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-- Palm OS not Upgradable for Visor. How much does it matter? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=976)

Hi All,

I read that Visor not be Upgraded for new versions of Palm OS. Sounds like you are stuck with same old OS even though new versions of OS becoming available.
How much does the Palm OS version matter?
Is is possible that in near future a facility will be available to upgrade Palm OS on Visor(current models)?

Your reply will br greatly appreciated.
Regards.
-Mandar

According to statistics (I don't know who conducted them)... Only 5% of Palm users ever upgrade their OS. So it's really not the important aparently...

I think that stat is from before OS 3.3 came out, which was the first major Flash upgrade from Palm. So I would imagine it is a much larger percentage now, and with 3.5 on the horizon (potentially Feb.) I think it will again increase the percentage who go for the flash upgrade fun.

jonpod

3.3 isnt that much of an improvement. Besides most new builds and versions for os's are for new hardware which you wont have unless you buy a new visor/palm so dont worry about it.

You might not be able to do a major upgrade, but patches will be an option (and there is a patch now).

That was the route with my Palm Pilot 1000 (up to the Palm Pilot Professional and now, even the Palm IIIe). Currently, only the III, IIIx, VII, V, and Vx have the flash RAM to get a full upgrade.

For the rest of use, there will be patches and/or possible hardware upgrades (like I had when I made my 1000 into a "Professional.")

Regarding the statement that the update to OS 3.3 isn't a major improvement is slightly innacurate. 3.3 removed the wait-states for the device, thereby speeding performance. True, the Visor's already have this problem fixed. However, there are other improvements that can be made in the future that are similar to the ones found in 3.3 from 3.1 that could make a difference.

In addition, when 3.5 comes out and apps begin to be written exclusively for that (color) OS, Palm users will be able to use those apps since they can flash their ROM. True, those apps will be in B&W, but it's better than nothin'. Hope this info helps!

How important? Not much, really, IMHO. By the time a compelling OS upgrade comes out, the power users will move on to the next version of the hardware. Anyone still using the old hardware won't be as interested in upgrading the OS anyway.

Come on, folks! We're only talking about a $250 device here.

Axeman,
I agree with you. I won't loose any sleep over the flash os, because if anything comes out really earth shaking it will be time to buy a new machine any way. Anything under $300 in my opinion is a disposable consumer device.

Is the Palm OS upgrade safe to install? I believe it is 3.11?

KD,

3.1.1...yes.

tyler

You have to love a country where something that is $300 is a "disposable consumer device."

I heard the other day that that is about the amount the average worker in Thailand makes in a month.

jonpod

Maybe that's why Handspring started sales in the USA and Canada first.

Rolando:
You say there is currently a patch? Are you referring to the PalmOS 3.1.1 patch from Palm, or is there one specifically for the Visor?

It's from Palm, but it is mentioned in the FAQ, here on this site.

I have installed 3.1.1 and it works fine on my Visor.

------------------

I forgot to write that I have 3.1.1 installed with no problems.

sorry for the blank post, but it is a mistake.

[This message has been edited by QL21 (edited 01-21-2000).]

quote:

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Originally posted by jonpod:
You have to love a country where something that is $300 is a "disposable consumer device." -jonpod

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As for the upgrade in programs, think about it, I got rid of my old 486, 8meg, 500 meg HD machine because loading up windows took a good 10 minutes and opening any program once you were there took at least a 30 second wait and it often locked up. If you have a Palm and upgrade the OS, great, but it probably won't work as well. As the software technology expands you need better and better hardware to be able to REALLY use the software anyway. The way I see it, by the time something really worth upgrading for comes out it will be time to buy a new PDA anyway. True, it was 300 bucks, but the way I see it you can always hand it down to the next generation. Or hand it up, as my old organizer is going to my dad But once my visor gets THAT outdated I'll sell it on ebay or give it away to someone I think can use it, then go buy a new one with the latest technology.