Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Weston, MA
Posts: 11

A few questions about the Visorphone

Hey everybody, with the recent price cut in the Visorphone, I've been debating whether or not to spend the $50 and purchase one...I have a few questions regarding it though, and if anyone can help me out I'd greatly appreciate it!

1) Suppose the phone isn't in the module slot when someone tries calling me. What happens? Do they get forwarded to my voicemail (assuming that service is provided; I'm considering Voicestream as a provider), will they get a busy signal, or will nothing happen at all?

2) I currently don't have an ISP I can dial into (my ISP is my university), do cell phone service providers have something I can call into and use as an ISP? Is this similar to Voicestream's Datastream minutes (or something like that)?

3) Has any work been done on third-party programs for the Visorphone? Is it even possible to code anything for it?

I guess that's it for now, I coulda sworn I had more questions. Oh well

LAter guys!

-Sherv

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 125

1.) I believe the caller will get forwarded to your voicemail. There is also an attachment for the visorphone that will allow it to function as a normal cell phone when not connected to the visor that you might be interested in.

2.) Datastream minutes are merely minutes that are you used strictly for data calls so they won't come out of your voice minutes. Datastream minutes are also used when a customer accesses the wireless internet (WAP sites) using their WAP enabled cell phone. I do not believe Voicestream offers anything as far as dial-up access numbers go. However, my university is my ISP as well and they do provide dial-up access numbers for those who live off-campus but in the local area so you may wish to look into that if you haven't already.

Marty

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

More Questions

From the Handspring VisorPhone FAQ:

quote:

---

A: VisorPhone is a powerful wireless communications device. In addition to the
great voice communication and text messaging capabilities, this module is also a
wireless modem*. That means that you can download virtually any wireless Palm
OS communication software, such as a web browser or an email application and
transform your Visor handheld with VisorPhone into a powerful Internet-enabled
device.

*You will need to subscribe to wireless data services from your mobile service
provider and you will need to have an ISP or corporate dial-up account for Internet
access.

---

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 125

Yes, many people don't purchase datastream minutes from Voicestream and their data calls just come out of their voice minutes. However, some carriers such as Sprint require you to sign up for their "Wireless Web" offering (extra $10/month in many cases) for you to get any kind of data access, whether it be by WAP or dial-up to your ISP.

Marty

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Whoa. So the Visorphone will act just like a wireline modem connected to a cellphone? Can someone with a Visorphone verify this?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

quote:

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Originally posted by Vertigo
Whoa. So the Visorphone will act just like a wireline modem connected to a cellphone? Can someone with a Visorphone verify this?

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__________________
Jeff

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Another Question - about the case

Has anyone seen/used the Leather VisorPhone Case from Handspring?

Does it have a hard plastic insert protecting the screen, or is it just the VDX leather sleeve except for the clip, cut-outs, and the flap?

For that matter, has anyone looked at the Sport Case for VisorPhone?

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Overland Park, USA
Posts: 15

Answers

Just to affirm above replies:-
[my provider is VoiceStream]

(1) When VPhone off or outside module, calls go to voice mail
( ->SMS notification of vmail upon return to network).

(2)Dial-up ISP required (such as http://www.attbusiness.net/($5.95 / month, global coverage).
Does not apply, AFAIK, to some carriers, such as Verizon, but no CDMA VPhone yet.
Datastream not required; originally designed for laptop users with cell phones, but no cellular modem. VPhone contains built-in cellular modem. Datastream provides extra minutes though.

(3) For example of how to code voice enabled apps see: -
http://www.handspring.com/developers/sw_dev.jhtml

(4) H'Spring leather case - have one, has protective plastic insert. Preferable is E&B Slipper Case, which I use: -

http://www.ebcases.com/Search.bok?c...0Prism-Minstrel

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 70

Sounds good but--------

The visor phone comes bundled with the blazer browser. Which is a great browser except that it can't view secure web sites.What that means is that if your internet isp page is secure you can not view messages. Surf the web yes but, there limitations to be aware of.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Re: Sounds good but--------

quote:

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Originally posted by jke
The visor phone comes bundled with the blazer browser. Which is a great browser except that it can't view secure web sites.What that means is that if your internet isp page is secure you can not view messages. Surf the web yes but, there limitations to be aware of.

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Jeff

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

I have the Handspring Visorphone case and did not like that it had to be removed from the case to call. (like the Sports case) I second the vote for the E & B Slipper phone case. It never leaves the case and is well protected.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 70

I couldn't find Proxy Web on Google or Palm Gear.This is a good article about going wireless if you haven't seen it yet:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/200..._america_5.html

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 443

i have a plat and am wondering whether the plastic hardshell cover can be on the unit while the visorphone module is in.

thanks,

mc

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

No, the cover canot be used with the phone.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

quote:

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Originally posted by jke
I couldn't find Proxy Web on Google or Palm Gear.This is a good article about going wireless if you haven't seen it yet:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/200..._america_5.html

---

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 70

Could not find it on palm gear-so does anybody know of a browser that can be found that will let you few secure pages?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Try the 'Software' link on the main Visorcentral page.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Hmm, nevermind. I thought it would be under the 16-bit apps area.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 443

quote:

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Originally posted by j762538
No, the cover canot be used with the phone.

---

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

The phone covers the entire top so the plastic cover can not be used on the front or back. I suggest the E & B Slipper case for the best protection.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.