Rumor: John Sculley to Lead Palm?
by Mike Cane
Exclusive to Palm Infocenter
© Copyright 2001 by Mike Cane. All rights reserved.
A source close to Palm Infocenter has stated that a possible contender to take over the reigns of Palm Computing could be none other than John Sculley, formerly of Apple Computer.
"Think about it," the source, who requested anonymity, told PIC. "This is the man who coined the term 'Personal Digital Assistant' and who championed the Newton at Apple. He single-handedly created the PDA market. Palm would not have existed if it hadn't been for Newton showing people a real, live PDA. In addition, it's no secret that many of the people who worked on Newton are now at Palm. Plus, Palm needs a dramatic gesture to draw the attention of the press. Sculley has that 'vision thing' too. He could help excite Palm's internal and external developers and bring the hardware and software to the next level."
In this age of CEO-as-media-star (think of Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos), would bringing in Sculley be the right thing for Palm to do? Would such a high-profile figure be the public advocate -- indeed, evangelist -- that's needed to sustain and enlarge Palm's market share? There's no doubt his first week on the job would draw unprecedented press attention around the world and possibly give a "media boost" to Palm's languishing share price. But after that? Could the man perceived as the "Father of the Newton" enjoy success -- and even possible vindication -- as the new "Stepfather of the Palm"?
"Don't forget," our source pointed out, "it was Sculley who opened the Macintosh. He got slots in there. He added color. He broadened the line. He took what was becoming a dismal and even vain Steve Jobs failure and increased its sales and market share. He has that track record behind him. Could he do worse than Yankowski? I doubt it."
There's little doubt that Palm is at a crossroads. Its top-of-the-line m505 was recently slashed in price by 12% and, further, Palm is offering buyers a free 16MB SD card via mail. The m100 is now MSRP $99. And a transition to PalmOS 5 and the StrongARM processor looms. This move is, many observers point out, not unlike Apple's switch from 68xxx to PowerPC processors.
"Palm has to generate attention and excitement," our source said. "And there needs to be a perception that someone is in charge. Palm hasn't had that. The only attention Palm has had this year is its debacle over pre-announcing its [m5xx] models -- and wounding themselves in the process. Look at the yawns generated by Yankowski's resignation. Most people thought he had already left."
There is also increased competition from a revived Pocket PC platform with new licensees such as Toshiba and NEC.
"Those are major producers," our source explained. "Toshiba intends to take away Palm's share of the enterprise market -- at $569 for a single unit, it's no coincidence the m505 dropped in price just before Toshiba's unit was due to ship. And NEC is gearing up to attack Palm at its heart -- consumer sales in national chains. These are competitors Palm can't afford to ignore in the way they dismissed the iPaq. These aren't iPaqs. These are Japanese players. Look at what Sony did for Palm this year. Palm didn't do as much for Palm this year."
Power users -- individuals and those in the SOHO and corporate markets -- have long felt alienated and even abandoned by Palm. Requests for common-sense improvements such as Soft Graffiti, industry-standard 240x320 screens, and a basic complement of fonts for word processing have been ignored.
"These are all things Pocket PC offers," our source contended. "Now they even have Graffiti. None of this means Palm will collapse tomorrow -- but anyone who thinks Pocket PCs will stay at a premium price with the Japanese in play isn't paying attention. Palm has ease of use in its core applications. But go beyond that into handling files -- or even something everyday people want to do, like viewing photos from a digital camera -- and you lose that ease of use. Pocket PC developers can add the kind of easy-to-use core programs Palm has. This isn't magic; not anymore."
Magic seems to be what Palm needs to escape its current doldrums and perceived lack of passion and direction. But is John Sculley the magician Palm needs?
"Listen," our source emphasized, "this is something that's basic marketing -- and psychology. Dan Rather equals CBS News. Peter Jennings equals ABC News. Bill Gates equals Microsoft. Steve Jobs equals Apple. Palm needs a face too."
Perhaps Palm needs more than a face. Maybe Palm needs a star. Is that star John Sculley?
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RE: if
Hope he learned this lesson. I'd hate for Palm to make a m125, m125SD, m125X, m500, m500SD, m500X, m505, m505SD, m505X, m510, m510SD, m510X, m515, m515SD, m5015X, and so on all at the same time with only some small changes within the whole lot.
RE: if
RE: if
RE: if
RE: if
So what, anyone remember what Lou Gerstner did before he joined IBM? huh?
>We need someone like Apple to buy Palm out and own >them as a subsidiary.
What's his name needed US Robotics to buy palm to get a device to market. Handheld and convergence devices are the future. If Palm can't compete with PocketPC's and vapor Stinger phones, then let them go belly up.
David in Pflugerville, TX
RE: if
RE: if
RE: if
why doesnt Palm just let the after market have at it... I would love to build my own palm and plug in an mp3 chip and buy a stylee case... at least let me replace the screen on my visor with one from a handera so I can have a virtual pad...
RE: if
But when taking into count that you got re-place that ROM chip on your Visor with some flash memory and flash it with the Handera 330's OS, then you're Springboard slot become useless ... nah, too much truble.
RE: CEO = Chief Entertainment Officer
RE: hi
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2081
Why should I think this "source" has any credibility?
Look, I know everyone's concerned about NDAs and all .. But journalists will at least typically explain some basis for their sources' supposed knowledge. Closeness to the publisher is certainly no basis for credibiliy.
For all I know, the person quoted is Yankowski. But it could also be a homeless guy who lives under the bridge, but who happens to be "close" to PIC.
RE: Why should I think this
RE: Why should I think this
> that PIC will print ANYTHING!
If you really think that, why the hell are you here reading and commenting? Sounds to me like you think this is a good source of info but you are too much a hypocrite to admit it. If I'm wrong, either leave or shut up.
RE: Why should I think this
(The guy from Brighthand told me so.)
RE: Newton
RE: Newton
RE: Newton
The Newton, no matter how big or awkward, paved the way for the likes of the Palm.
It's also well known fact that many of the original Newton team were/are involved with the developement of the Palm as we know it. So, I say, I hope the rumor is true and that Scully is taking over.
RE: Newton
RE: Newton
True. On the market for used Newton’s today a used Newton goes for the price of a new piece or even higher – no computer ever-developed gained value over time – think about this, why?
He costed about what a computer did – and he delivered much more than a computer besides he spoiled unmached mobile standalone capabilities. UNMACHED today!
Years after the departure of the Newton programmers writ code and service there programs – you can have a modern email client as well as a browser. Be considerate, by the time the Newton was developed most of the people thought of the internet to be Italian noodles.
At the time the Newton 2100 was delivered (the first true PDA ever) he was state of the art – and still is today by far.
There is no PDA in the world today matching by a very far shot the elegance, completeness, class, style and full, rich-featured Newton intelligence and rockstable OS.
I can run videos with sound without shaking – if I want.
The "assistant” alone built in (a form of artificial intelligence) was never seen again in any PDA. If I look at my 505 – that’s from the point of usability and power, a lame bicycle compared to a brand-new Boeing 747 long tail.
The Newton incorporated by that time not only two slots fully supported by the OS for basically whatever whacko you plugged in, but had already the same ARM processor that the Palm (if we are lucky) gets end 2002 in the next Palm generation.
The former Newton developer now at Palm, writing code there today, in my point of view, are making jokes at there obviously very uninformed superiors, by selling them such a lousy Palm OS as maximum achievable. The go to the restrooms every 10 minutes for a good laugh and smoke.
The Newton thing might be bulky (screens where only beginning later to emerge) - true, the green screen (4 times the screen of a Palm) on the other hand can light a mid sized garage and the Newton runs longer than my 505 on one charge. The attachable keyboard is better than most of the PC keyboards. The screen alone, made of the most expensive high polished ultra hardened optical glass, costs probably more then a m505 as a whole.
To name the highlights setting this Newton 2100 MP masterpiece aside from all the sad crap we are able to buy today I would need to fill 20 A4 pages in small font.
I still use my Newton MP 2100G today– there is no better PDA around – Point.
The Newton does not come cheap or small – true – but extremely priceworthy given his abilities, elegance and unmatched power.
If Newton would have suceeded ther would be no Palm OS around.
And the Newton was killed not on the free market but only for personal and Apple internal reasons and fights.
The drawback and bottom line – the Newton is dead – And only therefore I do a premium German Palm geared magazine for the second place winner. To be intimely honest.
I still consider buying a used Newton – just to be safe...
Boris v Luhovoy
Publishing editor
Palmtop-Pro magazine
www.palmtop.at
Sculley did his level best to ruin Newton.
Sculley was a BAD CEO and I absolutely DO NOT want to see him running Palm!
Jon Acheson
RE: Newton
RE: Newton
There are some shades of grey - indeed Sculley nearly run Apple down (as far as our limited outsider knowledge can tell from known facts - I'm not a deep Apple insider and hesitate to put a sticker on people I do not know personally or on events I was not part of)- but the Newton build under his supervision (more or less) is the only human(istic) mobile computer today.
The first Newtons had indeed more troubles then benefits - that’s true. But the last one, the 2100 MP is unmatched.
Sad to see the Newton handwriting recognition machine has been licensed from Apple now to Microsoft - the wonderful Newton Rosetta handwriting recognition drives all the PPC handwriting today - I wonder why Palm let this chance pass.
In fact - this might have been THE key mistake at palms head office for what Palm will pay dearly in the future.
There was never and will not be in the near future a handwriting machine (in fact seven seperate machines are working simultaneously) on the market being any mach to Rosetta (former Newton) now Microsoft.
If I point a finger to the otherwise nice Palm CEO Yankowsky (I happen to know Carl personally) given with the early introduction of the 505 he nearly broke Palms neck - this was his grave mistake he allowed to happen that Rosetta fell in MS hands.
Many if not all bystanders are overlooking the effect of this clever MS move.
Palm will pay for that very mistake to let MS licence Rosetta more dearly in the future than for other marketing mistakes they may have made in the past– and I see this with anger.
Boris von Luhovoy
publishing editor
Palmtop-Pro Magazine
www.palmtop-pro.com
RE: Newton
Wrong. Apple never licensed Rosetta to Microsoft or anyone else. They still own it.
What you are referring to is the Newton's original CURSIVE recognizer, written by Paragraph, a Russian company. It's now called "Calligrapher", I believe (or perhaps that's the original name, I don't recall exactly) This was the recognizer that was so maligned by the press and Doonsbury cartoon, and THAT is the recognizer that Microsoft has licensed from Vadem and bundled as an add on to the PocketPC. And it's not as good an implementation as the Newton's HWR (either version). Not as integrated, not as automatic, etc.
The 2100 is still the best PDA ever made, over 3 years after it's cancellation. Microsoft's PocketPC 2002 isn't even close. And both Palm and Microsoft are figuring out NOW what Apple knew in 1993: the ARM chip is THE chip to use for a PDA.
Funny how what goes around comes around. Many of Apple's Newton staff work for Palm, and a lot of the rest (Steve Capps, Walter Smith) work for Microsoft.
You blew it $teve Jobs. You could have had an iPad to go with your iPod. Heck...you still COULD. Apple's Newton is better than the MS Tablet PC that Gates is pushing at Comdex....
-Bill
Sculley and Yankowski together in Maine
RE: Sculley and Yankowski together in Maine
Just because the two of them were seen talking doesn't mean anything. I've shaken President Bush's hand, you don't hear me being rumoured as the next prez do you?
Think before you post!!
RE: Sculley and Yankowski together in Maine
RE: Sculley and Yankowski together in Maine
I saw Sculley with some guy called Mulder once.... I wonder if the Feds are trying to pursuade Palm to produce devices that inform the authorities of illegal goings on?...
The truth must be out there
Palm already has faces!
for the original founding knights to take back Avalon. But alas, have pastures more green
than Palm been discovered?
RE: Palm already has faces!
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