-----Original Message----- From: Lio wrote, "if that's the case, what is the Foleo all about? That certainly won't appeal to the people in the middle - pricewise or featurewise."
According to the prediction on the future of mobile/wireless computing by Martin Cooper, the CEO of ArrayComm Inc1, "The future of mobile/wireless computing over the next 10 years will include the replacement of tethered Internet connections with the freedom of mobility -- high-speed wireless Internet capabilities will soon become a staple for every worker, just as cellular phones are part of our lives today." The UMTS forum (UMTS 2005) forecasted that the total global number of mobile voice subscribers will range from 1.7 to 2.6 billion in 2010 and mobile data network subscribers would reach between 600 and 800 million for the same year. More recently, many of the biggest cities and counties have begun to provide free access to wireless broadband Internet from Internet-accessible mobile devices such as laptops, palmtops, PDAs, mobile phones, and game consoles. In sum, prospects for the wireless Internet and m-commerce are promising, as many experts foresee that in the near future the number of Internet access through mobile devices will increase enormously.' Even though mobile Internet and wireless Internet, are used interchangeably, they are different. The Palm Foleo hopes to allow you the ability to use both so that you can take advantage of both. The Foleo used the wireless Internet via, Wi-Fi, from the fixed points and the Treo Broadband mobile Internet when you are roaming free. Mobile users obtain 'mobile value' created through the use of mobile Internet applications (Anckar and D'Incau 2002). Palm has tons of experience in developing and empowering developers to make mobile applications. With the increased spread of mobile Internet use and a larger screen and keyboard, Palm is looking to become a key player in what people do with their mobile devices. While the Foleo device is not designed to replace a laptop, it is designed for the people that either use them today or desire to use them. Those who currently use them today, wish they had - a lighter package, - longer battery, - the ability to to turn it on instantly and instanly resume where they last left off - a device that won't get so hot you could fry an egg on it, - access to their email (both personal & corporate) - access to create, modify and send documents that those at remote site (home, work, customers, family and friends) can use without conversion. Those who don't wish they could afford to do everything listed above and below. The Foleo is set to appeal to anyone that wants to: - carry a 10' screen and full keyboard - surf the web, - work on Microsoft Office documents, - conduct a PowerPoint presentation with portable projector - listen to music, - transfer pictures from digital camera & cards and view them on a large screen, - work on your PC at home or work (without having to take any files with you on the road) - play a few game in between - transfer large files (too big for email attachments) from the road to the home or office - connect to corporate email - connect to personal email - do all of the above with the ability to turn the device on and of during any activity and return without waiting for the device to power up People that fall into the category that supports a product like this is huge. The only way this product can fail is that Palm fails to market it better then it does its flagship Treo products. Thanks, I'll see you on the web! Carl W. Brooks http://www.Palmloyal.com Palm Podcasts, Daily News, Software, Hardware, Mobile Email Services and More!
