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This is another editorial that has been brewing inside my brain for quite a while but I never got around to writing it down until now. It’s not like we are not aware of what’s been happening for a long while. Along the same lines of my Palm is setting editorial, this will likely be another lengthy one.

You know that it’s pretty sad when most of the announcements that Palm provides are the availability of a Treo or Centro device on a local carrier. Or it’s the announcement of their latest quarterly result. Sigh. But what do you expect when it’s been announced late last summer that there isn’t anything new coming down the pipes since they scrapped the Foleo and are going back on developing for the next generation operating system? In other words, 2008 will not offer much of anything. We’re in May already and have yet to hear anything about the rumored 800w, and that’s a Windows Mobile Treo.

Sigh. As a Palm fan, yes I still consider myself one, it’s very frustrating to keep waiting and hoping for something to come out, someday, if it ever comes. How long are Palm fans expected to keep waiting? And that’s the basis for this editorial.

Yes, there’s the Centro and I guess that’s the new line that Palm is trying to push. They’re going through the color model trick or limited edition version again, in hopes of extending and stretching the life of a particular line. I’m not sure if coming out with a fruity color like a banana or blackcurrant version will really do much nowadays. Especially when the competitors are ramping up with new models to add to the competition. HTC has recently come out with the Diamond, which looks very nice but looks like it’s no iPhone killer. I’m sure eventually, there will be something that will dethrone the iPhone. The next 3G iPhone is coming as is the rumored clamshell RIM Blackberry, and everyone else is ramping it up with new models. And what’s happening with Palm? Hmmm.

It also isn’t good news to anyone, even Palm users to hear that another Palm OS developer is throwing in the towel. Dmitry Grinberg the genius behind UDMH and many other powerful utilities for the Palm OS has recently announced his termination of Palm OS software development. Donald Kirker, the developer of Wap Universe has recently also stopped developing the Universe browser for the Palm OS. PDA Mill, which stopped selling their Palm OS games in 2007 has recently announced and released all their old Palm OS games for free. Ellams Software has decided to give away their Palm OS games. And there will be more Palm OS developers that throws in the towel. Although it’s great that developers are giving away their games, that only means that they are no longer in the business of developing, selling and supporting the games for the Palm OS platform. Think of it as giving away Atari game cartridges for the Atari game consoles back when Atari was near the end of its life. How many people do you know that still has an Atari console and play the games? I’m sure there are some and they’re still great games but it’s very dated and old technology.

So what does that mean in terms of the whole picture? Less developers mean less programs and games for the Palm OS platform. Regardless of what new Centro or Treo model comes out, we’ll be stuck with very few software choices. This may steer potential customers away. Regardless of how great and efficient an operating system may be, if you can only do very limited tasks on the device while other smartphones or devices can do it, how likely will you buy this device?

Kudos are in order for those who are still in the game, like Rob of Hobbyistsoftware who is pushing new updates by the day (or so it seems), Shimon of ShSh Software, Jeff of Gotreosoftware and some others. But they are few and far between. More developers like Astraware, Resco, Softick, etc are expanding to other platforms. And I am expecting more to do so as well. Heck, they are in the business of “making money”. If there’s no money coming regardless of their effort, why bother?

The once close knit Palm community is unraveling. The Palm OS (Garnet) has really reached the end of its life. Let’s face it. DOS may be very efficient and may still be the foundation of many programs but most of us are now using Windows (oh let’s not get into this platform discussion). DOS is no longer developed as is the Palm OS and as soon as that happens, you know that it has reached its end. It’s also not surprising that many former Palm users (myself included) has upgraded or moved on to devices on different platforms whether it be Windows Mobile, Symbian, iPhone OS, Blackberry, etc.

Palm may not be dead as long as people are using them and insist on using their older Palm models, but also keep in mind that when the rest of the world is moving and you’re not moving with it, you will be behind. Think about VHS video tapes. How many video rental places still offer VHS videos for rental? I’m not sure I can find one. Maybe the small local ones but I haven’t really rented movies for quite a while, especially when there’s media and other entertainment available on the internet or DVDs. It’s not so bad to stay at least “with” the rest of the world rather than against it because if you’re in business, you can’t afford to be behind.

A visit to many Palm focused websites will give you an idea of what’s happening to the Palm community. Oops! Writingonthepalm is no longer available. So too are Palminsider, Palmforums.org, PalmFacts and the lengthy list goes on. Many of the once popular Palm websites have very little and sporadic news or articles with the exception of Palm Addicts but even Palm Addict is shifting some focus away from Palm. Some have completely changed focus. MyPalmLife is now SvenOnTech focusing on technology. It’s a sad picture indeed. But that’s what happens. Either you’re going to keep blogging and find new creative ways to talk about the Palm OS and devices or you have to move on. Even yours truly, Palm Discovery has changed focus to include other technology products and Windows Mobile. Obviously, many Palm fans have stopped waiting and moved on.

So, how long are you going to keep waiting? Can you and will you wait until 2009 or longer for a glimmer of hope that the new Palm OS will be a reality? Or, if you have already jumped ship, will you go back to Palm if they do come out with something new? Will you care? Will anyone care?

That’s probably the biggest question that should be asked and one that Palm should really be thinking if they aren’t. How likely will former Palm users come back even if you do come out with something new in 2009? Unless it’s something totally innovative that is ahead of the curve, I’m not sure if the built-in Wi-Fi, higher resolution camera, built-in GPS will be enough to persuade former Palm users to come back. Had it came a year or two ago, maybe it would have stem the outflowing tide. In 2009, who knows what new innovation is “in”. Will Palm have it in them to be the innovator again? It’s possible but I’m not holding my breath. I am however keeping my eyes open and remaining somewhat positive.

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