VisorCentral.com - Bought my VisorPhone

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- Bought my VisorPhone (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=10210)

Posted by j762538 on 12-24-2000 02:23 PM:

Randy, I didnt see the case when I bought mine, but the photo http://www.handspring.com/products/...&CATID=1042 looks reversed. Can you verify this? I assume the screen is towards your body and the antenna towards the front of your body (when attached on your left) How is the screen protection, does it have a hard cover and how does the flap attach, velcro or snap or ?

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Posted by Toby on 12-24-2000 03:36 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by PDAENVY
{snipped stuff about Stowaway and serial port}

If not, how does it connect? I think USB is the same as serial WRT interfering with the VisorPhone.

I'm really not sure since I don't have the Developer's Kit which would have the hardware info. The fact remains, though, that the Stowaway works with the Xircom modem simultaneously, so I see no reason why it wouldn't work with the Visorphone. Perhaps it communicates via the serial pins, but it definitely doesn't require the serial port (since the modem should). The Landware GoType, OTOH, does require the serial port since it also acts as a hotsync cradle.

Posted by Randy_Dugger on 12-24-2000 04:38 PM:

VisorPhone Holster

Hi John,
Yes, the photo is reversed. I hadn't actually picked up on that when I ordered it. The side the screen faces has a stiffener to help protect it. The clip is like what is on the Nokia phones these days. A part that hangs on your belt and the round tab that is on the case with a quick release. The phone is held in place in the holster via a Velcro strap.
If the phone rings for an incoming call, you can talk to someone with the holster still on the phone. For doing a new outgoing call, you would have to remove it.

Randy

Posted by Intysoft on 12-25-2000 05:35 PM:

ANy chance this will work with a Prism with Minstrel S installed.

PLEASE

Jim

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Posted by kmendez on 12-25-2000 07:30 PM:

Well after using it for a week I am more than happy with this device, the only bad thing, all the demos I have to give every day at work, it literally takes 10 minutes every time, 5 to 6 times a day, there goes 1 hour. I still have the omnisky, but now I am connecting using my visorphone, and it seems to be faster, no module changes, the only thing I cannot do is check my email, using omnisky, I have to use another 3 party software. another bad thing, I like it so much, that I don't change modules anymore, mp3, camera. etc. good for the soundgoods mp3 I can use it with the battery pack. zap 2016 is crashing with the phone in place I dont know why yet.?
the holster from handspring good enough until something else comes out. good belt clip, adequate protectio.
handspring said a color version may be coming out mid january for the visorphone
time to go.
wife is waiting in the car.
chao

Posted by kmendez on 12-27-2000 12:43 AM:

Does any body know if it possible to add any programs to the visorphone, such as additional ring tones, and or something similar to the nokia phones so you can customize the way the phone answers depending of the caller such as ring, vibrate if someone calls, or go to pager mode is somebody elses calls etc. any ideas?

Posted by Ruprect on 12-28-2000 07:05 PM:

How about these features?

I've got some feature questions the Handspring site didn't really address:
1) How about distinctive ringing?
2) How about voice recognition dialing?
3) How about memo voice recording?
4) How about the interface in the Visor address book? This one is more a question of stylus versus hardware buttons. I'm wondering how possible it is to make a phone call without needing to use the stylus. IMO, the stylus defeats the purpose of having a phone on your Visor by being inconvenient.

Taking a note from just about every other cell phone, the cursor hardware buttons move a solid bar up or down on the screen to denote which name, etc., you've selected. The phonebook in a Visor doesn't do that (neither does the Palm). It does a page up or down instead. I could see the situation where one hand is full, and the other has the phone. You'd have to stop to get your stylus to complete a call. That kinda sucks.

Please tell me I'm wrong!

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Posted by Gameboy70 on 12-29-2000 08:53 AM:

One-hand operation

quote:
Originally posted by Ruprect
I could see the situation where one hand is full, and the other has the phone. You'd have to stop to get your stylus to complete a call. That kinda sucks.

Please tell me I'm wrong!

I'm always surprised at the complaint about having to take out the stylus. I usually retrieve information on the Visor with one hand. The only time I use the stylus is when I have to write more than two or three letters at a time; otherwise I just use my fingernails and thumnails.

For instance, when I want to look up the number for "Mike Johnson," I use the corner of my thumnail (on the thumb of the hand that's holding the Visor) to draw a "J" on the silkscreen. If I want to narrow the range of names down further, I draw the second letter the same way. Then I use the same thumbnail to select the line of the specific entry. Sometimes, instead of the thumbnail, I'll use the nail of the index finger of the opposite hand.

By the way, this method is a lot less awkard in practice than it sounds when reading about it. It's certainly quicker than pulling out the sylus. I've been doing this since the first or second day I got my Palm III, and just assumed that everyone else did the same. I guess not.

Posted by Rob on 12-29-2000 05:10 PM:

Answers

>How's the speed of the web connection compared to the Minstrel?

I had Omnisky with my PalmV, and I have to say that the data transmission/reception speed seemed comparable, even through GSM networks only provide 9600 bps right now. Initial time to dial-in and connect seemed a bit slower than with Omnisky, though. You can use pretty much any internet app you would use with a landline modem (browsers, telnet, chat, PQAs, ...)

>It would be nice if someone could write an alarm hack to use the visorphone built in vibrator as a silent appointment alarm.

At first, I didn't think this would work, but it actually might be possible to hack this -- there is a preferences
screen in the phone app that lets you set the type of ring sound or vibration you want, so there must be a sw interface

>interested in knowing if I can wear the headset, be engaged in a phone call AND simultaneously [...] type notes in the memo pad

Unfortunately, I don't have my stowaway with me right now, but I'll try this out when I get home next week.

>1) How about distinctive ringing?

There are 12 different ringer tones, three volume levels (high, low, off), and a vibrate mode. You can select your ringer preferences for each of the two switch settings (so it doesn't have to be audible and vibrate, it can be loud audible and soft audible, etc.) AFAIK, there's no way to add your own ringer tones.

>2) How about voice recognition dialing?

Not on the phone itself, but some service providers offer this as a service. I know Verizon has something called 'talk dial' that lets you call into a voice recognition system that you can program with your own numbers, or just say the phone number. I don't think PacBell Wireless has it, though.

>3) How about memo voice recording?

Nope, but I suppose you could always send yourself a voicemail message instead.

>4) [...] I'm wondering how possible it is to make a phone call without needing to use the stylus.

I rarely use the stylus to make a call. You can set up to 50 speed dial buttons (big buttons -- 10 to a screen) or use the on-screen keypad with your fingers. If you are nimble enough with your fingers/fingernails, you might also be able to dial from the call history log or address book without using your stylus. Check out the demo on Handspring's web site for all the dialing options.

Posted by rpgorelick on 12-29-2000 05:27 PM:

visorphone & GSM

I have been using visorphone for over a week now and have had fairly good results (los angeles area). I am reading a lot on various message boards and am still wondering if GSM will hold up as a strong contender in wireless service here in the US in the future. There has been much press about the expansion and merging of various cdma companies but gsm carriers are also taliking about the same. (Pacbell will merge w/several other gsm biggies and become Singular Cellular later this year). Does anyone have any raoming experience with gsm service throughout the US? Is coverage consistant as you travel? I travel a lot and just want to make sure I have made the right choice. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Posted by Rob on 12-29-2000 05:28 PM:

My impressions of the VisorPhone

I think you can get a pretty good idea of VisorPhone functionality from the Handspring website. I wanted to just point out some of the things that stood out most to me:

Pros:
+ The only way to wirelessly dial into your corporate network if behind a firewall (access e-mail, web apps, etc.)
+ Eliminate multiple phone books -- I hated syncing to Outlook just so I could pay an extra $100 for cable & sw to sync to my StarTAC

Cons:
- PRICE! Not so much the module itself, which is comparable to other GSM phones, but the service plans I think are priced out of the consumer range. Example: $70/mo. for 550 minutes nationwide PLUS $5/mo. for SMS PLUS $5/mo. AND $0.15/min. for data calls. If you are not using this for business where you can expense your phone bills, I would not suggest getting one.

Nice little touches that were included:
+ dial a number from ANY application by just highlighting the text and pressing the phone button on the module.
+ menu option to copy SMS message to clipboard or memopad
+ press and hold phone button to redial last number.
+ add extra digits to speed dial entries for calling card or voicemail passwords, etc.

Nice little touches that SHOULD have been included:
- create a new address book record from callerID/call log (not just copy the number and paste it)
- mute button (sometimes you just gotta vent a little without the other person hearing you!)
- track total minutes per month: considering how expensive these calling plans are, they could have at least provided a single running total of BILLABLE minutes used per month (i.e. 1 second call = 1 minute billed). Call history does not include data calls and does not show minutes on main screen (have to tap 'details' button for EACH entry)
- volume control for the speaker or headset
- sending/replying to e-mail via SMS should provide an easy way to automatically insert the recipient's e-mail address on the 1st line (needed for the service provider to route SMS message through their e-mail gateway to the Internet). Having to write the email manually each time is not user-friendly. Also, reply to e-mail does not auto-copy original message into response.
- should have one of the LED colors/flashing states for 'message waiting', so you can see if you have any messages without removing the visor from your belt case.

Posted by jcon on 12-29-2000 10:31 PM:

VisorPhone and e-mail/internet/Bluelark

I just forked over $499 plus,for earphone jack, leather carry case, and extra battery. Whew!

I live in the Phila. area which has Voicestream,a GSM service provider. They are clueless about this subject at the dealer I use.Before I start out on a major wild goose chase, hope someone can answer the following questions.

1. Assuming VisopPhone works as planned, can I connect to the inter-net and get my e-mail?(which is most important), browse the net?
2. How do I do that?
3. What is Bluelark/Blazer and where do they fit in?

N.B.I had a Palm V w/Omnisky. Spotty coverage and needed Palm Vx. I dumped it for a Visor Prisim. But when it did work, it picked up my e-mail from my acct @ worldnet.att.net. I haven't a clue how that all worked. I am severely technologically challenged not to mention out of my mind to plunge in to this possible abyss.

Thanks very much for any help.

Posted by kmendez on 12-29-2000 11:48 PM:

Welcome to the group, I also use voicestream in south Florida,I use the phone for everything, from making calls, to the net, and e mail, I use the multimail pro for e mail, download from palm gear, install, and set up are rather easy, similar to a regular computer e mail set up.
now internet, I use blazer, nice fast enough especially if disable images download. also use sometimes Eudora, but less and less.
I still have the ominisky software installed in the prism so I can browse any of the sites as well, once you set up the network everything works through the visorphone, which has to dial to your ISP provider like dialing from your home computer and the setting are the same ones.
go ahead and enjoy it

Posted by tthiel on 12-30-2000 03:23 AM:

Re: My impressions of the VisorPhone

quote:
Originally posted by Rob
+ The only way to wirelessly dial into your corporate network if behind a firewall (access e-mail, web apps, etc.)
[/B]

I don't understand what you mean by this. Why is this better if you are accessing your corporate network behind a firewall? Wouldn't Omnisky be just as good?

Posted by tthiel on 12-30-2000 03:24 AM:

Re: visorphone & GSM

quote:
Originally posted by rpgorelick
Does anyone have any raoming experience with gsm service throughout the US? Is coverage consistant as you travel? I travel a lot and just want to make sure I have made the right choice. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

You'll be glad to know that AT&T is switching their entire service to GSM.
-Terry

Posted by Rob on 12-30-2000 05:34 PM:

Re: Re: My impressions of the VisorPhone

quote:
Originally posted by tthiel

quote:
Originally posted by Rob
+ The only way to wirelessly dial into your corporate network if behind a firewall (access e-mail, web apps, etc.)

I don't understand what you mean by this. Why is this better if you are accessing your corporate network behind a firewall? Wouldn't Omnisky be just as good? [/B]

If you use Omnisky/YadaYada/GoAmerica, you are directly connected to the public Internet. However, many companies have set up firewalls for security reasons, so there is no way to get into the internal corporate network from the public Internet (e.g. you can't see internal web sites or access company e-mail from outside the firewall). In these situations, the only way to get at your corporate network is through dial-in modems that your company has set up. The VisorPhone is the only currently available module that allows you to wirelessly dial into your corporate network.

Posted by rpgorelick on 12-30-2000 05:49 PM:

gsm

tthiel,
thanks for the info. well that is encouraging for me to know that the phone and service I just bought will be expanding and not going obsolete in the near future.But does ATT&T going gsm mean that all the current AT&T users will have to get new phones that work on gsm? Personally, I have noticed so far that gsm coverage seems to be more spotty than my old tdma.The signal strength light and indicator on visorphone changes from green to red constantly and within a few feet of range. I have not yet been unable to place a call, however, I have had to move around and check the led status a lot.Any comments are welcome.
RPG

Posted by sastian on 12-30-2000 11:08 PM:

not that i own one but isnt it true that the phone doesnt work when out of the visor.. that to me defeats the pourpose of having it! i would have thought it would be a nature feature to be able to recieve a call, in or out of the module slot. ( *ring* - pull out of pocket - put in visor to answer)
anyone agree?

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Posted by Rob on 01-04-2001 04:49 AM:

Re: My impressions of the VisorPhone

quote:
Originally posted by Rob

- volume control for the speaker or headset

It turns out there *is* a way to change the volume of the speaker or headset: while a call is in progress, press the scroll up/down buttons. I only stumbled upon this by accident, and I'm pretty sure that it's not documented in the user's guide, but at least there is a way to change the volume (which seemed a bit too loud originally to me).

Posted by Randy_Dugger on 01-04-2001 05:02 AM:

Re: My impressions of the VisorPhone

Hi Rob,
You can also re-dial the last number too, by holding down the phone button for 2 seconds.

Randy

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