Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 57

sprint springboard: an idea whose time has come...and gone

Unbelievable that they'd price it at this level with Kyocera smartphone gaining market penetration and other fully-integrated Palm phones on the way.

This collaboration took way too long to produce a product -- I know they had to test for awhile and work the kinks out -- but this is a classic example of a good idea stewing in testing for so long that the technology advanced while they were sleeping and now they'll die a slow and painful death with this product.

I must ask: who wants a blocky Visor Deluxe made even blockier by a cumbersome cell phone attachment? Good luck carrying this baby around in the front pocket! Or, maybe one could purchase one of those excellent 10-lb. super-size leather flip cases made especially for the visorphone/sprintphone and hang that bad boy off the belt loop.

What a nightmare fumbling around with springboard cartridges: "Hold on, let me get that call (pause while CDMA springboard is inserted)... Wait, let me run those huge DBs off my flash springboard (pause while springboard swapped -- cringe when CDMA springboard is dropped accidentally onto train platform and casing shatters).

The Kyocera makes more sense now that they've got the design right -- that is if it's important to you to have an integrated Palm/cell phone to begin with. I'll stick with a slim Palm and tiny cell phone combo.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 152

I agree. This whole thing about using my PDA as a phone is beyond me. I keep seeing how convenient it is to dail from the PhoneBook, but how much time are you really saving? Its just 10 numbers, punch them in. I use my cell phone to talk on and my PDA for information, books, and games.

There is the new module that turns the Visor into a portable phone. While it may be innovative, I would much rather buy a portable phone and have my Visor free to do other things. It might be interesting if it had a modem, but for $119 I can buy a nice portable phone.

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Howard

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

I agree. I just don't see the benefit of using the Visor as a phone. While you are talking on the phone you really lose access to your information, it is much more clunkier than most modern cell phones, and not to mention the cheek prints on the screen.

What I would like to see is a module, or even better the built in speaker, that you can use to dial phone numbers. I am really suprised that the speakers that they use cannot do this since it seems a perfect combination.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 60

Don't underestimate the convenience of the PDA/Phone combo

I wouldn't be so fast to knock this new sprint module. The Visor/Visorphone combo is not that much bulkier than the Visor alone. I always carried my Vdx on my belt in the past and it still lives there now only with the visorphone in place in a Vaja case. What is different is my old cell phone is GONE!!!

Also the integrated functions with the address book are great. I do occasionally need to swap in my 8mb flash module at work to get at medical databases, but I don't need the phone at work and I don't need the databases at other times. I would agree that this swapping issue is annoying at times. But it is still better than the Kyocera which has NO expandability at all and a smaller screen.

My sound quality and service reception in NYC have been superb with Voicestream. Definitely a step up from AT&T.

I am sure the price will drop over time when bought with a contract just like the Visorphone did. At $49 I really think the VisorPhone is a steal!!

My dream is that Handspring will release a new unit with the VDx/Platinum or Prism form facto with the latest processor, 16mb of RAM and a SD slot in addition to the springboard slot. That would be the cat's meow. If Handera can do both CF and SD why can't Handspring do Springboard and SD? I would just upgrade my PDA and move the phone.

Joel

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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Current Sprint PCS customers can add the Digital Link to their plan for an additional $10-$20 a month.

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Oh, gee, thanks. You'll let me buy your new phone for *only* $250 and then you'll *only* charge me an extra $20 a month to use it.

Wow. What a great company.



Damn I hate sprint.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 137

Besides using it as a phone, it is a way to get on the Internet. I have the Mistrel S with Yada Yada, and I love the convenience of checking my mail and surf the web anywhere...anytime.

This modules not only give you that, but they also allow you to use it as a phone.

I like my unlimited use Yada Yada service. I also carry a cell phone. I'm not sure if I'd trade it all for a Visor Phone or this Sprint module. We'll see what happens to all this technology in the next few months. Realistically, I have relatively old technology with a Visor Deluxe and Minstrel S.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 152

quote:

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Originally posted by chungmike
Besides using it as a phone, it is a way to get on the Internet. I have the Mistrel S with Yada Yada, and I love the convenience of checking my mail and surf the web anywhere...anytime.

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Howard

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

quote:

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Originally posted by hloakes


It is my understanding that with the proper phone and a cable, you can do this without a module. A lot less money and you don't have to get a separate or additional plan.

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

You guys just don't get it...

Come on! You people just don't get it. Just because you see no use for a CDMA VisorPhone doesn't mean that others don't! I for one am going to purchase the SprintPCS VisorPhone. Better coverage than GSM, better voice quality, faster data connection - especially when cdma2000 1x is rolled out, and the best feature - combined cellphone and PDA.

As for the "high" cost of $249, that's your opinion. This is the very latest in CDMA technology and there are many other CDMA stand-alone phones that cost upwards of $400. The GSM VisorPhone was $500 without a service plan. Yeah the current $49 GSM VisorPhone deal is hard to beat on cost alone, but just wait. In 6-9 months the CDMA VisorPhone should drop to the sub-$100 range.

And here the real info behind the extra $10-$20 Digial Link charge:

"A Digital Link buyer who already owns a Sprint PCS cellphone can put his Visor computer and his cellphone on the same phone number and service plan for an additional charge of $10 to $20 a month."

A CDMA VisorPhone and your old stand-alone SprintPCS phone on the same phone number. Now when you just want to carry the cellphone and not the Visor also you can! So the CDMA VisorPhone now is on par with the GSM VisorPhone were you can do this also by switching SIM cards between phones.

Last edited by MPM on 08-02-2001 at 09:11 PM

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 10

I recently purchased a VP. My wife and I shared our cell phone and I thought it was time for me to have one of my very own!!! Than the VP price cut. I ordered it the next day. I've found the combination to be very practical. The VP is the only SB that I own and I've never had it out of my VDX. I don't find it bulky at all, in fact I like the way it props up the screen when it sits on my desk for easy reading while at work. I find it very convenient to have my address book integrated with my cell phone. It was a drag looking up number in my VDX and dialing on my old cell phone.

I don't currently use the VP too browse the web but I may in the near future. But to me it's worth it just as a cell phone. It should be noted that I live in Northern NJ and have good reception in each place I need it. I also like the fact that I can buy additional SB modules in the future if I want.

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.........................
"What?" - William Shakespeare.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 47

For Me, the Phone/PDA Combination Makes A Lot of Sense

Previously, I had to carry my PDA, a Cel Phone and a Pager all day - every day. That's a lot on weight and inconvenience on my belt, to say nothing of all the separate batteries and chargers involved.
- With my new Visorphone, I now have one device on my belt.
- for me it was money well spent. I'm very satisfied.

What I don't understand abpout all the complainers is:
- if you don't see the need or benefit, or don't think it's money well spent, why do you bother to complain about it?
- if you can't contribute something positive to a discussion [even derogatory input can be positive], why do you bother to say anything at all?
- is it really so necessary for you to see your words in print that you can't refrain from jumping into any discussion regardless of how inane your input is?
- has everyone forgotten the Thumper principle? [from Bambi - Thumper's mother told him, "if you don't have something positive to say, it's better to say nothing at all!"

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 152

I am not complaining, I just do not understand it. These treads help me to understand why you would want it, and that is a good thing. I actually understand the Sprint module better than the HS because it will have much better coverage.

If you do not use other modules and you need a phone, that's great. I guess it is all in how one uses their Visor and the reason there are so many different modules. Thanks for the info and I am glad you are satisfied.

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Howard

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 99

I'll agree that a visor phone doesn't necessarily make the most sense - not after you've had one.

I owned a startac w/ the clip on organizer - it took so many more steps to dial using the organizer - using the built in addressbook is much better - cell phones were designed for making calls and making them easily, you can't adapt those ergonomics so easily from a PDA. T

On the other hand - surfing the web with a decent screen is VERY valuable, and this is what I'm hoping for. The problem is that Sprint isn't very economical when it comes to using their system for data. I have a cable that goes to my VDX from Startac and I can surf and check email quite happily. Figuring I had thousands of minutes left on my plan, for just $10/month I would get the internet access.

Here's the rub though: you can only use 30 minutes of your calling plan for data transfer! After that it's 40 cents per minute!!! I chaulked up $40 of extra fees my first month - then I cancelled the whole thing. If Sprint wants services to take off they need to reconsider pricing schemes. Maybe $20/month, but let me use all my minutes - I guess they realize that no one's going to talk 3000 minutes per month on a cell phone, but email, IM, and surf - possibly, and that'll clog their networks...

So for me to really consider buying this module, I'll have to see them redo their pricing scheme. $250 for the module? I'm a broke student, but I'd still consider it if I could use all my minutes...

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 137

Wow....40 cents per minute is a killer! That's why I like my Yada Yada unlimited access for internet on my Visor Deluxe. I prepaid $40/month for it. However, I don't think I use it for 100 minutes a month.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by jradi
you can only use 30 minutes of your calling plan for data transfer!

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkEagle
My understanding is that their Wireless Web option allows you to use all of your minutes for data if you choose. I've had a few months where I used well over 30 minutes and never saw an additional charge.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 57

Memory stick for smartphones soon

One knock on the smartphone: no expansion. Solution: Sony and samsung team up and (eventually) memory sticks end up in cell phones.

and FYI I don't own a smartphone. I've got a b/w PDA and and AT&T-motorola phone w/ pre-pay plan b/c I have no need for web phone -- throwing money down the toilet surfing the web on a dime-sized PDA screen seems ludicrous to me.

Someone needs to do a study re: how many webphone users actually NEED this capability versus those who simply want to tune out while riding on the train. To the poster who asked why people post when they just want to complain, well, I had a reason: I was a bit interested in the CDMA sprint module months ago but began to see the light immediately when my VDX-to-startac setup (via cables4pdas cable) started costing me BIG money via Sprint's ridiculous rates. I realized fairly quickly that I'd be getting just as much value by standing over my commode, dropping dollar bills in, and flushing them down.

To those who go with Sprint and this new module, good luck; their customer service operation is something to behold.

/Steelkilt

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 2

Sprint/Visor 3G phone

I hope everyone understnads that this Sprint module is not just another phone... it is 3G capable (and does, by definition, have a modem in it). When 3G in its primitive form is rolled out 3/2002, you can surf at a speed better than anything short of a digital/cable modem.
No one is compelled to use the phone, especially if you are happy with your cell phone now. As someone who has to wear a pager, keeps a Kyocera smartphone and has a Visor Prism, I'd like to consolidate.
I am fond of my tech toys, you can darn well bet I'll be rid of the Smartphone when this module comes out.
By the way, I've been a fairly satisfied Sprint customer for 5 years. It certainly beats Verizon and AT&T from what I hear of other's complaints with regard to those services.

I believe it'll be awhile before this module drops in price, because there are no other 3G capable phones out there yet, and the 3G service, when it rolls out, will be pricey in most other plans (i.e. AT&T). Because Sprint is based on their PCS system, it'll be an automatic upgrade for which no further charge will be added.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Kirk to Enterprise

I have been in the market for a way to send and receive email on the road for six months now. Would it be worth $250 to me? Yes, provided that the module and the PDA (a VDX) aren't disfunctionally obsolete in 18 months.

I am optimistic that (eventually) with 3G technology I will be able to download three or four 50k messages in less than 15 minutes. That is all I ask. To be able to access email from three different accounts with the same relative speed and ease that I do from my desktop....updating Avantgo in less than 15 minutes would be a real plus too.

Atleast with Sprint you can take your Visor to the neighborhood store and make them demonstrate the module's effectiveness on your own Visor.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Kirk to Enterprise

I have been in the market for a way to send and receive email on the road for six months now. Would it be worth $250 to me? Yes, provided that the module and the PDA (a VDX) aren't disfunctionally obsolete in 18 months.

I am optimistic that (eventually) with 3G technology I will be able to download three or four 50k messages in less than 15 minutes. That is all I ask. To be able to access email from three different accounts with the same relative speed and ease that I do from my desktop....updating Avantgo in less than 15 minutes would be a real plus too.

Atleast with Sprint you can take your Visor to the neighborhood store and make them demonstrate the module's effectiveness on your own Visor.