As we originally suspected just before the Palm Pre was announced back in January, the Original Device Manufacturer (ODM) for the Palm Pre will not be HTC or Inventec. Instead, DigiTimes is reporting [via Brighthand] that the ODM for the Palm Pre will be Chi Mei Communication Systems (CMCS). Since 2005, CMCS has been part of the "Foxconn Technology Group." Foxconn is a much-better known entity, as they have acted the ODM for Motorola, Nokia, and others (either directly or through other subsidiaries like Mobinova).
What does this mean for Palm Pre consumers? Not much - phone makers like Palm often utilize various ODMs and often switch them up. The only X factor that may come in to play is that since CMCS is a relative unknown to most smartphone users, it might be difficult to know whether they'll be able to keep up with demand.
DigiTimes also reports that "shipments [are] expected to begin in March at the earliest." Supply chains being what they are, it's highly unlikely that we'll see the Pre before April, then, but certainly we should within Palm's oft-repeated 1st half of 2009 timeframe.
One fun nugget: DigiTimes reported as early as September, 2007 that Palm had tapped Chi Mei to ODM "CDMA 2000 devices" that the article assumed were slated for 2008. Given that the ODM for the CDMA Treo Pro is HTC, it seems pretty clear in retrospect that they were working on the Pre.
Thanks to Francis for the tip!
Comments
They better be ready for the demand!
At leastt we have one more source for possible leaks of a release date! :)
-=ljoslin=-
Heres another way of looking at it, HTC obviously has a lot on their plate, they're churning out devices quicker than most people change their underwear. CMCS being relatively unknown and new as compared to other manufacturers, should have more capacity available to mass produce. That's assuming CMCS has an adequate manufacturing facility and assembly line.
LOL, Not unknown and not new, part of Foxconn
LOL, "Established in 2001, Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc."- From their website!
Lol, an arm of Foxconn and 2001 is pretty old for these contract manufacturers
Wow!! I did not know that much kool-aid went around. By industry standards a barely 8 year old company is hardly considered "old". CMCS did not join the Foxconn Technology Group until 2005, CMCS integrated into Foxconns business model. Which was a NEW model for CMCS. Also, CMCS did not begin manufacturing wireless phones until they got the contract with Motorola several years ago, thus making CMCS NEW to wireless phone manufacturing. Do not try and tell me that you knew about CMCS prior to these stories breaking yesterday.
I've worked for companies that contract to the CMs all the time and I have been to CMCS operation in Hanoi.
Pacific rim electronics assemblers that are 8 years old -- are old.
You are not very -- informed.
You're obviously referring to a subsidiary (Chi Mei Optoelectronics) of Chi Mei "the Corporation". The subsidiary you're referring to manufacturers LCD's in Hanoi Vietnam. CMCS manufacturers wireless "PHONES" at their facility in Taiwan. I reiterate, CMCS has only been manufacturing wireless phones for several years. I forgot, you represent the industry. ;)
They are part of Foxconn. Foxconn got the contract to make these some time ago. CMCS is just the part of Foxconn that was tasked to do assembly.
The Pre is being made by one of the oldest and largest makers of handsets, Foxconn. That they are doing it through a subsidiary just like HTC handles contracts and uses subsidiary plants for its OEM phones is not surprising.
Have you even ever worked wiht a company that does consumer electronics through ODM, OEM or CM in east Asia? (Answer: no, you obviously don't know a thing about it.)
Foxconn makes ipods and (I believe) iPhones. I think they can handle any amount of demand.
I am not sure about ipods, you're correct about iphones. Apparently Foxconn manufacturers 800,000 iphones a week. CMCS is part of the Foxconn Technology Group, if the groups business model is to mass produce (apparently it is) like they do for the iphone, then we might be hearing good news pretty soon.
If you read the original in Chinese, it says they may get some of the parts as soon as the end of March, but maybe later. this indicates May. the big problem is still the screens.
they make iPods
My God... why can't ANYONE give a release date for the Palm Pre?!?
I've talked to Sprint; they don't know and advise calling Palm.
I've talked to Palm; they don't know and advise calling Sprint.
This is unbelievable.
Neither the manufacturer nor the carrying network have any idea when their own product will be available.
Of course they (well certain people included in the they) have an idea, they're just not announcing it yet.
The only mistake they made to you is making it sound like the other company would have any idea (and I actually find that to be a little hard to believe myself, though I have no reason to doubt you). On both ends, anyone who has a clue has been saying first half of 2009, though some of the low-level reps who aren't exactly the brightest bulbs confused the Pre and the Pro.
i haven´t seen this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwqi0UpLkVQ
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