HE SAID - SHE SAID...
Since word leaked out about potential development strife between Palm and PalmSource/ACCESS, there have been a lot of differing opinions on what it all means...or, even if it means anything at-all.
Jim Christensen of Palm, Inc. was kind enough to break out of his weekend mode, talk to his Financial Folks about the rumors, and come back to me with the following email.
Although it raises as many issues as it addresses, please appreciate that this is a very fluid situation, and Jim is outlining the situation as it now stands. There is no stonewalling or dissembling going on here...these are the current facts; and, anything else is speculation.
As this situation gels into one direction or another, Palm Addict will keep you informed of the facts.
Now, here's what Jim was able to share with the Palm Community:
I talked with our financial folks…the filing is part of a normal course of business. Companies are obligated to report risk factors. I doubt we will issue a press release, however I drafted the following...
In May of 2005, Palm extended its license agreement with PalmSource, permitting Palm to continue making and marketing products based on Palm OS until the year 2010. Today, Palm uses Palm OS 5/Garnet to power its Palm OS-based product family.
Palm has been collaborating with PalmSource to develop a new OS that has a Linux kernel, however, PalmSource has not met certain of the milestone commitments under the companies’ co-development agreement. Palm is working with PalmSource on a revised plan to expand Palm’s own development and distribution rights of the Palm OS. Palm remains committed to working with PalmSource to resolve the development issues. Regardless, Palm intends to continue developing and selling products based on Palm OS 5/Garnet, in support of its current and future customers of Palm OS-based products.
Regards,
Jim
Jim Christensen
Director, Product Communications
Palm, Inc.