New PalmOS Coming By Year-End

Can you believe that version 5 of PalmOS was originally introduced in 2002? And yet it's still cranking along, with only a few revisions over the years. Palm actually released a new version of the PalmOS (version 6) in 2004, but it was never implemented on any devices. (The history of Palm and its troubles is long and ridiculous, so I won't bore you with the details about why this is.) However, the Palm faithful finally have reason to rejoice: A new PalmOS will be out by the end of the year. This time, just maybe, it's for real.

The new platform will be a hybrid of the current PalmOS and a mobile version of Linux. Details are sketchy as to what new features this OS will have, but a few tidbits have been announced. Palm CEO Ed Colligan has mentioned better hardware support, dramatically improved Wi-Fi, and a better ability to do data and voice at the same time. The Opera web browser is also rumored to be integrated into the new OS. More details are supposed to arrive in May.

Palm also noted that the OS will not be licensed to outside companies, a move that Wired notes may have been inspired by Apple's policies. Are we gearing up to see a serious contender entering the upcoming iPhone wars? Stay tuned.

LINK: Palm Announces new Linux Based Mobile Platform