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

It's available for order now at hs.palmgear.com, but it says they won't start shipping until 9/13, for what it's worth.

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

Kewl

Wow, PalmGear's actually including a shipping date. Now that the MiniJam's shipping, this should ease a lot of people's anxiety about whether or not the most anticipated modules will see the light of day.

Too bad the @ctiveLink isn't sold separately. I'd even be willing to buy the bundle and eBay the Visor if I had the money (I was downsized from a news website where I was going to get an @ctiveLink and a CLIE for free as review units -- ARRGH!). We'll just have to hold out for another couple of months.

But by then, we may be able to use Handspring's cell phone module as an alternative. Since it's using Qualcomm's digital CDMA network, I can't see any reason why it won't be able to support email and WAP content.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I just called PalmGear to find out why you couldn't get the @ctivelink separately. My Visor's pretty beat up, but I don't need to replace it yet.

According to the PalmGear representative, the module isn't available because the Visor "needs to be modified in some way" (she didn't know how) to work with the module. While that explains the bundling, if it's true it kind of irks me. I thought the whole benefit of HS's springboard architecture was that you would not have to buy new hardware to use modules.

I was seriously considering buying this thing - it seems like the wireless option that would work best with my company's system. Now I'm probably going to cross my fingers and wait for the Minstrel.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

For some reason I don't think that the palmgear representative knew what she was talking about. Your right, the reason that the visor is so versatile is because nothing has to be added to make SB's work besides the SB itself. Well, anyways I sent an e-mail to Glenayre asking what is going on.
BEN

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I'm afraid she was right. I sent an email to Glenayre myself (I had the same suspicion), and here's the reply I received from Brent at Glenayre:

"The unit will not be sold individually for a couple of months. At that time handspring will offer an upgrade on all current visors to make sure they are compatable. again, this will not take place for a few months."

No details were provided on what this "upgrade" entails.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

It sounds as if this "update" is a software update. I wonder if it is an OS upgrade?

I guess we'll have to wait until these units ship to find out.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Maybe this is what handspring was talking about when they said they could update the OS. I personally wouldn't mind getting the equavilent of 3.3.
BEN

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

Me neither, provided it wasn't a memory hog. Still, the whole thing is frustrating. I've been waiting for a wireless communications module, and it sounds like I'm still waiting.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

aaaarrrrrrgggggg!!!!!

__________________
iceman
VDX-aholic

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

It's sorta intresting that I sent an e-mail to Glenayre asking if the Visor would have to be modified in some sort to use the pager, and I got a message with-in the hour. When I got a reply that the Visor would be modified, I sent them another e-mail asking if the midification would be software or hardware. So far after nearly 24 hours I have not gotten a response.
I wonder what this means if anything.
BEN

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

Having to do any modifications defeats the purpose of the springboard slot. A module is supposed to be inserted and start working. Now you start making modifications (either hardware or software) and you may run into compatability issues with other programs. Similar to the Stowaway keyboard shift/caps issue.

I was really looking forward to the Glenayre board, but now I'm going to have to wait for reviews determine what is really going on. I may end up going to the Minstrel S or something else.

This springboard issue is becoming very frustrating. Hopefully, we'll see several releases in the next month. I can't help but think that VisorCentral's upcoming awards had something to do with the arrival of some of the boards. Go VisorCentral!! You have my permission to lobby, push, coerce, fight and outright demand springboards for us Visor fans!

__________________
iceman
VDX-aholic

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

Probably not a software update

I don't think this is a software update, since I was under the impression that a "regular" SpringBoard could already contain software updates and/or modifications.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

ruud makes a good point - I thought that's what "plug and play" was all about. However, if it's a hardware change, I'll be very disappointed - will I have to send my unit in to have it done? I will be more than disappointed if they try and charge me for it.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

This is the e-mail that I got from Glenayre. (They responded right after I posted)

quote:

---

should be software, but again, ask them for more details.

Brent

---

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I visited Glenayre's site, and it still says (under "what you need") "Handspring Visor." Kind of deceptive, isn't it? It should say "special Handspring Visor."

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Well, supposedly in a month or two handspring is going to come out with a patch that will make the Active link work with the Visor.
So the website is right, but it's a little ahead of its time.
BEN

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 222

i agree with ruud -- if it's just a software update, then why not just have it on the module's RAM/ROM and have it only affect those that buy it?

if it's only a software issue, they should be able to sell the unit by itself. it has to be more than just a software issue...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

There might be more SB's that are going to need this software update. It's not that hard for Handspring just to put the update on their site and let everyone download it and put it on their device.
I think that the reason that handspring is waiting to put ou the update is because they are adding more things to it than just support for the Glenayre mod.
I agree that it would be easier to put this update on the module itself, but then there could be some problems if people want to download the update, and get the features that are not already on the Visor when they get it with the SB installed. Then some people would have duplicates of files on their machines, and theat would just cause more problems than it's worth.
That's probably confusing, but give it a try (Second day of school, and I already had to write one paper)
BEN

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

bundle response from palm gear

I just got this reply from Palm Gear in regards to the @ctivelink bundle. Needless to say I am a bit bummed to hear that I cant get one for the Visor Deluxe that I already have.


Yes, you must buy it bundled as the Visor they are shipped with has additional shielding needed for the @ctiveLink module.

Regards,

Kenny West
PalmGear.com
http://hs.palmgear.com and http://www.palmgear.com
"The One Stop Source for your Palm OS Connected Organizer!"

and Handspring Visor Modules too!

--------------------------------------------------

On 07-Sep-00 you wrote:

Can the glenayre @ctivelink module be purchased seperately? I see you are currently offering a bundle with a visor deluxe. I already have a visor deluxe, but I would definitely like to order the @ctivelink module.

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

Not a good sign

That "additional shielding" problem sounds like it could be an issue for other communications modules as well. It would really suck if we'd buy a new Visor to use the Minstrel S or the Handspring cell phone module. It would also suck if Springboard manufacturers have to put shielding in the module itself: bigger form factors, higher prices, more delays, etc. I would've hoped that the current Visors had adequate RF sheilding in the first place.

[Edited by Gameboy70 on 09-08-2000 at 12:01 PM]