Friday, February 17, 2006

Palm Tungsten E2: wicked amazon reviews

Wow. Watching Palm die is a sick sort of entertainment -- but I can't resist.

Amazon's reviews on Palm's most important PDA product, the Tungsten E2, are wicked. It looks like the E2 has a defect with the on-off switch, shortly after the 90 day warrantee ends the switch dies. Palm had similar problems with several earlier models -- I guess they just can't figure out the on/off switch.

The Treo 650 is popular, but I can't see how it can forestall doom. They've sold the PalmOS software to a Japanese company so there's no revenue stream there.

What a train wreck.

PS. Since there's no real replacement for the dying Palm PDA (PocketPC PDAs are also on death row) I may yet buy a Tungsten E2! (4/06: I did.) I'll wait for a great offer however. I'll also use TealLaunch to turn the device off and a function button to turn it on -- so I'll completely avoid the flaky on/off switch. It might last longer if I never use it.

2 comments:

  1. I had the same problem. I was able to fix it by removing the battery and reconnecting it. It seems that it is not the on/off switch that is bad but some on board electronics/software that gets stuck in either the "on" or the "off" position bypassing the physical switch. Your solution, though unique, will not work in this case.
    I sent a letter of complaint to Palm and is still waiting for a response. Meanwhile, I have updated my review on Amazon for this item to a (1 star).

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  2. I wonder if it's related to the keylock function. When that's engaged nothing works save the power switch. Now if the keylock routine were to ignore the power switch ....

    I doubt Palm will read your letter, but thanks for posting the solution here!

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