Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

After looking at the Day 1 of PC Expo and the links provided to us, it is clear that the question for end users soon will not be "when will the module that does X come out?" but rather "which of the existing or announced modules accomplishes the specific tasks that I want done?"

I've seen various combinations of modems, memory, vibrating alerts, LED alarms, voice recorders, and more. Some, like Six Pak, have them all but cost a lot. Others, like the 2/V and some of the others anounced today, accomplish a limited number of tasks at a much more limited cost. Without question, we will have the luxury of being much choosier about our Springboards.

Smart shoppers will be rewarded for doing their homework, that's for sure! We're about to enter a new era of abundance in Springboards!

[This message has been edited by tdfellrath (edited 06-27-2000).]

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 17

I agree, but I'm still waiting to see "results" before I start praising HS and the Springboard slot. Springboard 'announcements' mean nothing to me, need I only remind fellow Visor users of the 6 pak that was 'supposed' to come out months ago and now appears to be coming out late September at the earliest. I'm as excited as the next guy to start adding to my Visor, but I'll believe it when I see it...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

quote:

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Springboard 'announcements' mean nothing to me

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 98

What!?!? September!?!?!? First it was March, the April, then Summer, and now Fall??? Innogear SUCKS!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

I hear you, Slacker. I stuck up for Innogear for a long time, but . . . September 30? And judging from the photo of the SixPak at PC Expo, Innogear has redesigned the unit yet again. Quality assurance is important, but if the module works without bugs, release it! You can improve the form factor forever, and it still won't be perfect.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

I'm a little slow today, but what photo of the 6-pack from the PCExpo?

thanks,
tyler

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

It seems clear that InnoGear seriously misjudged what it would take to produce the Sixpak. It is also now clear that they fed us a line of bull re: parts scarcity being the reason for the delay. All these redesigns point to problems with product development - not production.

Those who purchased Handsprings' modem are now vindicated. They will have enjoyed theirs for close to nine months before the rest of us even have a shot - and that assumes that this new release date is real . . .

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

tyler:

My mistake. I was referring to the photo of the redesigned MiniJam.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Orem, UT USA
Posts: 6

Not to mention Thincom... you didn't hear anything about these Card Access guys until they were actually shipping a product. What a concept...

Kiporama

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

Let's see what Geode does. Of all the SB's, this one has me interested.
Nevertheless, it's their pattern of delivery that has me concerned. They
selectively participate in this forum (just like innogear does),they entice us with offers
of free units to Beta test and then toss out EMails to us all with silly
promises of being able to beta test their software. They post dates on their
web pages that (think about it) serve no other purpose but to draw us back
to their site with no other concrete info other than additional hype abouthow their GPS is going to do everything for everyone. They quaintly state that a soon to be released 'flash' version of their web page will be forthecoming (I'll check back often) and continue with hints that we all may become official testers of their product. KIPORAMA nailed in the previous post. Thincom (whether you like what they delivered or not)
cornered the market on crediblity. They simply delivered a product. I hope the Geode is everything they say it is...but I will not bite on their hype.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 86

Personally I have experienced the things that can slow a company down, and I can say that nobody who enters into this market can imagine the amount of pressure that you people can put on us! ;�) I�m not complaining though, Its an unique phenomenon that occurs in internet savvy markets that few are privileged to experience. I feel it�s what pushes the development envelope so much in this field! In very few arenas are the consumer as involved in the information technology/PDA development process. I can guarantee that there are very few people sitting down with their shiny new televisions and after coming out of the cloud of newness that the item offered for the first day or so and thinking to themselves... �How could I improve on this? I think it should have volume buttons on the side... I should be able to read a book on this... � Handspring has done a great thing buy leaving that area blank for consumers and developers alike and saying �Come on In ! We�re open! YOU fill in the blank!� It�s just that all the legalities and technicalities in developing products for bleeding edge technology require more than the broom handle that most developers approach the pole vault of a challenge they answer to. But please, don�t give up on us! I�m taking some liberties here in saying this for everyone, but I�m sure that I�m safe in this market to say �We love the feedback! (good or bad) � You are our audience, the people in the stands, cheering on your favorite teams! I�m no sports enthusiast, but I�m sure that if the fans left any major sport, the players would soon quit and the stadiums would become overgrown parking lots. Enough rambling, What I�m saying is, I commend all of you voicing your dreams and aspirations. You are the visionaries. The ones who will evangelize the best things about the coming years to all of those still on the couch with their remotes. You will make and break companies. So never talk about giving up when a company wants to get you a hot item. It�s like baking a cake. If we had to give it all to you right now, you would have cake mix. And cake mix is messy. ;�) You can�t help that your way ahead of everyone else! Just be patient with us, we�re probably as much of perfectionists as you are. ;�) We (the developers) are all doing our best for YOU.

Christian Sass
President
Re-Visor.com, LLC

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

After speaking with several module makers, component shortages (particularly flash memory) have been a real problem. Even C|Net has mentioned this problem.

As more module makers get in the market, the problem could get worse unless flash makers can get production output to improve.

------------------
James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Border Independent
Posts: 69

Wow! I had given up on Innogear too. While Mr. Sass makes some very valid points, I think the companies could be a little more forthcoming with communication and the news. Even bad news is better than no news. I think what is happening in this sector will also happen in others, including TV sets and cars. While I have decided not to wait on Innogear any longer, I will check back once in awhile to see if they get a unique product to market in the future (MiniJam maybe!) that someone else hasn't already beat them to.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 86

We are doing our best to improve that communication as we speak...
the Re-Visor.com website should be updated today and every effort will be made to keep the info flowing in the following days. One thing to keep in mind is the many hats that all the people involved in getting these product to you wear. I know for a fact that the majority of your key players were in NY at the time of the expo.