Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

After 1 year of Visor Deluxe use, I am starting to feel the pinch of being stuck in Palm OS 3.1 land. For example:

PQAs: Sure there's a way around this - but it is a semi-fix to the problem and will only get worse in the future.

Memplug: I would really like this module, and I am really sold now that they have devised away to execute programs off of the module. Limitation? Palm OS Ver 3.5 or higher req'd.

I'm sure there's other examples out there that haven't reached my alarm level and there will be even more to come. So . . .

I am pleased to see Handspring's $100 upgrade program for the Edge - very savvy business move, and serves (in some fashion) to mitigate the inflexibility of their non-flash OS. I guess the point of my thread is: Why aren't they offering this upgrade path with other models too? After all, us Visor/VDX owners stuck back in 3.1 land might like a similar credit with some of their other models too.

Kupe

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

One reason might be that they only wish to move Visor Edges. This could be due to poor sales, an approaching introduction of a color Edge, or combination thereof. This could also be to compete with the Palm m500. I really don't think Handspring cares about the OS upgrade. They save money on their handhelds by not using it and this is one of the consequences unfortunately. I wouldn't expect HS to provide any upgrades based primarily on getting people a new OS really, but you can consider the Edge offer to be complementary to that desire.

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-Vincent

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

quote:

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PQAs: Sure there's a way around this - but it is a semi-fix to the problem and will only get worse in the future.

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

I think VDX is/was just such a robust product its shelf life has proved very long & durable.
The only reason I'd want 3.5 is b/c OmniSky is doing the free modem thing right now.
But Yada Yada did it back at X-mas -- and the VDX can use their modem. (My fault for not jumping on it when I had the chance.)
But I think ALL the upgrades HS has put out there now are pretty incredible. I can even see ppl. skipping the OmniSky thing and getting the Prism & VisorPhone instead (which is obviously what HS is hoping).

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Albany, New York, USA
Posts: 19

Omnisky and Vdx can work

someone has made Omnisky and Vdx work. The thread follows.

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...?threadid=15640

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

quote:

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Vinny wrote:
I really don't think Handspring cares about the OS upgrade. They save money on their handhelds by not using it and this is one of the consequences unfortunately.

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Great. So HS saves themselves about $10 per unit in manufacturing costs, but forces their customers to spend hundreds to get the OS functionality that they need/want. Now that's looking out for your customers!

The M500 is beginning to look better & better....

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

From a business model perspective, Handspring should get straight "A"s.

- Save a few bucks per unit with non-flashable memory
- Use a popular OS with a regular update schedule
- Keep your hardware line fresh, exciting, and increasing in cost
- Use a proprietary expansion capability so customers can extend their investment into your product line

The result is an 18-24 month (max) cycle time in which a user must either:

1. Live with the limitations of the original purchase while the static technology (in this case OS) leaves them behind.
2. Invest in a newer, more expensive model before the previous model physically fails.
3. Look elsewhere for a PDA and lose the investment in peripherals.

Pretty smart in my eyes - just a bit frustrating as I find myself at one of these decision points.

Kupe

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by Kupe
From a business model perspective, Handspring should get straight "A"s.

- Save a few bucks per unit with non-flashable memory [...]

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by sowens
...but forces their customers to spend hundreds to get the OS functionality that they need/want...

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Bonn, Germany
Posts: 55

good point, dick richardson,


to me, I'm not so bothered at HS for not including flash ram on the VDX. I wish they had, but it made sense at the time.

What bothers me, is that HS needs to start offering their new handhelds with flash. There is very little reason to change OS, unless hardware changes. The problem being that with all of the modules out there, not being able to upgrade or alter the OS like a palm can limits what can be done in a module.

the handheld world was changed radically by handspring. when they entered the field, flash ram was basically useful for bug fixes, and UI alterations. Now it is also important for interfacing with expansion modules. which is handspring strongpoint.

Not implementing flash into their products is going to hurt them unless they shift strategies really soon. Handspring themselves should really be developing handspring labeled modules that support VFS and accept CF, SM, MS, MMC/SD, etc.

oh well, we'll see, won't we..

kg

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by kgruscho
good point, dick richardson,


to me, I'm not so bothered at HS for not including flash ram on the VDX. I wish they had, but it made sense at the time.

What bothers me, is that HS needs to start offering their new handhelds with flash. There is very little reason to change OS, unless hardware changes.

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.