Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

Discuss the Minstrel S announcement here.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 21

Too early to tell yet . . .

Even though the press release states it's "optimized" for the Platinum and Prism, with the installed user base, I would be stunned it it didn't work with the Visor Deluxe.

Sadly, 3rd party groups such as Omnisky are more busy trumpeting Omnisky 2.0 and compatiblity with PocketPC. With great rebates going on it makes it even more tempting.

I don't think @ctiveLink will exist a year from now with its pricing structure and incompatiblity with existing Visor Deluxe units.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

Excellent work on Novatel's part.

I think the chances of the module not working with the VDX are about 100 to 1 or less, considering the deluxe is the model for which the module was originally announced. Plus, the springboard modules should work with any springboard slot.

I'm really interested in seeing how this fares against the Palm V. For the same price you get a better modem, considering it has 2mb of ram and probably the newest technology out there for the modem, and (should) work with a unit as cheap as $149. That compares with several hundred more for a palm V, so you actually get more for less (?).

The 2 megs are very useful I think. If I could get one (which also has a chance of about 100 to 1), I'd store all the programs that work with the modem there so they don't use up memory on the main visor.

Is it just me or is the 2 months before christmas the time when just about everyone is releasing their modules? Except of course for the Sixpak, which has 5 more days left before it is postponed for the umpteenth time.

The question now is whether it is better value than the visorphone which can act as a wireless modem, as well as a phone I've heard.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Re: Too early to tell yet . . .

quote:

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Originally posted by CaptainVisor

I don't think @ctiveLink will exist a year from now with its pricing structure and incompatiblity with existing Visor Deluxe units.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

Here is my take

I think that it will work with the Visor Deluxe .....BUT NOT WITH PQA's (Web clipping Apps.) Because the Deluxe can not be upgraded to Palm OS 3.3 it can not run them. My guess is that it will give basic network connectivity to the deluxe and you can use most of the apps out there like Avantgo and Multimail but no web clippings.


Just my opinion.......I dont' have to worry anymore because I dumped my visor and got a Palm Vx/Omnisky modem and I love it!

heyday

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Roseville, MN, USA
Posts: 161

I think it sounds like a nice thing to have, but the price will have to come down significantly before I'll consider actually buying one. Any word on service cost?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca
Posts: 302

Can someone educate me on the "modem" aspects of the VisorPhone compared to the Minstrel S.

Would I be able to remotely Hotsync using either one?

I assume that I can dial into my corporate RAS with the modem on the VisorPhone, but would not be able to with the Minstrel S. Is the Minstrel only used to connect to the internet?

I am torn as to which one I would like to buy.

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Bret Snyder<BR>If you don't know where you're going,<BR>You'll probably end up somewhere else.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 99

I think Novatel would be absolutely stupid not to make this work with the VDX. I mean, just compair the installed base of the VDX and the "new" ones, it would just be a stupid move.

But I can't say that they wouldn't...

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

Minstrel S v. Visor Phone

I've got the same questions as Bret. I've got a relatively new phone, so I don't need the Visor Phone as such. On the other hand, if the Visor Phone does everything the Omnisky/Minstrel S does, plus act as a phone, why not buy the phone too?

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 99

I have a new phone, but I also want the Minstrel S because it's cheaper then a serial connected call on my cell, and is a Springboard with extra ram compaired to a simple serial cable.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 57

OmniSky Will Not Be Available for Visor Deluxe

I would like to sadly confirm that the OmniSky and their wireless services will not be available for the Visor Deluxe. They are the most popular wireless services available. And according to a little research I've done, the cheapest to. Does anyone know of another wireless service that would work with the Minstrel S and Visor Deluxe? I know there is more than just omnisky, but they are the cheapest and with the price on that modem, I need to save all the money I can on service.


-Brian

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Push Any Key To Start
"Wheres the Anykey?!"
-Homer Simpson

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

How are you confirming this?

So how are you confirming this?

Oh and I thought I read a message about about making Voice phone calls with this Modem........Sorry it doesn't do voice like the Visor Phone.

heyday

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

I think the main reason why the service supposedly doesn't work with anything but the prism or platinum is because they don't have the new Palm OS which supports PQAs. The service itself may work just fine, but the applications wouldn't.

If handspring managed to release a patch, which I'm sure MUST be POSSIBLE, then the modem should work with the deluxe too.

But the $100 rebate they're talkikng about doesn't sound too bad. If you sold your Visor deluxe on Ebay afterwards you could get a visor platinum + the modem for about $75. Not that bad a deal.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 72

Initially livid... but calming down

After all this waiting [this was my killer app] they finally announce that you have to get a Platinum or Prism to use OmniSky!?!? Bite me!! That's a tremendous outlay of cash to go wireless, even with the $100 rebate.

But now that I'm reading that it can be used with the Deluxe - just not supported [what a crock!] - I'm cooling down a bit... just a bit. I still think it sucks.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 21

VDX wont work with @ctivelink, Minstrel S- do I hear doom for the Visor Phone too?

So far every wireless device announced for the springboard slot is having difficulties with the VDX.

It is a digital device after all. Will I experience more dropouts (digital phone networks already have that problem)?

Will the dismal 14.4 Kbps of the visor phone be reduced further when connected to a VDX?

This is a real reality check to the head.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

Ugh, I'm sick.

I actually did some contract work for Aether Systems, one of OmniSky's partners, and the network backbone for their wireless traffic - and I had seen a VDx with a Minstrel S prototype in it. I was very eagerly awaiting the release of OmniSky's service for the Visor.

But even with the $100 rebate, I just can't justify upgrading to a Platinum or a Prism. My Visor Deluxe does a wonderful job at what I need it for right now. I can't imagine myself using the OmniSky service CONSTANTLY, only intermittently. If it was going to be my "always-in" springboard, I might feel differently. But the fact is, I have a net connection at work, and at home.

So I really only need wireless access sporadically. Until the Prism price cuts itself in half, I can't see myself abandoning my Deluxe for one. And while the Platinum is faster, and has a newer version of the OS, I can't see that as a justification for upgrading either.

Don't get me wrong - if I was buying new, I'd go for either one. But there's just not enough compelling differences (versus the cost) to make it worthwhile. (And this is coming from someone who's bought 4 VDx's for myself and my family, has three different springboards, a Rhodiana case -- I'm no stranger to shelling out cash for these lovely gadgets.) In the bang vs. bucks war, this time bang loses.

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--Steven Lacher

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

Another thing to think about

This is why I sold my Visor and went with a Palm Vx. I could see that there was no way to upgrade the Palm OS on the Visor .....in fact when the Visor first came out I was complaining big time about this and eveyone kept saying..."It's no big deal that there is no flash memory in the Visor, Palm waited like 3 years before they came out with a new OS that required a flash update.....before that they just did patches and everything was fine.....and besides very few people ever upgraded with the flash anyways." Well it is a big deal now....

I don't know much about the new Visors that just came out but if they don't have flash memory then the same thing will happen in a few years when palm comes out with 3.6 or 4.0 Palm OS ....it will have new features that everyone wants and guess what.....Visor users will need to upgrade AGAIN to the new Visor Titanium or what ever they are going to call the next version.

heyday

Registered: May 2000
Location: Laurel, MD USA
Posts: 26

I really don't think it's a visor failing...

It's more of a lifecycle issue.

I've maintained for a long time that one of the differences between a PDA and a PC or laptop is that because a PDA has a very specialized purpose, it also has a "lifecycle-immune-function". What I mean by this is that more than anything else what the Visor is for is personal information management. The VDlx does this wonderfully. Calendar, Address book, and basic (i.e. notepad) information storing needs are not improved or affected by a faster processor, color support, or any other platform enhancement. To put it another way:
- 5 years from now you will still need to look up people's phone numbers
- 5 years from now you will still need to look up appointments.

Because of this I beleive that when you buy a PDA you buy it with knowledge of certain caveats.
1) You are buying it not because of what it may someday do with an upgrade, but to fit a need RIGHT NOW.
2) Because it is less costly than a PC, a PDA is ALMOST a "disposable consumer electronic good" - that is - you buy it for its purpose, and use it for it. If something better comes along, and fits your needs better - then you buy it.
3) A PDA doesn't have the same lifecycle as a PC - and because it's a portable device, cannot be expected to last as long.
4) As long as the device fits your need now, future expandability isn't really the issue. Part of meeting that current need is being cheap enough for you to get it now. To put it more simply, in the world of reasonably priced PDA's, upgrading IS replacing.

I guess my point here is that where I think OmniSky and Handspring have made a mistake is that they have targeted new users to get the OmniSky service when in reality, previous users would be far more likely to adopt the service. I'd go get a Prism tomorrow if I could get a steeper discount. To me my VDx is like a much loved candy bar - it has great use, but is ultimately disposable. When I'm done with it, I WILL go get a Prism and OmniSky. But that's easily a year or two away.

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--Steven Lacher

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

I gotta say, I'm not real pleased about this. I mean it looks like my VDX is not getting any type of OS update, and the springboard is now model specific. I was really waiting on this Omnisky modem but now it seems that I'll have to upgrade, but I like my Visor, I like the color. But come on, now I have an old OS and a springboard that doesn't take wireless. I hate to say it, but I'm not gonna make this mistake again. Even with the rebate I think I'm gonna head back to Palm. I'm sick of Handspring's crap. I hate getting shafted by a company. And I thought Handspring was better than this.

VisorHolic(at least until I sell it)

PS, Anyone interested in a OVD with the stylus pack a belt clip case, and the backup module. No scratches, and 2 free screen protectors.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 99

You know what I hate the most about this not supporting the VDX crud is that the Novatel web stie has a picture of a Minstrel S in a Visor !!! Go to the product page, you'll see it!

Plus, on their support pages, there are drivers for OS's below 3.3. Yes, they don't seem to have support for the S yet, but there there, which means that there's there is the possibility that it could work if they wanted it to!!