For the past two weeks, Palm Infocenter has given a summary of Palm's launch partners that were first introduced by CEO Ed Colligan at the CES 2009 presentation. This week, they conclude their analysis with six more third-party teammates that Palm is assembling for the launch of the Pre.
The final chapter focuses on MovieTickets.com, Fandango, SplashData, AOL, TeleNav, and Chapura. They also touch on the prospects of future connections with Microsoft, Twitter, and eBay.
- MovieTickets.com and Fandango: Both of these are portals with the ability to access movie news, purchase tickets (with Movietickets.com also providing for to Canada, UK and Ireland). Fandango also allows you to rate movies and connect with other uses. Integration with webOS will include the ability to buy movie tickets on the go, and location-based cinema services using the built-in GPS. Possible yynergy integration could include adding calendar events for showtimes and sending invitations to friends when buying tickets.
- SplashData: We had an interview with SplashData today, who are already developing for the platform. Their bestsellers include SplashID, which provides a secure place for personal info on your handheld; SplashWallet, which can help you manage your money, and many more. The Pre launch will be supported primarily with SplashID and a new SlashID Live, a web version of SplashID. Plugging into Palm's web browser could be a possibility, sort of like a built-in password manager requiring one password instead of hundreds. If you lose your phone, this could then prevent unauthorised access to your account.
- AOL: A rival of Yahoo, their most popular services are AOL mail and AOL instant messenger. Synergy with AIM and AOL Mail would be a key feature, and possibilities include integration with AOL Radio, Truveo, and SHOUTcast Radio. They also point out that Nullsoft, creator of the popular Winamp media player, is owned by AOL and could be a posibility
- TeleNav: Partnering with every major wireless carrier and many device manufacturers, TeleNav operates a subscription service that sends maps over-the-air to your device. WebOS will make use of the Pre's multitasking capabilities to offer turn-by-turn directions in the notification area, regardless of other open apps. A future addition of TeleNav Track would make it good enterprise solution.
- Chapura: They are the "kings of third-party Outlook sync", and already have been bundled with millions of Palm OS handhelds. With robust Outlook sync, the Pre will be positioned as both a productive business device and consumer product.
Other possible companies could include Microsoft, who have Live Mail (Hotmail) and Live Messenger (MSN), but it would be tough to bring them on board, due to their Windows Mobile devices. Twitter would make a strong partner with sharing and pop-up notifications. Finally, an eBay app would be useful in keeping live tabs on your auctions using the synergy feature.
So in conclusion, Palm has some great partners on board for the Pre, and have added several more since then, including Adobe and MySpace last month. This should make the device very competitive in the market, come day one.
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