Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 295

Amen, inframan. The pdQ is "huge". I was trying to be nice in case someone picked one up. However, I agree that the pdQ size makes it a real ugly duckling. Plus the $800 price tag is outrageous.

Hot Carl, I also agree with you that perhaps a PDA should be used as a PDA, and a cell phone as a cell phone. I can't picture trying to take notes with someone on the phone with this combo. "Wait while I write that down...Okay, I'm back. Hold on while I make note of that..." Way too tedious! I think I'll stick with my StarTAC, and add the Visor.


[This message has been edited by LanMan (edited 04-14-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, TX USA
Posts: 95

Lanman:

It might not be a bad solution if you use an earphone/mic. Hands free (to write notes). Just a thought.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

Did you see the recent report on the possible health risks of cell phone use? This was VERY up to date.

Basically, most cell phones tested emitted higher than allowed radiation levels when held flat against the head.

Reccomendations: Motorola StarTac keeps the antenna/signal at a safe distance, better still, the earphone/mic reccomendation.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

With the warning for the radiation, cell phones and head-placement, I instantly thought that my idea for keeping the Hand-phone firmly on my hip... then I thought about what else I might be cooking....

YEEEPS!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

What would really be cool is a Bluetooth compatible springboard with a Cell Phone onboard as well. This way you could have your Bluetooth headset on, and answer the phone without even taking the Visor out of your pcoket/belt/backpack/purse/whatever. When you were at home or work, the headset could pick up those calls as well. That's the future.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: US Military in Germany
Posts: 46

Erriccson is working on a bluetooth compatible cell phone. Actually I think they have it done but are waiting for bluetooth to come into the market fully before putting out a product that may be doomed. This would give you the ability to use your bluetooth headset for the cell phone and also allow your phone to access all of the numbers in your bluetoothed visor. Not to mention carry on conversations with other bluetooth headset users without the need of a cell phone though they would have to be within the same room unless there is a bluetooth network set up in the building.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

hey Hot Carl,

Did you know that NYC is (one of the) only city in the US that has a GSM network?

So you would be able to use the mobile phone springboard.

GSM is the best system anyway so it would not surprise me if they gradually change to GSM world-wide...

actually the fact that the springboard uses GSM makes me pretty happy, since that is the system used here (the Netherlands)!! I wonder if it will be GSM 900 or also GSM 1800 compatible....

anyway it will take some time for the phone handspring to arrive anyway...

About the handsfree thing:
-yes, it more healthy if you don't have the antena near your brain.

-Yes it safer to use a handsfree kit in your car, especially when you drive stick...

-Indeed, passengers can be a distraction too, but at least they see the trafic around you so they (hopefully) will shut up when something dangerous is about to happen...
(mmm this kinda contradicts my last statement...)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: NY, NY, USA
Posts: 155

TK:

Without going into too much detail, the problem with GSM from my NYC perspective is that the GSM system isn't very good. W/o offending anyone, there's several choices for cell service in NYC and the area and the best (IMHO) is CDMA, which is handled by Bell Atlantic Mobile.

After my last service contract ran out with BAM and the digital phone choice was put to me, I chose to re-up with BAM & CDMA b/cause I knew people who had major problems with GSM and the other systems in place in this area.

Understanding that GSM is the world's popular choice, I don't have a problem with it, it's just that I'd prefer the best system for this area. Plus, to be honest, considering the combination of a cell-phone/Visor, I'd pass. I know a few people who bought the Palm Phone and said its battery life was dreadful. Qualcomm, btw, admitted that the battery life was not very good, but would try to improve it down the line.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

HC:

You may be right that GSM isn't that great in NYC. I've never been there to check it myself.. (I know, shame on me..)

The quality of a network depends on the number of antenna's and I guess there aren't enough people in the US to make it profitable to put more GSM-antenna's in NYC..

Anyway I would like to see a world-wide standard (whatever system) so I can carry my phone anywhere...

It works like a charm in europe, wherever I go I receive my calls.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

I recently read that Nokia has licences PalmOS too. My ideal cell-phone would be one with a Visor and a bluetooth headset, like the one Ericsson is dabbling with. Actually GSM is the best system right now but the good thing with the Visor is that you could change the receiver/transmitter to eg. UMTS when it comes without changing the rest of the "phone"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Brea, CA United States
Posts: 6

Every one here is talking about using the cell phone as a voice device. My main goal for the visor is to use it as a wireless modem. Think about getting mapquest maps on the go. Updating your Avantgo "on the go". Sure 9.6 isn't exactly fast, but as a former Nokia 9000I and IL user, I think having a springboard that can, at the user's option plug in and sync the following:

Contacts (atleast name and number) Kind of like the REX card attached to Motorola StarTac. I always have the phone with me, and update with new phone numbers. Fonsync with NOKIA seems to be working in the right direction. Transfer most recent call logs to PDA. This works great over the long haul. (I know I called this person on X day, but what was their number?)

Easy/reliable connection for wireless data (IR would be interesting to attempt "on the road" in the passenger seat)

Easy/reliable connection for Wireless faxing.

I'm extremely intersted in the 6 pack from innogear, and with the right software , this may solve my problems.