Dell Not Going to License the Palm OS

Just over a year ago, shortly before the release of the Axim X5 series, a Dell executive said his company would keep its options open about releasing a Palm OS model. Yesterday, no less a person that Michael Dell said his company was no longer considering this.

In early November of last year, Anthony Bonadero, director of worldwide mobile products for Dell, told The Toronto Globe and Mail that his company hadn't ruled out the possibility releasing Palm OS models at some point in the future, despite the fact that, at that time, it was close to releasing its first Pocket PC.

Though it may seem odd, there is nothing to prohibit a company from being both a Pocket PC and a Palm OS licensee. For example, Samsung makes both devices for both platforms.

However, at COMDEX yesterday, BargainPDA was able to speak with Michael Dell, the company's founder, chairman, and chief executive officer, during which he said that "it's too late for Palm." Therefore his company has no plans at this time to become a Palm OS licensee.

In addition, Mr. Dell said that the company also has no short-term plans to make a device that runs Windows Mobile for Smartphone. This confirms a report released last month that indicated that Dell had dropped its tentative plans to release such a device. However, it is expected to release a cellular-wireless Axim next year.

Related Links

• Dell Drops Smart Phone Plans
• Brighthand Reviews the Dell Axim X3i