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-- Rumor: Handspring "Palm V" Design? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=1507)

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Concidering the Palm V is thinner from front to back than the top of the Visor w/o the springboard cover on, I think they can make a thinner version.

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If they keep changing the springboard slot then in no way will it ever be able to take off as a standard. It will start to get like Macs are sometimes.

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I agree with you homer. I feel that inorder to survive in this field (or any for that matter) you can't become an 'extremist' on any platform and not realize that things change.

On the other topic. If handspring were to come up with a super-slim compact version of the visor, the springboard module might not have to fit properly. I wouldn't mind a compact/slim visor that i could carry around with me and occasionally plug in a module (i.e. modem) at some angle that might not lend itself to practicallity but would serve it's purpose for the brief time it's in the device. (think 90 degrees) If this would help handspring make a smaller device with the capability of springboard expansion then i'd go with it.

Babylon5:

If you read through Handspring's documentation on the Springboard slot, they've stated that they won't be changing the technical aspects of the Springboard in their new models. Modules that are bought today will still work (technically) in all future Handspring PDA's.
The only stipulation Handspring has for developers is that they stick to the form factors that are given to them. This way, you don't get a wacky shaped Springboard that won't fit in a future Springboard slot.

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Originally posted by homer:
Well, that was kind of my point. The top of the visor is as thin as possible...so you can't make it any thinner AND include the springboard slot.

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What I first liked about the Visor was it's SpringBoard slot, it was a novel concept. The other thing that drew me to it was the bang for the buck. 8 Meg for $250. A far cry from my previous Palm Pro, with a hand soldered 2 Meg upgrade. I think that Handspring should come out with a good Color version that beats the pants off the IIIc for price and memory. Not that I'm a big fan of color, but that's where this market is going to lead. Handspring created a big pricing shift in Palm devices and have a chance to do so again with a color one as well. Just my 2 cents.

IMHO, what the Visor really needs as far as a design upgrade is a spring-loaded cover for the sync contacts, as in the Palm III line. My contacts are already getting "yucky" (yes, that's a technical term).


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seanseanadams
your friend and mine

If you guys did not want a springboard slot why not just do the smart thing and get the pda that you accually want instead of complaining that the company that makes your pda should go against a better design in favor of copying a competetors inferior (but nice looking) design aka palmV .

How about a really, really long dongle for those guys that keep the springboards in their cargo pants' pockets or shoulder holsters?

Or, wireless, with a little antenna adapter for each springboard in each pocket...

I guess if they've got special clothes for the stuff they're not really worrried about slim, huh?

But, seriously, they could slim it down a bit by making the screen flush. Also, by the play/flex of some of our visor screens, there is obviously some room in there to get rid of...

If Handspring dropped the Springboard slot for a new slimmer model, the only difference between it and the Palm IIIxe would be the colors...the prices are the same between the VDx and the IIIxe, meaning the only advantage the Visor has is the Springboard! Not that I don't love it...


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seanseanadams
your friend and mine

I think the dongle, or sleeve (ala the iPaq) would be great. I won a Palm V a month after I recieved my Visor, and I loved the form factor. Before I actually used it I always said to myself "So what, my Visor is small enough as it is", but the Palm V can actually act as a wallet replacement and not feel like a brick in your pocket.

I have high hopes for Sony's new color PDA. Its thinner than the Palm III/Visor, and its in color. The memory stick seems to have all the functionality of the Springboard and I think because its Sony we could actually see a lot of stick come out for it.

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If you guys did not want a springboard slot why not just do the smart thing and get the pda that you accually want instead of complaining that the company that makes your pda should go against a better design in favor of copying a competetors inferior (but nice looking) design aka palmV .

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With new technologies like Sony's IC bare-chip mounting and flexible LCD on the horizon I imagine that all electronic devices are going to continue to decrease in size and increase in useability, including the Handspring Visor and the Springboard concept.

For now, however, and size aside, I would simply like Hanspring produce a sturdier Visor model. I am hearing about and experiencing many problems with the Visor that are related to the Visor's, primarily plastic, design. Problems like loose screens and cracked cases tell me that Hanspring should look to the more durable, and more metal, PalmV design for inspiration.

By the way, those of you who don't own a Springboard expansion module yet should check out the other ways to make use of the expansion port.