Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

Does anyone have a real idea of when we'll see this sb? I'm really looking forward to it, I can't wait! Thats why I'm asking.

(oh, and what about the one that Rio is making, I couldn't find any info on that at all)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

(deleted stuff)
Spaceman Spiff

[This message has been edited by spacemanspiff22 (edited 03-25-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

spacemanspiff, that wasn't what he was asking.. I think your post would be better placed in a Rio vs. MiniDisc Newsgroup.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

sorry...i was out of line on that post. Just a very satisfied MiniDisc customer i guess.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

Hello from InnoGear.

MiniJam is moving along at as fast as possible...we have released to production, and now we are in expedite mode to get product in as soon as possible, but the issue the current market situation is that certain components have very long leadtimes. The market for portable and handheld devices (including cell phones) has of course exploded and there are world wide shortages on certain components as a result. We will release firm dates as soon as possible.

MiniJam sounds great...we think everyone will be very satisfied with the sound quality. As far as using a MiniDisk instead, of course that is an option, but the entire concept of the Springboard slot is to combine two devices into one device. Also, because we are using the Visor as our user interface, MiniJam will have the most informative and robust interface of any MP3 player out there today.

Lastly, a calling to all Palm software developers. We now have a developer page on our web site at www.innogear.com Anyone that wishes to develop software for MiniJam (or any other Innogear module) will get a free developer kit (SDK/API) once we finalize and release it. Please go and sign up. Later this year we will offer a prizes for the best third party programs!

Stay tuned.


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Bob Fullerton
InnoGear Inc.

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

Wow, a company that actually listens (and responds) to its customers -- what a concept! Thanks Bob.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

Yes, thank you very much! I don't think I've ever had a company respond to me on a BB before. The MP3 player sounds great, can't wait for it to come out!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 3

I got an email broadcast couple of days ago from Innogear stating the price for the Minijam would be around $225. I couldn't find the actual email from by inbox but Innogear staff, please keep me honest on the price.
I start to like the company since they actually get back to email inquiry and BB comments.

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

I'm also impressed by Innogear's responsiveness to e-mail and BB posts. Bob, stick to your guns and don't give out any release dates until you are confident of them -- you wouldn't want to pull a Handspring!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Bear DE USA
Posts: 5

quote:

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Originally posted by bchan:
I got an email broadcast couple of days ago from Innogear stating the price for the Minijam would be around $225. I couldn't find the actual email from by inbox but Innogear staff, please keep me honest on the price.
I start to like the company since they actually get back to email inquiry and BB comments.

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If the minijam is going to cost $225 AND eat my visor batteries, why would I want it instead of a standalone mp3 player? I'm confused. I was hoping it would cost less than a normal player.

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

I'd like some clarification on the price as well. It's hard to believe the MiniJam will cost $50 more than a standalone player. VisorCentral's springboard page puts the price at $99 (obviously tentative). Does anyone have a copy of the Innogear email bchan mentioned?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 37

The base price is 99$, but that comes with no memory at all. You have to buy the Multimedia Cards separately which cost a heck of a lot.
Derek

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA
Posts: 18

Good Grief Innogear!

Even at $99 for a zero memory device and then purchasing memory, who in their right mind would buy an MP3 player module for the handspring which will suck the batteries dry in 5-7 hours and only carries 64 MB or memory? Especially when a stand alone that costs less than $200 has the same memory, lasts more than 12 hours, won't drain your visor?

A free word of advice:
When you recognize that "the entire concept of the Springboard slot is to combine two devices into one device" you must also realize that noone will pay for that combination when it is does less and costs more. An MP3 player is so small that the fact it's a visor plug-in isn't much of a selling point to all but the most die-hard new toy buyers.

Give us an MP3 player we might actually WANT. This would include:
1. It's own batteries
2. A reasonable price, $100 WITH memory
3. Options for upgrades past 64 MB

Sure, this might make it a little bigger, but if I can store 2+ hours of music on it and play it without wrecking the usability of my Visor (from battery draw), I'd certainly buy it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 67

I'm a bit confused by the previous post. Why care whether the MP3 module drains battery life directly from the Visor or drains its own batteries? You're not really saving any money or convenience, but you are making the entire package bigger if you insist on separate batteries. Personally, I'd rather have the all-in-one convenience.

On a different note, I am a bit surprised at the price quote of $225. Maybe Innogear is willing to negotiate by bulletin board.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: El Paso
Posts: 8

Because I don't want my visor batteries depleted and my information lost because the mp3 module sucked my batteries dry in record time. That's why I care where the power comes from. In that case, I'm not saving any convenience, but a lot of inconvenience.

I don't want an all in one that requires my visor to use the mp3 player. I want to use the mp3 while jogging, and I'm sure not going to carry around the visor while running. Also the battery life of standalone's is much better than the info we have on the minijam.

I personally don't see the advantage of an mp3 springboard over a standalone.

quote:

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Originally posted by burningyen:
I'm a bit confused by the previous post. Why care whether the MP3 module drains battery life directly from the Visor or drains its own batteries? You're not really saving any money or convenience, but you are making the entire package bigger if you insist on separate batteries. Personally, I'd rather have the all-in-one convenience.

On a different note, I am a bit surprised at the price quote of $225. Maybe Innogear is willing to negotiate by bulletin board.

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

I would have to agree with Burningyen on the battery debate. There really is not much of a difference in having the Minijam run its own batteries or using the visor's. Either way, you're still going to have to replace them after approximately the same amount of use. So instead of replacing the Minijam's batteries every X amount of time, you replace the visor's....same thing!

And as for losing the visor's information if the minijam runs it dry - the visor can still retain its memory for a long time with "dead" batteries in them. The visor will not operate when the batteries are at a certain level, but there is still enough charge for it to retain its memory for a while (I'm talking days, not hours). It's only when you are changing batteries is when you have to worry about losing memory.

For the minijam to have its own batteries would be a waste of space and money. For someone like me who has only 4 rechargeable batteries that I cycle through, it would mean that I need another pair for the minijam.

The only reason I think a springboard should have its own batteries is if there it needs MORE than the visor 2-AAA to power it. If it can run off of 2-AAA, then why not use the visor's?

Ok, I think I've just successfully beaten a dead horse....

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 3

I tried very hard to look through the 2 dozens subfolders of my Outlook and couldn't find the email I received from Innogear. Does anyone has it?
I to think $225 is bit at the high side since standalone MP3's prices are coming down. Maybe Innogear is reading all of our comments........

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Hayward, Ca
Posts: 30

The following is a copied directly from Innogears website (the FAQ in specificly)

"Q: How much will MiniJam cost?

A: That depends on the memory configuration, and pricing is not final as of right now, but we are estimating a 64meg version to be about $225 and a �zero� memory model to be under $100 (zero memory MiniJams will be available for customer who already have MMC flash cards and/or who wish to buy MMC memory elsewhere)."

After reading this, I am sorry to say I am sticking w/ my Rio500, even if it is an extra thing to lug around. (Its not that big afterall)

On the otherhand I eagerly await the Six-Pack, and hope they support the Samsung SCH3500 from the start. (As I refuse to go back to my StarTac)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 31

I have been really looking forward to this product and I am deeply disappointed at the details that are now coming out.

I carry my IVD everywhere so there is a nominal "bother" savings by integrating the two functions. But if I the module is the same price as a stand alone of smaller size and greater ability, why would I buy the module?

For example, for a slightly higher price than the 64 mg module (but sure to go down by the time the module is available) you could buy the Sony 64 mg music stick which is the size of a fountain pen with two hours play / 1.5 hours of storage.

The Sony clip is more functional as an MP3 player (jogging/gym) and size-wise is not a big addition to my pocket. In fact, I usually leave my visor in my bag while commuting, if I used the module I would have to carry my IVD in my pocket and it is obviously a lot larger than the sony clip.

So on second thought, why would anyone buy the mod and not a Sony clip for the same price?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Just be careful, the sony clip requires you to change the MP3 to the sony format. This could, on a semi-fast computer take a long time. And if you have an old computer, good luck.