Many of today's current events relating to the
competition
in this
industry are forecasted in this important business
drama. The authors take an unprecedented look at how the
visionary founders of the industry led one of the most
successful startups in history to succeed against all
odds–including a shoestring budget, shortsighted
corporate partners, and competition from
Microsoft. The
roller-coaster ride is full of insight into the bungles of
venture capitalists, the allure and pitfalls of
partnerships with giant corporations, and the steely
determination needed to maintain entrepreneurial and
visionary independence. With gripping accounts of the
last-minute crises that almost torpedoed the PalmPilot on
the eve of its unveiling, and the triumphant, unprecedented
reception of
Palm in the marketplace, as well as the
glimpses into the future of this industry, this book is as
entertaining as it is instructional. Key revelations
include:
- The principles of business, economy, and product design
that led Palm to succeed where billion-dollar corporations
like Apple, Motorola,and Casio had failed.
- Important moments in technological development of the
handheld such as the secret "Easter egg," a software
surprise planted in the Palm software that nearly sank
launch plans.
- Unique insight into the showdown with Microsoft, and
3Com's tragic decision not to make Palm independent that
led Jeff and Donna to take their vision elsewhere.
- The ongoing competition between Palm and Handspring.
The new rivals to contend with including Sony.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Note to the Reader
Prologue 1
Ch. 1 In the Valley of Dreams 5
Ch. 2 Palm Computing 19
Ch. 3 Donna 31
Ch. 4 Zoomer 43
Ch. 5 The Writing on the Wall 59
Ch. 6 The Zen of Palm 70
Ch. 7 Crossing the Desert 89
Ch. 8 U.S. Robotics 102
Ch. 9 The Shortest Honeymoon 118
Ch. 10 Selling the Pilot 129
Ch. 11 The Eleventh Hour 144
Ch. 12 Inside the Tornado 152
Ch. 13 Microsoft 1.0 167
Ch. 14 Swallowed Whole 179
Ch. 15 Omens 190
Ch. 16 Microsoft 2.0 203
Ch. 17 The Fight for Independence 214
Ch. 18 Once Again, with Money 225
Ch. 19 Sea Change 241
Ch. 20 Revolving Doors 255
Ch. 21 Zero to Sixty 266
Ch. 22 IPO 283
Ch. 23 Millennium 294
Ch. 24 Uncharted Waters 308
Epilogue 324
Notes 329
Index