PalmPilot series products were originally developed and designed by a company called "PalmComputing", which became a business unit of 3Com after two mergers and acquisitions, and then Palm became independent from 3Com and became an independent company. Palm was then spun off from 3Com to become an independent company.
PalmComputing was founded by Jeff Hawkins in January 1992 in Silicon Valley with the goal of designing a lightweight, easy-to-use, and user-friendly pen-based PC, and it took some time to plan the company's fundraising and operational strategy, as well as to actively seek out partners. On June 15, 1992, Donna Dubinsky, then 35 years old, joined PalmComputing, although at first Donna's knowledge of the "pen computer" was limited and her curiosity far outweighed her expertise. "Curiosity far outweighed expertise. However, Donna and Jeff later became a top-notch team with perfect cooperation. Jeff obtained $500,000 in funding from Bruce Dunlevie's VC firm, which invested in GeoWorks, $300,000 from Tandy, and another $500,000 from other VC firms to start PalmComputing's first product program.
In October 1993, PalmComputing launched its first product, Zoomer. Unfortunately, it was still a pen computer that wasn't light enough or efficient enough to sell. Worse still, Apple's NewtonPDA was launched in August of the same year, capturing the market's momentum. Sadly, both products were not successful, connected down to HP, GO, Sharp, Toshiba and other manufacturers to launch PDA products, have been defeated down one after another. Fortunately, PalmComputing still has the remaining funds available, not collapsed, and can still carry out a review of the new wash. So, from Zoomer's customers, they started to analyze the features of PDA products that are really useful to users. They found that 90% of Zoomer's customers owned a PC, and that transferring files and updating applications from a PC was very important. PalmComputing also found that the theme of PDA products should not be to replace the user's desktop PC, but rather to replace some of the simple functions of traditional "paper". After much thought and deliberation, Jeff found two simple fundamentals that served as the basis for improving Zoomer's product development. These two principles became the major keys to the success of the PalmPilot product.
The first principle was to simplify the heavy burden of handwriting recognition systems, because Jeff believed that it was feasible for people to learn new strokes to work with machines. It was also impractical and unappealing for machines to cope with the complexity of people's handwriting. Therefore, Jeff invented the Graffiti input method, with a new special and simple penmanship to input English, numbers, symbols, etc., so that people can efficiently and conveniently enter information, and thus make the computational burden of the recognition system much lower. Even later analysis showed that learning Graffiti's penmanship proved to be easier than expected, and that many users had fun with the novelty of the penmanship.
The second principle is about size. How small is too small? Jeff boldly decided that he was satisfied with a size that would fit in his shirt pocket. This critical constraint made the new product's goal of simplicity a perfect success, with all the features that could be sacrificed removed, and all the features that could be made "optional" not necessary.
Three months after rethinking the market need, in August 1994, a prototype was built. Two small #4 batteries can start and long use, built-in four applications, including "schedule management", "phone book", "to-do management", PalmComputing decided to codename this revolutionary new product development project "Touchdown" and in April 1996, PalmComputing launched the "Touchdown" product. In April 1996, the "Touchdown" project was completed, and the lightweight portable PDA product, officially named "Pilot", was finally released. As we all know, it was a very successful product, and within 18 months after its launch, one million units were sold, which unprecedentedly surpassed the best-selling records of color TVs and VCRs in the history of electrical appliances. Over the past three years, there have been the "Pilot1000", "Pilot5000", "PalmPilotPersonal", "PalmPilotProfessional", "PalmIII", and in March 1999, the "PalmIIIx PalmIIIx", "PalmV", "PalmVII", "PalmIIIe" and other series of products launched in March 1999, it is said that the cumulative sales volume has exceeded three million units. It is said that more than three million units have been sold so far. The open architecture of the PalmOS platform has attracted many programmers to develop applications for the PalmOS platform, and now there are more than 10,000 types of shareware and freeware in circulation, with a wide range of excellent applications available at a rapid pace.
There are at least 10 million users of the PalmPilot worldwide, and with the introduction of the PalmIII, PalmIIIx, and PalmV models, users have evolved from the more specialized to the casual user. The percentage of new users appearing in newsgroups discussing tips and tricks has increased dramatically. Although Microsoft developed WindowsCE for the PalmPilot and invited numerous hardware companies to support the production of similar products, Palm still holds 60% of the PDA market.
PalmPilot: A mobile computer that changed the way people live and work
- Celebrating 10 years
From the online Pilot to the TreoTM smartphone,
Palm remains committed to the development of mobile computer systems. Ten years ago, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) captured the hearts and minds of working people with the first online Pilot organizer - a powerful 161-gram handheld computer that combined calendar, contacts, to-do lists, and notes. Today, Palm has sold more than 30 million mobile computers, is committed to improving the public and private lives of people around the world, and is steadfast in its vision of the future: the future of personal computing is mobile.
The first Pilot notepad to hit the market, priced at more than 2,000 RMB ($9), was an unparalleled success because of two things: not only was it easy to synchronize with a desktop computer, but it was also incredibly simple to use - something we often refer to as the Palm product experience. In addition to staying true to its design philosophy, Palm has continued to innovate and add new features such as e-mail, wireless Internet access, and multimedia capabilities - from video to music. The latest is the TreoTM smartphone, which combines the best of a Pocket PC and a cell phone in one device, and offers e-mail service through select global carriers(1).
Over the past decade, PalmTM products have been sent into space to collect data, have been active on Mount Everest expeditions, and have helped businesses close millions of deals with people of all ages, both young and old, winning the hearts and minds of consumers around the world. From doctors and real estate agents to students, celebrities, and even CEOs of major corporations, Palm products have been a part of everyone's life and work.
Multimedia footage: Includes audio, photos, and a Palm timeline at www.palm.com/anniversary. The audio section includes testimonials from Palm's founders, industry analysts, and employees who have worked at Palm for many years.
"To be honest, we were a little surprised that the first Pilot notepad was as successful as it was," said Mr. Ed Colligan, Palm's Chief Executive Officer. "But in my first conversation with Jeff Hawkins, he convinced me that the future of personal computer systems -- real personal computer systems -- will be highly mobile. That's why we designed Pilot, and that philosophy continues today. That philosophy continues today, and the Pilot and the many Palm products that have followed have become part of millions of people's lives - allowing them to stay in touch with their work and family, send and receive e-mail and surf the Web even when they're on the go, and carry their favorite files, music, photos, and movies with them. I am y proud of what we have accomplished and even more excited about the future."
Loyal Customers and Developers
Palm's success can only be attributed to the support of these important groups:
Loyal customers have purchased more than 30 million Palm products over the years - including 3 million smartphones. Foremost among them are individual consumers whose lives are organized and who receive important information at all times with the help of Palm products. For the majority of these consumers, the Palm V handheld computer - with its elegant styling and high performance features - was the first product to appeal to novelty and fashion seekers, and has become the focus of the mainstream market. Other customers from the business and service industries - such as physicians - can also use the decision support software to improve the quality of care they provide to their stations and patients.
There are now more than 29,000 developers supporting products on the Palm OS(R) platform, and Palm is backed by innovative consumer and enterprise applications, as well as hardware peripherals such as keyboards, GPS units, and barcode scanners. When Palm added the Windows Mobile(R) platform as one of its smartphone platforms of choice, it also signaled another growth spurt for its team of developers.
Retailers, agents, and reseller partners around the world help market Palm Pocket PCs and Treo smartphones. Many of the retailers that have been with Palm since 1996 are still our best partners, including Circuit City, CompUSA, J&R, Fry's, and Staples: Palm also has a 10-year history of working with resellers - such as Ingram and Tech Data - and distributors - such as CDW, PC Connection, and PC Mall.
There are also telecom carriers that represent the top cell phone system providers and resellers in the world.
And employees who are passionate about communicating the company's vision that the future of PCs is mobile.
Their support has not only given the company more creative ideas, but has also helped to shape the trends in product development.
Today, Palm continues to offer a wide range of mobile computer systems - from the simplest, most attractive universal organizer priced under $900 (US) to the most powerful wireless Pocket PCs - with a focus on smartphones. 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 aid of additional software, watch live TV shows, listen to podcasts, or post them to their personal blogs.
Palm has also attracted a large number of corporate users. More than 8,000 companies with Treo smartphones have GoodLinkTM from Good Technology as their standard corporate email software. Currently, 40 percent of the Fortune 1000 companies are using Treo smartphones, and another 35 percent are testing or piloting them. A recent study by Frost & Sullivan found that mobile professionals tend to prefer Treo smartphones over other vendors' products for a number of reasons: they have a wide range of built-in business applications, It is highly flexible, has a choice of operating systems, is powerful, and is easy to use.
Some facts about Palm
Palm's early leaders are still actively involved in the company today - Jeff Hawkins helps set the direction of Palm's products, and Donna Dubinsky is still a member of the board of directors. Donna Dubinsky is still a member of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Colligan, Palm's current President and CEO, is the company's 20th employee.
Within 18 months of its launch, the Palm Pilot notepad had sold more than one million units - a market acceptance far faster than that of the IBM PC, Macintosh, or even the microwave oven.
The original Pilot was the first mobile device to work with a PC, so customers could synchronize their information and take it with them wherever they went.
The first Pilot used a processor similar to that of a standard traffic sign, so it was power efficient, operating on just two AAA batteries (with power lasting up to three months).
Palm products have become a part of people's everyday lives, not only in Broadway theaters, mainstream Hollywood movies, reality TV shows, and New Yorker cartoons, but also in wedding receptions.
Palm has broken new ground and set a number of industry firsts - including the industry's first Pocket PC with integrated wireless technology for email and Internet access, and the first color Pocket PC priced under HK$800 (US).
About Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc., the leader in Pocket PC systems, is committed to enhancing the capabilities of Pocket PC systems so that people can access and share their most important information on the go. The company's products for consumers, mobility professionals, and business people include the Palm(R) Pocket PC, Palm TreoTM smartphone, and Palm LifeDriveTM mobile lifestyle, as well as software, services, and accessories.
Palm products are marketed worldwide through select Web sites, retailers, resellers, and wireless network operators.
The Treo is undoubtedly one of Palm's most successful product lines to date, but the relationship between the Treo and Palm has been an intriguing one.
We have to mention Jeffrey Hawkins, although this name is not as well known as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, etc., Hawkins is the most famous person in the history of PDA. He was one of the founders of Palm and Handspring, and that alone should put him in the palm history books.
Users familiar with palm's history have been impressed by Hawkins's genius and creativity, and the Palm OS operating system, which now occupies half of the Handheld Computing market, is based on the GriDTask developed by Hawkins.
In 2000, as the PDA market matured and the market began to lose profitability due to price wars, Hawkins' Handspring changed its strategy to combine PDAs and cell phones when smartphones were still a fuzzy concept, launching the Treo series of products, with an unforgettable vision for the market and technology.
Handspring was technically successful, but not commercially successful. Hawkins focused on his personal research into the principles of the brain and neglected to run the company, which ultimately led to Handspring being acquired by PalmOne. Fortunately, the Treo product line was eventually retained by PalmOne and has grown to become what it is today.
Treo (quoted below from the web)
The Treo is a line of smartphones produced by Palm in the U.S. Originally developed by Handspring, the entire line was changed to be developed and produced by Palm after Palm acquired Handspring.
The Treo is one of the most popular lines of PDA phones, with features such as personal digital assistants, voice communication, email, web browsing, and in recent years, a built-in digital camera.
As of September 2006, there were 14 Treo models, up to the Treo 650, which used Palm OS, and from the 700 series onwards, which used Palm OS and Windows Mobile, respectively, with the Treo 700w being the first to use Windows Mobile.
Palm has entered into an agreement with RIM to enable its Treo products to connect and send and receive popular push email using software connectivity.
In September 2006, Palm partnered with Vodafone to launch the first 3G handset in Europe, the Treo 750v with the Windows Mobile operating system.
Treo products
* Treo 180 GSM
* Treo 180g GSM
* Treo 90 PDA
* Treo 270 GSM
* Treo 300 CDMA
* Treo 600 GSM / CDMA
* Treo 650 GSM / CDMA
* Treo 680 GSM
* Treo 700w CDMA
* Treo 700p CDMA /EVDO
* Treo 700wx CDMA
* Treo 750v GSM
* Treo 755P CDMA
Software
The software section has almost all of Palm's software in working order, plus a couple of specific software for the Treo's keyboard and phone.
Its Chinese language processing is still based on CJKOS, so the original Chinese software works just as well, but the input method that comes with CJKOS is not convenient enough.
The Treo600/650 has a giant hard Chinese input method, developed by UGlee@Hi-PDA. There are also free input methods such as PalmEase (which supports Wubi, Pinyin, and customizable code lists), Treowb, and Plum Blossom, etc. Most of the input method software on the TREO650 is better than UDlee's JiuHard (which is said to have a successor, but in fact has not been released yet until the end of 2006).
For more information about Palm, Inc. please visit the website at the right:
Palm OS
The Palm OS platform is an open software architecture comprised of a hardware reference design, the Palm OS operating system, the HotSync data synchronization software, the SDK toolkit, and a support interface. The platform consists of five parts: hardware reference design, Palm OS operating system, HotSync data synchronization software, SDK tool components, and support interface. Because it is an open standard, coupled with the success of the Palm PDA and Palm's strong support for developers, Palm OS has a large number of third-party hardware vendors, an amazing number of developers and application software. In layman's terms, it's a platform that gives you the freedom to discover.
The main feature of the Palm OS operating system is known for its simplicity. Palm OS uses a simple graphical interface to complete the processing of information operations. The Palm OS system runs on fewer resources and has a faster processing speed. Due to the simple internal structure of the system, very little space is needed for software storage and operation. However, because the design of Palm OS overly pursues the concept of low power consumption and low hardware requirements, it seems to be out of place in today's rapidly developing smartphone market. Moreover, the development of its Chinese-supporting operating platform has been very slow, which has also slowed down its development in the domestic market to a certain extent. The plam system is not a lot of cell phones in China, more familiar with the palm Treo 680, Samsung I539, Lenovo P902, Top G88 and so on.