Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

I'm seeing a lot of Deluxe owners who want wireless connectivity, just like I do, however, I don't see anybody actually using any service.

I know we're hearing various confused things from Handspring reps, Omnisky reps, and Novatel reps, but I'm not hearing from any Deluxe owner actually using it right now.

Is there a Deluxe owner out there using this thing right now, or did Handspring just give the "hand" to it's ENTIRE CLIENT BASE?

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

Any Deluxe owner order it and not yet receive it?

Is any Deluxe owner even taking a shot at this?

I can't believe that a modem manufacturer would create a modem that doesn't work with the entire installed base of Visors.

I can't believe that Handspring would even let them.

Handspring couldn't seriously believe that we would upgrade within one year of buying our original unit, could they?

I like my Visor just fine, but I'd like to believe I did something other than buy a cheap Palm clone. If that's what I did, this is the last product I buy from Handspring. I'd like my current PDA to support wireless internet communication. But, if it won't, my next PDA is either a Palm (from Palm Corp) that has a product shipping on the day I buy it or a CE-based PDA. Certainly won't be a Handspring if they're expecting me to upgrade.

Anybody with a Deluxe out there using a Novatel modem right now or have it coming in the mail?

Anybody from Handspring who has something real to say here? My impression is that all the existing customers of Handspring were really left behind by the firm.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I own a Prism and Deluxe, and just ordered YadaYada yesterday, so I'll post a review about Deluxe compatability soon. I think Yada Yada supports Deluxe owners, but really I think the issue is this:

� The modem is what will connect you. All you need from the vendor, Omnisky or YadaYada, is for the device to be initiated and ip address issued. My understanding is that Omnisky's software won't work, but not their connection. OS 3.1 doesn't support PQA's, which both Palm and Omnisky services use. You could use AvantGo and other web browsers once you have the connection. I beleive Omnisky is not supporting 3.1, but not that you will not get some functionality. I could be wrong, so I would investigate this a little further, but I think this makes the most sense. The module is compatable with the device, just not Omnisky's software. What I want to know is how does the device itself get online? What software does it use, from Novatel or from the service provider. My guess is the uplink is built in, and a dedicated IP is given to the device by the service provider, and managed month to month, with unlimited on-time. This could be revoked and the service terminated, right? This would mean that you get the uplink and have a connection, but if you can't run Omnisky's software, they may consider this "Unsupported." I really wish someone from Omnisky, Handspring, or Novatel would come forward and clarify. I went with YadaYada because I have heard that 3.1 is supported, and that although you end up spending $50 more in the long run, it is $50-$150 cheaper up front and possibly compatable with my back-up, which is important to me.

I will be sure to inform everyone when I get my unit as to compatability, speed, ect. I can't wait.

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the light....

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

I have one

Hi,

I have had my Minstrel S and VDX for about 2 weeks now and it works great. I did have to get a new one from Handspring, but it was an exchange with them so it cost me nothing. It also can next day. Yada Yada is also working very well.

If you have any specific questions about my system just reply and I will try to answer as best as I can.

Mike

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 142

VDX and YadaYada

I, too, did not know whether or not my Blue VDX would work with the Minstrel S so I purchased the Platinum and signed up with Yadayada.
Mike,
You got your VDX working with the Minstrel S from Yadayada. Could you tell me how you get it to work? Thanks.

SpeakerCoach
(waiting for my Minstrel S from Yadayada in the mail!!!)

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: CT
Posts: 16

It works from the time you plug it in. You will not have to do the Setup Wizard, because it comes all set with the Electronic ID and the service in your area. YadaYada takes care of that for you. If you have the older VDX (OS 3.1H1) you will have to call Handspring to get the updated VDX (OS 3.1H3) for only this will work with the Minstrel, unless you purchased a new and recent VDX which comes with 3.3.

It works like and other digital phone. It depends on how much service area you have around you. If the signal is weak, it takes a little while to get some data, but if it is pretty good, the web pages fly. I really like it alot, and now I which I had purchased a Prism because the web pages would look really cool on it.

I haven't tried getting into FTP sites or anything yet. And my companies e-mail is not web based, so I cannot check my e-mail that way.

I was hoping to download the AOL IM for the wireless units, but it is only for the Palm VII right now.

As for my opinion, I like it alot, but wish the sensitivity was a little better. But that is not a YY thing, its a Novatel thing.

Mike

ps-sometimes when the Minstrel loses its signal lock in a fairly weak signal area, you will have to restart the Minstrel to get back on the web. This may get annoying after a little while. I haven't addressed this with Novatel or YY yet.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

please use caution

kyak:

Please be careful not to spread misinformation. As far as I know there aren't any Visors with OS 3.3, let alone the Visor Deluxe. Visor Deluxes all have 3.1HX (fill in X). Visor Platinums/Prisms have 3.5.2H. It's bad enough that Handspring and vendors obfuscate their offerings without regular people adding to the mix and causing people to believe if they get a new VDX they can use PQAs.

Matt

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

quote:

---

Originally posted by kyakboy
I was hoping to download the AOL IM for the wireless units, but it is only for the Palm VII right now.

---

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 25

It kind of pisses me off too.

I bought the VDX partly because of the promised eventual wireless capabilities.

When I emailed the Hand about my scratched screen on whether I could just send them back the thing, and have them send me a Platinum and bill me for the difference, the Hand's response was, you guessed it, to give me the Hand.

Btw there's a lame bug in OS 3.1 where every time you reset it makes another 3 index files or something taking up space. use the program DBSCAN from Pimlico to get rid of the old ones.

I'm somewhat reluctant to just 'buy another' PDA when I got the VDX this year knowing that next year the ARM cpu based ones using the QNX OS will debut. Oh well that's what one gets for being an early adopter.

But hey, as cheap Palm clones go the VDX has a backup module, and nicer buttons even if you can't upgrade the OS.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

too little, too late?

Here's a link to the updated FAQ on the problems plaguing VDX owners regarding wireless communications modules:

http://www.handspring.com/support/ts_glenayre.jhtml

The FAQ now includes information about the OS requirement for Omnisky. This disclosure should have been in the original press release and in any literature (electronic or otherwise) that Handspring promoted the module in (pre-release).

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 25

FYI, just for the heck of it, I tried plugging my OmniSky Minstrel S modem into my Visor Deluxe (I have a Prism as well) and got the error message "Your Visor is not compatible with the OmniSky software. Please upgrade to Prism or Platinum." So, looks like your out of luck with OmniSky.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 72

We Got Screwed!!!

Not only do VDeluxe owners get shafted [for the most part] from the wireless offerings, but now I notice on the OmniSky site that they're offering a beta program to iPaq/Pocket PC owners - most likely free service for a limited time, just like they did with the Palm V service last year.

What's up with that? Are we the red-headed stepchildren?

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 142

YadaYada Minstrel S modem

Does the modem work with other provider besides YadaYada?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Fl
Posts: 67

Last week I ordered the YadaYada modem and a Visor Platinum. Well, I got my modem today (but no Platinum)and decided to plug it into my VDX. To my surprise it worked! So far no problems and no error messages. I'll play around with it tonight and see if I can get it to mess up.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Fl
Posts: 67

Well, I am happy to report that I'm posting this WIRELESS!

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

According to the Novatel people at Comdex, there's no problems using it with a Visor Deluxe. Any problems are with the software from resellers.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

Is anyone using the Minstrel S without Omnisky or YadaYada? Supposedly, you can just buy the module direct from Novatel and connect direct with Verizon or AT&T. Is anyone doing that currently? (Of course, the module is a lot more expensive that way, but the service is cheaper.)

Also, can you use YadaYada straight out of the box without downloading any software? When they first announced it, YadaYada wasn't Mac-compatible because you needed to load some software through a PC. Is that still true, or is all the necessary software now included?

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

I just got my MinstrelS from yada yada this morning, snapped it into my Vdx, and it's working! (I managed to get an advance exchange Vdx from Handspring last week, regarding the RF interference.) I never got a chance to try the Minstrel with my old Vdx unit, but it's definitely working with the Vdx that Handspring replaced for me, w/ OS 3.1H3.

I'm happy with the compatibility, but I have a feeling that Vdx owners with older units will likely have to get the replacement from Handspring, just as I did. The point is, I no longer feel "forced" to upgrade to either a Prism/Platinum to get wireless access - which I think is the concern of many Vdx owners here.

Bottomline is, Yada Yada is working fine with the Vdx. (Just be cautioned if you have an older Vdx with RF interference issues. If that's the case, call Handspring, and they'll ship you an advance replacement for free, and pretty fast.)

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

quote:

---

Originally posted by rosswords
Is anyone using the Minstrel S without Omnisky or YadaYada? Supposedly, you can just buy the module direct from Novatel and connect direct with Verizon or AT&T. Is anyone doing that currently? (Of course, the module is a lot more expensive that way, but the service is cheaper.)

---

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

YadaYada

I saw a note somewhere that the YadaYada service, using the Minstrel S modem, worked in an "always on" mode, which I take to mean like a two-way pager. Could someone that is using one currently please set me straight?

A few examples:

Do you get kicked off for inactivity (and if so is there some way around this)?
Will I get alerted to new e-mails immediately, even if I'm not using the modem (but it is plugged in)?
What about Yahoo IM; can I stay logged on all day?

Also, any comments on service providers, especially YadaYada versus OmniSky? What's the real differentiation between the two (or others)? Or those that bought from Novatel directly - what software are you using?

Thanks for listening to my LONG list of quesitons

Tom