Palm still on track to debut Linux OS by late 2008

During an appearance at the recent JP Morgan Tech Show in Boston, Palm CFO Andrew Brown confirmed the company remains on track to release a Linux-based next-gen operating system--i.e., the so-called "Palm OS II"--sometime by year's end, although he declined to specify what kind of product the device maker will deliver. Borrowing a page from the Steve Jobs playbook, Brown proclaimed that software, not hardware, will determine the winners of the mobile device race--he admitted the new Linux project has been in the works for close to three years, adding "it has not been an insignificant investment." Other tidbits: Brown refused to confirm rumors that Verizon Wireless is poised to add the Palm Centro to its device portfolio, but did say a Treo upgrade is scheduled for this summer.

For more on Palm's Linux progress:
- read this Barron's article

Related articles:
Palm on target to debut Linux smartphone in 2009
Palm gets small with Centro smartphone 
Palm announces Windows-powered Treo