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- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- Visorphone for Data -- How Is It? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=13539)
So now that it's been out for several months, what are people's opinions about using the Visorphone for mobile e-mail and Internet? How is the reliability? The speed? The cost? How quick can you connect (compared, say, to CDPD)? How about the weight of the Springboard?
I had a Prism with a Minstrel S for a time but wound up selling them both on eBay because a) the signal was unreliable inside buildings and sometimes even outside; b) the weight of the Minstrel S made the Prism unweildy and uncomfortable to use; c) while it didn't crash every day, it crashed frequently enough to make it inconvenient; d) it was slow as heck!!
In the end I went back to my trusty old Palm VIIx, which while ugly as sin is at least reliable and works most everywhere I work and travel.
Still, I hanker for a better slolution, and hence my question about the Visorphone!!
Dan Prizer
New York City
I also gave up my VIIx for a Prism with Minstrel/Omnisky. I got rid of the Minstrel for the same reasons that you mentioned, and got the VisorPhone. It works well and doesn't crash my Prism. I'm not sure what you mean by "slow". It's slower locking on the signal than the VIIx, but both the VIIx and the VisorPhone do 9.6 in my area. The VisorPhone is capable of 14.4 if the carrier supports it. There's no question though, that the BellSouth Mobitex network used by the VIIx has more extensive coverage than GSM. But, at least the VisorPhone works in the areas wher it's supposed to, which is more than I could say for Omnisky.
As far as size and weight, it doesn't bother me at all. Of course, I keep it on my belt. It's significantly smaller than the Minstrel and the shape is such that it feels and works better. For instance, if I lay it on the table, the VisorPhone causes the whole unit to sit tilted, which works well for viewing and tapping. The Minstrel was so big that the Prism sat horizontal off the table, which I didn't like at all.
__________________
Talldog
Once you lock on a signal, is it good about maintaining it...or is it prone to the sort of drop outs that the Minstrel was (crossing the street, or sometimes moving it from shoulder height onto a table!)?
By the way, thanks for your impressions. My need for e-mail on the go is increasing, and as much as I love my VIIx, I've been tempted at the Blackberry (no need to life the antenna and let everyone know what you're up to in a meeting). However, the Palm platform offers so much more, that I'd prefer to find a way to stick with it.
I've had no problems with data via my VisorPhone and Prism. Takes a while to connect, just like a normal wired modem (maybe 8-15 secs) but then works quite reliably. Unfortunately, my provider Cingular charges $5 a month AND $0.15/minute for data calls, so I don't use it as much as I would if it were flat rate like Omnisky. It is useful for dialing into my company's network and getting work mail though.
I used to have a blackberry and the device rocks for always-on wireless e-mail. Unfortunately, it was very limited outside of that, and even the PIM functions were not as functional and easy to use as PalmOS is. Sorry, but the (sad) state of the art today requires you to choose between great wireless and great PIM/apps.
I know what you mean. I keep wondering if I should just carry two devices -- one for e-mail, and one for everything else. People already think I'm crazy for spending $40+ a month for my Palm.net service anyway!! (I'm self-employed, so In pay for the whole shebang myself.)
The only thing the Blackberry has over the VIIx is the always on feature. Unless you require that, I'd stick with the VIIx. The Blackberry is too limited in other respects, and I can't see paying for two devices and service plans just so you don't have to put up the antenna. Rumor has it that the VIIx will be replaced toward the end of the year, and "always on" is part of the speculation.
__________________
Talldog
VisorPhone for E-mail/Browsing
I use VoiceStream in the Philadelphia area. Started before it was officially offered by Handspring. Paid the $500 and made my own deal. Voice bucket of time and Data bucket of time (DataStream).
The basic charges are the same that eventually were offered by Handspring/VoiceStream deal.
Problem. I noticed that the bill (and the web site on "My voiceStream" web site) didn't differentiate between Voice and Data. Ok with Voicemail and SMS which I rarely use.
Inititially, Customer support hadn't a clue to how all this worked. FINALLY, after a bunch of calls including a couple to South England (tech outsource support), I finally made my way (another story)to a bright kindly customer support supervisor person who really dug in. She discovered and was forthright that the "outsourced billing company" didn't know how to differentiate Voice from Data
(e-mail/surfing)!!!??? Although we were never able to talk directly after the first call (customer support hell), she left a great message saying that she had arranged to credit me for previous and some future DataStream charges (it wouldn't be fixed for at least 2-3 months). The fact that I buy a fair amount of voice time absorbs/burys the voice/data time use conflict. Data at this point comes from voice. But given their (her) so far tremendouly posititive approach and the great functionality of the HandSpring/VisorPhone combo, it is to me worth it.
Welcome to ahead of the curve club.
Is the implication that Datastream on Voicestream is a waste? That if you get those extra 1,500 "data" minutes, they won't ever actually apply, because everything comes out of your regular minutes? Staying with the VIIx is sounding better and better...
quote:
Originally posted by PRIZER
Is the implication that Datastream on Voicestream is a waste? That if you get those extra 1,500 "data" minutes, they won't ever actually apply, because everything comes out of your regular minutes? Staying with the VIIx is sounding better and better...
Actually DPWeb DX does a pretty darn good job of accessing any web site from the VIIx. I've placed bids on eBay (when I couldn't find what I wanted using the PQA) and looked up all manner of things from inside restaurants and moving vehicles. It's slow -- definitely slower than a Minstrel modem -- but it's not THAT slow and it much more reliably finds a signal. If you haven't seen some of the Commercial PQAs like DP Web, you'd be surprised at what they can do now. For example, Corsoft Aileron on my Palm even allows me to read MS Word and Excel attachments (though it is PAINFULLY slow to download).
I assume that at some point Handspring is going to release a handheld that will have built-in wireless and will put the VIIx to shame -- but in the meantime, I'm always looking around for something better (hence, my questions about the VisorPhone).
quote:
Originally posted by PRIZER
I assume that at some point Handspring is going to release a handheld that will have built-in wireless and will put the VIIx to shame -- but in the meantime, I'm always looking around for something better (hence, my questions about the VisorPhone).
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Talldog
GSM or CDPD?
The concept of Visorphone sounds good to me. Now anyone can offer their expert opinion if GSM or CDPD version is the way to go? I see myself will only use it mostly in US interstate. Will GSM network prevail in N. America? Is data limit only to 14.4K bps in comparison to higher potential of future CDPD? Still do you think there will be a CDPD version of Visorphone available this year?
Alan
Re: GSM or CDPD?
quote:
Originally posted by NetMetro
The concept of Visorphone sounds good to me. Now anyone can offer their expert opinion if GSM or CDPD version is the way to go? I see myself will only use it mostly in US interstate. Will GSM network prevail in N. America? Is data limit only to 14.4K bps in comparison to higher potential of future CDPD? Still do you think there will be a CDPD version of Visorphone available this year?
Re: Re: GSM or CDPD?
quote:
Originally posted by critic
If I can find the TWICE article that I got all this information from, I'll post the link.
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Talldog
Well, I couldn't find the exact article I wanted (which had a chart of the different technologies, but this will give you an idea of what the telcos are planning:
http://www.twice.com/html/pagebeta.cfm?InputKey=3429
For similar stories, click the "SEARCH" link and try CDMA, CDPD, or GSM.
There's some interesting stuff over there, but with all the talk going on about all the wonderful technologies thy're building, the one thing that's noticeably missing is, when and how are they going to build more towers? The greatest technology in the world is worthless if you can't get a signal. I remember how excited I got when that guy on TV started going on about Sprint PCS' nationwide service with crystal clear signal quality. I trucked on down to a Sprint outlet and promptly discovered that "nationwide" service apparently doesn't include about half of my state.
I wish I had hope that it was going to get better.
__________________
Talldog
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