Rumor: More Info on Palm Zire and Palm Tungsten

the new programs are probably going to take up more ram anyways...so 16megs will definitely not do...

64 is already on the low end...

Applications that currently run on an m505 use LESS than 256kB of R/W RAM. That's all that is available; the rest is write-protected database storage (simulated ROM). Even the Sony nr70 allows less than 1 MB of application heap. Using more power-consuming DRAM to emulate zero-static-power flash is just a waste. If anything, they should add another slot for more MMC cards or memory sticks.

You gotta be kidding.

Whom to be blamed this time? Definitely not DragonBall processor!

SD card with VFS does not equal to increased RAM. You are recommended to treat it like floppy disk. As many programs do not support VFS and moving them to card will give you a nasty supprise!

For details of VFS, you may refer to latest issue of Palm Tipsheet 34 - September 2002.

Palm [hardware side] releases devices in a smart, non-consumer pleasing type of way. They are committed to releasing devices that balance good battery life, solid applications, and [sometimes questionable but] good reliablity. For them to release a color i705 with battey technology still not great, good but not great, for a wireless color device, goes somewhat against their philosophy. Sure you have Sony that doesnt really care about battery life except in low-end devices and after the second or third version of a particular product. But they are a consumer driven type of company. They will go to please the consumer faster [more capital toward r&d makes that possible too] than Palm. When Palm releases a device they need to have a good slugging percentage else they will have been bankrupt a long time ago.

A color i705 is probably in the works. Probably not in a OS4 form, but more in the format of a Oslo type device with more wireless ready features for a more mature wireless network. Do we all want it now, sure. But wait, let patience have its perfect work that you will not have to upgrade every year.

In terms of the low cost Zire. It is probably designed to be sold @ $50 before the end of its run. The m100/m105 wasnt. Therefore it is more expensive to produce that device. Rather, Palm would use some of the hardware that is now cheaper because of the broader use of the universal connector and other OS4 specific stuff. The device should be differnt and should 'look' like a cheapy device. But I would like to see Palm develop some consumer accessories for it like the mp3 player and game conrtoller. It would fit within their philosophy.

Thats the end of my long post. I post infrequently and read here a lot. I was always told that a wise man speaks slowly and considers his words. I hope that you all do the same in the rest of your discussions.