Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Alabama, USA
Posts: 92

TREO or Visor?

The Handspring TREO is rumored to arrive in or around Jan 14th. At first glance, this device looks to be the "Killer App" or shall I say "Killer Device" for the avid cellphone/PDA user. The reviewers all seem to agree. Some unwilling to part with their preview units.

The only things I can see immediately lacking in the initial TREO 180 line (k/g) Hardware is: Expandability, Color and Flash Upgradability. Of course, there is additional cost which is still slightly less than that of many high-end PDA's (Including the Clie/PPC's and around the same price point as the m505). The color unit will be addressed later this year (April-June I believe I've read-but at a much higher cost).

I'm curious what the rest of VC user's are thinking about this device. I've read multiple threads here at VC that consider the Springboard a failure. While I disagree with this theory (I own quite a few, so I'm partial), I would be interested in knowing how many VC users would consider moving to the TREO without any expansion potential in the future. I'm considering it myself, but will likely not part with my Prism due to the Springboard slot and my multitude of modules (I hope HS plans on an expansion Sled for the TREO's HotSync port).

While the device combines a PDA into a phone, will this be enticing enough for you to move from your existing PDA? Will you be holding out for the Color TREO 270? Will you skip on over to the Sony Clie product line? Will you stick with your current model for a few more years?

I'm just curious to see what the VC readers think of this device. I know it's tough considering none (or very few) have ever seen or held the device, but I thought it would be fun to ask this question before it hit's the shelves later this month. We can later compare the results of this discussion after we've had a chance to check it out in person.

Best to all and Happy New Year!

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

As much as I want the Treo right now, I'm going to resist temptation and hold out for (1) the color 270, (2) a substantial price reduction on the SPCS Digital Link module, or the ideal (3): a CDMA Treo. Cingular's rate plans in LA are simply not competitive enough with Sprint PCS for me to switch. But considering the popularity of Cingular in these parts, I think the Treo will do well.

I love Springboards, but regard them as attractive and useful options, not necessities. If I have to carry one device around, it would be the Treo. But I'd still keep the Prism for landline and 802.11b home use. The instant-on Prism is usually more convenient for checking email on my dial-up account than using a desktop or a laptop.

Since Handspring does plan to OEM a CDMA Treo, I can wait (probably until September for monochrome, next January for color).

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Eye of Gameboy

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 383

I'm personally going to keep my Vdx for another year or so while I wait to see what happens with that ultra cool looking Sharp Zaurus and hoping another color Visor comes out...

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

I checked out the Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D and that sucker is BAD! My only complaint is that it's not using the Palm OS, but Linux based Embedix from Lineo.

Anyway - Check it out.

http://developer.sharpsec.com/jindex.cfm

http://www.sharp-usa.com/products/M...058,699,00.html

I'm also holding out for another color Visor.

-Z-

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[-X-]Z!|_(O)g

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Augusta, Georgia, USA
Posts: 15

Personally, I love the idea of the Treo, especially the flip cover and small size, but I'll stick with my Prism w/VisorPhone for the time being because Treo isn't GPRS capable yet. I can surf using my own ISP and dialing-in on Voicestream now, so, except for size and the flip, the Treo wouldn't offer much in the way of upgrade.

I'm am not worried about the lack of Springboard because the only module I use is the VisorPhone. I also don't really care if I have a keyboard or not because I am comfortable with graffiti and the on-screen keyboard.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 41

I switched to the Clie 760c and Nokia 8290 with Voicestream from a Prism with Omnisky (RIP). I can use the IR port to get e-mail and internet. I love the Clie. Size, feel, color, MP3 playback, LI-ion, and the jog-dial make it a winner for me. Expansion slots are the only way to do things. The Handera 330 has it down on expansion, with a color version coming out in late Jan or Feb. At that point they will have PAN, LAN and WAN through a PDA at a consumer price. The Sony has missed out on having a second expansion slot so far in the US. There is a CF sled available in Japan.

I am surprised that HS did not do some kind of expansion slot for the TREO ie; SD/MMC, but then they would be saying that Palm was right...

I will be seeing the Treo this weekend at the Houston Palm User Group and may change my mind, but I will have to wait until color if I make the leap. Even if I do, the Sony will still accompany me on visits to clients as it has the best color screen for a Palm OS unit so far.

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WayNorth
[email protected]

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

Re: TREO or Visor?

quote:

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Originally posted by jonecool
The only things I can see immediately lacking in the initial TREO 180 line (k/g) Hardware is: Expandability, Color and Flash Upgradability.

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Jeff

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Augusta, Georgia, USA
Posts: 15

Re: Re: TREO or Visor?

quote:

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Originally posted by PDAENVY
There are a couple of benefits you might have missed: 8 additional MB of memory (16MB total), built-in speakerphone, "Jog rocker with push select".

And for VDX/VP users (like me) , there's more reasons to switch: one built-in rechargable battery for both phone & PDA, 33Mhz processor, Palm OS 3.5.2H with true support for 4-bit (16 levels) greyscale.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Me Switching

I will be trading in my Prism, VisorPhone and other modules for Treo. The Treo is what I what I was looking for in a PDA all along. I do not need voice dialling. I have had phone with this feature in the past and never use it. I always find it easier and faster to just dial the number. With the speed dial and jog rocker n the Treo, dialling will be even speedier. It would be nice if the Treo had a small slot for memory. But I suspect that this will come in future versions. I dont think that a springboard slot would be appropriate on a Treo. I also dont think that people should be expecting to add GPS etc to the unit. It is after all a phone first and a PDA second.

Registered: May 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 236

quote:

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Originally posted by Zilog
I checked out the Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D and that sucker is BAD! My only complaint is that it's not using the Palm OS, but Linux based Embedix from Lineo.

Anyway - Check it out.

http://developer.sharpsec.com/jindex.cfm

http://www.sharp-usa.com/products/M...058,699,00.html

I'm also holding out for another color Visor.

-Z-

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Hey baby before we start do you mind if we use my M505?
No not for that!!!!!!!!!!
Use it to reffer to PalmaSutra, silly???????

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

Re: Re: Re: TREO or Visor?

quote:

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Originally posted by timbond
...One other benefit I'm supposing the Treo will have is more accessory options made especially for it. You can't walk into a store and buy a belt-clip case for a VisorPhone, so I was trying to decide between the CaseTechWorks and Vaja cases. I finally found an inexpensive Jansport cellphone pouch ($7.99) that does the trick and costs lots less. I'm guessing that the Treo will have a car charger cable available, but Handspring never made a car charger for the Prism or the VisorPhone...

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Jeff