Digital Rover

Palm has announced Foleo, an ultra mobile laptop-like device intended to be your Smartphone’s companion. A Smartphone companion is an interesting concept, which nobody has explored before. Sure, there are devices like the Nokia N800 which attempt to replace your laptop for activities like lightweight browsing and emailing, but they are never marketed as a mobile phone companion.

So, is there a market for these devices? Can’t we achieve the same with a low priced laptop? Or is the $600 asking price for this pseudo-laptop justified? Let us explore.

Who needs these devices?

I know a couple of guys who use Blackberries all the time. They are constantly on the move – composing and replying to emails. They do the same when they sit at their PCs. Other then emailing, they also create and edit spreadsheets and documents. MS Office and the internet browser is all they need. An ultraportable device with document editing capabilities is more than sufficient for many of them. They didn’t buy such a device because there isn’t one in the market. There are ultra-portable laptops, but they are very expensive. Foleo enters a market which is hitherto un-explored. I am sure Palm would have done their market research before taking such a high risk. The device has enough features to make it an attractive alternative to a heavier laptop while you are travelling.

Why not use a laptop?

First of all, the Foleo device does not aspire to replace your computer. With a 256MB onboard RAM and a couple of extension slots, the Foleo does not have the horsepower to completely replace your laptop (the processor information is not yet known). If your work involves more than typing emails and documents – like using your company specific custom software, for example – then Foleo is not the device for you. On the other hand, if you are constantly on the go and only use your laptop for emailing and composing word documents or editing spreadsheets, you can give the Foleo some serious thoughts.

Is it worth the $500?

Nokia N800 Internet Tablet PC is a WVGA device running a Linux operating system with an OMAP 320MHz processor and a touch screen. The target market is similar. Email, browsing and VoIP calls on the go, without a laptop. It works very well and is worth the $400 asking price. The Foleo has a much larger screen and a nice keyboard. It also runs Linux and the SDK is going to be open. Within months, you will see all sorts of software ported to the Foleo platform. While the initial reaction of most people who read about this device is “its going to be a dud”, I beg to differ. The N800 is a moderate success and Nokia is continuously working on improving the device. The Foleo goes one step ahead and targets the business users who look for a lightweight travel companion. It is priced as much as a VGA Windows Mobile PDA. The Linux software and its portability will take this device farther than most people think.

Interestingly, the mere existence of Foleo shows that we have come a full circle. First, there were desktop computers. They were bulky and non-portable. You used to send emails with them. Problem was, you could only send emails when you were at your desk. That gave the need for portables. Laptops made mobile emailing a bit easier. But then, you carried a 5 pound machine everywhere - just to check your emails and reply to them. Then came Smartphones and Blackberries. Smartphones can send and receive emails and also helped you create and edit MS office documents on the move. Suddenly, you can leave your laptop at home! Then again, Smartphones had their own problems – they had low resolution screens which made it difficult to view and edit office documents. So man invents the Foleo, a laptop-like computer which is a companion to your smartphone!

Also, gone are the days the PDA was a companion to your PC. Now you need a companion to your PDA!

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