Palm has just released a Linux-based 2.5lbs "mobile companion" called Foleo. It is capable of running basic productivity applications such as email, web browser, word processing and so on... It is an "instant-on" (no boot) device with a full keyboard, a thumb-wheel and a 10.2" display. Palm claims that it has a battery life of 5 hours. It connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or via a cell phone (Foleo>(Bluetooth)>Phone>(phone network)>internet). Palm presents it as a "new category" of devices but I don't think that it is so new.

"It's been designed 5 years ago... Our intent is to support as many smartphones we can [iPhone, RIM...]" said Palm founder, Jeff Hawkins.

Anyone remember the late Psion NetBook computer ?
The Psion machine had a nice design as well, about the same weight (but without Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), was running Windows CE (before it was Epoch OS... the predecessor of Symbian!) but cost 3 times the price.

But is there really a market for this? Without a native Microsoft Exchange capability (I mean mobile Outlook - there's an Exchange support via Versamail), it's going to be hard to convince professionals (and their IT departments) to use it and at $499, it's hard to get consumers to buy it just to read their emails from their Treo. However, I can see hords of Linux geeks start playing with this "full function portable appliance" and start building/porting cool apps. Then for people like my Mom for example, who just uses her laptop to browse the Internet and send email, this could be exactly the right tool. Maybe for next year's Mother's Day ;-)

"It's a little capable computer... it's a joy to use", joked Hawkings.

Here's the link to the webcast that happened today for the announcement.