Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

This new announcement about Omnisky and Visorphone answers some old questions and raises some new ones.

Like, now we know why Handspring chose GSM for the Visorphone, even though CDMA is far more common in the US and has much better coverage. Apparently, they chose GSM to have a consistent international platform -- even though you won't be able to take your Visorphone overseas because it's on a different frequency.

From this announcement, I'd also guess that Omnisky will eventually abandon the Minstrel in the US, too. It sounds like they're looking beyond the Minstrel to a new platform without the limitations of CDPD. I wonder if they'll eventually offer Omnisky through a GSM-based Visorphone in this country, too.

But I don't understand why you'd subscribe to Omnisky if you already have a Visorphone. With a Visorphone, you can already surf the Web and send/receive e-mail through any ISP. And you can get proxy-based web access through a number of free browsers like Blazer, Proxiweb or Avantgo.

The biggest advantage of Omnisky through the Minstrel is that it's always on. But to go online with the Visorphone, don't you need to place a phone call like a dial-up modem? Will Omnisky somehow deliver always-on access through the Visorphone? I don't know how that's possible, unless they can do it through the SMS system.

Anyone have any ideas?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by rosswords
This new announcement about Omnisky and Visorphone answers some old questions and raises some new ones.

Like, now we know why Handspring chose GSM for the Visorphone, even though CDMA is far more common in the US and has much better coverage. Apparently, they chose GSM to have a consistent international platform -- even though you won't be able to take your Visorphone overseas because it's on a different frequency.

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