Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Couldn't Handspring simply switch the VDX to Palm OS 4 (or atleast 3.5) at the manufacturing stage? Wouldn't this extend the lifecycle of the product significantly?

I KNOW that the operating system on the Visor cannot be upgraded; I am suggesting that Handspring make the switch in ROM by either upgrading the chip or simply "burning" the new operating system on the memory chip. Surely the processor is adaquate for Palm OS 4.0.

Why wouldn't they do this?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 118

Why won't Handspring upgrade the deluxe?

Umm, having been around Handspring for a while....*money*. Why make an upgrade for a product that they've already sold that won't make a lot of money on the upgrade costs (ROI - how much would you be willing to spend on such an upgrade) when they can simply make people who want the new functions upgrade to a newer unit. No expensive R&D, no retooling, no having to have people send their unit in so as not to void the warranty by opening the case to replace a daughterboard, etc.

I've been wondering if it would be possible to get a rom image from a plat and use it on a deluxe. It comes under technically possible, legally they'll stomp you into the ground if you try it.

I'm sure there are a lot of deluxe owners who would love PQA ability, 16 color greyscale and all the other nifty features of 3.5.2H, but we'll never see it until we give up and buy a new unit. I remember one of my considerations when purchasing my original visor (same price as a IIIxe at the time) was that they could *both* be upgraded to newer OS. Well, you see how *that* went. My next unit will have flash ram, no if/and/buts about it. If that means that my next unit will not be a handspring, well - so be it. I've already lusted after the Handera 330, so now I have another reason to get it - it's upgradable.

Sorry,

Tucson Sailors

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Upgrade Path

Frankly, I'd sooner buy a new VDX for $150 (with assorted discounts)running Palm OS 3.5 so I could use the OmniSky modem than shell out $250+ for a Platinum, Prism or Edge to gain the same functionality.

I can't imagine that there would be any significant retooling costs to accompany the ROM upgrade process. They could use the same chip and simply encode it with the new OS; a process that might take all of an afternoon.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: Upgrade Path

quote:

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Originally posted by Keefer Lucas
Frankly, I'd sooner buy a new VDX for $150 (with assorted discounts)running Palm OS 3.5 so I could use the OmniSky modem than shell out $250+ for a Platinum, Prism or Edge to gain the same functionality.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

That's been my point all along. Why not upgrade the units they have instead of releasing entirely new ones. Toby said it: Money. I still think it's asinine.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Hey, here's a brilliant idea!

Personally, this is why over and over again I have urged Handspring to stick Flash Memory on their VDX's! I love my ICE VDX, but my IIIxe tries harder. C'mon Handspring. At least keep your hardware up to date.

If not, I'd love to see one of these: The OS Module.
This lets you download an OS RAM onto the Module, and essentially when you snap it in, you can choose which OS you want to use, and it will run like normal! (8 MB worth) It's not a perfect solution, but it's better than nothing. Maybe if my idea for daisychaining it so you could STILL use Springboard modules even with the card in was applied.

But I agree with you Keef about not wanting to purchase a Platinum over the VDX. Read more on my "brilliant idea" post: http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...?threadid=14993

Handspring, are you listening?

__________________
<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

Unluckily, it is phsycicly impossible for HS to put 3.5+ onto a VDx. The processer just isn't there. I have had several people agree with me on this one, that konw a lot about hte Vsr.

__________________
-miradu

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

prrtt?

Is it me, or is there something not wrong with that statement about the VDX's processor.

1) Doesn't it use the same on in the IIIxe?
2) Kicks my IIIxe's BUTT in speed tests (my IIIxe runs 3.5 tho)
3) Maybe they should throw in "afterburner" for free!

__________________
<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

The statement is true,, but it needs to be clarified.. as little help here marcus?

__________________
-miradu

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 290

Palm OS 3.5+, as used on the Platinum would not work on a Deluxe, different processor (Dragonball VZ vs. EZ) and different memory maps. However the Palm OS 3.5 upgrade is available for the Palm III (original Dragonball), and for the Palm IIIx, V & Vx (Dragonball EZ). Therefore the exact version of the OS required to do this does not exist now, but probably could be produced without too many problems. But would it be worth it for Handspring to produce such a version? They apparently have designed not.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Does Handspring even have a license for OS4?

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We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 118

Ahh, finally a reason...

quote:

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Originally posted by potter
Palm OS 3.5+, as used on the Platinum would not work on a Deluxe, different processor (Dragonball VZ vs. EZ) and different memory maps. However the Palm OS 3.5 upgrade is available for the Palm III (original Dragonball), and for the Palm IIIx, V & Vx (Dragonball EZ). Therefore the exact version of the OS required to do this does not exist now, but probably could be produced without too many problems. But would it be worth it for Handspring to produce such a version? They apparently have designed not.

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