Photo of the Day: All Palms Onboard Our Sinking Ship

I feel for Jon Rubinstein. His company was the pioneer of the smartphone forerunner, the PDA (although Apple’s Newton started it all). In the late 1990s, Palm was an enviable company, but its failure to transition (successfully) its products to the smartphone market has doomed the once glorious creator of numerous beloved PDAs.

Rubinstein is putting on a defiant face, but we all know that the tide has turned heavily against Palm. In his address to Palm employees, Rubinstein predicts a resurgent end to the year and a bright future. Perhaps he is referring to Google’s Android, Windows Phone 7, and a new iPhone because his company is leaking money worse than the Titanic (there was lots of cash onboard the Titanic, right?). For Q3 2010, Palm reported $102.8 million net losses, which are much higher than the enormous $45.5 million lost in the fall. How much longer can Palm afford to bleed before it succumbs to the attrition of the smartphone war? Rubinstein has recently announced that his company is not opposed to opening up its WebOS to other manufacturers. I think that only other companies can now save Palm.

Not only does WebOS (which is much better than Windows Mobile 6.5 and Android up to version 2.0) have to contend with major operating system rivals iPhone OS, Android, RIM, Symbian, and the hyped Windows Phone 7, Palm must battle hardware vendors Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Apple, HTC, Blackberry, Motorola, etc., all of which have myriads models of smartphones not powered by WebOS on sale and in the offing –and a few of these devices are really, really good.

It is quite a shame. I like WebOS and have an affectionate desire for the Pre Plus, but Android has 20-times the choices, Apple twice the sexiness, and Windows Phone 7 substantially more integration with other cool gadgets like the Xbox 360 and the Zune HD.

I bid thee farewell, Palm. Your adventure was gallant and your demise unfair. You will be missed and remembered fondly by your fans.

Source: Palm fiscal report