While Palm"s new OS 5 operating system offers a clear boost in performance and promises more robust and compelling application support, the jury is still out on whether these improvements will be enough to ensure Palm"s continued popularity in the hotly contested PDA arena. Perhaps the outlook will become clearer when more OS 5-tuned applications and devices hit the market.
Still, analysts say, it is likely that Palm users -- consumers and corporate types in search of next-generation converged voice and data devices -- who want to stick with the operating system will have little choice but to upgrade in the next year.
"As far as the end user goes, I would say expect OS 5 to be a cornerstone of Palm"s strategy going forward, with particular regard to the smartphone market," Yankee Group analyst John Jackson told Wireless NewsFactor.