But changing processor architectures often means ditching the previous generation of software. Not so with the new Palm OS--"properly written" Palm OS 4 applications should run (in emulation) on Palm OS 5 devices, and the additional processing power means they should run at comparable (or better) speeds on the new platform. Palm OS 4 APIs are supported in the new OS, and the expectation is that the vast majority of the more than 13,000 Palm OS applications will run under OS 5.
Even better news for enterprise customers comes in OS 5's new capabilities. For example, there are improved security features, including 128-bit data encryption based on the RC4 algorithm. This encryption can be applied to any portion of the data on the handheld, or on all data. There's also Secure Socket Layer (SSL) support, allowing secure, 128-bit encrypted transactions over the Internet. The new Authorization Manager feature lets IT managers specify a set of rules that must be met to access data, and the Authentication Manager feature will allow developers to incorporate biometric verification (handwriting, voice recognition, or fingerprint identification) and smart cards as authentication methods.
Improved wireless capabilities include new native support for 802.11b (WiFi) wireless networking. The Ethernet and Bluetooth support of the previous OS will be retained, as well.
Other improvements are useful, though of less interest to the enterprise. The screen resolution has been quadrupled, from 160x160 pixels to 320x320 (Sony's Clie has this resolution already under OS 4), and there is now support for CD-quality digital audio.Despite all the bells, whistles, and flash of the Pocket PC platform, Palm continues to lead in market share, even in the enterprise. A recent IDC survey found that 60 percent of companies have standardized on Palm as their mobile platform--almost twice the penetration of Pocket PC devices. (Keep in mind, however, that this doesn't mean these companies support Palm exclusively.)
Though Pocket PC is backed by the Microsoft juggernaut, and can claim built-in support for Microsoft Office, Palm OS devices have enough market share to ensure their survival. The platform also offers significant advantages over Pocket PCs, such as lower cost of hardware and longer battery life. Whether Palm vendors will retain these lower cost areas remains to be seen with its switch to the more powerful ARM processors, but Palm vendors will probably work to keep costs similar to those of existing products. Other advantages are native Macintosh support, and a wide lead in the number of software applications available.
Though the two platforms are likely to slug it out in the enterprise space, it seems likely that both will survive. But the biggest challenge for Palm will be to dispel the myth that its OS won't be sufficiently compatible with Office applications. There's much evidence to support this fact; for example, it's just as easy to develop applications for the Palm. Tools available for that purpose are easy to use and inexpensive. And there are plenty of Office-compatible third party products available, such as WordSmith, which lets you do word processing on your Palm device and save it in a Word format. There are similar products for Access and Excel. If Palm can get the message across that it's compatible with Office software, it stands a solid chance of beating Microsoft in the enterprise game.
Do you plan to consider using the Palm OS for business? E-mail us or Talk Back below.
