Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Vermont
Posts: 148

Springboard Dead because of Dragonball?

As I recall, much of the Springboard technology is based around the Dragonball 16/33 mHz processors, and I recall hearing things about the Springboard spec that many of the pins go straight to the processor.

Perhaps Handspring is throwing the Springboard out the window because it is not compatible with new processors, such as the ones in the new OS5 devices?

In my mind this seems logical, but then again Handspring hasn't put newer processors in the Treo yet...

if this sounds absurd, mods please delete this post.

- cml

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

Re: Springboard Dead because of Dragonball?

quote:

---

Originally posted by cml
As I recall, much of the Springboard technology is based around the Dragonball 16/33 mHz processors, and I recall hearing things about the Springboard spec that many of the pins go straight to the processor.

---

__________________
Rev. Peter da Silva, ULC<br>
<a href=http://www.taronga.com/~peter/>Ar rug t� barr�g ar do mhact�re inniu?</a>

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: OOB, ME
Posts: 176

Re: Re: Springboard Dead because of Dragonball?

quote:

---

Originally posted by argent


No, I think HS just wanted to build cellphones.

---

__________________
Only in a Jeep.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

Handpring and Cellphones

Seriously, the whole point to the Springboard in Hawkins eyes was that it would give them an easy and economical way to add cellphone capability to a handheld. Remember the stories about Hawkins? How when he developed the Palm he started out with a block of wood and a stick, and fiddled with it as he worked and acted out taking notes and making appointments at meetings, all to get an idea of the size and shape that'd work well. When he developed the Visor he did the same thing, playing with his Palm as if it was a cellphone to see if the form factor worked.

The problem was, they couldn't afford to come out with a cellphone right away, so they figured out a way to build a handheld that could be turned into a cellphone. The fact that it was also a mind-bogglingly useful device for all kinds of vertical markets that spawned a renaissance in handheld design... that was just lucky. It wasn't what they were shooting for, and when they didn't need it any more they dumped it.

I was taken in with their whole "versatility" spiel myself, and pooh-poohed the idea that they'd dump this incredibly successful new product (after all, how many companies start from no visibility at all and own 20% of a highly competitive market... and taking market share away from Microsoft... in a matter of months?) once they didn't need it.

Well, I was wrong there, and the signs were right in front of me in the very first articles about the product. I'm still suffering from a bit of denial, because I like to believe the best of people. Yeh, I'm disappointed more often, but I can't live any other way.

__________________
Rev. Peter da Silva, ULC<br>
<a href=http://www.taronga.com/~peter/>Ar rug t� barr�g ar do mhact�re inniu?</a>