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-- Rumor: Handspring "Palm V" Design? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=1507)

I recall reading somewhere that Handspring is developing a new model with a trendy design like the Palm V.

* Has anybody else heard anything about this?

* Does anyone know of any rumored Handspring devices in development?

Thanks!

Since the Visor and Palm lines are designed by the same company, I'm sure there is some logic to the above.

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Originally posted by homer:
Since the Visor and Palm lines are designed by the same company...

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IDEO
www.ideo.com

Going back to the original intent of this thread -

Has anybody else heard rumors that Handspring is developing a new model with a design like the Palm V. (or rumors about anything Handspring has under development...)

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Originally posted by foo fighter:
IDEO
www.ideo.com

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Yes, I think I heard about the slimmer Handspring in an interview with Jeff Hawkins on VisorCentral.

If I'm not wrong, it's supposed to come out sometime in December.

Oh yeah, IDEO did help design the Visor. Here's the link on their website: http://www.ideo.com/studies/handspring.htm


[This message has been edited by Tan Kit Hoong (edited 07-13-2000).]

I would be very surprise and somewhat disappointed if Handspring does not come out with a new unit in time for the Christmas season. I suspect they have stuff up their sleeves. I dobn't believe they will take the release of the Sony PDA lying down.

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Originally posted by yardie:
I would be very surprise and somewhat disappointed if Handspring does not come out with a new unit in time for the Christmas season.

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For the record, IDEO designed the Palm line, Handspring line, and they designed/develop/market the EyeModule. To be honest, I'm not sure why Handspring would have had IDEO design their product, when they already are designing their competitor's product.

In fact, I question IDEO for even taking the job...it raises all sorts of business ethics issues.

Regardless, IDEO is a great design firm and I believe they can only improve upon the Visor. I actually kind of hope they make a Visor WITHOUT the springboard, but with a slimmer profile. I bought my VDX based on price only...the springboard hasn't really been helpful to me at all...not that it isn't a great idea, but I bet a lot of people would trade in the springboard for a really slim case.

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Originally posted by homer:
I actually kind of hope they make a Visor WITHOUT the springboard, but with a slimmer profile. .

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I would agree on trading in the springboard for a slim design. I really like the look of the Palm V. If Handspring would have originally sold a similar design, I would have bought that instead.

IMHO, the Springboard slot is a bunch of over-hyped hoopla. The Visor has been out for a reasonable enought amount of time for a several useful Springboards. Where are all the wireless modem and phone modules?

Don't get me wrong, I think the Visor is a super product, I'm just coming to the realization that I probably should have bought a Palm V. I personally prefer form over function. Due to the fact that Visors and Palms use the same OS, function is a moot point when comparing the two.

I'm guess I'm just tired of Springboard vapourware and overpriced modules that don't really have the "bang for the buck" to justify the purchase.



[This message has been edited by JJR (edited 07-14-2000).]

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Originally posted by JJR:
I would agree on trading in the springboard for a slim design. I really like the look of the Palm V

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I personally prefer form over function.

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My guess is that handspring's next product will be Palm V size, WITH the springboard!

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Another option would be to make the springboard slot 'buldge' out, but the rerst of the unit would the very slim. Or make a simple dongle like homer said, I think that's a great idea. Best of both worlds. But it shouldn't take up the USB on the bottom, the next one should have a port on the back that a PalmV modem type springboard adaptor could snap into. That would be awesome!

Those of you that are saying you think the springboard modules are a bunch of hype and worthless.......I'm guesing you don't have any springboards modules.

I love my springboards. I've got the backup module and the Thincom modem. And I can't wait to get more!

Heyday

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Those of you that are saying you think the springboard modules are a bunch of hype and worthless.......I'm guesing you don't have any springboards modules.

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Any visor being released will and must have a springboard. The point being is that the big live or die marketing factor for Handspring is the slot, and for it to work there must be a sufficent number of visors with the slot to justify manufacturers producing hardware for it.

Should a visor be released minus the slot, this would greatly reduce the number of active visor users with the possibility to purchase springboards, the result being that the springboard side of the market does collapse. Handspring have no niche in the PDA market then in which to attract publicity, and it collapses in on itself after Palm eats up the wedge in the market it's made for itself.

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Originally posted by homer:
I don't think that can be done...the current visor is as slim as it can be. The ONLY way I could see making is slimmer would be some radical re-engieering of the motherboard and screen enclosure, but even then, you wouldn't gain enough space to make it worth the trouble.

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I want to add something to this one. I really hope whatever Handspring does they keep the bottom of the unit the same, from a form and connector prospect. If I have to buy yet another keyboard at $100 just because they changed the connector on the bottom I will be upset. Even the palms have changed a lot of things but the connector is the same, as slow as it is <grin> At the very least they should have an adapter that works well. I will buy another Visor but not if they change that forcing me to upgrade everything again. I also just bought the 8 Meg flash memory card so again will I have to spend another $85 along with the new machine?

If they keep changing the springboard slot then in no way will it ever be able to take off as a standard. It will start to get like Macs are sometimes. They have changed the connectors a lot of times with new machines, leaving others to have to adapt all over again. I am not a Mac person but I hear that grip a lot.