VisorCentral.com - The passing of the Visor

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- Visor General Chat (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=31)
-- The passing of the Visor (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=33523)

Posted by Holocron on 04-23-2003 04:08 PM:

The passing of the Visor

Well, I think it is offical today in my mind. I've had a Visor since their inception. I currently use a Prism which I got new, just as they were discontinued, at a refurbed price. I love it.

The introduction of the new Palm Zire 71 and Tungstun C now push the Prism into the dead tech museum. It was a nice run for the money.

I'm not sold on the phone/pda combo personally. The devices will never be small enough, because of screen size requirements.

I can only hope that Handspring has something up their sleves to reintroduce the Visor line...I"m also looking to buy some swampland in Florida and bridge in Brooklyn.

Posted by K. Cannon on 04-23-2003 05:15 PM:

yep

I'm afraid that when the coin landed on "heads" and Handspring went with Communicators, as opposed to the "tails" and PDA option, they were doomed.

Too bad, b/c I would've probably stayed with them.

Posted by MarkEagle on 04-23-2003 10:27 PM:

Re: yep

quote:
Originally posted by K. Cannon
when the coin landed on "heads"... Communicators, as opposed to the "tails"... PDA option, they were doomed.

I don't think it was their choice to pursue Communicators as much as the decision to abandon the Springboard that caused the doom (maybe they were one in the same, but I think not). Without the Springboard, a Visor is just another PDA, and there's enough of them already. Just think what could have been if Handspring was able to make the Springboard more than a pipe dream? That's not to say there weren't any decent modules, just that they put the burden on the developers instead of pushing it themselves.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by K. Cannon on 04-24-2003 02:43 PM:

Re: Re: yep

quote:
Originally posted by MarkEagle
I don't think it was their choice to pursue Communicators as much as the decision to abandon the Springboard that caused the doom (maybe they were one in the same, but I think not).

I guess so(?...?..)

Ihad an Edge briefly (before I took it back b/c Prism price dropped) and I loved the slim metallic-y feel/look. I was okay w/the sled b/c only springboard i used then as Backup. And now I can use Palm Backup MMC card on my Tungsten (slim, metallic-y feel/look PLUS great screen and etc)

{closes eyes and begins to chant mantra}
I don't want a phone/PDA combo....I don't want a phone/PDA combo....I don't want a phone/PDA combo....I don't want a phone/PDA combo....

Posted by MarkEagle on 04-24-2003 10:16 PM:

Re: Re: Re: yep

quote:
Originally posted by K. Cannon
I guess so(?...?..)

I know I don't need to anyone of this, but when the Visor was first released, what was Handspring's advantage (and a BIG one at the time)? In a word, expandability. Killing the Springboard killed the Visor.

quote:
{closes eyes and begins to chant mantra}

One more and we'll have the Visor Trio!

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by alight on 04-24-2003 10:59 PM:

Not this again ...

Didn't you folks realize we passed a law here that bans saying negative things about Handspring?

Just kidding about the law ... but ... as long as you can buy a NEO for $99 (free shipping) Handspring still offers the very best in its class. There simply is nothing to compare to the NEO.

Posted by Toby on 04-24-2003 11:25 PM:

Mark, you do realize that the 'decision to pursue communicators' and killing the springboard was one and the same, right? The only reason for the springboard was so they could turn an organizer (which the team knew how to build and sell) into a cellphone by inserting a Gameboy-like cartridge. The transition to communicators was the original plan before the first Visor rolled off the assembly line. Any capabilities beyond that were just gravy for them. If you've never read Piloting Palm, it's an enlightening read. When the first Treo was designed, the VisorPhone (and hence the Visor) was doomed.

Posted by alight on 04-25-2003 03:07 PM:

Along the way...

However, along the way they happened to develop the best basic book reading device in existence, the NEO. It has the best screen, one hand read and perfect button positions, takes 2 AAA batteries, and has tons of room so that you don't absolutely have to add expansion.

The NEO is a classic that can take a lickin and keep on tickin (screen breaks excluded) and is turning out to be the book reading "insiders favorite". At $99, many folks can afford this to use as a dedicated book reader - especially when all the good software is free and none of it will become outdated.

Whether by design or accident, Handspring still offers a winner.

Posted by Holocron on 04-25-2003 03:23 PM:

et al..

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
When the first Treo was designed, the VisorPhone (and hence the Visor) was doomed.

I think you are certainly onto something here. And the "communicator" concept was certainly ahead of the curve. Now, I own a Prism. I have a cell phone. My boss hase a Treo 270. I've seen an toyed with it. I must say that I have no desire to haev one other than the "kewl" factor.

I am just not seeing the great purpose to the combo pda/pho0ne device. I refer to my original comment about the screen size. In order for the combo to be useful you need a pig screen. This makes the phone too big, IMHO.

I think the way to go is a phone & pda connection via Bluetooth. Untill they find a way to embedd all this in my wetware and link a display to my optic nerve...

Posted by Toby on 04-25-2003 08:14 PM:

Re: et al..

quote:
Originally posted by Holocron
[...] I am just not seeing the great purpose to the combo pda/pho0ne device. I refer to my original comment about the screen size. In order for the combo to be useful you need a pig screen. This makes the phone too big, IMHO. [...]

No argument from me. I'm definitely not a convergence guy.

Posted by ByronC on 04-17-2004 12:51 PM:

Re: Along the way...

quote:
Originally posted by alight
However, along the way they happened to develop the best basic book reading device in existence, the NEO. It has the best screen, one hand read and perfect button positions, takes 2 AAA batteries, and has tons of room so that you don't absolutely have to add expansion.

The NEO is a classic that can take a lickin and keep on tickin (screen breaks excluded) and is turning out to be the book reading "insiders favorite". At $99, many folks can afford this to use as a dedicated book reader - especially when all the good software is free and none of it will become outdated.

Whether by design or accident, Handspring still offers a winner.

Hello All,

I agree, my Visor NEO "ROCKS" when I use it for eBook reading.

ByronC

__________________
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