>>>>>>>>Compaq's 4.1% December Share vs. 2% January Share:
The PDA market is getting much more segmented, and it is clearly that no single model can satisfy a significant market share. For what it deserves, the iPaq is a great model for high spending individuals who demand multimedia applications. The major question for the CE camp is if they can come down from their high-pricing segment into the main stream. We know that Palm is moving up in the chain. Besides processing power, Palm surely looks to overtake the CE camp in a very short time. The latest devices will support SD/MMC, BlueTooth, better wireless applciations, light weight, and great battery life. In my assessment, Palm will start taking back market share with the m500 products.
Also, like Intel, Motorola will be able to modify the current ARM architect for better speed and lower power. From a SOC standpoint, I think Motorola has a big leg up over Intel, because of its experience in adding peripherals to the controller. The report is that this ARM-based DragonBall will be ready late in 01. This means that Palm won't be on equal footing (in terms of processing power) with the CE camp until Q1/02. [There is the alternative to source from Intel for ARM processor as well.]
My assessment on CE is that it must "lead" in creating new applications and more features over the Palm platform as it is doing at this moment, because once it stops or slows, Palm's main stream market will run over the high-pricing PDA market.
Khan |
