To be fair, when we first broke the news of the coming Treo 800w, I had no real interest even then.  I don't do Windows so this new Palm had no real appeal to me.  But it was however, a new Palm device.  When we broke the news about the Centro (then Gandolf), I also knew then that I would have no interest, but again, it was a new Palm device.  Way back then my whistle was poised and ready to blow for the coming 800p, which was whispered into my ear as "coming soon".  Well I've been waiting and waiting, and waiting.  In the meantime, that wait as provided enough time for me to put my 755p down and pick up a Blackberry 8830 for awhile.  And as many of you may know already, I was surprised and shocked to discover that I like the darn thing.  Since then RIM has peaked my interest a bit, and other than the name, the Bold looks like quite a device.  It's one of three new Blackberries that carry with it that wow factor, creating much anticipation.

Are we feeling the same for the 800w?

The Centro, being it's own little animal, has been a great seller for Palm, but it isn't stopping the bleeding.  Now, I'm beginning to wonder if RIM's new offering have opened up a new wound.  A deep and possible life threatening gash that Palm won't be able to survive from.  What do you do?  I mean as a long time Palm fan and user, what do you do, what do you hope they listen to when you try to bestow some of your consumer wisdom on them?  Palm has gotten extremely tight lipped about coming devices, and I'm afraid that we are a part of the reason for that.  But I want to see something that will make these new BB devices take a back seat for awhile.  I'm not convinced that the 800w is going to be the device to that.

1GB of on-board memory with 128 of Flash and a 2megapixel camera, on a Blackberry?  With HTML email support?  A Touchscreen Blackberry with WiFi debuting on a CDMA network?  A Blackberry Clamshell?  That's rough competition.  I won't even go into the 3G iPhone realm.  Right now what's physical is the Blackberry Bold.  The 800w is in the hands of testers and could still be another quarter or two off, making it's release right around the same time as a Blackberry codenamed Thunder, supporting widescreen touchscreen.  Is this even a fair fight?  Of course it's not supposed to be, but how in the world is Palm going to do battle with this sort of onslaught?  

And none of this takes into account what HTC will be releasing, carrying with it virtually the same Windows Mobile on board.  I have to voice this again, I truly fear for Palms future.

What could be said to Ed that would slow the bleeding before the 800w launch.  Then knowing that it will be up against stiff competition, what could or should be said that may help turn the ship around before the end of the year when far more fresh and feature filled devices begin to crowd the market?  

This is really a very disturbing issue for a longtime Palm advocate who really ultimately wants to see Palm innovate, lead and just plain do well.  But from this ringside vantage point, isn't looking like a fair fight any longer. 

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