Possible new PALM PICS!! (M900?)


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hey, saw this over at PDABuzz but their link directs to PocketPCthoughts...

img_Palm_OS5_rumor_1_L.jpg

it's only a rumor but it looks too real to be a rumor.

"Ironically, it was the Pocket PC Thoughts web site that first leaked pictures of what?s claimed to be Palm?s next-generation handheld. If the photo of the device, which appears to be code-named Oslo, is a fake, it?s an awfully convincing one. The key features of the PDA (other than the assumed ARM processor) are a hi-res color screen, a design that collapses to cover the Graffiti area, and a game-friendly directional pad in place of the usual up/down rocker switch. There?s also a small speaker or microphone just above the screen.

The curious decision to create a collapsing writing area would be primarily useful for reducing the vertical size of the handheld--the screen certainly needs as much protection as the Graffiti area. The directional pad is a very welcome addition. It?s useful for easy navigation in business apps like spreadsheets, but the real reason we hope this is legit is for gaming. Many action games are difficult to play on Palm OS handhelds due to the original button layout--this handily solves that problem. We only hope that Palm is mandating this layout for Palm OS 5 devices from its licensees--particularly Sony, which seems to have an amazing talent for creating annoying button designs that are extremely game-unfriendly. (Sabotage from a jealous PlayStation division?) We noted that the Oslo prototype appeared to be sitting on an m500-series cradle, an indicator that the device will remain compatible with Palm?s Universal Connector.

Assuming Oslo is real, we?d expect it to be the high-end organizer entry in Palm?s ARM armada. Public statements by Palm have indicated three new devices in the works. The others are a device designed to sell for under $100 (as opposed to dropping to under $100 because it?s outdated, like the m100), code-named Cub, and a new wireless device that will also have voice capabilities. In addition to these three handhelds, which should be powered by Texas Instruments ARM chips of varying speeds, Palm is rumored to have at least one Intel Xscale device planned for an early 2003 launch as well.

According to Pocket PC Thoughts, Palm?s Director of Global Information Security contacted the site and requested that it remove the images and supply the originally visible serial number that the site had edited away. If it was indeed a clever hoax, like the professionally rendered Apple PDA designs we?ve seen, you wouldn?t think Palm would have bothered?

Because Palm requested the removal of Pocket PC Thoughts image, we?re not reposting it here. However, we do have an artist?s concept we received a couple of months ago that shows how the collapsible design works. The differences between this design and the actual image we?ve seen are in the area of the buttons--they?re actual buttons on the real thing, and just icons in the rendering--and in the directional pad, which has an ?action button? in the center. "?action button? in the center. "

Palm_m900_small.jpg

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lol :)

I think it looks good, but it seems a bit too plain... There's nothing special about it from what I can see... Not sure why there is that little drop down thing, either, but it may look good when it is slide up.

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This looks sweet, although that action button in the middle of the directional pad could make it a bit difficult for clumsy fingers to avoid when moving around fast.

It's a shame that they haven't radically altered the looks for OS 5... and stuck with the old style scroll bars etc. Suppose this leaves room for Silverscreen still.

It would have been nice to have the grafitti area rendered to maximise the on screen area (as I think some Clies do).

As for the collapsible section, well, I've never heard anyone complain that their Palm was too big lol, and it does seem an over complication for a simple form factor. Also more moving parts = more chances to break IMHO.

Other than that it does look good.

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oh and i'm still selling that ipaq! the 3135 and here's the better pic of it... i posted the wrong one...

img_Palm_OS5_rumor_1_L.jpg

oslo-m515.jpg

the second picture was edited to simulate it closed. as well as comparison with the screensize from the M1XX series.

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i gotta say..i dont think the Palm appeals to me..screen size on the new 1 is kinda small..im still a Pocket PC Man :)

im trying to get my parents to get me one of those sweet iPaqs :)

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