Eufreka!

That said, let's get one thing clear right off the top:

There is no such thing as "the Palm Experience" or "Treo Experience"

It's a PDA phone, or for that matter, a Smartphone. There's really nothing trademarkable or copyrightable or even patentable about the term "smartphone" and it doesn't specifically refer to one running Windows, or Palm, or whatever...Symbian is equally the basis of a smartphone as well.

The Treo has buttons and many various applications (running on top of an "operating system", sorta) that does things in addition to placing and receiving calls. Is it truly a one-handed device? Absolutely NOT! Does the Palm-written software even all work correctly? Absolutely NOT! (More on that in just a moment...)

So what is so great about the Treo? Physical size and button placement/arrangement/assignment; screen resolution and available/bundled software.

What's wrong with it? Poorly written software, limited memory, poor volume control, lousy camera, limited expansion, etc., etc.

So far, we are truly just talking about another phone/pda--and there are lots of them. It is NOT special.

The quintessential demonstration of the Palm Treo Experience: Launch the HotSync application, and then choose to view the hotsync log. If you are like me, the log will contain more than 1 screen's worth of event data. So, use the 5-way to change focus over to the up/down cursors on the lower right of the screen and start scrolling through the list...(I'll wait)...what's that? You CAN'T?!?!?! Me either, actually. Why? Because the software has NEVER been updated to support the 5-way or ANY hard button. Sure, you can pull out the stylus and start tapping just like on the ORIGINAL Palm Pilot...but hey, I thought there was this thing called the "Treo Experience".

Sad really.

All "Windows Mobile on Treo" really means is that there is no longer ANY PocketPC spec--or Smartphone spec. Microsoft itself has specifically approved and participated in the customization of Windows Mobile to interface with PRE-EXISTING non-spec hardware. Basically, they are saying, "it can run on ANY hardware, within processor/memory parameters."

Now that is a scary thing.

So the REAL story: Windows Mobile is just that--MOBILE. It can be run on ANYTHING. Now is that good for Palm? No.

By hooking up with Microsoft, Palm has basically instantaneously transformed itself (and the Palm Brand) into a Hardware-only company. Oh sure, they're still doing a little custom programming around the edges to delay the public perception of this change, but it has already happened. Worse, is that they don't actually MAKE anything. HTC does. Thus, Palm is really just a little file cabinet full of intellectual property: knowledge of user interface design, ergonomics in a mobile device, period.

Question: If Microsoft can shoehorn Windows Mobile into a Palm Treo, could they do the same with a Nokia Communicator? I think the (overly simplistic) answer is obviously "yes."

Sure this is all just another long rant, and I am sorry for that, but really, this is pretty tiresome. But I am just so overwhelmed by the apparent mismanagement of Palm. Supposedly, this Windows Mobile effort has been underway for 2 years or more! Could this secret partnership have played a role in so many of Palm's missteps in the Treo roadmap? Limited memory, low quality camera, lack of wifi? Was Microsoft calling these shots?

Many of us have wondered repeatedly how Palm could have consistently made the wrong choice in each of these matters. How DOES an INNOVATOR consistenly not INNOVATE?