of computational power for such tasks as video playback or 3D games, and a few reviewers are very positive about this possibility.[6]
Competitors such as the ASUS Eee PC will soon follow, possibly at significantly lower prices.
References
- ^ http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&Number=27702
- ^ http://investor.palm.com/pressdetail.cfm?ReleaseID=246403
- ^ http://www.palminfocenter.com/ss.asp?f=foleo-live-13-L.jpg
- ^ http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/004514.html The Foleo runs Linux
- ^ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2139017,00.asp
- ^ http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39953
