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-- Palm's future 'springboard slot'?? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=4589)

http://yahoo.cnet.com/news/0-1006-2....cat_fin.txt.ne

interesting...about halfway down the article, it states that palm has licensed this technology.

Actually, as I read it, the article says that Palm is licensing Sony's Memory Stick technology, not Handspring's Springboard slot.

I hope for Handspring's sake they open the spec for Springboard that will allow Palm and other OEMs to build Springboard equipped hardware. If the Visor is the only product with this type of bus slot, I can promise you that Springboard is as good as dead as an expansion platform. By keeping it proprietary vendors will move to an alternative such as Compact Flash, and leave Handspring coughing up dust.

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob:
Actually, as I read it, the article says that Palm is licensing Sony's Memory Stick technology, not Handspring's Springboard slot.

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When the Palm/Sony announcement was made, it was mentioned that Palm could license the stick as well. So theoretically HS or anyone could make a module for it.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Personally, I really can't envision consumers carrying around expensive sticks of chewing gum!

I agree with Foo Fighter. One nice thing about the Springboard Module Idea is that it is just big enough not to lose it. How many of us have lost a stylus? I can't imagine owning and then losing a $100+ memory stick!

For what it's worth, I believe the Handspring S-1 filing for their IPO contained something about them licensing the Springboard technology. It will be interesting to see if Palm does something with it.

I agree that more PDA's need to have the Springboard in order to make it a viable expansion platform.


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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

quote:

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Originally posted by justino:
...How many of us have lost a stylus? I can't imagine owning and then losing a $100+ memory stick!

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That's 500 mb of DISK space...not physical RAM. Disks are cheap--much cheaper than flash ram. It's basically a souped up-floppy.

And 8mb for $450...how long ago was that?

It's a great idea, cheap, and i hope they think of the spring board. of course, if I have my disk drive in the springboard with my Mp3s...how do I get my MP3 player to work...?

-Darrel

quote:

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Originally posted by homer:
That's 500 mb of DISK space...not physical RAM. Disks are cheap--much cheaper than flash ram. It's basically a souped up-floppy.

And 8mb for $450...how long ago was that?

It's a great idea, cheap, and i hope they think of the spring board. of course, if I have my disk drive in the springboard with my Mp3s...how do I get my MP3 player to work...?

-Darrel

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My 250 MB Zip drive disks still cost a nice amount of money. I think 500mb of disk is still a great price.