>I'm confused about a few things. Is it replacing or
>just competing with the Palm.
The word "Palm" is being used in different contexts in this question, it
seems. Handspring's Visor devices are Palm Computing platform devices and
they run the Palm OS - we provided the base system software, and Handspring
created the hardware (and some software extensions).
Does it compete with devices such as the Palm V and Palm IIIx organizers?
Sort of, but only in the sense that the Palm IIIx and Palm V devices
compete against each other and against the devices from other licensees of
Palm OS like IBM, Symbol and Qualcomm. Having more options for consumers
and developers will grow the market for everyone.
>I have heard about IPO in relation to Palm and
>was wondering if this is somehow related.
No. The close timing of the two announcements was a coincidence.
>If it is not related to 3Com, why is it discussed here?
>Will the Palms be dropped and replaced by Visors?
Visor runs the same basic system software as Palm IIIx and Palm V and Palm
VII and IBM's WorkPad and Symbol's SPT series and Qualcomm's PDQ and all
the others in the platform. There's plenty of room in the market for
different devices with different features aimed at different customers, and
Handspring's addition to the platform will benefit everyone involved in the
Palm Computing platform.
-David Fedor
Palm Developer Support
