Registered: Sep 1999
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Does anybody know if the Beaming function will be retained. It seems to be a fairly integral part of the Palm OS, so I'd assume so but... If anyone has other tech specs that aren't already posted, please share, I'm so anxious to see a picture of this thing I'm squirming.

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 159

I know only as much as anyone else here would, but I suspect, unless Handspring is looking to make a giant step backward in this area, that the Visor will retain the Palm's infrared capabilities.

A part of the specs is to reuse existing Palm software as long as they, as one article put it, "follow Palm Computing's programming guidelines". Since infrared is part of those guidelines, if they don't have it, their claim of such support would be wrong.

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 28

One of the pictures on the handspring site shows what appears to be the IR port, slipped over to the side of the unit instead of on the top end. Given that the SpringBoards had to go somewhere, this is much better than leaving IR out completely. The info page also has the IR port listed for both models (and Visor Solo is just a Visor w/o a cradle ...)

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 2

Yes, according to the specs on the handspring web page, the Visor product does in fact have IR.

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 13

Is the Infrared port able to do syncing instead of having to use the cradle? That would be a VERY nice feature to have.

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 159

Mike,

Since there is software available for the Palm which allows you to sync using the IR port, one can assume this feature exists on the Visor.

But I have a question in return: if a computer you sync with has a USB port, why would you pass up an approx. 5Mb per second throughput using USB for the 115Kb speed of the infrared port?

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 28

Zippy, I thought I saw 1.5M/s ... not 5M/s, but I still see what you're saying.

Although, IR syncing has the potential of Visor-Visor sync via IR ... and I'm afraid I don't know enough about USB to comment on that.

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 159

1.5Mb is a standard rating for USB throughput. You'll often see 5-6Mb per/sec discussed (though some will caution it's only a potential or "theoretical" speed). I was exaggerating a wee bit for effect...

But if it was only 512K, I wouldn't pass on it for the IR rate. However, it is the only decent game in town for talking between devices (Palm to Palm, Visor to Visor, or let's hope even Visor to Palm!).

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: New Mexico, USA
Posts: 112

re: IR

First, from the drawings in the developer kid, it looks like the IR port is on the bottom (opposite side from screen, that is). I wonder what kind of ergonomics come in to play as we tip our units on their sides and press buttons to transfer? And wasn't someone going to come up w/ an "IR on steroids" springboard to goose IR performance. (Shameful admission- I think the Visor'll make a killer universal remote)

Secondly, re: Palm to Visor IR? Why not? Same OS, same software (except for the augmented apps in the Visor). Wouldn't make sense to have a different IR hardware standard, would it? (Just location) I'll bet they'll talk...


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john

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 5

Regarding USB: I think their info is really confusing. In the marketing docs they talk about 1.5 Mbps. In the FAQ they talk about the theoretical 8-10 Mbps payload capability of USB, and the Dragonball's processing speed limitation of 5-6 Mbps. In the SDK (specifically, the DkManual.pdf) they rate the USB cradle connector at "400 Kbps" (sic) payload bandwidth. However, one line down, they mention the serial port speed at 9600 Kbps, making me think that they meant "400 KBps" for USB, which is over 3 Mbps.

Since I also saw mentioned USB cradle transfer speeds at "up to 70 times faster than serial", I'm inclined to believe that the USB port can handle considerably more than 1.5 Mbps--anywhere between 2-6 Mbps. Remains to be seen, I guess.

I'm only disappointed that the Visor doesn't contain a USB host controller. According to the hardware docs, it's only a "slave controller". This makes it useless for connecting USB devices to the Visor.

Paul Radu

Registered: Sep 1999
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Posts: 13

My reasoning for IR syncing is using a laptop with an IR port to sync without having to carry around the clutzy cradle. Or, if you don't have the cradle with you, etc...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4

IR syncing with a laptop is one use ... also syncing to a work computer without the cradle/cables is another use.
I read on one of the reviews that Palm to Visor IR will be supported.
So far from what I have seen the Visor Dlx is exactly like an 8mb Palm IIIx - Flash OS upgrade +++ Springboard.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4

Just thought of this one ...
IR syncing for the Visor Solo
Some interesting options ...