PalmSource sold to Japanese software company Access Co.–where does this leave 39 million Palm OS users?

The mobile software company, PalmSource announced it is being bought by Japanese software developer Access (maker of the popular NetFront mobile client suite) for $324 million in cash. PalmSource Inc., designers of the Palm operating system for handheld computers and cell phones, posted a wider-than expected third-quarter operating loss in June and announced plans to reduce it workforce by 16%, so this did not come as a surprise to many.

While the Palm OS powers more than 39 million mobile devices, many other technology companies have since entered the arena and PalmSource has had to fight off competition from Microsoft and Symbian, which has recently grabbed much of its market share.

If you are a Palm OS user as I am, lets hope Access does not dilute the product or its personnel and in turn provide the necessary R & D and capital to help the Palm OS compete with the Pocket PC’s of the world.