Commercial Times: Palm "smartphones" delayed to end of year (updated with Palm's response)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Mar 23rd 2009 7:25AM
posted Mar 23rd 2009 7:25AM
Here's a murky report flushed from the bowels of rumor-dom that's sure to get investors into a tizzy as information and misinformation spreads. The Commercial Times, with its hit-or-miss record of rumor mongering is reporting that Compal Communications, "will be forced to postpone its shipments of smartphones to Palm from mid-year to the end of the year." It goes on to say that, "Palm's two smartphones will be delayed as Compal is waiting for Qualcomm's new chipset solutions that will enable better performance."Now, before you panic, keep a few things in mind. First, the article never specifically mentions the Pre which Palm has emphatically stated (just 3 days ago) is on track for launch in the first half of 2009. Also, DigiTimes which is re-reporting the rumor from the original Chinese-language source claimed last week that Chi Mei, not Compal, was doing the Pre assembly. Also note that Palm has stated that the Pre uses a TI OMAP processor making the Qualcomm quote a bit dubious. Our take? This rumor's bunk, at least as it applies to the Pre. We'll be getting a statement from Palm just as soon as they awake.
[Thanks, Herman M.]
Update: Palm just followed up with us on this, stating that there is "No change in our previously announced plan to have the Pre available in the first half of 2009." Phew!
Say it isn't so. : (
This would be something you could talk about on... say a podcast
Seconded! Where is the mobile podcast? I miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Their needle is already on empty. They've only got three or four miles tops before its finally over.
and the world is all right again.......haha
Big surprise here - they're not going to have spent all year, and even last week, saying they'll release it FH 2009, and then suddenly there is a huge delay. They already have working Pre models, and it can't take them much longer to ship the phones themselves. I just wish they'd get on with it, because I can't wait to actually use it. Just my 2 cents. http://www.thephonelounge.com
Another reason to avoid Qualcomm. Remember when it happened to the Kaiser and following?
Good thing Palm got out of that sinkhole and went TI.