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treocentral.com >> Stories >> Business
Symbol Says "Good-Bye" to Palm OS


Mon Nov 13, 2006 - 6:38 PM EST - By Jennifer Chappell

Overview

Symbol Technologies has announced that it will no longer produce its ruggedized line of Palm OS handhelds. Symbol is now taking its last orders for its ruggedized SPT1550 and SPT1800 industrial handhelds which will ship in January.

Symbol, which was recently acquired by Motorola, is planning to move over completely to Windows Mobile for their more advanced devices. Symbol evidently isn't interested in the future Access Linux Platform even though Access says it will include a Palm OS compatability layer that will support many legacy Palm applications.

Symbol says it made the decision to move away from the platform now based on Access' future roadmap, a shortage of key components in the supply chain for its existing Palm-based devices, and features in the Windows that appeal to enterprise IT buyers.

Since Symbol is one of the only major manufacturer that provides ruggedized handhelds on the Palm OS, that leaves many users and partners with little choice but to switch to Windows now.

Is Symbol's decision to drop the Palm OS another sign of doom for the Palm OS platform? Some have said that this is just another nail in the Palm OS coffin.