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-- Handspring's official stance on OS upgrades? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=9689)

I've read alot of messages concerning Handspring's track record of releasing OS revisions but it's been so long that I don't remember exactly what their official policy is on that.

Has there been any official press release or statements made by the upper ranks of Handspring regarding OS patches for the Visor and Vdx?

I vaguely recall hearing about upgrades being available through patches or springboard modules. If this is so, then why for something like the Active Sky module, couldn't they have been manufactured to check the OS revision when plugged in, patch it if necesary and perform a reset to intialize? Subsequently automatic unistallation would happen when removed followed by another reset?

That wouldn't be a perfect solution for anyone wanting to use software that takes advantage of the newer OSs but that would logically maintain compatability across the board for SB modules.

Q. What about a Flash OS?
A. The Handspring Visor Deluxe supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via Springboard modules and software patches. We do not use "flash" memory to store the OS for several reasons: 1) we are fully upradeable via Springboard modules and software patches, 2) the vast majority of users will never need to completely rewrite the entire OS in memory, 3) "flash" memory is more costly and complex than "read-only memory" (ROM). We continually evaluate the best technologies for our products and will include those that provide clear benefits to our customers. To see the current differences in the built-in Visor OS and the Palm OS� release.

Above is from handsprings faq, but I'm wondering the same thing you are, why aren't sb makers including a new os kernel on the module and doing a reboot with it. I think it would be nifty if a new kernel was loaded and it auto-rebooted. I know it's up to the sb makers to implement this, but I wish handspring was a little more encouraging to get them to do it.

Minh

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why aren't sb makers including a new os kernel on the module and doing a reboot with it. I think it would be nifty if a new kernel was loaded and it auto-rebooted.

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A. The Handspring Visor Deluxe supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via Springboard modules and software patches. We do not use "flash" memory to store the OS for several reasons: 1) we are fully upradeable via Springboard modules and software patches, 2) the vast majority of users will never need to completely rewrite the entire OS in memory, 3) "flash" memory is more costly and complex than "read-only memory" (ROM).

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Originally posted by mxgian
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A. The Handspring Visor Deluxe supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via Springboard modules and software patches...

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Trinition ([email protected])

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So, again, I ask: where are my software patches to upgrade my OS to at least 3.3 if not 3.5? I've got 8MB. I really really want the new OS features. It is certainly possible and even feasible to do it. Come on, HandSpring! Come on ANYBODY!

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OS 3.3 wasn't included becaue Palm wouldn't allow the license to extend to 3.3, because they wanted to keep the wireless conectivity to themselves. Add this to the fact that it wasn't practical to delay the initial release of the Visor until Handsprings software development people could get OS 3.3 and get it modified to use the springboard codecs and USB sync, and they had a decent excuse.

To answer a previous question, it would be great for devlopers like Novatel to add the 3.3 or 3.5 OS onto their modules because it woul mean that those of us that adopted early wouldn't be forced to upgrade in order to get the wireless options we desire. If I could pop an OmniSky into my year old IVDx, and have it automatically boot me into 3.5.2H so that I could take advantage of PQA's, it would be worth the $300 price tag.

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