Palm is the traditional name for the popular personal digital assistant (PDA, also known as a handheld computer), a handheld device also known as a handheld computer. In a broad sense, Palm is a type of PDA, invented by Palm Company. The operating system on this PDA is also called Palm, sometimes called Palm OS. In a narrow sense, Palm refers to the PDA products produced by Palm Company to distinguish them from other PDA products running the Palm operating system such as SONY's Clie and Handspring's Visor/Treo. PalmComputing was founded in Silicon Valley in the United States in January 1992 by Jeff Hawkins. The goal is to successfully design a lightweight, convenient and user-friendly pen-type portable computer. PalmComputing spent some time planning the company's capital raising and operating strategies, and also actively sought partners. On June 15, 1992, 35-year-old Donna Dubinsky officially joined Palm Computing. Although at first, Donna had limited knowledge of "handwriting portable computers", it could be said that she was "curious". Far greater than professional knowledge. However, Donna and Jeff later turned out to be a perfect pair of top partners. Jeff obtained $500,000 from the venture capital company of Bruce Dunlevie who invested in GeoWorks, $300,000 from Tandy Company, and another $500,000 from other venture capital companies before he started. PalmComputing's first product plan.
In October 1993, Palm Computing launched its first product "Zoomer". Unfortunately, this is still a pen computer that is not light enough and not very efficient, making it difficult to sell in the market. To make matters worse, Apple's NewtonPDA was launched in August of the same year, seizing the market momentum. Regrettably, neither product was successful, and the connected PDA products launched by HP, GO, Sharp, Toshiba and other manufacturers also failed one after another. Fortunately, Palm Computing still has remaining funds available and has not collapsed. It can also carry out a review of new aspects. Therefore, starting from Zoomer's customers, we began to analyze the functions of PDA products that are really useful to users. They found that 90% of Zoomer users have PCs, and it is very important to transfer files and update application software from PCs. almComputing also found that the theme of PDA products should not be to replace users' desktop PCs, but to replace some of the simple functions of traditional "paper". After thinking and thinking, Jeff found two simple basic principles as the basis for improving Zoomer product development. These two principles later became the key to the success of the PalmPilot product.
The first principle is to simplify the heavy burden of handwriting recognition systems, because Jeff believes that it is feasible for people to learn new penmanship to cooperate with machines. It is impractical and unflattering for machines to deal with people's complex handwriting. Therefore, Jeff invented the Graffiti input method, which uses a newly created special simple pen method to input English, numbers, symbols, etc., allowing everyone to input data efficiently and conveniently, and thus greatly reducing the computational burden of the recognition system. Even later analysis found that learning Graffiti's brushwork was actually easier than imagined, and many users found this novel brushwork fun. The second principle is about size. How small is appropriate? Jeff boldly decided that he would be satisfied if it could fit in his shirt pocket. This critical constraint makes the new product's goal of simplicity a perfect success. All sacrificial features are removed and all features that can be made "optional" are not necessary.
Three months after rethinking the market demand, in August 1994, a prototype model was built.
It can be started up with two small AA batteries and can be used for a long time. It has four built-in applications, including "Schedule Management", "Phone Book", "To-Do Management", "Notepad", etc. It costs 300 US dollars. the following. PalmComputing decided to codename this revolutionary new product development project "Touchdown". In April 1996, the "Touchdown" project was completed, and a lightweight portable PDA product whose official name was changed to "Pilot" was finally released. As we all know, this was a very successful product. Within eighteen months of its launch, one million units were sold, surpassing the best-selling records of color televisions and video recorders in the history of electrical appliances for the first time. Over the past three years, "Pilot1000", "Pilot5000", "PalmPilotPersonal", "PalmPilotProfessional", "PalmIII" and other models have been launched one after another, as well as "PalmIIIx", "PalmV", "PalmVII", which were launched in March 1999. "Palm IIIe" and other series of products have been reported to have sold more than three million units so far. What's even more valuable is that the open architecture of the PalmOS program development platform has attracted many programmers to develop application software for the PalmOS platform. There are now more than 10,000 types of shareware and freeware in circulation, with various Excellent application software is still expanding rapidly.
At least 10 million users around the world are using PalmPilot. With the launch of PalmIII, PalmIIIx and PalmV models, users have also developed from more professional users to ordinary users. The proportion of new users appearing in newsgroups discussing usage techniques increased dramatically. Although Microsoft developed Windows CE for Palm Pilot and invited many hardware companies to support the production of similar products, Palm still accounts for 60% of the PDA market. Palm: A mobile computer that changes the way people live and work. From the online Pilot notebook to the TreoTM smartphone, Palm is still committed to the development of mobile computer systems
Ten years Previously, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) succeeded with the first online-connected Pilot Notepad – a powerful handheld computer that combines calendar, contacts, to-dos, and notes in only 161 grams Capture all office workers. Today, Palm has sold more than 30 million mobile computer products.
At the same time, it is committed to continuously improving the public and private lives of people around the world, and adheres to its vision for the future: the personal computer system of the future, It must be a mobile computer system.
The first Pilot multi-purpose notepad launched on the market, priced at more than 2,000 yuan (US$9), has achieved unprecedented success mainly because of the following two points: it can not only be used with desktop Computers sync easily and are incredibly easy to use – we often call this the Palm product experience. In addition to adhering to its design philosophy, Palm has also kept pace with the times and continued to innovate, adding several new features to its products, such as email, wireless Internet access, and multimedia capabilities - from images to music. The latest product is the TreoTM smartphone, which combines the best features of a handheld computer with a mobile phone, and provides email services through some global telecommunications operators(1).
In the past ten years, PalmTM products have been sent into space to collect data, were once active in the Mount Everest expedition, and have helped the business community successfully complete millions of transactions. , no matter men, women, old or young, everyone loves to use it and has successfully won the hearts of consumers around the world.
From doctors, real estate agents, to students, celebrities, and even CEOs of major companies, Palm products accompany everyone in their lives and work.
For multimedia materials: including audio, photos, and Palm chronology, please visit www.palm.com/anniversary. The audio section includes the voices of Palm's founders, industry analysts, and employees who have worked at Palm for many years.
"Honestly, we were a little surprised that the first Pilot Notepad was so successful," said Ed Colligan, Palm's chief executive. “But when I first talked to Jeff Hawkins, I was really impressed by what he said: The future of PC systems – true PC systems – is going to be highly mobile products. That’s why we The reason why the Pilot was designed continues today. The Pilot and subsequent Palm products have become a part of millions of people's lives - allowing people to stay connected to work and family, even when they are away from home. They can also send and receive email and browse the Internet, while allowing them to take their favorite files, music, photos, and videos with them. I'm proud of our achievements and excited about the future."
Loyal customers have purchased more than 30 million Palm products over the years – including 3 million smartphones. Chief among them are individual consumers who, with the assistance of Palm products, have made their lives more organized and can receive important information at any time. For most individual consumers, the Palm V handheld computer - elegant in style and packed with high-efficiency features - was the first product to appeal to novelty and fashion seekers, while also becoming the focus of the mainstream market. Other customers from the business and service industries, such as doctors, can also use decision support software to improve the quality of their medical services to medical stations and patients.
Currently, there are more than 29,000 developers supporting Palm OS(R) platform products. They not only develop innovative consumer and enterprise application software, but also launch various hardware peripherals – such as : Keyboard, GPS device, and barcode scanner are Palm's most powerful backing. When Palm incorporated the Windows Mobile(R) platform as one of its smartphone platform choices, it also meant that its developer team had grown again.
Help market Palm handheld computers and Treo smartphones to retailers, resellers, and reseller partners around the world. Many of the retailers that have been with Palm since 1996 and remain our best partners include Circuit City, CompUSA, J&R, Fry's, and Staples. Palm also has a 10-year history of cooperation with resellers such as Ingram and Tech Data and resellers such as CDW, PC Connection, and PC Mall.
There are also telecommunications operators representing the world's top mobile phone system operators and agents.
As well as employees who are full of enthusiasm and work hard to convey the company's philosophy - the personal computer system of the future must be a mobile computer system.
Their support not only gives the company more creative inspiration, but also helps the company formulate product development trends.
Today, in addition to continuing to provide a variety of mobile computer system products - from the simplest function, the most attractive appearance, the universal notepad priced at less than 900 yuan (US), to In addition to ultra-powerful handheld computers equipped with wireless technology, smartphones are also the focus of development.
These powerful smartphones allow customers to send and receive email, access personal data such as contacts and calendars, listen to music, take and share photos, and, with the help of additional software, enjoy live TV shows, Listen to podcasts or post them to personal blogs.
Palm also attracts a large number of enterprise users. More than 8,000 companies equipped with Treo smartphones have adopted GoodLinkTM from Good Technology as the standard software for business email. Currently, 40 Fortune 1000 companies are using Treo smartphones, with another 35 in testing or trials. A recent study conducted by Frost & Sullivan found that mobile professionals tend to choose Treo smartphones over other manufacturers' products for the following reasons: It has a large number of built-in business applications, is highly flexible, has a choice of operating systems, and has powerful functions. , and easy to use. Related links /view/27225.htm