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[Hurricane_Chris]

Hmm what does this mean for Palm devices and their OS? OS6 hasn't seen the light of day even though supposedly it's been ready for release for like 2 years now. They said something about going to Linux... They're losing marketshare like mad to RIM (hardware) and Microsoft(OS)...

I wonder what exactly does Access see in them?

link

 

[DarienA]

Hmm what does this mean for Palm devices and their OS? OS6 hasn't seen the light of day even though supposedly it's been ready for release for like 2 years now. They said something about going to Linux... They're losing marketshare like mad to RIM (hardware) and Microsoft(OS)...

I wonder what exactly does Access see in them?

link

Well first off it doesn't mean much for the hardware side(Palm) yet... as that's a separate company.

As for wondering what access sees in the software company, wonder no more... read the article.

Well reportedly Access is looking for a way to expand the market for its cellphone browser (which is currently used by many of DoCoMo’s FOMA 3G phones), and since both Symbian and Windows Mobile are largely closed off to them they’ve apparently decided that what they need is to have their own operating system. And that’s where PalmSource comes in — the company has been struggling lately, and the idea here is that Access will market the OS, complete with Access software, to Asian OEM manufacturers (which is supposedly PalmSource’s strategy too, but whatever).

Reuters article:

TOKYO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Japanese software developer Access Co. (4813.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it would make U.S. software developer PalmSource Inc. (PSRC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) wholly owned in a 34.4 billion yen ($311.3 million) cash deal to strengthen its development of software for handheld devices.

Access will pay cash to shareholders of PalmSource, which will be later absorbed by Access' U.S. unit Apollo Merger Sub Inc., Access said in a statement.

"We expect the acquisition of PalmSource to help strengthen our capability to develop software for handheld devices," Access said.

PalmSource makes the "Palm" operating system software used in devices made by PalmOne and other manufacturers.

The company, however, has been struggling to win new licensees for its software in the face of increased competition from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and announced in June restructuring including a 16 percent cut in its workforce. ($1=110.49 yen)