Something pretty big in the handheld computing industry happened today. Sony Electronics has bought a 6% stake in Palm Source, the company that develops the PalmOS. Palm Inc is being split into two companies, Palm Source and Palm Solutions. Palm Source will write the software of the PalmOS, and sell it to hardware developers. Palm Solutions will be a hardware company, making the Palm brand handhelds.
Now, Sony owns a small part of Palm Source. Sony invested $20 million into the PalmOS, and now owns about 6% of the company. Many believe that Sony is giving Palm Source a financial boost to help keep the PalmOS alive. Others feel that Sony will eventually take the entire company over.
Personally, I think this is great. It shows that Sony is really going to stick with the PalmOS, and isn't just making toys. It also shows that Sony isn't trying to form a monopoly. I feel that they could have very easily bought the whole company if they wanted. Instead, they are helping Palm Source through hard financial times, and thus aiding in the continued development of the PalmOS.
