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

Why only 8mb?

I�ve been noticing that some of the newer 3rd-party PalmOS applications are getting larger. It�s usually because some are made for color PalmOS machines. (Very few have monochrome AND color versions of various programs � it�s usually just one version that can be used on different machines.) Also, don't forget RAM hungry programs like DateBook4... So, if this trend continues, and of course it will, why would a company introduce new PalmOS units, especially a �color� unit with only 8mb? If the programs are getting larger, shouldn�t the memory also be larger - right out of the box, without having to "expand�??? Just my $.02

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

Re: Why only 8mb?

quote:

---

Originally posted by narnia_77
...why would a company introduce new PalmOS units, especially a �color� unit with only 8mb? If the programs are getting larger, shouldn�t the memory also be larger - right out of the box, without having to "expand�???

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

Re: Bundles and Branding

quote:

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Originally posted by logan6
OK, I saw a few items posted that reinforce something a friend told me. It was a translucent-black with silver trim Visor, bundled with a wireless two-way pager springboard, color screen, and webcam software, with the signature of jenni from jennicam.org/guests/cam.jpg as
a stick-on plastic label.

Thinks that reinforce this:
1) The name of "Platinum" for a visor indicates metalic trim cases are possible/likely.
2) Above mention of a bundle with the glenair needed due to shielding problems.
3) The use of 16 bit color on a display that is so small it can really only support a webcam image.
4) Jennicam signing up for streaming video agreeing not to do anything taboo on the streaming cams, which I'd expect to happen for this kind of deal, also.
5) Talk about a "broadcast" mode possible with the glenair.
6) The fact that every portal I've been to is hyping web cams. Wow, can you imagine a Survivor-cam Visor?

---

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Stealth-Mod.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

Here's why....

dkessler,

The simplest reason why the Prism must be PalmOS 3.5 is that no earlier version of PalmOS supports color displays.

As for why Platinum is 3.5? I guess they just decided to make both devices use the same OS.

Sluggo

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 92

GSM prices

Firstly, it's great to see a GSM module; I hope it's tri-band, and not just restricted to the US odd 1900MHz version.

As for the price, it may seem a lot at $300, but certainly from where I'm sitting here, that's pretty reasonable for a phone with no air time contract.

In the UK (and some other countries in Europe, but not all; Switzerland for example is different) the cost of a cell phone is typically heavily discounted as an incentive to sign a contract with a minimum period of around a year.

I bought my Nokia 8210 (very small, voice dialing, built in modem, IR link to the Visor) pretty much as soon as it came out. The price that was around �250 with a one year contract, as an upgrade.

Six months later, it's almost half that - as long as you take a contract. Buy a contract free phone, that you can connect to any network just by putting in a SIM, and there's no kickback. You could pay around �400 for the 8210.

If the cellphone market in the US works in a similar way (ok, we make allowances for you being a bit behind the rest of the world), then it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the cost of the module drop if you buy it with an airtime package.

In the meantime, if any of you have cravings for mobile data, caller ID, SMS, global roaming with the same phone number and all those other necessities, pop over to Europe. With some of the cheaper models of phone, you don't even have to pay - just sign up for 12 months' service and get a Nokia 3210 free.

Nigel.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

It probably also has to be 3.5 to support the Dragonball VZ CPU (at 30 MHz, it's unlikely to be an EZ).

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 165

WOW - I just noticed that Handspring stock is up 6 3/8 points from yesterday, almost 14% to 52 3/8! I'm sure the cellphone/color Visor leak has something to do with that.

It's a catch-22; do I spend what extra $$ I've got on Handspring's products & accessories, or on their stock?!
-Andy

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 109

Why the Platinum has PalmOS 3.5

The PalmOS 3.5 has other features besides color support. It also has OS-level 4-bit (16-shade) grayscale support. It also supports IR sync and network sync (I've been told).

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Trinition ([email protected])

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

Absolutely Perfect Timing

I can't wait for the Visor Platinum. That and the cell phone will be the perfect combo. When I first saw the article on the Prizm I was drooling but then I thought about it and realized that color isn't really all that big of a deal. I mean games look nice, and it is easier to read but I dont really need it (Want? Yes. Need? No). But the Visor Platinum looks like what I want. Hearing that the Visor Prizm is going to be bigger really turned me off, I mean not being able to put it in my belt clip would just be upsetting seeing I bought it 3 days ago and the price? Jeezz, I'm not rich. The cell phone module will be great because I was thinking about getting a nokia 6190 but didn't because it would take up pocket space and I like carrying around only 1 device, Thats why I got my visor in the first place, It eliminates the need to have more than 1 thing in your pocket (or on your belt) at a time. My Visor is an organizer, an MP3 Player, a camera and now a cell phone how sweet is that? I'm just praying that it will allow internet access. Oh my gosh They are being released A week before my B-Day? How lucky am I?

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 321

What the VisorPhone might look like:

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Cape Elizabeth, ME USA
Posts: 73

Color Visor

This Handspring user will be converting to the Color Visor.

My boss has a color Palm and the screen is easier to read.

In medical practice, the lighting at bedside is less than optimal, and I expect the new Color Visor will be more readable.

The Visor is the right tool for medical practice beacause of memory (I have two full Memory Modules) and IR Beaming capability to transfer patient information to fellow practitioners, and for printing Progress Notes and H&Ps for charting.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 94

the phone module and service contracts

the mercury news (a silicon valley paper) reports the phone module will be 299 WITH the service contract, and 499 without. take it for what its worth as no official news from handspring. also said it will be on bellsouths network.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

499 is insane. That's nearly 800 dollars for a phone with your visor.
BEN

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Re: the phone module and service contracts

quote:

---

Originally posted by mxgian
the mercury news (a silicon valley paper) reports the phone module will be 299 WITH the service contract, and 499 without. take it for what its worth as no official news from handspring. also said it will be on bellsouths network.

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OUCHIE! Say it's not true!

mxgian - Did you read this on the AvantGo channel, or the analog version of the Merc News?

[Edited by PDAENVY on 09-20-2000 at 05:17 PM]

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Jeff

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

The Mercury Article

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech.../hand092000.htm

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 38

Are the new Visor units suppose to have flash EPROM in them?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

I have been waiting for half a year (even before i got my visor) for a GSM telephone SB! Finally! Now I don't need to buy a new cell-phone.

I believe the reason for Handspring to choose GSM for cell-phone capability is that cell-phone use is much more widespread in areas with GSM, that is in Europe and Japan. I am a student in Sweden and I use my cell-phone for about 1 and a half hours a month, which equals about $100 in phone-costs for the cell alone. Someone mentioned that cellphone capability was not very interesting to him 'cause he only used his current phone about 5 times a month. I use mine 2-3 times each and every day!

This has really made my day, although I am disappointed and surprised that this GSM module is first introduced in the US....

/Kallisti

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Posts: 181

$499 & $299 confirmed

This Associated Press news item dated Wednesday September 20 6:39 PM ET, confirms price and companies:

Handspring Inc. maker of the popular Visor electronic organizer, plans next week to begin selling an add-on that will give the handheld computer wireless phone and Internet capabilities.

The VisorPhone module will retail for $299 if buying with accompanying rate plans from telecommunications company partners Pacific Bell Wireless, Bell South, Powertel and VoiceStream. Consumers who choose to buy only the VisorPhone module will pay $499.

see complete story at

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/200...r_phones_1.html

[Edited by Charo on 09-20-2000 at 07:57 PM]

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

I got some very interesting news about the Visorphone from cnet News.com a while ago. This is what it is going to look like:

http://news.cnet.com/Images/News/Pt...sorPhonemug.jpg

the page I got this on was
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-20...ne.1002.thed.sf

not that bad of a design, could have been much worse. As long as you don't have to use the speaker on the top solely.

Additionally, from another News.com article, it seems that the Visorphone will have the capability to be a wireless modem, allowing you to have internet access.

"Handspring's new product, for example, will integrate these applications even further, allowing VisorPhone users to call people directly from their PDA address books. Although not designed specifically for Internet access, the VisorPhone will also have the capabilities of a wireless modem and will allow Visor users to surf the Web."

the article can be found here:

http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-20....ne.ron.lthd.ni

This seems to justify the high price a bit. Remember that and @ctivelink module or the upcoming Mintrel S modules are also around at least $250 or so, so having wireless internet access, voice communication capability and other features we may not think of (the integrated speaker or headset could possibly be programmed to allow voice recording for messages.... who knows)

I'm quite sure that these things will be a major selling point of the Visor's upcoming ad campaign, and will sell very well during hte holidays.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: King William, Virginia USA
Posts: 70

Hi All!

I'm sorry to say that I just don't have any interest in the cell phone module. I need to be able to look up information in BrainForest, jot down notes in DiddleBug, etc. WHILE I'm on the phone with somebody. Given that most of my pants have three pockets, I can put my Visor (with its snap cover on) and my QCP-860 Thin Phone (with the keys locked out) comfortably in the front two and my wallet in the back. Nice, neat, no cases, no belt clips, and I have everything I need readily available and usable.

Bye All!