Subscribe by EmailPalm unveils Foleo UMPC
June 1, 2007 by Geeks are Sexy | 2 comments
On Wednesday, during the D5 conference, Palm has presented an all-new ultra-portable computer thing, the Palm Foleo. The device, which the company qualifies as a companion to smartphones, weights around 2.5 pounds, features a 10 inch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard and support Bluetooth connectivity. It will initially be priced at $599, right before a $100 rebate that will be offered during summer time.
What really baffles me about this device is that the folks at Palm designed it to work in pair with a palm Treo, so people can read their mail and view attachments (All common formats are supported) on something else then the Treo’s tiny screen. The Foleo can also let you navigate the net via the Opera web browser. “So what’s the problem with this thing?” I hear you say. Well, the problem is that I’m not sure anyone actually needs such a device. Why buy something that is specifically made to work with a Treo when anyone can get a full featured ultra-portable laptop that can do the same things, and more.
Palm Advances Mobile Computing with Its First Mobile Companion Product (Official Press Release)
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Why? Well, my guess is that firstly, the price of 500-600$ is much more attractive to customers than the price of ultra portable laptops, and secondly, instant-on with such a battery life is really great, that means that people will actually use it during short idle times – on a bus, taxi, etc.
I think that one of the most attractive things about this is that it runs linux. Imagine what all those wonderful linux hackers could do with this thing. Even without the hacks though I would love this thing for just surfing the net around the house. I don’t want to have to get out my MacBook and deal with all that extra heat and bloat of OS X when I could just pull this thing out and surf away.