PalmSource Introduces Cobalt, Garnet OS Updates
PalmSource has introduced two new operating systems: Palm OS Cobalt and Palm OS Garnet.
Cobalt, formerly known as Palm OS 6, is a rewritten version of Palm's software intended to inspire an entire new generation of smart devices throughout emerging markets. Garnet, the more conventional release, is an enhanced version of Palm OS 5 focused primarily on powering handhelds and smart phones.
Palm OS Cobalt will target the communications, enterprise, education and entertainment markets. The software is designed to provide licensees with a platform flexible enough to satisfy the emerging requirements of next generation mobile devices.
Some of the operating system's new features include: Multitasking and multithreading; Memory protection; Support for more memory and larger screens; standards-based security; and extensible communication and multimedia frameworks capable of handling multiple connections simultaneously.
Also found in the release is improved compatibility with Windows, and multimedia features derived from Be OS, which Palm acquired in 2001.
Palm OS Garnet adds Bluetooth support, while also improving upon existing networking. Garnet extends output and input capabilities by offering a broader range of screen resolutions than the standard Palm OS 5 distribution, and now features a dynamic input area.
In addition to focusing on consumer demands, PalmSource is offering developers new tools to program for both operating systems based on the open source Eclipse environment. A technical preview of the new Palm OS developer Suite is available online through PalmSource's Developer Zone.
Although both operating systems give customers added functionality and offer developers more flexibility, they take away support for Mac synchronization.
While seemingly detrimental to Mac users, Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox noted the move "creates an opportunity for Apple to extend iSync's Palm PDA capabilities. Right now, the capabilities are dependent on Palm's synch software. If Apple can offer Palm PDA owners the same kind of iSync synchronization ease as Bluetooth cell phones, Mac users would benefit in the long run."