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News
Issue #2002 - 05
(February 2002)
(Updated Feb.
6, 2002)
DEVICES
Handspring Moves Away From
Traditional PDA Market
Handspring’s announcement
that it would be abandoning the traditional handheld market in favor
of wireless devices, sent shockwaves through the Palm OS community,
triggering fears over the demise of the Visor line.
In response to the announcement made on January 15th,
the company issued an open letter assuring developers that the
company is "transitioning" its business. "We’re
talking about a very long-term vision," Allen Bush, Handspring
spokesman, told Cnet. "We have no plans to-day to end the Visor
line."
Jeff Hawkins, co-founder and chief product officer, also tried to
temper fears when he said, "We will continue to manufacture and
sell Visor products as long as there is sufficient demand and we are
able to build them. It is natural that as demand dictates, we may
reduce the number of products and the geographies and channels in
which they are available."
The challenge confronting Handspring is to sell the remaining
lines of organizer models, clearing the way for the highly
anticipated Treo, which has been plagued with production problems.
Due to the supply of a key component, production of Treo has been
"slower than we would like," Donna Dubinsky, chief
executive of Handspring told Reuters.
Regardless of the production problems, Handspring is optimistic
that consumers will welcome the Treo, which is key to the future
direction of the company.
For more information: http://www.handspring.com
(Additional source Cnet and Reuters)
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: Handspring
has confused the market. We are surprised that Hawkins-Dubinsky team
made the blunder. We are not going to say that the duo is confused.
However, in an uncertain market with competition catching up or beating
you and customers not keen to spend their sparse cash, even the best
feel the pressure. Duo needs the Treo to hit the enterprise. But
competition from Pocket PC will be hard to beat. If Handspring gives up
enterprise PDA market, where are they going? To the consumer market -
against the tide? We are confused, Jeff and Dona. Handspring-Palm merger
does make sense.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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