Registered: Jan 2000
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In http://www.visorcentral.com/article.php3?id=44&pv=1 (Hawkins: keep it simple), Hawkins states that when PDAs are continuously connected to the web, that's when the "PDA boom" will occur. Is it just me, or does @ctivelink exemplify that with its continuous connection to the web?

See http://www.glenayre.com/@ctivelink/features.asp for more details on it.

-Petro

Registered: Oct 1999
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I have a great deal of respect for Hawkins and all that he's brought to handheld computing, but I think he's becoming out of touch with the times. He continues to preach his SIMPLICITY philosophy, but this isn't anything we haven't already heard him say 1000 times before. What I want to know from Jeff is; what steps are Handspring and Palm taking to improve the operating system? I don't think he realizes this platform has some problems, such as pixel resolution. Did anyone catch that statement he made: "Higher resolutions today primarily benefit only pictures, and marginally increase readability. Marginally increases readbility? Uh Jeff, I think your beating a dead horse. We all know that 160x160 is too low! Now let's do something about it, and stop making up excuses!

It also seems funny how he keeps throwing up the simplicity issue in regards to unneccesary "bells and whistles". Hmm, you mean like MP3 modules, wireless modules, GPS modules, camera modules, etc. Seems like Hawkins is talking through both sides of his mouth!

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Registered: Jan 2000
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I think what he's saying, is to make the PDA simple, and let the user decide what bells and whistles, if any, they want.

Also, he's talking about keeping the resolution low for another reason too: Price.

PocketPC PDAs still start at about twice the price of a Visor, and many run slower.

Most people I've talked to have said they want cheaper PDAs, and would only purchase one $100 or less. Most people still see them as just an expensive organizer.

Just my two (more) cents on the issue.
-Petro

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

quote:

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Originally posted by Petro:
Also, he's talking about keeping the resolution low for another reason too: Price.

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Registered: Jan 2000
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I stand corrected.

Sorry about that. :-)

(come to think of it, the reason is probably just that he wants to keep using the Palm OS, and it can't handle higher resolution yet.)

Handspring should make a major Palm modification that allows double the resolution, so it can handle the old programs with the half res. but can also handle better fonts and such.

[This message has been edited by Petro (edited 06-28-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

quote:

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Originally posted by Petro:
(come to think of it, the reason is probably just that he wants to keep using the Palm OS, and it can't handle higher resolution yet

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Registered: Jan 2000
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Regardless though, you can't deny that there isn't a PocketPC out there that has as many programs written for it, or is as cheap (and fast) as a Visor (not deluxe)

The same reason I use Win 98 more than I use Red Hat Linux is the same reason why many will use Palm OS devices: Widespread use.

And for the same reason I use Red Hat, people will use Palm OS over PPC: Efficient programing, which reminds me, I wanted to ask you how much bigger the Pocket PC programs were in size compared to the Palm OS equvalent ones.

-Petro

P.S. Is anyone going to talk about the @ctivelink in this thread?

Registered: Oct 1999
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I agree the price is still too high for the average user. The lowest price I've ever seen is on the Compaq Aero 1550 for $275. This is the main hurdle that's going to hold the PPC back. I've been hearing rumors that MS is going to subsidize the cost through bundling deals such as MSN sign-up plans. You know what I mean, sign up for 3 years of MSN and get a PPC for free...that kind of thing.

As for applications. Nowhere near as many as Palm. But new applications are coming out in rather significant numbers everyday. Check out www.pocketgear.com and you will see what I mean. Every day they add new apps to the list. Also, MS recently released all of its development tools for the PPC for free, and it even includes an emulator similar to POSE. Judging from what I've *heard* from developers, its easier to program for the PPC than it is for the Palm? I don't know whether that's true of not since I'm not a programmer. Maybe you can shed some light on that?

Application size, you ask? Most of what I've encountered has been around 100kb in size, which isn't TOO bad. Only the really high-end applications or games go up to 200-500kb. For example, there is popular golfing game for the PPC called ZioSoft Golf, which is a 3D golf sim. I runs close to 700kb I believe. But you can store and run applications on Compact Flash cards as well.

That's enough talk about the PocketPC! Otherwise people are going to start throwing flaming torches at me again!

Registered: Jan 2000
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That's what I thought (about the app size that is) I think I'll stick with my Visor, where the OS is 18kb (out of curiosity, how big is the PPC OS?)

I understand now why the PPC PDAs have so much more memory in them: They need it! To me a 100kb app is huge (The only one that big that I have is AvantGo).

So, what do you think about the @ctiveLink? Do you think It'll help the Visor to shoot up in sales?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

One thing I should mention about app size on the PalmOS...it's going up! As more developers begin developing for color in the API, applications getting larger. For example, Datebk3 existed at 250kb before color, but the new version (Datebk4) runs at 417kb...Youch! I've seen most of the colorized Palm apps at Palmgear go up by 35% or more, in size, as a result of being color enabled. So, like it or not, Palm applications are going to get bigger in size.

As for the @ctivelink...yah, It will be another added bonus to the Visor. But one thing that really troubles me with all of the announced or shipping Springboard modules is PRICE! These things are turning out to be pretty damn expensive. I thought Springboard modules were only going to cost around $150, but everthing I've seen is going for around $300-$400. That's even more expensive than the Visor Deluxe! This is going to be a big problem for Handspring!

[This message has been edited by foo fighter (edited 06-28-2000).]

Registered: Jan 2000
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I've noticed that a lot of the very advanced modules are high in price, but the slightly less advanced ones are less (aka memory upgrades, barcode scanner, MP3 Player (32MB version), modems, etc.)

Also, you have to realize that a lot of these products are:
a) aimed at corporate/wealthy users
b) going to drop in price as sales increase

I'm debating on getting the minijam, because it's not only an Mp3 player that can hold 30 min of music (the 32mb version), but it's a memory expansion module, and it's tiny!!! If you look at the springboard slot, and look at how close to the springboard slot size many of these items are, you'll realize that for what you're getting, it's a pretty good price!

And remember, the idea with springboards is convenience and size, as opposed to price.

Also, remember that the wireless modules are the same price as their Palm equivalents.

[This message has been edited by Petro (edited 06-28-2000).]

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

I'm still pretty excited about the Glenayre, but I'm still waiting to get some definitive prices for the unit and the service plan. As with every wireless PDA solution, pricing has been the main deterrent to widespread adoption. Glenayre's service provider (SkyTel?) will need some competitive pricing against Omnisky's $39.95/mo. unlimited service plan for the Minstrel S. Even $40 is too high, but it's the best deal I've heard so far, especially for unlimited, full access (as opposed to web clippinng or some other mediated access strategy).

I don't care as much about color or high resolution. I use PDAs to enter and retrieve information in a mobile context, so I don't spend long stretches of time looking at the screen. I see the PDA first as a PIM, second as a messaging device, and third as a multimedia device. So I'd rather see a company spend the bulk of its engineering efforts on wireless internet access; then when that's resolved, move on to adding things like high resolution, color, MP3, etc.

Registered: Jan 2000
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Gameboy,

One of the plans duscussed for the Minstrel S, is an AT&T one that's only $25/mo for unlimited use in the AT&T network. I think if you look at cellphone service plan prices for limited use, that's pretty darn good (so is the $40/mo. one!)

I look forward to the @ctivelink prices too!

Registered: Jan 2000
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Does anyone know if the service for the @ctivelink will be limited to certain areas or if it will be nationwide coverate like the Omnisky coverage with the Minstrel S?

-Petro