[Q]

Look at how utterly terrible most POS applications look, that's not exactly what consumers want.

A clever approach might be to integrate something like pRevolt into the Garnet emulator. I'm just speculating here; I'm not a programmer.

Also, I'm thinking a lot of current developers will want to update their software for Nova--aesthetically, functionally, both.

[mclark2112]

"We have information from a trusted source that the latest Palm smartphone running the Nova operating system will be launched Thursday. The new phone will have a full QWERTY keyboard that will slide down under a portrait-oriented touchscreen."

Note it is worded as a "slide down" keyboard, not a "slide-out" keyboard. Maybe my shot-in-the-dark-T3 idea is close.

I think with that idea, you could have a much thinner device than a slider that conceals the keyboard...

http://discussion.treocentral.com/sh...&postcount=137

[cgk]

I don't know that they look so terrible, but a lot of working apps sound better than a few pretty ones.

Is there any evidence that mainstream consumers are more interesting in working apps rather than pretty funny apps? because if there is, I haven't seen it.

[west3man]

Note it is worded as a "slide down" keyboard, not a "slide-out" keyboard. Maybe my shot-in-the-dark-T3 idea is close.

I think with that idea, you could have a much thinner device than a slider that conceals the keyboard...

http://discussion.treocentral.com/sh...&postcount=137

It's an interesting idea (that I wouldn't have understood without the pic; thanks) but I still don't know that it would be that beneficial.

I never* wish my screen were longer. I have wished it were wider.




* - Or more precisely, I don't recall ever...

[RickMG]

My sister has this phone:

http://www.wireless.att.com/global/M...760a_red_l.gif

It slides down and is extremely thin and easy to hold. It's the Sony Eriksson Walkman. Why would a slider have to be thick? This one isn't. I know it would have to be wider.

[west3man]

Is there any evidence that mainstream consumers are more interesting in working apps rather than pretty funny apps? because if there is, I haven't seen it.

I'm as cynical as the next geek, but even I don't think most consumers buy apps for being pretty and useless as opposed to useful and less pretty.

Maybe you disagree.

[cgk]

My sister has this phone:

http://www.wireless.att.com/global/M...760a_red_l.gif

It slides down and is extremely thin and easy to hold. It's the Sony Eriksson Walkman. Why would a slider have to be thick? This one isn't. I know it would have to be wider.

But it doesn't have a qwerty keyboard which has a different spacing requirement, as discussed up thread, the only phones with vertical sliders that are qwerty seem to have "misfits" that never took over and were never refreshed with 2.0 version.

[gadgetluva]

I don't know that they look so terrible, but a lot of working apps sound better than a few pretty ones.

Look at whats in the app store - a pretty GUI is definitely something that will draw consumers. Most of the POS apps these days are outdated and garbage anyways, but there are still a lot of strong applications out there. Hopefully alot of that won't matter as a lot of strong functionality will make it into the new OS itself.

[Q]

But it doesn't have a qwerty keyboard which has a different spacing requirement, as discussed up thread, the only phones with vertical sliders that are qwerty seem to have "misfits" that never took over and were never refreshed with 2.0 version.

It also doesn't have a touchscreen, which tends to add to the thickness.

[west3man]

Look at whats in the app store - a pretty GUI is definitely something that will draw consumers. Most of the POS apps these days are outdated and garbage anyways, but there are still a lot of strong applications out there. Hopefully alot of that won't matter as a lot of strong functionality will make it into the new OS itself.

Hopefully so.

[cgk]

I'm as cynical as the next geek, but even I don't think most consumers buy apps for being pretty and useless as opposed to useful and less pretty.

Maybe you disagree.

One of the best selling apps at the istore is Ifart - an app that makes a farting noise when you move your phone.

[leadtrumpetdave]

One of the best selling apps at the istore is Ifart - an app that makes a farting noise when you move your phone.

Hopefully whatever Palm is cooking up has an accelerometer so we can take advantage of such useful software!

[Caduceus]

One of the best selling apps at the istore is Ifart - an app that makes a farting noise when you move your phone.

Yeah, I don't quite understand that one... Maybe it is so popular just because it is new and unique (I don't think I have ever heard of a phone used that way before). Originality and trend factor are things to consider when talking about what the general public is looking for, that is about the only reason I can see paying for an app that I might find funny for about a day.

[Milenkod]

Hopefully whatever Palm is cooking up has an accelerometer so we can take advantage of such useful software!

What a rip-off, Palm users would prefer something more original, like an app that makes a burping sound when you move the device....farting...so sophomoric

[renn]

...- a pretty GUI is definitely something that will draw consumers. Most of the POS apps these days are outdated and garbage anyways, but there are still a lot of strong applications out there....

Hope developers with strong apps quickly re-fresh solid ideas over to Nova. Palm can do a lot of what iPhone is doing, if Palm is able to make the Nova internet and google-experience look&perform as well as apple, half the battle is won imho. iTunes makes iPhone look hotter, if apple didnt have iTunes Palm would have a easier battle.

Hope Linux works for Palm.

[MrDs10e]

Man, I can't believe not a single photo leak yet! Palm's really keeping a tight ship on this one. I'm still anxious to see what they've cooked up even though I probably have no interest in a slider unless they have achieved something revolutionary in terms of ease of one-handed opening, closing and using.

[miles4000]

With no major Apple iPhone news this week, Palm is going to have the spot light. Hope they make good use of it!

[jhoff80]

What a rip-off, Palm users would prefer something more original, like an app that makes a burping sound when you move the device....farting...so sophomoric

Joking aside, wasn't there an app that made a burping noise when the card came out of the Treo 600/650, etc.? I can't remember but seem to recall the name PalmBurp.

[west3man]

With no major Apple iPhone news this week, Palm is going to have the spot light. Hope they make good use of it!

*hopes so hard*

[Jeffj]

Joking aside, wasn't there an app that made a burping noise when the card came out of the Treo 600/650, etc.? I can't remember but seem to recall the name PalmBurp.

My son downloaded an app for his G1 that makes LightSabre noises when you move it around. Totally non-useful, but really fun.