Qualcomm acquires PalmOS from HP

Earlier this week, we heard that Qualcomm acquired PalmOS from HP. I had a Palm Pilot. I still have a few PDAs and smartphones in my personal museum that run various versions of PalmOS. Then, we had WebOS. LG now has WebOS running on some of their television sets.

What will Qualcomm do with all these patents? Perhaps we will see remnants of PalmOS in the next generation of smartwatches sold by Qualcomm. The current Qualcomm Toq smartwatch is a first-generation gadget, but I can see how these smartwatches will eventually incorporate more robust functionality and will need more functional operating systems.

Stay tuned as we learn more about what Qualcomm plans to do.

HP will discontinue operations for webOS smartphones

Today, HP announced that they were going to discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward. Do you recall how much HP spent when they acquired Palm? $1.2 billion! So, what does all this mean? Where will webOS be used in the future?

I anticipate that HP will join HTC, Samsung, LG, and others to develop innovative mobile devices running other operating systems like Google Android or Microsoft Windows Phone.

Bye bye webOS mobile devices. Bye bye Palm Pre. Bye bye TouchPad. It was fun knowing you.

HP Veer 4G: smallest 4G smartphone on the planet

The HP Veer 4G is the smallest 4G smartphone and it's on the AT&T network. It looks like a mini Palm Pre.

HP Veer gives you an advanced browser and 4G speeds for a fantastic web experience. Notifications instantly display messages, reminders, and Facebook® updates. And there are thousands of popular apps at your fingertips. Plus a full keyboard for firing off messages and a vivid touchscreen that responds to your gestures. Never before has a smartphone done so much and felt so small.

The Veer runs HP webOS (previously known as Palm webOS). By the way, did you notice that the URL Palm.com no longer exists? It redirects to hpwebos.com now.

HP Pre3 and Veer running webOS

HP isn't giving up on webOS. The new Pre3 and Veer smartphones will be coming out over the next few months. The Pre3 will feature advanced Touchstone technology that will allow you to share a URL between your Pre3 and an HP TouchPad simply by tapping them together. Don't tap too hard.

Seems like a clever way to connect your devices. Speaking of the TouchPad, I'm eager to see how that device compares to my iPad. Maybe I'll get a chance to preview the TouchPad when I'm at HIMSS next week... (that would be a nice surprise, wouldn't it?).

U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

A few months ago, comScore revealed "U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share."  As we can see, the Android platform is gaining momentum and we'll see this trend continue for the next few years as Google puts Android on a number of different smartphones. Here are some interesting charts from their report:

Top Smartphone Platforms 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Smartphone Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Smartphone Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
RIM	39.3%	35.8%	-3.5
Apple	23.8%	24.6%	0.8
Google	17.0%	23.5%	6.5
Microsoft	11.8%	9.7%	-2.1
Palm	4.9%	3.9%	-1.0

Top Mobile OEMs 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Samsung	23.1%	24.2%	1.1
LG	21.2%	21.0%	-0.2
Motorola	19.8%	17.7%	-2.1
RIM	9.0%	9.3%	0.3
Nokia	7.8%	7.1%	-0.7

Mobile Content Usage 3 Month Avg. Ending Oct. 2010 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Jul. 2010 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	Jul-10	Oct-10	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Sent text message to another phone	66.0%	68.1%	2.1
Used browser	33.6%	36.2%	2.6
Used downloaded apps	31.4%	33.7%	2.3
Accessed social networking site or blog	21.8%	24.2%	2.4
Played Games	22.3%	23.7%	1.4
Listened to music on mobile phone	14.5%	15.4%	0.9

About comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital business analytics.

Save $30 on PEPID which will continue to support Palm Devices (webOS)

As a reader of MedicalSmartphones.com, you have the opportunity to save $30 on all 1-year platinum subscriptions to PEPID.

Use the promo code SWITCH1.

Here are also a few snippets from a recent PEPID press release:

PEPID® Will Continue to Support Palm Devices

Phoenix, AZ — January 4, 2011 — PEPID, the leading developer of clinical decision-support information and technology for doctors and nurses, announced today they will continue add new features and support all Palm devices.

“We are committed to making PEPID available for every device and operating system on the market,” says John Wagner, president. “Healthcare professionals can choose any device they prefer and be confident that PEPID will always be available.”

Confusion regarding Epocrates: support for Palm OS vs. webOS (Palm Pre)

Update: I'm copying/pasting this directly from the Epocrates FAQ page:

Question:
Will Epocrates products work Palm's webOS devices such as the Pre and the Pixi?

Answer:
Epocrates will be discontinuing support for Palm webOS devices. There will be one more update to the existing static, non-updating version. Should you need to install the product, please do so by 1 February 2011 at the latest.

The end of life for this version of Epocrates will be May 2011.

Here's how you can install Epocrates for Palm webOS.

1. Open your Launcher (the icon with the arrow) and select the App Catalog.
2. Within the App Catalog, do a search for Epocrates.
3. Tap on the line that displays Epocrates and then select Install to install the free App.
4. Once Epocrates has installed, tap on it to open the application.
5. Enter your Epocrates username and password.
6. Accept the License Agreement.

Your device must have webOS version 1.35 or higher to install Epocrates. Here's how you can find your webOS version.

1. Open the Launcher on your device.
2. Select Device Info (you might need to scroll sideways to find this icon).
3. Next "Version" will be the Palm webOS version number. If it is less than 1.35, please see your carrier for updates.

New HP Palm logo

HP owns Palm. Now, they have a logo that combines both HP and Palm. I like it. It's clean, simple, and it still retains the look and feel of HP and Palm.

By the way, webOS is going to be called HP webOS. Are you getting in line to buy the new Palm Pre 2 running HP webOS 2.0? I hope the Palm Pre 3 has bigger buttons on its keyboard.

HP webOS 2.0 and the Palm Pre 2

Now that HP owns Palm, webOS has been renamed HP webOS and they're coming out with version 2.0. Plus, there's a new Palm Pre called the Palm Pre 2 (at least they didn't call it the Palm Pre Plus 2). I like the Palm Pre, but those tiny buttons are simply too small for my medium-sized fingers.

So, what are all the benefits of webOS 2.0? Read the press release below:

HP Introduces webOS 2.0, the Next Generation of Mobile Innovation

Coming first on new Palm Pre 2 in France, the United States and Canada

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2010 - HP today announced HP webOS 2.0, the most significant update to the platform since its launch in 2009 and a substantial step in HP's vision to transform how people think, feel and connect.

Save 50% on webOS apps

For a limited time, save 50% on almost every webOS app that's currently available. You have until July 9th. If you have a Palm Pre, a Palm Pre Plus, a Palm Pixi, or a Palm Pixi Plus, then you're in luck to download some great apps to your smartphone.

webOS coming to AT&T (Palm Pre Plus)

webOS isn't dead since HP acquired Palm. It looks like webOS is coming to the AT&T network. As predicted, by the end of 2010, I think that we may see every major smartphone OS on every major wireless network here in the United States. The only uncertainty revolves around the iPhone: will it appear on Verizon and T-Mobile?

According to several rumors, the Palm Pre Plus is coming to AT&T on May 14. Given that Europe has already seen a GSM Palm Pre, this isn't a surprise. I'm still waiting for the next Palm to be branded as an HP smartphone. Maybe HP will maintain the Palm brand.

$29.99 for a Palm Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless

Wow, if you're looking for a good deal on the Palm Pre Plus running webOS, you may be happy to know that Verizon Wireless is offering this device for only $29.99. That's a really good deal for a starving medical student or an under-paid resident.

In the past, I think I would have said that Palm was dead. Now that HP has acquired Palm, I think we're going to see some new life breathed into this company. Would I recommend a webOS smartphone? I would now. I still think that Apple's iPhone and Google's Android both have a head start, but I'm also curious to see how Microsoft will leverage Windows Phone 7 and how BlackBerry will market their new OS.

Palm is up for sale

The creator of the Palm Pilot, the Palm Pre, the Palm Pixi, and webOS is up for sale. I wonder what that means for medical students and physicians who are loyal Palm OS and webOS users. Will Palm survive the smartphone war as Apple and Google battle with the iPhone and Android? How about the competition brought on by BlackBerry and now with Windows Phone 7?

According to BusinessWeek, "The company is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Frank Quattrone’s Qatalyst Partners to find a buyer...the sale isn't public"

So, will webOS survive? Will HTC or Lenovo purchase Palm and install Android or Windows Phone 7 on the Pre or Pixi? Speaking of Palm, I still have a few of my old Palm Pilots. My wife also had a Palm (made by Sony and it was called a Clie). What's going to happen to Palm? 

Palm Pre Plus on AT&T and Verizon

The folks at Engadget have written up a nice blog post comparing the GSM Palm Pre on the AT&T network against the CDMA Palm Pre on the Verizon network. They should be the same phone, right?  Well, not exactly. They both run webOS, but the AT&T network isn't the same as the Verizon Wireless network. I don't mean to suggest that one is better than the other because your coverage may vary depending on where you live. Plus, these networks will be undergoing some significant changes over the next 24 months, so get ready for 4G speeds! (not sure when we'll see the first 4G smartphones, but I'm sure by the end of 2011 we'll have a good idea of what to expect).

Speaking of 4G and upgraded networks, if you're satisfied with your current smartphone and you think you can use it for the next 12 months or so, I'd suggest that you wait for a 4G smartphone. If you don't wait, you'll wish you had waited. I know some people who are waiting for the iPhone 4G.

Epocrates Rx for Android and webOS

Have you tried Epocrates Rx on your Google Android or Palm webOS smartphone?  The software is currently beta and you won't get any updates, but it's stable and it runs well. You can view photos of pills, check for drug-drug interactions, and use important tables and calculators. 

I know that many physicians rely on Epocrates on a daily basis. Are you one of those users? I still remember when Epocrates launched its company in 1998 and when PDAs were starting to enter the medical industry. Those were simple days of grayscale Palm Pilots and AAA batteries. Now, we have a wide selection of powerful devices like the Motorola Droid and the Palm Pre.

Try Epocrates on webOS (for Palm Pre and Palm Pixi)

Epocrates has launched a beta version of a native app that runs on webOS. So, for all you Palm Pre and Palm Pixi owners, go out and try Epocrates on your smartphone!

Please note, the clinical content will not be updated for the beta version of Epocrates.

To learn more, visit: http://www.epocrates.com/products/webos/

Instructions for Palm Pre/Pixi

To download Epocrates Rx free software to your Palm Pre/Pixi, follow these simple steps:

1. On your Palm Pre/Pixi device, tap the “Launcher” icon, then the “App Catalog” icon and search for “Epocrates”
2. Select “Epocrates” and tap on “Download for free”
3. When the download is complete, tap on “Tap to Launch”
4. Once Epocrates launches, you will see a welcome page.
   Existing user: Tap on “Sign In”, enter Epocrates username/password and tap “Sign In”
   New user: Tap on “Register Now”

Is Palm dying (or almost dead)?

Some experts are reporting (and blogging) that Palm is dying. Is this true? How many people still use a device running the original Palm OS? I think the number is quite substantial in the health care industry. Perhaps the critical question is: what device will these individuals get when it's time to upgrade smartphones?

Many doctors still use a Palm Treo (or even the Palm Centro). OK, maybe it's not really that many, but there are some. If you're still using a Palm Treo (or even a Palm PDA), then you're not alone. Doctors generally tend to be late adopters of technology because they're so busy saving lives and keeping up with the high volume of patient care (although this trend is changing. see: Docs cut work hours)

In any case, is Palm dying? What about all the excitement around the Palm Pre and webOS? Has Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry swept webOS into the ocean? Will Windows Phone 7 Series add some additional pressure on a dying Palm? webOS was built as an entirely new OS and it doesn't represent the original Palm OS (which is both good and bad). For many doctors, if they're going to learn a brand new smartphone OS anyways, why not get the iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android? Why choose webOS?

Authors at PC World and the Wall Street Journal seem to think that Palm is dying. What do you think?

Medical apps will need to be rebuilt for Windows Phone 7 Series

Since Windows Phone 7 Series is a brand new operating system, old apps won't work on it (unless it comes with some type of legacy-mode or unless a third party builds an app for "classic" Windows Mobile). In any case, I'm predicting that apps will simply need to be rebuilt. It's really a shame that Microsoft didn't make this move a few years ago. Now, they're faced up against the Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, and Google Android operating systems. I forgot to mention that Palm still has webOS and Nokia is tied to Symbian, but no one I speak to seems to be very optimistic about the future of these smartphone operating systems.

So, what will Microsoft do to make Windows Phone 7 Series a real winner? I'm really not sure that they can do anything. Maybe their smartphones will be free. Maybe the data plans for these devices will cost significantly less. Unless there's a major motivator for consumers, I think that most will simply choose either the iPhone or Android. Business users will still be drawn to BlackBerry, but that trend may evolve as iPhone and Android gain more users on the corporate side. In the world of health care, the major issue revolves around medical apps. I doubt that Windows Phone 7 Series will offer any type of unique medical app that can't be found on any other smartphone.

At the end of the day, I think Microsoft will have a really difficult time catching up to iPhone and Android in the health care sector. Let's see what they may have up their sleeves as new smartphones start appearing with Windows Phone 7 Series.

Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus now on Verizon Wireless

If you're a customer on Verizon Wireless, you may like to know that the Palm Pre Plus and the Palm Pixi Plus are now available on Verizon Wireless for $149.99 and $99.99, respectively.

I wonder if this is the smartphone my wife will get. She's a family physician in private practice. She used to have a Sony Clie running the original Palm OS. Then, she switched to a Palm Treo and began using Windows Mobile. Now, I think she's ready to try webOS (although I'm trying to convince her to go with an Android smartphone). Given that she needs to run Epocrates right away, neither webOS nor Android are optimal for her. So, what's she going to do?  Hint: she's waiting for the Apple iPhone to arrive on Verizon.

Top 10 smartphones according to PC World (and my thoughts)

According to PC World, the Motorola Droid running Google's Android OS is the #1 "top smartphone." Surprised? The Apple iPhone 3GS is #2 and the Google Nexus One (Android OS) is #3.

• There are no Windows Mobile phones on that "top 10" list.
  
• Also, the BlackBerry Storm2 didn't make that list.
• 5 out of the 10 run Android
• 2 out of the 10 run webOS
• 2 out of the 10 are BlackBerries
• There's only one Apple iPhone
  

Speaking of the iPhone, many people will argue that the iPhone 3GS should be #1. For 2010, I could make a very compelling argument that the iPhone is the #1 medical smartphone. However, I'm also a strong believer that this could (and probably will) change over the next few years. Having said that, let me say that I still highly recommend the Apple iPhone to physicians who are interested in getting a new smartphone. Many physicians still use older devices like the Palm Treo and they're accustomed to the original Palm OS. They have a Mac at home and all their colleagues in the hospital have an iPhone. Should they get an iPhone? Yes! Should they get an Android smartphone? Not unless they're willing to wait for the release of additional medical software like Epocrates or PEPID.

If you're planning on getting a new smartphone in 2010, go with the iPhone (unless you can't switch to AT&T). If you can wait, then wait and see what happens with Android. You may also be fairly happy with webOS as long as you can wait for software, but why would you want to choose webOS over Android?

To view the PC World list of the "Top 10 smartphones," click here.