Registered: Oct 1999
Location: chicago,illinois,usa
Posts: 9

Is there going to be an IR-springboard? I see the infrared is on the left side of the Visor. I would hate to have to use my omniremote at a right angle in order to flip channels. I suppose they could make the screen rotate 90 degrees, but it will still be weird.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Modesto, CA USA
Posts: 599

Dragon, you might want to post this in the Springboard session. Seems like it might generate more responses.

If the technology is easy to create for outside vendors as it sounds...by this time next year we will probably have a IR Remote Voting SB and won't have to even go to the polls to vote for a President.

I'd also suggest sending an email to omniremote and ask them to build one for you and hey maybe you can beta test it. You usually get a working unit at a reduced price just for participating in the test. Sign me up as well while your there.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

Actually, there are several ongoing threads about this already in the Springboard discussion area... Pacific-Neotek makers of omniremote are listed in Handspring's press release which lists companies currently working on Springboards. I've emailed Pacific Neotek a couple of times, but I'm told that "if" they are working on a Springboard it is under a non-disclosure agreement which prohibits them from discussing it. If you are interested, email them at [email protected] to let them know.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

Just curious whether anyone else has had any email correspondence with PacificNeotek on this topic? (...and of course, if so, whether they provided any new info?)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

Has anyone tried the OmniRemote with their Palm device? What do you think?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Houston
Posts: 5

I have had the following correspondance with Pacific Neotek regarding this subject:

Date sent: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 11:19:55 -0700
To: "K Trotman" <[email protected]>
From: Tawnia Forster <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Product request

At 08:45 PM 10/1/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Tawnia,
>That sounds great. I'll be sure to buy one when they're ready. If you
>need people to beta test them first, also I'd volunteer.
Thank you, I will let our developer know.


> I'm confused by one thing
>you mentioned, however. Why would you need to turn the unit 90 degrees
>if it has an IR port in the module itself?
Because the IR in the module will be able to transmit, but not receive
signals. You will need to use the Visor's internal IR for training mode.


> Also, it would ad a lot of value to the
>product if it had a built in database of existing Audio Video products.
>It should have enough memory onboard the springboard itself to keep the
>module, software, built in database and user database all onboard.
We plan to put together such a database, but it is on our low-priority
list right now, so I'm not sure when we'll get to it.


> Since
>the springboard has much more room in it than the add-on module you
>currently sell, it could also have much further range supported by
>circuitry that was impossible in the current module.
Yes, the IR on the Springboard will be more powerful than any other Palm
IR currently on the market.


> You're my link to the
>developers... I'm sure they've already thought about all this stuff
>already, but it is so refreshing to find a company that has employees
>that care enough to respond to consumers.
>
>Thanks again, Tawnia,
>
>Kevin Trotman
>
> > I got a note from our developer today. We are making a Springboard
> > module for the Visor. It will have OmniRemote embedded in it, so you
> > just plug it in and OmniRemote starts up. The Springboard module will
> > have an IR port for transmitting, and you will be able to use the
> > internal IR for
> training.
> > This version of OmniRemote will include a function to turn the screen
> > 90 degrees to compensate for the IR being on the side.
> >
> > I do not have a release date yet.
> >
> >
> > At 09:28 PM 9/28/99 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Tawnia,
> > >
> > >Thanks for the reply. I'll anxiously await what they come up
> with. Keep me
> > >posted if you will...
> > >
> > >Kevin
> > >
> > > > Our developer is working on something for the Visor, but he has
> been very
> > > > hush-hush, so I don't have any details yet.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > At 08:32 AM 9/25/99 -0500, you wrote:
> > > > >Hi,
> > > > >
> > > > >I read on a website that you guys were planning a "springboard"
> module for
> > > > >the Handspring Visor that will incorporate the Omni-Remote
> software and
> > > > >hardware. Can you confirm or deny this? If you're planning such
> > > > >a
> > > product,
> > > > >please be aware that I would be extremely interested in obtaining
> > > one. I use
> > > > >my Omni-Remote (registered) software and IR attachment very often
> > > > >and constantly get attention wherever I am while using it. It
> > > > >comes
> in handy.
> > > > >I ordered a Handspring Visor and want to be able to use
> > > > >Omni-Remote
> > > with it
> > > > >as well.
> > > > >
> > > > >The site that had the info is:
> > > http://www.visorinsider.com/new_hardware.htm
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > > >Kevin Trotman
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>


End of message

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Houston
Posts: 5

I have tried out the beta version of OmniRemote for the Visor and I love it! The Visor's range is much farther than even the Palm III with the hardware module. I get approx. 25 ft of range on all my devices.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

Thanks Rocketeer!

I thought I was going to be the only one to correspond with Tawnia at Pacific Neotek...

At least now we have a good idea of what's up there, albeit without a specific arrival date.

I've shopped the Marantz and other high end remotes, and I'll tell you that if the Omniremote software and/or IR unit are good, they are a bargain in comparison.

I may end up buying a visor basic for just this use if it's good enough.

[This message has been edited by LambdaFox (edited 10-25-1999).]