palm

Is the iPad already killing the Netbook?

We've wondered, with Atom Netbooks having been basically in pause mode technology-wise for the better part of two years, whether the popular bottom-priced product might eventually be threatened by larger, smarter smartphones and sleeker hybrid computing devices and tablets such as the iPad.

It makes sense, especially with the iPad having sold a million units through its first 28 days, and we've mused on it before. A new study from Morgan Stanley, discussed in Fortune's Apple 2.0 blog, concludes that tablets in general will be a big threat to the area. Netbook sales growth, according to … Read more

HP Slate killed? Not so fast

Despite glaring headlines last week that the Hewlett-Packard Windows 7-based Slate was canceled, it may not be that cut and dried, according to analysts.

In this HP Slate promotional video made back in January, HP VP Phil McKinney says the Slate running Windows 7 is a "real product. It's not a prototype or concept. We're committed to delivering it in 2010." And this relatively long testimonial from Adobe in March says the Windows 7 HP Slate "will be available in the market later this year."

Of course, HP can change its mind. And the … Read more

Digital City 80: Turning a WiFi iPad into an iPad 3G; the death of HP's Win 7 slate

This week we start by discussing the big car bomb scare in Times Square, and how our purportedly high-tech surveillance-heavy society isn't as high-tech as TV shows like 24 would have us believe.

There's still no confirmation, but after the HP/Palm deal was announced, the first thing we heard was the Win7 version of HP's upcoming tablet is on thin ice -- we examine the clues.

The iPad 3G is the other big story of the week. Dan and Scott checked out a couple of launch events last Friday, and we'll also show you how … Read more

Is Motorola next in line to be acquired?

Though it has plenty more customers, Motorola's struggling handset business may not be as juicy an acquisition target as Palm turned out to be.

Wednesday, Hewlett-Packard announced it is buying Palm for $1.2 billion, bringing to an end what was once a pioneer in the mobile-computing space. HP executives made it clear why they found Palm so appealing: the well-reviewed Web OS mobile operating system.

For Motorola, the decision to focus on building smartphones powered by Google's Android operating system could spell trouble for finding a similar suitor.

"I don't think anyone would be interested … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1217: Where's the digibeef? (podcast)

Steve jobs picks a digital beef, or digibeef, with Adobe over Apple's holdout on Flash, Palm and HP get married, we talk about the Sony Dash and whether or not we will give it to our mama's for Mother's day. Also, Natali knows nothing about the Boy Scouts, and Donald knows way too much about Lifetime, Television for Women. And Natali is also a little too familiar with iPhone Apps for those over 17.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 1217

Palm and HP, sittin’ in … Read more

Is the HP Win 7 slate already dead?

Update: TechCrunch now reports that the Windows version of HP's slate tablet is indeed dead. Michael Arrington writes: "Hewlett-Packard has killed off its much ballyhooed Windows 7 tablet computer, says a source who's been briefed on the matter."

Second update: An HP PR rep has contacted us via e-mail, saying, "We don't comment on rumors or speculation."

With the news that HP is acquiring Palm, one hot upcoming device that may get suddenly shifted onto the back burner is the company's iPad-style tablet. The device is referred to in marketing materials as … Read more

The 404 570: Where we buy Palm for five bucks and a coke (podcast)

In a sneak-attack move that left everyone (including CNET's own Bonnie Cha) surprised, HP, not HTC, announced that it will buy Palm for $1.2 billion. Many industry pundits consider the partnership out of left field; few remember HP's early foray in the world of PDAs starting with the Jornada handhelds that even found their way into the capable hands of Denise Richards in the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough."

We're anxious to see what HP does with branding and WebOS, which some argue is the only thing from Palm worth saving. And although Wilson and I are optimistic to see how HP handles the buyout, Jeff is ready to jump ship and land on the HTC Evo 4G coming this summer.

Congratulations to Comcast for winning the Golden Poo in The Consumerist's Worst Company in America Awards for 2010. We're also not surprised to see that Ticketmaster follows closely in the runner-up position, although we're not sure what's worse--standing in line to give back a Comcast cable box or paying Ticketmaster's "service fees" that sometimes cost more than the tickets!

Before we finish today's episode, we have to spend time with our favorite movie series "Back to the Future" and a list of six innovations from the movie that we're still waiting for two decades later.

Although we hesitate at the dangers of flying cars like the DeLorean, we still have use for clever inventions like the Black & Decker Hydrator and self-drying clothing. And what Christmas would be complete without your own 404 Podcast-sponsored hoverboard? Don't forget that they don't work on water...UNLESS YOU HAVE POWER.

P.S. Jeff and I have a gentleman's bet on whether Griff's lackey says "Bozo" or "Bojo" in this famous quote. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments!

EPISODE 570 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

With Palm, HP reboots mobile strategy

With its purchase of Palm, Hewlett-Packard acquired more than just a smartphone maker. It also picked up a whole new strategy for its mobile devices.

HP said Wednesday it plans to acquire Palm for $1.2 billion, or $5.70 per share, which amounts to a 23 percent premium over Palm's actual stock price at the end of the day. But for a leading technology company like HP with almost zero mobile phone presence and $13.5 billion in cash, picking up a company with a fully developed mobile operating system, a decent lineup of devices, and trove of … Read more

HP and Palm: A good match?

Holy moly! That was my first reaction when I heard HP bought Palm, except replace moly with another four-letter word.

In case you missed it, both companies announced on Wednesday they have entered into an agreement where HP would buy Palm for $1.2 billion, roughly $5.70 per share. The news caught me completely by surprise. It wasn't the fact that Palm was bought that shocked me. We knew that Palm was in trouble after it reported poor first-quarter earnings and was possibly shopping itself around to potential buyers.

Though many folks, present company included, were rooting for … Read more

New competition for mobile with HP and WebOS

Mobile companies have been able to shrug off Palm's WebOS over the past year as Palm struggled to stay afloat. That may no longer be the case.

If Hewlett-Packard's proposed $1.2 billion acquisition of Palm goes through as expected sometime by the end of August, the smartphone race will have a new competitor with deep pockets. HP, barely a speck on the mobile landscape with its iPaq devices, spoke of plans to use Palm's WebOS in a variety of devices during a conference call Wednesday afternoon discussing the deal.

HP will provide a nice soft landing for Palm. … Read more