Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

You know what irks me? All these great module that have NO internal flashable memory, that's what. Examples:

1) IntelliGolf Springboard. Great, fun little module. Now I understand why the data you take with it should be stored on the Visor, but adding info like player stats, course info, etc. should be flashed onto the module. Instead, the module downloades its software onto the Visor, and now I don't even need the module to run the app. What good is the module?!!

2) OmniRemote. If you add or change any of the remote pages, the data is kept locally on the Visor, not the module.

I thought the whole point of getting a module was to keep the software OFF the Visor. Sure, most of this data is small enough not to make a dent in Visor's memory, but for the anal among us, it's frustrating to see these vendors making half-assed Springboards.

Yes, a flash ROM costs a little more. You know what? I would pay a couple bucks more so that these things would store ALL user-input data on the module and NOT on the Visor. The technology is there -- use it!

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Ruprect
I thought the whole point of getting a module was to keep the software OFF the Visor.

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I agree with you about those modules that copy their software to the Visor... seems to defeat the whole purpose. On the other hand, most modules (other than those you listed ) offer hardware expansion (modem, GPS, phone, etc)... that's the true beauty of the Springboard.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

Ahhh, good to hear about the GPS, phone, and modems being updateable!

I'm dying to try a VisorPhone and GPS module (not sure which one). The cost thing is stopping me at the moment...

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

Well actually, the OmniRemote is hardware expansion, but I see your point. The problem with storing things on the module is Flash RAM's inability to be written to normally. This makes something like editing a remote and then having to go through and copy it over, then copy it back when you want to edit it, a hassle.

Some things that need Flash/More Flash are things like the Magellan GPS, who wants to keep those maps on their Visor all the time? I think all communication modules should have 2mb also, afterall - what good is Yahoo! Messenger or Blazer if your modem isn't in?

I believe, as some others in the "All Handhelds" forum do, that Handspring should take a similar route to HandEra and Palm (To an extent) and have two slots - one strictly memory and the other for hardware peripherals. This wouldn't eliminate the need for flash in modules but it would allow you more flexibility.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I totally agree on the Magellan. I love it for what it does but it would be sooooo much better if you had say a smartmedia slot or even 8meg flash ram. With all the bulk of the dang thing you'd think they might be able to slip in a slot somehow. Maybe magellan could integrate with the memplug on version 2......Oh well, wishful thinking......