Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

The next Visor: my wish list

Like many people here, I was disappointed with a new Neo and Pro models, so that's my wish list for a next Visor,
in order of importance to me:

1. It should have a Hi-res, Color screen ( like new Clie does, I'm a heavy e-book reader, so it would help me
enormously ).
2. It should have a soft graffiti area ( like HandEra does, we all could use bigger screen estate )
3. At least Palm OS 4.1, like new Clie 610 and 760 ( for a true color and ability to run programs directly from
removable memory ) , because I'm sure Handspring won't make flashable OS again.
4. At least 45 MHz ( or better 66MHz ) processor, to handle all that color apps and then some.

I know, it sounds much like fake Prism 2, but isn't it why somebody made it up, because it answers so many needs of power users? ( I DON'T WANT TO HAVE STYLUS OUTSIDE, LIKE EDGE DOES, PERIOD! ).
I don't care much for a thin form factor, I do want to use my existing Springboards though. I'm afraid, that if Sony
will make their new model with soft graffiti and faster processor, Handspring will loose another loyal customer....

What's on your wish list?

Last edited by dentateck on 09-23-2001 at 08:25 PM

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

What's on your wish list?

The money to buy one!

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

Necessary for me to consider upgrading my Prism:
1. Hi-Res color screen viewable indoors and out (the Clie's screen).
2. Built-in Springboard slot (not external like the Edge).
3. Same HotSync connector as Prism/Dlx/Solo/Neo/Plat/Pro for peripheral use (Stowaway, Travel Chargers, etc).

Not Necessary, but seriously big "pluses":
4. 16Mb internal memory.
5. Faster processor.

And this next one fits in the "nice, but not integral" category:
6. Soft graffiti area

And to be honest, I really don't want a smaller form factor. This is just my own opinion, but a Dlx/Solo/Neo/Plat/Pro factor is fine for me, and I'll ALMOST be upset at having to give up my wonderful Vaja Prism case (and wait for them to release a compatible one).

Don't get me wrong, a small, more ruggedized form factor would be NICE, but it won't be the selling point for me personally (I know it will be for some, though).

Just my own opinions.

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-Richard Powell

"Nice guys may finish last, but you know, the company's much better back here."

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 35

Wish list:

$249 Visor Pro with a jog dial!

Also maybe a better backlight

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

1. Hi Res color screen.
2. Same kind of form factor as Platinum, so, not as big as the Prism.
3. A metal case or something that doesn't look so damn plasticky.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 17

Just one thing

All I need is for my Handera to have a color screen. So for a Visor to get my attention it would need to be a Pro with a Color Handera-like screen.

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Illinois - not Chicago
Posts: 45

Dentateck hit the nail on the head!

quote:

---

1. It should have a Hi-res, Color screen ( like new Clie does, I'm a heavy e-book reader, so it would help me
enormously ).
2. It should have a soft graffiti area ( like HandEra does, we all could use bigger screen estate )
3. At least Palm OS 4.1, like new Clie 610 and 760 ( for a true color and ability to run programs directly from
removable memory ) , because I'm sure Handspring won't make flashable OS again.
4. At least 45 MHz ( or better 66MHz ) processor, to handle all that color apps and then some. 1. It should have a Hi-res, Color screen ( like new Clie does, I'm a heavy e-book reader, so it would help me

---

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- Don -
"Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: NJ,US
Posts: 94

For me to upgrade from my prism, I want:

1- HiRes with a separate video processor like the CLIE.
2- Real Sound like the Handera has. Gee, I think the have a
separate sound processor.
3- The same form factor as the other visors, so that I dont have
to wait for special Prism cases.

If Handspring would give me this, i would not mind spending
another $499(What i paid for the prism when it came out).

PS: with separate video and sound processors, there is no critical
need for a faster cpu.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 447

quote:

---

Originally posted by wforde
For me to upgrade from my prism, I want:

1- HiRes with a separate video processor like the CLIE.
2- Real Sound like the Handera has. Gee, I think the have a
separate sound processor.
3- The same form factor as the other visors, so that I dont have
to wait for special Prism cases.

If Handspring would give me this, i would not mind spending
another $499(What i paid for the prism when it came out).

PS: with separate video and sound processors, there is no critical
need for a faster cpu.

---

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 366

quote:

---

Originally posted by wforde
For me to upgrade from my prism, I want:

1- HiRes with a separate video processor like the CLIE.
2- Real Sound like the Handera has. Gee, I think the have a
separate sound processor.
3- The same form factor as the other visors, so that I dont have
to wait for special Prism cases.

If Handspring would give me this, i would not mind spending
another $499(What i paid for the prism when it came out).

PS: with separate video and sound processors, there is no critical
need for a faster cpu.

---

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

quote:

---

Originally posted by volcanopele


Sure may like one about the size of the edge but I don't feel like buying a new case and a new Stowaway.

Jason

---

If you can even get a stowaway for that form factor .

BEN

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Inglewood, CA, USA
Posts: 390

If I can't get a soft graffiti area, it had better be *lit* when the backlight is on. (I'm jealous of the M505 here...)

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Honestly, the edge is it for me. I'll upgrade when speed and memory limitations force me to. I'll go to color when that becomes inevitable as well. The only thing that would convince me to upgrade sooner would be affordable wireless internet and email - but in Aberdeen SD that's a ways away.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Not so sunny, San Diego, CA
Posts: 51

Ever seen the globals in Earth: Final Conflict?

Since we're all making our Christmas lists here...

Before I'll shell out anther $X00 dollars for a handheld, it better have:

1) Hi-rez color similar to Pocket PC, preferably OrganicLED (lower power usage, better color definition & visibility, cheaper than color LCD)
2) voice-quality audio
3) decent enough CPU speed to handle all this junk
7) built-in wireless (Blutetooth or WLAN) Hey, how come kiddies get the Cybiko wireless PDA and real techies still get squat!
4) Magnetic RAM (MRAM) or similar for flashable OS (my VDX isn't outdated, just it's OS !!!) & settings that aren't lost when the batteries die
5) Latest Palm OS, not two releases old..
5) jog-dial
6) soft grafitti area


And retain the form factor so we can still use our cases/keyboards/Springboards

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"It's hard to find my guiding light with this lantern in the way..." Diogenes

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

I have to agree with WorldCTZen here, except for may be organic LED screen ( when I hear "organic", I'm
somehow afraid, that I'm gonna forget to feed it or something, and it's gonna die on me, and my Visor gonna smell
really bad... ). I have a high hopes for a new color Visor right around Christmas time...

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

Everything you wish for costs more money into the device in development and MFG charges. I really like the Visor Prism but would pay for the following additional features in a new Prism II.

16 meg
Fast lookup software
Newer Style Case ( a little thinner)

Anything extra would be a bonus for me:

Hi res screen
jog wheel

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 58

Re: Ever seen the globals in Earth: Final Conflict?

quote:

---

Originally posted by WorldCTZen
7) built-in wireless (Blutetooth or WLAN) Hey, how come kiddies get the Cybiko wireless PDA and real techies still get squat!:confused

---

Well, the Cybiko 'wireless' capabilities amount to peer to peer networking with another Cybiko unit within about 50', and AFAIK that doesn't include Bluetooth or 802.11b. It does support relaying signals, though, so with enough people with Cybiko units spread across a distance of X miles, theoretically they could all communicate with each other.

When I worked at Stan Lee Media last year(before the cofounder embezzled a few million dollars from the company, this was) they were briefly considering entering into some kind of deal with Cybiko and handed me (resident PDA geek) and another co-worker a couple of units to play with for a week. We played with the wireless messaging a little bit and then they sat in our desk drawers for the rest of the week; very poor usability (the PIM and games were terrible), and such a tiny screen... a fairly useless device to give to a kid compared to the functionality (and ample games available for) an M150!

But back to the topic at hand:

I love my Prism, and as most people who have crossed over to color know, there's no going back... so of course 16-bit color is at the top of the wish list.

Other features I'd like to see:
�High resolution, at least 320x320 like the Sony Clie, although a soft graffiti area would be nice too.
�16 MB of RAM - If only to accomodate taking many more EyeModule pictures
�Built-in MP3 capability that can read from Matchbook/Memplug type springboards - I know MP3 doesn't seem to be at the top of everyone's feature list, but I really like what Sony did with the Clie.
�VDX form factor - I don't find the size of my Prism to be the huge inconvenience some folks do, but I'm always surprised how thin my old VDX feels when I pick it up. I don't want to use a sled for my Springboards; it defeats the purpose of the Springboard slot if you use a module that stays in most of the time.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

Re: Re: Ever seen the globals in Earth: Final Conflict?

quote:

---

Originally posted by usonian2001
I'm always surprised how thin my old VDX feels when I pick it up.

---

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Registered: May 2001
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Posts: 90

Here's some quick thoughts on a new Visor (I like "Spectrum" as well).

Critical issues

These are items that are absolutely required for me to consider purchasing a new Visor. There can be no negotiation on these, period.

- Deluxe form factor & hotsync connector -- This is critical as I have too much invested in travel chargers, cradles, etc. to even consider a different form factor. The Edge didn't even get a second look from me. Prism case is okay, but deluxe is better.
- Same Springboard slot -- The Springboard slot is far too useful to not have it built in. (External solutions like the Edge has are too much of a PITA.) The Springboard is the whole reason for going with Handspring; without it, I might as well get a Sony, Palm, or Handera.

Justifications (pick any two)

Since I already have a Prism (and termites and a whole lot of dry rot), there has to be some pretty compelling reasons for me to consider shelling out hard-earned cash for a new Visor. Any two of these would be enough. Three or more would be a guaranteed sale (or sales).

- 16MB+ memory -- Yes, PalmOS software doesn't require that much memory. WordSmith is around 1/2 a meg. But still, load a few of the larger programs, and you're out of memory. 16MB is nice, but since it's cheap enough relative to the overall cost, 32MB would be even better (if the processor can handle it.)
- Soft Graffiti area -- More screen space, Mmmmmm.... Why waste all that space when you don't necessarily need it? (Of course, this kills the SnapNType/ClipKee/ThumBoard idea.)
- Hi-res color -- I don't really need this, but it sure would be nice (especially for when I pop the SplashPhoto Matchbook in...)
- Screen viewable in sunlight -- I don't even bother trying to use my Prism outdoors -- which kinda sucks as that's what I used to do when waiting for the train. One of them fancy organic LCD's would be spiffy, if they do use less power.

Turn offs

These are things that wouldn't necessarily stop me from buying a new Visor, but they would make me think twice.

- OS not upgradeable -- Once upon a time, this might have made sense (like not storing centuries to save 2 bytes per date field), but probably not any more.
- External stylus -- Sure, like I want to be able to easily break: a) the stylus, b) the Visor case, or c) both.
- Moving the damn power button again -- Somebody make up their mind. Left, or right? (And don't even think about putting it on a corner, or the top or whatever.)

Turn ons:

These are niceties that aren't enough to convince me to buy a new visor, but certainly wouldn't hurt.

- Jog wheel -- Not a super big deal for me, but it could be useful. Better still would be an Isopoint. (Do a search on "isopoint outbound".)
- dual springboards -- Yeah, yeah, I know. Not possible. But one can dream, can't one?
- faster processor -- This would be really nice. (See also 16MB+ above.)
- Metal or ruggedized case -- I'm rough on stuff. My first Visor cracked around the power button, my first Prism got a crack on the back by the reset button, and this is when I was trying to be careful.
- longer battery life -- Duh. I'm okay with the Prism, but it would be nice.
- second hotsync port (to plug in hotsync cable while using keyboard) -- Now we're getting wild. But this could be useful. Put it on the side, opposite the IR port.
- USB port -- even better than a second hotsync port -- use the square-ish connector and one could hotsync with any standard cable. Plus, one could plug in keyboards, mice, modems, etc.
- Internal flash memory expansion port -- Maybe just a DIP socket to stick a 16MB, 32MB or larger flash chip in to work like the flash springboards.
- Built-in screen rotation support -- I dunno that this would be necessary, but it could be handy. (Also the sideways thing like the handera does would be useful.)
- External monitor support -- a la Presenter-to-go. Even just a TV-out would be good.
- integrated vibrating alarm -- My celphone, both pagers, and my Visor (Innopak/2V) are all set to silent mode -- Audible alarms are only needed if you carry your device externally (as in a purse) or if you need everyone to look and see how important you are for getting a phone call or page. Lights are okay, but only if you're looking at it, in which case you can see the screen.

P.S. when is someone going to release a cradle that can accept both a prism and a deluxe? I can get my Prism to work with the iBiz travel cradle, but I'd hate to have the InnoPak/2V start shaking it while it was perched there. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a Prism and a Solo/Deluxe/Plat/Neo/Pro in the family!

P.P.S. howsabout a springboard that plugs in and duplicates the the hard buttons on the other end? Coupla reasons: Easier to play games networked via the hotsync port and opens up two-player games like airhockey, football, etc. (Not that I'm really a game player, but my wife would love the air hockey thing. (Heck, you could do that just with the stylus -- can it handle two stylii at the same time?))

P.P.P.S. So when is someone going to write an emulator for those old handheld coleco games from the early 80's where there were like 6 or 8 columns of 5 LED's to simulate a football game? That would be awesome!

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

MOST IMPORTANT:
* DUST-FREE hi-res screen with soft-grafitti (320x480 when minimized)
* built-in springboard slot
* no larger than original Visor solo, deluxe (optimally the same form factor and connector, so you can use existing cases and accessories)

BONUS:
* always-on wireless e-mail, browsing AND real TCP/IP (for telnet)
* louder speaker
* built-in vibrating alarm (much more useful than flashing LED)
* jog dial (at the TOP upper left edge, not lower like the Clie)
* 16 MB internal memory
* Flash ROM