This article had some well thought out analysis. It's better than what most tech pundits seem to be posting these days.
The only place where I think they got it very wrong was the mention that WebOS "is certainly not the worst smartphone operating system out there" combined with the statement that "Palm’s current hardware is actually quite good".
The truth is the complete opposite.
WebOS is the BEST mobile OS. From a user interface perspective, the way it handles multitasking and notifications to its contact/calendar synergy with the cloud, most folks out there in techland, Android and iPhone lovers alike, all agree Palm got it right in WebOS.
Likewise, there is hands-down agreement across all the blogs that the hardware build quality is terrible. The hardware specs themselves are good, but the Pres have awful issues with cracks creeping up from the USB door that go across the screen, the 'oreo' effect on the Pre model (taken care of on the Pre Plus model), and the keyboard repeating or missing key presses once it starts to get a few months old.
I think the author took the reverse position because of the way he interpreted OS vs. Hardware. If the OS is judged on its performance and not its usability, and the hardware is judged based on the specs, and not the build quality, then I understand the statements. However, I think usability and build quality play a more important role than the former criteria in terms of the impact on the overall user experience.