VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- Visor Cell Phone (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=5102)

Is there such a thing? If so, where can I get it? Digital or analog?

I can't say I've seen anything like that...I've heard the rumors and "wish list" stuff, but nothing concrete.

Chuck

The first Realnet videos (a month ago) demonstrated a "mock-up" of a cell phone Springboard that looked like the top half of a cell phone sticking above the Visor with an antennae. Described as a 2000+ product.

Seems to me, a better idea is to get a PCS phone with the PalmOS on it.

http://www.sprintpcs.com/newskb/1999/10_11_99.html

Chester, Why?

I guess it would depend on which function (PDA or cell phone) was the primary use. If you need to talk on the cell phone a LOT, then using a PDA as a cell-phone would be a little cumbersome. (And you'd get a lot of wierd looks in the airport terminal.) If you primarily need a PDA and occasionally a cell-phone (or cell-modem...) then I could see the use of the springboard option. (And you could ignore the stares in the terminal.)

I can see a market for both.

I use nearly 1000 minutes of cellular a month, but I would rather have one device to lug around so, i'll take the staring all day long. I can't wait for the day I can log numbers and appointments without hitting 8 keys to achieve the name "Bob" on my nokia. I just hope that they offer multiple carriers, so we are not locked in to uncompetitive pricing. ATT pcs has some good rates and i'd like to stay with them come springboard time.

If the Visor cell phone has a headset plug, you can just buy a headset, leave the Visor in the case, and talk on the phone. I have a PCS phone with a Jabra headset right now, and it's the coolest thing to drive while talking, and actually have both hands on the wheel...


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"Scalpel"
Atomic Hyrax Games

Headset is a must for any developers out there. It is discusting to see that out of five cars i pass on the road 3 are on the phone and aren't using a handsfree device. It should be the law to use a headset or speakerphone

here's a question... The springboard cell phone would have to have a speaker obviously, but isn't the mic on the visor on the front of the phone. Also all of the phones these days have two mics on them for noise cancellation. I'd like to see if they take that in consideration for the first run.

I agree, WHoLiGaN. The headsets now are so cheap ($10 for a basic at Radio Shack), why NOT get one for the car? Plus, I've seen cops pass me up and pull over the guy in the SUV, maybe because he's got a phone to his ear and I've got a little earbud.

On the other hand, I do get stares when using my headset out of the car. The Jabra uses a bone conduction mic built into the earpiece, so unless you notice the little Secret Service plug in my ear, it looks like I'm talking to myself.

I just realized the other major advantage to a headset: You can use the Visor while talking on it! Make the call, switch to your memopad, and take notes. Set up appointments, etc.

Man, I'm going to look like Supergeek...


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"Scalpel"
Atomic Hyrax Games

Truthfully, I'd prefer if my Visor-based cell phone wouldn't use the speaker at all. I'd prefer an earpiece much like described above and a long wire to connect to my visor attached to my belt.

A small FM transmitter would be cool for use with the car.

I HATE people who use their cells while driving without an earpiece or speaker.

My $.02 worth.
The Cell phone springboard should be able to receive calls out of the SB slot. This way, I could be using my Visor with the GPS SB while I talk to someone over the phone.
My ideal cell phone SB would have :
- calls receive only capability when not plugged in
- an earphone jack
- battery rechargers as they are in the current phone
- buttons on the top for "Talk" and "End"

Since the SB Cell phone would be reduced to a mere transmitter/receiver (pardon my depth of knowledge here) by letting the Visor handle the "organizer" capabilities which burden the current phones (not having to punch 8 keys to enter "Bob"), the phone battery life would be approximately, infinite

Just an FYI,

It's my understanding that using a "hands-free" phone while driving is not much safer than using a phone you have to hold. Evidently, the issue is not usually how many hands you have on the wheel, but how much attention you have on your driving.

(New England Journal of Medicine, 1997 &
Transportation Human Factors, 1999)

Hang Up And Drive.


[This message has been edited by bearpaw (edited 10-19-1999).]

This discussion is getting off topic a little re: cell phone users in cars, but IMHO people who drive with passengers and converse with them are more distracted than a headset call on a phone.
--a) you can keep both hands on the wheel.
--2) you don't have to glace over to the person you are talking with.
--d) you can actually get work accomplished

in response to the battery drain issue...
batteries drain most when the phone is transmitting, not backlighting or button pressing. THat is why they are rated in standby time and talk time...
ie. 50 hrs standby/2 hrs talk time

The cell phone/PDA combo has already been done by Qualcomm. The pdQ uses the Palm OS with a flip down phone pad. I saw one in a Sprint PCS store, and the Qualcomm pdQ is pretty bulky. I'm not sure the phone/PDA combo is such a good idea. I think I would stick a PDA and a small cell, like the Motorola StarTAC.

Here's a link to Qualcomm's pdQ site:
http://www.qualcomm.com/phones/prod...0,1352,,00.html



[This message has been edited by LanMan (edited 04-14-2000).]

Bulky is not the word...the PDQ is HUGE!
And pricey..800 at Sprint outlets.
A major looser as far as I'm concerned.

Hope this is not repeating or misleading, but according to Geoff Walker (met him at IW), Handspring is working with a developer (he made it a point to not identify who) to develop a phone-module for the Visor. According to him, it will be GSM, not CDMA/TDMA, and will be around in second/third quarter of 2000. A CDMA/TDMA module, according to him, is two years away.

This is a bummer for me, since I live in NYC in which I use the CDMA StarTac 7760. Then again, I think having a phone in my PDA is a loser proposition, as I have enough trouble taking notes or entering info while on my cell phone anyway. Having them both in one unit would make it that much harder, I think.

Just one more OffTopic observation re carphones: It is illegal to drive and use a car/mobile phone in Australia, unless it is equipped (and being used) with a hands-free set. Then again, it's also illegal to ride a bicycle without a helmet, but people still do that. Can't recall what the fine is...

Further off topic, I saw a South African advertisement recently that had two men in a car, driving. One is saying: "I love you...Blah blah blah" and the other looking increasingly uncomfortable. It's only apparent at the end that the advertisement is for hands-free car-kits.

M.