Could we see the Dell Treo 800w

**Chris Leckness** · 02-15-06, 02:05 AM

What do you think about the idea of owning a Dell Treo 800w?

I was just reading a great article about how Palm should sellout while the getting is good on Forbes. The author proposed scenarios about what companies would be a good buyer of Palm if they did sell. One of the players was Dell.

"If Jobs isn't interested, maybe Michael Dell would be. His company, Dell, doesn't sell smartphones, so Palm would give it a way to enter the fray. And Palm's line of PDAs, which still sell well in a shrinking market, might sync up nicely with Dell's Axim line.

Because Dell's Axim products all run Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating systems, Dell-Palm phone hybrids likely would too. Palm already makes a version of the Treo that runs on Windows, and Treos running Windows would have a much better shot at being accepted by corporate customers--the same ones Dell already has a lock on with its PC business."

There are other possibilities, but who said Palm is selling? Well the rumors are apparently flying due to Mark Nelson, 8% shareholder of Palm, made a comment that Palm should sell. Another investor owning 5% showed similar interest in this.

"I believe [Palm] should begin exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale of the company, while Palm is in the ascendant," he wrote in a Jan 31, 2006 letter to the company's board." - Mark Nelson

Rachel Rosmarin, the author of this article has done a great job. I suggest clicking over and checking it out.

02-15-06, 02:13 AM

I'd probably take a hard look at an Dell Treo 800w. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

02-15-06, 02:43 AM

I am already in the market for a converged device. I would go with that! The Dell Treo, has a ring to it!

psionandy · 02-15-06, 03:38 AM

I'm still not convinced by the Treo form factor.. but then i've never actually used one, so that could be down to me.

However Dell, would instantly give the whole PDA/Smartphone/Connected wotsit market a shake up. Definatley would make things exctiting

willyb311 · 02-15-06, 05:02 AM

it would definitely be in dells best interest to buy, but seriously Palm is not going to sell. Have you ever seen a company of palm's size and recognition just sell out because it might be a good idea - it honestly doesn't happen very often.

I just keep hoping that the combo phone/pda devices don't become the only option in the handheld market. though I can see how it would be helpful to a lot of people. I really would hate to have one. I am really quite fond of the pda only style device... Hopefully all of the recent talk of the end of the axim line is all bs and I can live the rest of my days happily axing away :)

if not, tablet pc's here I come :(

AdamaDBrown · 02-15-06, 05:36 AM

What's this "shrinking market" business? We just set an all time record for sales in 2005! :)

As for Dell buying Palm, I doubt it. The smartphone market runs contrary to Dell's style, which is selling unencumbered by the middleman. They might sell GSM devices independant of service, but that would have its own issues.

willyb311 · 02-15-06, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by AdamaDBrown

The smartphone market runs contrary to Dell's style, which is selling unencumbered by the middleman. They might sell GSM devices independant of service, but that would have its own issues.

Good point, I hadn't thought of that... :approve:

Pocketbrain · 02-15-06, 05:31 PM

Bulk it up so it can take a CF MicroDrive as well as a SD, and I'll take a convergence device. Be nice if it had a USB host as well. :-B

JMJSelect · 02-15-06, 08:50 PM

palm selling is highly HIGHLY unlikely, especially after the recent announcement. palm's newest OS ALP(ACCESS Linux Platform).
its basically the cobalt gui over linux, now with multi-tasking.
palmsource announcement

anyways I was just thinking of better names for the speculated device, better ones than the "Dell Treo"

how about the,

Dell Axeo 800
Dell Trim 800
Dell Traxim 800
Dell Axitre 800

I like the axeo

edit: replaced "i"s with "e"s, and moved the link

netsyd · 02-15-06, 09:00 PM

Well as long as the screen gets better... The Treo 600 I had looked horrible compared to the x50/51v

adamdemuth · 02-15-06, 09:37 PM

Only if the bluetooth worked right. [baZING]

Seriously though, I like the idea. and it's not out of Dell's territory in that you wouldn't have to buy third party. You can sign up for internet service through Dell, why not cell service?

AdamaDBrown · 02-16-06, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by JMJSelect

palm selling is highly HIGHLY unlikely, especially after the recent announcement. palm's newest OS ALP(ACCESS Linux Platform).
its basically the cobalt gui over linux, now with multi-tasking.

That's the former PalmSource you're referring to. They no longer are related to Palm Inc, the company that makes the Treos, and haven't been for some time. Late last year they got bought by the Japanese and rolled into Access Inc. that makes the Netfront web browser.

Anyway we don't really know what the GUI is going to look like for ALPOS yet.

The catch with Dell offering cell service is that they would still have to work with the carriers, and the carriers put some hefty demands for design input, testing, and other roadblocks in front of device deployment. That's one of the reasons "converged" devices are always inferior in specs to nonconverged. The only way around it would be for Dell to either sell the devices unlocked and let the people put in their own SIM card, or to negotiate a deal with the carriers where Dell basically takes full charge of the people that they put on the network. Either way, they would only be able to sell GSM devices for Cingular and T-Mobile, nothing for Sprint or Verizon.

Sytxferryman · 02-16-06, 03:26 PM

I thought about getting sompthing I could use like this... but wouldnt for one simple reason. The keys. They are finding WAY to many casese where it is causing extremely severe car-pool-tunnel-styndrom (I have no idea how to spell that so I fudged it :P ) in people by using this tiny little keyboard all the time, the Blackberry in particular. I use a full size bluetooth and have no regrets.

But I think it would help their buisness... with a disclosure about not being responsible for peoples digits.

JMJSelect · 02-16-06, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by AdamaDBrown

That's the former PalmSource... bla bla bla ...devices for Cingular and T-Mobile, nothing for Sprint or Verizon.

I know, I was just saying that palm wouldn't really sell because they have a OS being specifically built for them.

HAPPY BEAU · 02-16-06, 08:34 PM

I have a TREO 650. It is without a doubt the worst phone I ever had. It sucks big time. Not a great pda too but the phone is total crap! :bang: :soap:

:throwcomp :thumbsdow