Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 35

I've noticed that a lot of people are complaining that the lack of support for Visor Deluxe in a lot of new programs and modules constitutes fraud. Now that I think about it, I wrote half of those posts myself. Anyway I thought I would do some self-reflection about why I even care in the first place. Here goes.

I bought my Ice Visor Deluxe about a month ago on a completely impulse buy when looking for something else at Fry's. I don't have a lot of money so it was something of a big purchase for me. I've wanted a PDA ever since the first Newton and really desired a Palm V because, let's face it, it is the most attractive handheld produced right now. I think the Palm III is ugly and dull and I have never been interested. I did no homework and knew nothing of Flash ROM, OS 3.5, future Springboards, etc. when I made my purchase. My decision came down to the following criteria:

1. The Visor Deluxe comes in pretty colors and I was sure that it would impress my friends (hahaha). I bought a Yellow Pocket GameBoy for the same reason.

2. USB cradle and Mac support in the box.

3. Springboard.

I could never justify the cost of a Palm V despite its coolness so I had to make a pragmatic decision. For the price, I was able to get as much RAM as is available in any Palm OS PDA and features that would actually make it usable for me without added cost.

I am not really interested in the SpringBoard for wireless web or cell phone though I do think that those modules are cool. I'm just not prepared to pay $40 a month in service fees for something so limited. But I think that the option of a modem or cell phone pass through would be incredibly useful. The fact that some of these products like the ThinModem or the memory packs add nothing in the way of increased size is truly awesome.

While I am disappointed that these modules won't work on my unit, the point is moot. The fact is that though I could use them, there is almost no chance that i actually will.

I basically use my Visor for 3 functions and probably won't use it for any more barring the release of a cell phone connective module (to check my email occasionally).
1. Built in Apps (organizations)
2. AvantGo (news junky)
3. Solitaire

I guess $250 is a lot to pay for something that basically replaces all of those scraps of paper that I have been keeping in my wallet but I am a geek like the rest of you and I find useful technology, no matter how cost ineffective, irresistable.

Anyway thanks for letting me ramble about what I really use this thing for. Please add what you think.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Cascade, MD
Posts: 74

That's called

I agree with your nice, thoughtful comments! I did do research and, while perfectly aware that this Visor Deluxe is a very early model in its family, bought it for the pleasure of being in on the evolution of a good product. Understanding that, I have to accept that some of the evolutionary steps in its development will quickly be replaced and that the various manufacturers producing peripherals for it will move on as well - accept it, not always like it! <g> After all, while having reasonable concern for their customers, Hanspring is still, above all, in business! (This is called commerce, not kindness I suppose!) Sure enough, a couple of months after I bought my Deluxe, here comes an upgrade to the O/S!

I did not like the Palm V that I had; I love the Visor Deluxe. I may or may not move on to a newer Visor just now, but I do plan to keep the Deluxe, which represents, to me, a new door opening onto the world of truly portable computing which I really do enjoy!

LW

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

yes, it IS fraud

I bought TWO VDXs (one for my wife). Here are some reasons:

1) Wanted to support a challenger to the reigning monopoly for PALM-OS devices.

2) Springboard

3) I was concerned about the lack of flash, but assurances by the company that they would provide needed updates via RAM overlay patches alleviated that concern. Well, not anymore, obviously.

4) Anticipation of Novatel Minstrel S

Now I'm screwed. I may, in fact, upgrade to a Platinum or Prism because of this--but I wont be HAPPY about it. Can someone explain to me why it is not practical for them to give us a patch to the OS that will provide support for PQAs? Handspring touted the VDX as a product that would reduce the burden of planned obsolesence on consumers--now, 3 months after purchase, my VDXes are obsolete. *@#$!!!


[Edited by zelchenko on 11-01-2000 at 08:35 AM]

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 52

I experienced essentially the same as you. I was forced to choose over a Palm IIIe. They were ugly, nonstylish, and run-of-the mill. Then, I saw the visor. The Staples clerk showed me how it ran, how the springboards worked, what was available, etc. It was an excellent experience. The $200 spent on a plain old Visor suits me fine. I spent my life savings that day, and it's been worth it ever since. My Language Arts/Literature teacher makes us write cursive in everything we do. Unfortunately, I don't know cursive. So, I just graffitti it into my Visor and print it at home. I can beam other classes' homework back and forth with my (IIIe, may I add) Palm-owning friends. All in all, I love my Visor and would never trade it for anything but another Handspring device.

__________________
Pen-Pen siggie is constructifying itself later...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Obsolete? What?

I disagree with those that believe the older Visor models are obsolete. If they were obsolete, why would Handspring still be selling them for the SAME exact price they were more than a year ago? Obsolete products usually sell at a discount and have little or no support.

Most Palm OS applications WILL work on the older Visors as does most Springboard Modules. It seems that the only modules that will not work on the Visor are those "communications modules". Yet, Handspring is doing what it can to rectify this by offering a FREE exchange to those customers that MAY have problems.

If you are a Power USer and want to have the latest and greatest, then do what some Powers like myself do -- sell your old unit and buy a new one.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

Re: yes, it IS fraud

quote:

---

Originally posted by zelchenko

4) Anticipation of Novatel Minstrel S

Now I'm screwed. I may, in fact, upgrade to a Platinum or Prism because of this--but I wont be HAPPY about it. Can someone explain to me why it is not practical for them to give us a patch to the OS that will provide support for PQAs? Handspring touted the VDX as a product that would reduce the burden of planned obsolesence on consumers--now, 3 months after purchase, my VDXes are obsolete. *@#$!!!


[Edited by zelchenko on 11-01-2000 at 08:35 AM]

---

__________________
Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

obsolete for my intents and purposes

The point is that Handspring promised the ability to patch the OS despite the lack of flashram. Now they are just playing the same old game that other companies do. They withhold support for an older product (less than 6 months old in this case) in order to raise cash for development of the newer one. I thought they were going to be different, but I can see now that I was naive. PQAs are a fairly important piece of the wireless-IP modem solution, and if your "revolutionary" product doesn't support it, you're supposed to roll out a patch so that it will. The fact is that we were lied to. Some of you are willing to overlook this, and that's a shame. It sets a bad precedent for both the customers and the company.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Isn't it ironic . . .

As I start this message, my browser is running a banner ad from OmniSky . . . it is almost like Visor owners are being taunted by the computer gods. I guess they have to rub our noses in it by running an ad on a site where the vast majority of participants are barred from using the advertised service!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 35

welcome to that world we mac users call hell.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Re: obsolete for my intents and purposes

quote:

---

Originally posted by zelchenko
The point is that Handspring promised the ability to patch the OS despite the lack of flashram. Now they are just playing the same old game that other companies do. They withhold support for an older product (less than 6 months old in this case) in order to raise cash for development of the newer one. I thought they were going to be different, but I can see now that I was naive. PQAs are a fairly important piece of the wireless-IP modem solution, and if your "revolutionary" product doesn't support it, you're supposed to roll out a patch so that it will. The fact is that we were lied to. Some of you are willing to overlook this, and that's a shame. It sets a bad precedent for both the customers and the company.

---

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

Re: Re: obsolete for my intents and purposes

quote:

---

Originally posted by yardie
The last time I checked Windows 95 could not be patched to make it into Windows ME or Windows 2000.

---

ummmm....actually...i 'patched' Win95 up to Win98 last year and i have the ability to 'patch' Win98 to WinME.

__________________
Ever feel like the train left while you were busy reading the paper?

Stealth-Mod.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

Re: Re: obsolete for my intents and purposes

quote:

---

Originally posted by yardie
I don't think what Handspring is doing is unreasonable or sets a precedent. The last time I checked Windows 95 could not be patched to make it into Windows ME or Windows 2000. In the PDA market 6 months is the equivalent of a few years. If you want the latest and greatest, be prepared to spend some money.

I am sure that Handspring would release a patch to upgrade Visor if it was practical to do so.

---

Registered: May 2000
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 49

I think many of us purchased the VDx with the hopes of taking full advantage of the Springboard module.

I've used, with much happiness, the Backup Module, Modem, Eye Module, and was looking forward to the much-promised wireless options.

While I'm not willing to call it fraud, I do think it would be a nice gesture if Handspring would either make sure the VDx is supported with module patches, or offer VDx users some sort of upgrade path to Prism or Platinum, allowing us to take full advantage of the new technologies.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Wireless Modules

I am blaming this whole fiasco on the wireless developers. The shouldn't have announced modules for the Visor and Visor deluxe and then turn around and say it will not work. They should have developed the modules around the Visor and Visor deluxe -- no knew very weel what the limitations and features of the Visors were when they announced the modules eons ago.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

I had a similar experience with my VDx. As it was in shipping, it became old technology. When I bought my VDx on Thursday, 10-12-00, I was not anticipating the release of Visor Platinum. If I had known about it, I would have waited to buy it. Needless to say, it kind of ticked me off. I could still send it in, but I already went through one Visor by having the screen broken, so I don't know if I want to upgrade just yet.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Still

MjoeyB:

You may still be able to return the unit you have for a full refund so that you can upgrade.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Re: Re: Re: obsolete for my intents and purposes

[QOUTE]
The point is that Handspring actually promised to patch the OS if it was necessary. I think this qualifies as necessary. And your point about the "latest and greatest" is bull. I bought the VDX with the assumption that I would be able to run the announced modules when they were released. I was strung along and nobody said "VDX will not be able to run the Minstrel S". We were lied to, plain and simple. Are you really that dense?
[/QUOTE]

When are where did Handspring PROMISED that they would releasean OS patch if necessary? Did HANDSPRING string you along or did the module developers string you along?

Blaming Handspring for modules that won't work with the Deluxe is like blaming Microsoft for shoddy third party programs which crash a lot under Windows.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

boycotting licensees

For now I will simply boycott Handspring's Springboard licensees until I see some movement in the direction of addressing this issue. I have a SprintPCS Touchpoint phone and will probably pursue the solution presented in the thread in the following link:

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...p?threadid=5570

A major plus is if I use this solution I can also plug in a homebrew "dkessler" adaptor and pop in my 32M sandisk CF card. Web connectivity (no PQA, of course), 32M storage--can't beat that.

P.S. By the way--I got a reply from Handspring on my queries. They said I should take my concerns regarding OS-patches to Novatel. Nice, huh?



[Edited by zelchenko on 11-03-2000 at 02:48 PM]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

Re: obsolete for my intents and purposes

quote:

---

Originally posted by zelchenko
The point is that Handspring promised the ability to patch the OS despite the lack of flashram. Now they are just playing the same old game that other companies do. They withhold support for an older product (less than 6 months old in this case) in order to raise cash for development of the newer one. I thought they were going to be different, but I can see now that I was naive. PQAs are a fairly important piece of the wireless-IP modem solution, and if your "revolutionary" product doesn't support it, you're supposed to roll out a patch so that it will. The fact is that we were lied to. Some of you are willing to overlook this, and that's a shame. It sets a bad precedent for both the customers and the company.

---

__________________
Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

what swap?

Felipe,

Handspring is NOT providing swap for PQA support. They are not providing ANY solution other than "buy our new stuff."