Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 17

Saw the video clip on Gageteer where he takes the Visor cover off...it looks hard to do, takes two hands, and doesn't attach unless you turn it over and clip it to the back.

Anybody else worried on this? It seems its either add bulk w/ a case, leave the cover off and risk a scratch, or deal with that pain in the a--.
I'm thinking, how much is the memory worth if you don't feel like dealing with the thing...? SF: What's your take? -- you have one...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Durham, NC, USA
Posts: 47

My take is that the cover is there to protect the screen. I'm sure there'll be other methods if you're not happy with this one. However, I'm not sure the design of the cover would make me reconsider the entire unit. I didn't like the leather "flap" that came with the Palm V, but I just don't use it - I bought a case from a 3rd party manufacturer instead. (And, I'm VERY happy with that case - not to mention that it doesn't make the Palm V any less attractive.)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Posts: 36

Tonys what's the link to that video clip. I'd love to see it

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

Tony:

Please tell us which review you found the video on? The only video I've seen so far is a screen capture in RealMedia format of the ABC broadcast a few weeks ago that was broadcast the night before the "announcement" of Visor.

I've gone through EVERY review in The Gadgeteer's Visor section and failed to find the video you mention.

For those who are curious, Julie Strietelmeier and her bevy of reviewers do an excellent job of tracking the latest electronic gadgets of all sorts. They're especially proficient at putting these devices and accessories for putting them through the wringer and coming back with insightful reviews. A VERY good source of first-hand info.

The Visor section of the website is here:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/visor.html

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Austin TX, USA
Posts: 79

I swear I saw a video clip of the visor on ZDTV about a week and a half ago....I don't know exactly where....

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 17

Sorry, gang. Its at gadget guru, not gadgeteer. My bad.
http://www.gadgetguru.com/GGTG.HTML

this lists all his videoclips of stuff they review. the main site is obviously gadgetguru.com

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Well, I watched the video twice... if that's the MAJOR problem of the Visor, then I have to say 'HURRAH!'

I've played with the Palm and it's flip up cover and I prefer the look of the Visor's cover. Sure, it's not the handy little communicator-style widget, but for extensive work, it looks like it will stay in place better.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

No I disagree. It would seem to me that Hawkins went backwards here rather than forward but he was probably forced to do it. See, the Palm III with it's tricorder type flip cover doesn't have the Springboard to worry about, whereas the new Visor does. Hmm, that might be a reason. Anyway, reverting back to a "stetson" like cover (what the Palm Pro had) is not an ideal solution in my mind.

But Hawkins also probably designed the cover as an afterthought given that he just wanted to get a decent product out to launch the company. As he said, the bells and whistles (I believe high falutin' was his exact wording) can come later.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Durham, NC, USA
Posts: 47

I know quite a few people who were just as displeased with Palm III's flip-up cover. The original pilots came either emptyhanded or with a simple leather sleeve. The V, as I stated above, has the "flap" which quite a few people disagree with. I think the basic purpose of these covers is to provide *some* measure of protection for the device, and they *all* have served that purpose. Heck, I even put the "flap" back on my V when I don't feel like using the Slipper V. Point being, you can always spring for a cool/convenient AND functional aftermarket case, but at least Visor ships with the functional part right away - it protects the screen, and does it well.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Ingleside, Tx
Posts: 68

No doubt!! People often can see the forest through the trees here. The cover is not meant to do anything but protect the screen. Has anyone thought about the fact that since it is hard to take off, it is equally as tough to accidentally come off in your bag, or wherever you have it?

This means no accidental scratches (or breaks) of the screen because something else touched it.

I, for one, am glad to have this measure of protection for a screen which is expensive to replace. On this thread, and others, I see a bunch of whiny posters *****ing about this or that. If any of you are so inclined, go build your own PDA or at the very least lend what I am sure are your consideable technical talents to the design teams making these devices.

Go ahead and flame me if you care to.

------------------
"One can never step in the same river twice."

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

Solo:

I think what you obviously fail to understand is that those VERY developers for the HS team are extremely interested in this kind of feedback. We whine and moan as you say because we're looking for improvements on what is arguably a good device but not yet perfect.

Hell, the company I work for pays folks on a regular basis to come in and tell us what they think about our products and how we could improve them. So, I can guarantee you that Jeff Hawkins himself probably trolls these boards (as well as most of his engineers) looking for FREE advice on how the device could be improved.

Where do you think the idea for a springboard came from? Hawkins heard lots of feedback from us "whiners" about how we'd like a simple path for upgrades and for easily swap-able functionality.

Consider this a flame because you're too ignorant to recognize that things only improve when people complain about them or provide sincere criticisms.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Ingleside, Tx
Posts: 68

Jackal: I'll consider the source, instead. I am ignorant in many areas, but this is not one of them. Calling me ignorant brings the focus back to yourself. Your posts are interesting, but I'd not call you ignorant, but merely an ass.

The cover is fine the way it is for this initial product, but I'm sure there will be improvements. My point was and still is that people here ***** about nothing. If you don't want the product, go buy a Palm V (as I thought about doing). If people can't see the INCREDIBLE DEAL being given by Handspring on this initial product, screw 'em.

As far as personally attacking someone, turnabout is fairplay. If you want to match wits with me, fair enough. I warn ya though, make sure you have some help.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Okay, put the torches back in their holsters.

The battle over covers is going to be a big one, methinks. Given the amount of attention that Visor users (or soon to be users) are giving to a product they haven't touched reminds me of the fanaticism of my old Amiga days.

I do think that Jackal is correct that we're probably being trolled. And, to be fair, I agree that many of the posts strike me as being dire without reason. Constructive observations are fine, but I think they're often overboard.

I think that about 'covers' it.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

Peace Solo, I retract my statement of "ignorance" because it was me expressing emotion channeled from elsewhere and really had nothing to do with your post. Sorry if I overreacted there.

Look I think you're right that we do see piddly comments across the boards and that the HandSpring deal is fantastic. I just think there's much that can be done to improve it and struggle when folks say "It's just fine the way it is!" My first question is always "how can it be improved" when I look at a new device.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Ingleside, Tx
Posts: 68

Okay, my mind is back into its holster. Agree: improvement is always better- w/out it we'd still be 'playing' with fire.

I think most now see my contention is people whine about the silliest things. Hell, I'm going to buy one of those Rhino covers and the Visor cover will be a mute point, but w/out the Rhino, the cover will still do it's job very well.

I'm finished with this argument.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 17

Solo, just for the record I was not "whining" when I started this thread. I just asked for opinions.
Pretty hard to whine about (or defend!) a product you don't own and have not seen.

The bigger point here is that the Visor, beacuse its a new and fresh start, has given us all a chance to talk about what we'd like in a PDA, and to each his/her own.

That said, the points made about 3rd-party cases are fine ones, I think.

[This message has been edited by Tonys (edited 10-01-1999).]