Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : 3Com Corporation (COMS) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: KyrosL who wrote (35391)	10/13/1999 6:54:00 PM
From: w molloy	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 45548

What if MSFT buys QCOM's handset division? This is not so outlandish. QCOM Handset division is up for sale, and MSFT already have a relationship with QCOM in the WirelessKnowledge joint venture.

To: KyrosL who wrote (35391)	10/13/1999 7:26:00 PM
From: The Phoenix	Respond to of 45548

Kyros, While I do agree that Microsoft has an uphill battle I seem to recall arguments being made earlier about COMS ability to penetrate incumbents in networking markets. So, in all due respect it seems odd to argue that COMS can catch up and penetrate the networking markets while at the same time you argue that Microsoft can not do it in the handheld space - especially given the resources at Microsoft's disposal. Given Microsoft's large amount of cash and strong position with carriers (after $10B in investements over the last year) it would seem probable that they could make a good run at the handheld market. Up to now (as many here have already pointed out) Microsoft has only paid lip service to this space and the OS (CE) was not well tailored to the handhelds. But now with Gate's "change in vision" it would appear that he may now realize that CE needs to be altered to address the handheld market...and that this market is more important than he had previously estimated. So, given resources and direction and desire I think Microsoft can accomplish their goal..they've done it so many times before. Remember - they weren't first with the PC OS or Office applications either. Whether they succeed or not there is no doubt that their desire to succeed will make things very interesting. AND, this could make COMS decision to sell the OS and the PALM (thereby competing against their customers) more problematic. If MSFT successfully builds a better CE will COMS customers move to it .... in order to better compete against PALM? An interesting predicament - don't you think? OG

To: KyrosL who wrote (35391)	10/13/1999 7:49:00 PM
From: Captain Jack	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 45548

K-- it will take a number of years but unless palm os can interface with PCs it will imo lose the war,, after winning the early big battles. Ask the is/it mgr of any large corp how he would like to support more than 1 os... the phone mfgs would love to change down the road and sell you another phone just as they are with dig vs analog... surely nothing of concern for sometime but it will happen,, or $illy will just buy coms or palm or both,,,

To: KyrosL who wrote (35391)	10/13/1999 8:54:00 PM
From: Bux	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 45548

Microsoft's chances in the mobile/PDA market are slim after the Nokia/Palm announcement. While I agree with that statement in the near-term, I strongly disagree looking 2-5 years out. I strongly suspect the new version of WinCE due out by next summer will be leaner and meaner than ever before but will still be too battery hungry for widespread adoption. That being said, CPU's are becoming increasingly miserly with batteries and batteries are constantly gaining energy density. In the not too distant future, WinCE's power, ability to be customized and familiar look and feel will allow it to take major market share. But in the meantime, 3Com's product is very well positioned to take advantage of the wireless data boom. And don't underestimate the potential here. By the time MSFT is a major player, PDA's will be commodities and margins may not be too attractive. But Palm related profits will be dwarfed by profits from network infrastructure as wireless data networks are built and upgraded worldwide. Bux