We Interrupt your Regularly Scheduled Programming…

Before I start giving this site a taste of my sarcastic and cynical look at the world of writing, ebooks, and mobile technology, I think an introduction is in order: I'm Sam Kleinman, and a chunk of you have probably seen my name around. I've written a fair number of articles for Palm Power Magazine, I used to be on the Pocket PC Thoughts team, and anyone who's been on the WOYP Yahoo Group list-thingy for any length of time has probably witnessed at least one (friendly) argument between me and Jeff. I'm also involved in Free-ePress and half a dozen other projects.

My PDA history isn't as long as it might be, but there is an interesting tale about it that I might tell some day about it, but for now you'll have to make do with the short version. I currently use an HP Jornada 565 for an assorted array of tasks, and in the past I've used a Compaq iPaq H3630 and a 2 meg Handspring Visor. I have a tendency to be fairly particular and demanding of whatever device I'm use, due at least partly to the fact that I tend to focus on faults and short comings. Sometimes this has helped me in becoming more productive, and at other times it has really gotten in my way.

Like Jeff, I'm a writer. Based upon past and in-progress work, Jeff tends to be a little more epic than me, but other than that we tend towards the same areas. In recent months I've been concentrating on fiction (specifically a novel project I'm calling Circle Games), but I've ventured out of my fantasy land from time to time to share thoughts on mobile technology and writing.

I hope you all enjoy my take on things, and I hope you aren't too terribly offended or confused by them either. If you have any questions, comments, corrections, or pointers to things that you think I might enjoy ranting or raving about you can contact me by e-mail at sam@collectivearts.net. Stay Tuned for your regularly scheduled programming.

Watch for the Rise of Low End Palms

That Business 2.0 article Jeff mentions below includes this line: "For people who don't need as many gee-whiz features, Palm also plans to introduce a device that will retail for around $100."

Before you sniff and guffaw, consider the following.

Prediction: The low end of the PDA market will get a boost from the introduction of the Tablet PC, due for release November 7 of this year.

Rationale: The Tablet PC is a light, portable device with nearly instant on that happens to have a full size screen and runs regular, full Win XP programs.

So why also own and carry an expensive, tiny-screened, poser-PC with software that's "almost but not quite"?

The Tablet PC could play into Palm's hand (so to speak) as people once again find that it's just fine to have a little "data playback & quick thoughts" device to slip in a pocket or purse on the go.

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin..."

Business 2.0 has a really interesting article on Palm and how they might be able to rebound from their bungles of the last three years. While I agree that OS 5 will be an interesting stop-gap on the way to an OS that might rival the Pocket PC in OS 6, Palm needs better designs, and fast. They can't keep riding on the Palm V design forever (one of the last models spearheaded by Jeff Hawkins before his departure). The Oslo is an interesting design, and I hope Palm has more of the same up their sleeve. Current Palm designs are "old and busted" compared to Sony's ever-changing "new hotness."