Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Posts: 162

I've been dying to take the plunge into color (I have a graphite Vdx)and all this talk about Handspring's next big thing being a color Edge initially got me excited about my next upgrade. But after giving it some thought, I've decided a color Platinum would be a more desirable choice for me. Here is my reasoning:

1. I use modules too much to have to deal with that unwieldly module sleeve that the Edge requires. I'm sorry, but all the sophistication, image and impact that the stylish Edge screams, just disappears as soon as you put that sleeve on. (IMHO)

2. The Prism is nice, but it is larger than that Platinum/Vdx and although it's only a small amount, I would notice it. I also don't mind, and often appreciate the simplicity and availability of a AAA battery source.

3. All of the accessories I have purchased over the last 19 months would still be useable. Besides my modules, my Handspring leather case and FlipCover I currently use, as well as my Handspring holster would still work with a color Platinum, as would my extra cradle. And there's no way I'd want to buy another Stowaway for a color Edge.

4. If they offered a color Platinum in graphite, there would be no peeling problem ala Prism. As much as I have a module installed, graphite would get the nod anyway over any other color for the simple reason that most of the modules are graphite in color. I also think that the black casing would make the color screen stand out that much more.

5. If Handspring is able to shrink down color technology to fit in an Edge package (and there's every reason to think that they can and will), then there's no question they can't squeeze it in a Platinum package.

So Handspring, if you're listening, I don't want anything fancy; no cobalt blue color, no rechargeable batteries, no razor thin profile, no metal casing, no built-in cover. . . I want none of that. All I need is basically the same thing I got, only with a color screen. And it would be great if it was about $399 or less.:)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

I agree totally. I loved the belt-clip holster that HS used to sell, but it only fits the Visor Deluxe/Prism form factor, not the larger Prism form factor (and they've now stopped selling it). I also think they should offer the Graphite color in all future models, like they have now done with the Platinum. My ideal visor would be 16-bit color with a soft graffiti area and longer battery life than the Prism, all in the Visor Solo form factor & color.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: dynamic!
Posts: 189

quote:

---

Originally posted by rtalain
....But after giving it some thought, I've decided a color Platinum would be a more desirable choice for me. Here is my reasoning: .....

2. The Prism is nice, but it is larger than that Platinum/Vdx and although it's only a small amount, I would notice it. I also don't mind, and often appreciate the simplicity and availability of a AAA battery source.

---

__________________
"The Greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge." -- Daniel Borstin

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Posts: 162

mrknowitall:

Good point. I didn't realize that there was considerably more current required to power a color display. Of course, it would take some sort of LCD advancement to shrink the color technology from Prism size to Platinum size, maybe this next generation would suck less power too (I can dream can't I?)

Even if this was the case, I would concede going to rechargeables as long as they kept the Visor/Platinum body. This way all my accessories would still work. And I have used a Prism for several days, and was surprised at how much smaller my Vdx seemed when I went back to using it.

Ron

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

quote:

---

Originally posted by rtalain
mrknowitall:

Good point. I didn't realize that there was considerably more current required to power a color display. Of course, it would take some sort of LCD advancement to shrink the color technology from Prism size to Platinum size, maybe this next generation would suck less power too (I can dream can't I?)

Even if this was the case, I would concede going to rechargeables as long as they kept the Visor/Platinum body. This way all my accessories would still work. And I have used a Prism for several days, and was surprised at how much smaller my Vdx seemed when I went back to using it.

Ron

---

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Md
Posts: 2

YES! We want color platinum - We want color platinum.
A color platinum would be awesome!

__________________
PDA's are worst than crack
PDA Czar

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 415

I've always wondered why they don't just impliment a cheap gameboy colour screen in a visor, Obviously it's cheap, and the gameboy colour itself, I believe, runs on triple-A's.

Sure you wouldn't get 16 _bit_ color, but if the price was right, I'd sure settle for 16 _colour_ (4 bit)

__________________
-thorin

I have a webcomic. You should read it, or I may do something rash. <b><a href=http://driveby.keenspace.com/>Drive-by Loitering</a></b> is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.

<!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks."><img src=http://www.frontfly.com/vcsig.gif ><!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks.">

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

quote:

---

Originally posted by thorin
I've always wondered why they don't just impliment a cheap gameboy colour screen in a visor

---

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 46

The Gameboy and Gameboy Advance color screens are pretty good, but the reason they work on AAA'a is that they are not backlit. They rely on ambient light reflected from a surface behind the screen to light it up. Hence, the Nikko Wormlight and others for the Gameboys. I think it would be a poot choice for a Visor or any other handheld PDA.

The next big advance in screens are going to be these new organic eloctro-luminescent displays. They are starting to show up on Motorola cell phones and several manufacturers are developing desktop monitors based on the technology. The key factors of it being that is uses much less power than LCD and it generates its own lightsource and are pretty bright. That's the biggest power drain/size factor of LCD's as I understand it, the need for a light source behiund the screen.

My 2 cents worth.

'nuff said.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 415

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob


umm...maybe because the gameboy doesn't have a touch sensitive screen?

---

__________________
-thorin

I have a webcomic. You should read it, or I may do something rash. <b><a href=http://driveby.keenspace.com/>Drive-by Loitering</a></b> is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.

<!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks."><img src=http://www.frontfly.com/vcsig.gif ><!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks.">

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 415

oh, and about the backlight, again, if said cheap, gameboy screened visor was cheap enough, why bother with a backlight? I hardly use mine anyways, because of how much battery it sucks.

__________________
-thorin

I have a webcomic. You should read it, or I may do something rash. <b><a href=http://driveby.keenspace.com/>Drive-by Loitering</a></b> is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.

<!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks."><img src=http://www.frontfly.com/vcsig.gif ><!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks.">

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

quote:

---

Originally posted by Holocron
The Gameboy and Gameboy Advance color screens are pretty good, but the reason they work on AAA'a is that they are not backlit. They rely on ambient light reflected from a surface behind the screen to light it up. Hence, the Nikko Wormlight and others for the Gameboys. I think it would be a poot choice for a Visor or any other handheld PDA.

The next big advance in screens are going to be these new organic eloctro-luminescent displays. They are starting to show up on Motorola cell phones and several manufacturers are developing desktop monitors based on the technology. The key factors of it being that is uses much less power than LCD and it generates its own lightsource and are pretty bright. That's the biggest power drain/size factor of LCD's as I understand it, the need for a light source behiund the screen.

My 2 cents worth.

'nuff said.

---

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

I could never get by with the internal rechargeable batteries. I usually change the batteries 2-3 times a week on the Platinum because I use my springboards a lot. If I had a Prism, I'd run out of power in half a day.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

quote:

---

The next big advance in screens are going to be these new organic eloctro-luminescent displays. They are starting to show up on Motorola cell phones and several manufacturers are developing desktop monitors based on the technology. The key factors of it being that is uses much less power than LCD and it generates its own lightsource and are pretty bright. That's the biggest power drain/size factor of LCD's as I understand it, the need for a light source behiund the screen.

---

Registered: May 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 101

There is a color Platinum.

It's called the Prism.

__________________
www.studio1809.com
P.S. I feel at home with geeks like you.