Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 103

Ok, was it just me? Nobody else has said anything about the cell phone springboard. I don't remember where I saw it, but I saw an article somewhere saying that Motorola was developing the spring board that would add an earpiece and antenna, but use the built-in visor microphone. The screen would also double as the keypad and you'll be able to click on a phone number in your address book and it'll dial the number for you. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard this is suppossed to ship sometime in the spring of 2000.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Personally, I'd like a non-voice cell modem. True, it'd only get something like 9.6k, but that's still faster than the P-VII. It could exploit all of the VII's existing PQAs without having to go through Palm.net's uber-expensive wireless service. And you could even get a flat rate plan.

The unit is certaintly doable, since much of the size of smaller cell phones are due to the demand of earpieces, receivers, keypads and LCD displays -- none of which would have to be incorporated into the design of the Springboard.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

This is one of the 'possible springboard designs' from the Visor Press Kit. Looks pretty small to me, earpiece included.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: US Military in Germany
Posts: 46

How about adding an earphone/mic jack so you could use a combination earphone/bone induction microphone to talk without having to hold the actual device to your head. As someone else on this site said, it would be safer also because no antenna next to your brain and would not look as silly as talking to your Visor. Possible future upgrades could be voice dialing such as many full featured cell and digital phones already use.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

it would be safer also because no antenna next to your brain

Hasn't all of this cell phone brain cancer stuff already been debunked? It is my understanding that there is not enough RF radiation to cause any damage, and no long-term studies have been done because of cell phones' only recent widespread acceptance. To me, it is an irrational fear, just like the drop in land value that happend after the 'cancer from living under power lines' scare. Please provide some proof to back up your assertion.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: US Military in Germany
Posts: 46

It is not an assertion, it is a possibility. Any time RF is next to your brain there is a possibility of a problem and I would not like to be the case that proves there is a problem. On the safety issue there is a much more important and immediately apparent issue. Holding your Visor to your head to talk on it may be fine to do while walking around or sitting in a chair but it also inevitably leads to idiots driving paying more attention to the phone in their hand than the steering wheel that should be. If you can't do two things at once safely, then don't. A hands free earphone/mic would be better for this.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, TX USA
Posts: 95

Medical concerns aside, the hands-free mic/earphone is still a good idea. For one thing, it makes dialing easier, and if you could still use your Visor while on the phone, it would be a double bonus. I hope the developers consider the possibility.