VisorCentral.com - $100 Rebate on Prism/Platinum

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Visor Prism (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=19)
-- $100 Rebate on Prism/Platinum (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=8906)

Posted by dustsheep on 10-25-2000 07:45 PM:

My Poor Deluxe

I just called Omnisky, their customer service guy had a little too much coffee. They did say that the module will only work with the Prism and Platinium.
Us folks with the 'old' deluxe have been waiting for all these 'new' modules and they only work on the prism and platinium, forcing us to buy new visors. This sucks.

Posted by RSGMOOSE on 10-25-2000 07:59 PM:

Kalahari - James

Not being an AOL user - don't know, don't care. Omnisky's tech people continually state that there service has to be tied to a true POP3 email client in order to work.

James you might send a request to Omnisky support and ask them.

Kalahari - thanks for the info.....too many abbreviations to keep track.

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Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Posted by Rob on 10-25-2000 08:03 PM:

Just got off the phone w/ Omnisky sales rep

Here's the latest from Omnisky (according to Kevin, an Omnisky sales rep):

The price for the Mistrel S + service will be the same as the PalmVx Minstrel modem: 299 for the modem, 39.95 for the service. They will start taking pre-orders sometime during the first two weeks of November.

In addition there are a bunch of (slightly confusing) rebates:

1) IF you sign up for a 6-month contract, you will get $200 back after 6 months.

2) IF you sign up for a 12-month contract, AND pay upfront for the service, you only have to pay $399.95 for the year of service (about an extra $80 savings)

3) A $50 mail-in rebate when you buy the Minstrel S modem

4) An additional $50 mail-in rebate when you buy a new Platinum or Prism (according to the sales rep, it only works with the Platinum or Prism)

Also, I asked if existing Omnisky members can keep (or switch) their existing accounts, but was told no, you have to get a NEW account. That is kind of annoying, since I was a PalmVx Omnisky Beta member, and would have to lose my 15% discount on service. (unless someone can tell me how to play around with some preferences somewhere to make my Mistrel S modem look like my existing PalmV Minstrel modem to the network...)

[Edited by Rob on 10-25-2000 at 03:07 PM]

Posted by RSGMOOSE on 10-25-2000 08:33 PM:

Rob

Well,

There is so much conflicting information from Omnisky right now...I got an email from them after asking the question would I be able to transfer service and they stated yes! They couldn't provide details until they actually started taking orders but they would at that time have the info.

My guess is that the Omnisky network won't know the difference per se between the Palm and Prism modem. It'll be in the user log on and sign on. My modem died during the beta and it was a simple process to replace. Omnisky just had to reinitialize based upon some of the advance settings and I was up and running again in no time.

I'll bet that we will be able to transfer service and that the tech support just hasn't informed C.S. on how the process will work so.....

The thing that gets me is I've talked to 2 different C.S. people today and can not get any information like what's getting posted in this thread: therefore until they broadcast some sort of update to all of their C.S. staff, I think everything else is speculation on the part of any indivual C.S. person.

PDA Geek has a post that states the Omnisky Modem will start shipping Nov. 5th.

Who knows what to believe.

How do you like Version 2? I think it's much quicker on all of the function and searches.

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Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Posted by captainsak on 10-25-2000 11:23 PM:

Wow

Great info on the Omnisky service people, please keep it up. By the way, are any beta people able to share info with us like battery life? I'd love to hear about it's life, and if the modem module comes with its own internal battery, is it alkali or rechargable, and what is it's approximate life. Also will it induce more drain on the system battery when connected?

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-Steve

Posted by california boyhead on 10-26-2000 12:09 AM:

Novatels web page shows the Minstrel S used in a Visor Deluxe Graphite whereas Omnisky shows it in the platinum. Does this mean other companies will offer service besides omnisky that will support the vdx?

Posted by GrandpaTim on 10-26-2000 12:49 AM:

In calling YadaYada.com today, they were taking orders for the Minstrel S and the Platinum and said they would be available/shipping later this week.

Posted by RSGMOOSE on 10-26-2000 01:45 AM:

captainsak: I'm not certain that there are that many beta testers out there with the Prism/Platinum if any. Regardless, the Minstrel S shows in it's technical data available at the NovatelWireless web page that the battery should last 10 hours plus depending upon usage. It appears that it will last longer then the Prism battery at least.

It also has 2mb of ROM for user applications. You can go check out the rest.

California Boyhead: The Minstrel S will work with the Visor. You can use other services such as Go America and even AT&T with that setup. My guess is that the Omnisky version will work with a Visor Deluxe. Some of the posts here have stated otherwise. Since we don't have definitive information from the source yet, let's just wait and see what Omnisky says. However, I did post earlier that the Palm V or Vx used with Omnisky program of course only used Palm OS 3.3 or higher. It's possible that the Palm OS might be the thing to blame here.

But if there is 2MB of ROM available on the Omnisky version of the Minsterl S, it may also be possible to patch the Visor Deluxe into this. Remember, the Omnisky for Visor ads started in early summmer long before the Prism and Platinum were announced.

__________________
Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Posted by chrisfoster on 10-26-2000 02:34 AM:

OmniSky's web site has been upated with info on the new service. see it for info..

But, there is no mention of Visor Deluxe's, only the OS 3.5 ones...

It doesn't say we can't use it, but it doesn't say we can...

I think i'm going to throw up.. I've been waiting for the Minstrel since July, and now my Visor, which is still a shipping product, dosn't support it!!!!

I feel like i'm in Microsoft Hell!!! Down with OmniSky!! Down with Novatel!!!! Down with Handspring!!!

Posted by andresmino on 10-26-2000 04:13 AM:

All in writing !!!!

Guys, now we can trust OmniSky.... take a look at this page with all the information in writing.

http://omnisky.com/products/visor_price_billing.jhtml

Regards,
AM

Posted by Rob on 10-26-2000 05:03 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by RSGMOOSE
Regardless, the Minstrel S shows in it's technical data available at the NovatelWireless web page that the battery should last 10 hours plus depending upon usage. It appears that it will last longer then the Prism battery at least.

I couldn't find the battery duration specs you mention, but don't forget that even when the Prism is off, the modem may be drawing power if it's in stand-by mode (which would be necessary if you want the LED notification for e-mail). So depending on your usage patterns, the modem may very well need to be recharged more often than the Prism.

Here's another question -- does the module charge seperately from the Prism? I know that the Minstrel V charges seperately, but the Visor Phone apparently will be charged along with the Visor in a special cradle. (I'm trying to find all the details I can, because I'm really torn between the Minstrel S and the VisorPhone, esp. if the latter won't be available until Christmas...)

Posted by skeptic on 10-26-2000 05:10 AM:

I agree with chrisfoster.... I've been waiting for awhile for a wireless modem and now Omnisky doesn't support my VDX. That sucks and it is not the $ 100 rebate that you will make me feel better. After all $ 299-100= 199 ..it is just $ 50 less than what I paid for my DX !

But hold on, it gets better, here is the system requirements from the Omnisky website:

. Handspring Visor Platinum or Prism
. Handheld memory: 1.5 Mb RAM minimum
. Computer memory: 32 Mb RAM minimum
. PC running Windows 95/98/2000/NT 4.0

Where is the problem ? ... I am a happy user of a Mac !

So I guess you're right, chrisfoster, it feels like I'm in Microsoft hell.

I am really pissed off and tired of this Handspring stuff.
I am done with them.
bye everyone

Posted by dick-richardson on 10-26-2000 05:14 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by chrisfoster
I feel like i'm in Microsoft Hell!!! Down with OmniSky!! Down with Novatel!!!! Down with Handspring!!!

Relax, take a couple of deep breaths, everything will be okay. We're all here for you.

Seriously though, I doubt the service is going to be limited to the prism/platinum crowd. That's one advantage of the PalmOS over wince products -- third party software. I can't imagine OmniSky or Novatel alienating a very large portion of the visor community, and if they do some brilliant programmer will come up with a way to work around it. Do what you want, but I'd wait until the product is finished before making a final decision.

[Edited by dick-richardson on 10-26-2000 at 12:27 AM]

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Posted by MikeD on 10-26-2000 05:19 AM:

Hey hey I'm a mac user and you know what??? I'll find a way to get around it.. I mean what can it be?? I'm sure it's just the CD with the little 600K application we need to hotsync into our visor... no big deal... Or else, I can just find a friend who has a PC (or go to work but if I have a wireless modem who'll want to work?? ) Upload the file to my visor and maybe email me the pdf file that may be on the CD with further instructions.. Again.. no big deal..

Mike

PS: Now is it me or are the rebate things a little sketchy? Do you get $50 or $100???? That confused me a LOT!!

Posted by RSGMOOSE on 10-26-2000 07:06 AM:

Rob

Ok sorry about the errant post, sorta http://www.visorcentral.com/news.php3?id=668

this is a link released earlier in the day the talks about the Minstrel S. It shows 8 hours of continuous use and more. It has a link to the press release.

This link
http://www.novatelwireless.com/palmtop/minstrelS.html

gets you directly to the Minstrel S page but you've probably been there.

I stated 10 hours and it's only 8 hours of continous use. Braind dead today but I've been goofing off looking around at so many web pages etc. I believe the press release states that the Minstrel S has a separate charger.

Also, Omnisky's page says that if you already have a modem and want to sign up you can do so. I wonder since the Visor is compatible with the Minstrel S, can you use their hardware and then signup for the Omnisky service?

__________________
Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Posted by california boyhead on 10-26-2000 09:15 AM:

It's to Handspring's benefit to find a workaround for VDx users on this issue or they could end up undermining the credibility of the springboard platform. I dont need this and neither does any other VDx owner. My cynical side says that Handspring is more than happy to sell new Platinums and Prisms to everyone but I say forget it, I'd rather get a Palm V. At least then I would be able to download a new OS and avoid this drama!

Posted by dick-richardson on 10-26-2000 04:53 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by california boyhead
It's to Handspring's benefit to find a workaround for VDx users on this issue or they could end up undermining the credibility of the springboard platform. I dont need this and neither does any other VDx owner. My cynical side says that Handspring is more than happy to sell new Platinums and Prisms to everyone but I say forget it, I'd rather get a Palm V. At least then I would be able to download a new OS and avoid this drama!

Granted. But the advantaged of the springboard still outweigh flash ROM (IMHO). Not to mention rumors of flash ROM in future versions of visor. And the one disadvantage of the flash ROM chips is there aren't enough of them to meet demand and their quality is dropping because of that. Wait and see what comes out, then decide.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Posted by BrianX124 on 10-28-2000 09:19 PM:

Will instant messangers work?

Will Instant Messanger programs such as, ICQ, Aol Instant Messanger, and Yahoo! Messanger work correctly wirelessly? If they don't, count me out already lol.

-Brian

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Posted by RSGMOOSE on 10-29-2000 04:45 PM:

AOL Instant Messenger

I don't believe that the AOL and Yahoo instant messenger systems will work at the moment. Everything I've been reading states no however, I have not been dramatically concerned with it because I don't subscribe to those types of services.

The last article I read said that they would be working towards the end of the year but didn't specify which platform.

__________________
Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Posted by Bret Snyder on 10-29-2000 05:00 PM:

Re: Will instant messengers work?

quote:
Originally posted by BrianX124
Will Instant Messanger programs such as, ICQ, Aol Instant Messanger, and Yahoo! Messanger work correctly wirelessly? If they don't, count me out already lol.

It appears that Yahoo! Messenger works with Omnisky and the Palm V, so I guess that it will also work with the Minstrel S.

I found this FAQ under the Palm V support section on Omnisky.

Update:
I have installed and used Yahoo! Messenger w/YadaYada on my Prism. I works just fine.

[Edited by Bret Snyder on 11-03-2000 at 06:08 PM]

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