Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 57

The height of absurdity! "Take your VisorPhone everywhere you go-but leave your Visor handheld behind!"

Though it would seem that this is a joke, it is not. Check the link below. What a great deal! Now, you get to carry around the Visor, the Visorphone, AND the VisorPhone keypad, unless, of course, you follow the instructions of the developer and simply leave your Visor behind.

What a hassle to have that pesky Visor hanging around when you need to make a phone call!

Let's observe the logic that went into the development of these useless products:

1. VISORPHONE: Make a visorphone springboard module to take advantage of the Visor's information management/communication capabilities. Decent idea...until the Kyocera smartphone was released. Now the visorphone looks clunky and silly.

2. VISORPHONE KEYPAD: Make a keypad that connects directly to the visorphone module, eliminating the need to carry around the actual Visor. So, now we have Kensington pushing a product with promotional copy that suggests it's actually a BAD THING to use your Visor the way it was originally intended to be used -- as a PDA that can morph into any communication device you like via the Springboard slot.

Kudos to the copywriters for being bold enough to think they could sell this thing using such "marketing logic." I bet they had a good laugh when they re-read the promo.

/Steelkilt


http://visorcentral.com/page/0-2-1023-2.htm

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

My thoughts exactly. I will just keep my Prism and my StarTac. The only use for this is the ability to insert a different module and still use the phone. However, it is that scenario alone that would keep me from using a VisorPhone. Besides, if I want to leave my Visor behind, I can already do that and still use the phone. I certainly would not PAY money for that feature.

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

The keypad is a good idea. What if you need to take or make a call during a backup? You don't need to leave the visor behind to use it, but what if you need to use another springboard.

re: visorphone vs kyocera vs startac solutions.

Now I use startac, but as soon as the visorphone allows for analog calls I'm switching. The visorphone is a better than either the kyocera or the startac/cable solution. It's better than the startac/cable because it's ONE device & it doesn't preclude the use of a keyboard. It's better than the kyocera because the kyocera is just a bad device. Small screen, no expansion, no nuthin.

Now, I know you're going to say that carrying the keypad is an extra device, and that's true. But you can leave the keypad behind. The keypad is a solution for people who want to use other modules, so they're carrying around extra stuff anyway.

This keypad was the first thing I was waiting for, now I just need analog.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

I agree the first sentence wording could have been better, the third really says what they are trying to do. Without knowing what capabilities it has, (does it copy your contacts out of the Visor?) or the price, I can't say how many they might sell but I am sure they will.

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 90

Keypad expands options

I want the ability to use either the visor phone or the phone keypad/phone. My wife would kill me if I had my visor in a wedding reception, but I would still need my phone (vpr in the car).

I just want to know if the keypad will show the caller id and if the call log will be updated when I hook it back in my vPR.

Is there any flash memory on the visor phone?

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 175

I've actually been waiting for this. At this point, I'm carrying my Deluxe, w/MiniJam, w/Thinmodem, w/Minstrel S, soon w/a CF adapter, and I carry my StarTac. To get my contacts and such on my StarTac, I'd have to buy one of their little palm os devices and bulk it up. With the visorphone and keypad, I'll get rid of the Startac and Minstrel S, but still be able to make a call while downloading e-mail. It's not so much about getting down to the smallest number of components -- I'm adding them by choice -- but it is about interfunctionality.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

The SoundsGood battery pack is a huge seller, I bet this will be too.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

Keypad should come as a free accessory w/VisorPhone.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

Looks like the visorphone keypad design is such that the visorphone hangs over the edge, I bet the next generation visorphone (2) fits snugly into the keypad. I think some are missing the point of this unit. The purpose is if you remove your visorphone for using camera, MP3 etc, you do not have to render your visorphone useless. It can still receive and send with this keypad.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

This is what Handspring and the Springboard are about. Building on things to make a superior product. I don't have a Visor Phone but can see the use of this module ascessory. This is not to replace the Visor or make it so you leave your Visor at home, if anyone bought a Visor just to use the phone I will have to hurt them, but be able to do more with it.

--David

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

Absurdity? Wut?

This is the best thing to happen to the VisorPhone. Just as the MP3 players should come with battery packs, the VisorPhone should come with a keypad.

What's absurd is having no access to the phone when you're using the SB slot for a GPS or a flash mem module or an mp3 player or any other SB. It's not so much that people want to use the phone by itself, but that people want the option to NOT HAVE TO use the Visor to use the phone.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

VisorPhone keypad: the height of absurdity

this thread has inspired me to come up with a new invention. Ok dont you hate when you are out hiking and have to lug around your visor with the GPS module on it? Well now you dont have to!

Its called.....a map. Yes folks the map is a huge sheet of paper that gives you all the info you need and fold up when you dont need it!
Dont carry around that big ugly visor if you dont have too!

Christ, whats next, they are gonna sell cordless phones with optional cords so you can plug it in when you dont feel like leaving the room with the phone?

This Keypad is basiclly turning your visorphone into a cell phone and an ugly one at that. If you wanted a cell phone buy a cell phone! Its not like they cost a thousand dollars. And for those who like it because you can use other modules and the phone, you just wasted good money on a visorphone you dont really need one.

If I spent all that money on a visor phone you could bet it would be all but glued into my visor.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

Re: VisorPhone keypad: the height of absurdity

quote:

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Originally posted by thepromoter
If you wanted a cell phone buy a cell phone! Its not like they cost a thousand dollars. And for those who like it because you can use other modules and the phone, you just wasted good money on a visorphone you dont really need one.

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 90

This was an old topic but...

Have they released the keypad yet? I still wonder about the features. My biggest concern is will the keypad display show caller id functions, battery level, signal strength, mail or message notification?

Oh and that little thing called COST

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

I for one am glad the keypad accessory was developed - it further confirms my earlier decision to go with a separate phone.

With my Visor and StarTac (and a 4 inc cable) I can do all the same things as the Visor Phone (at a small increase in size) to include checking my email and listening to MP3s at the same time. Or I can have my phone up to my ear while taking notes with my visor. You get the picture.

Carrying around a "dummy" keyboard so that I can use my visor for the things PDAs were designed to do is just plain silly.

Kupe

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

This makes perfect sense (as some have already alluded to) in two particular cases:

1) If you use multiple modules, you won't always have the visorphone in the slot. This allows you to still make calls and use other springboards.

2) Significant others. My wife and I borrow the phone all of the time. If my wife needs the phone for the day, I don't want to have to give up my visor as well.

I think it is a good product. I wish them luck in selling it.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

quote:

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Originally posted by Kupe
With my Visor and StarTac (and a 4 inc cable) I can do all the same things as the Visor Phone (at a small increase in size)

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

any news on this yet?

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

Heres some more

Maybe next these people will come out with the EyeModule 2 Camera Body in where you just stick the eyemodule into this digital camera without a lens and you wont have that pesky Visor to carry around.

Or how bout this, the visor remote....remote! Yes this is a good one, you pop the visor remote in to this remote body and you can use it on its own as a universal remote. No more touching the visor screen when you wanna change the channel.

Oh ill change the world with my ideas!!!

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 268

quote:

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Originally posted by thepromoter
Heres some more...

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i don't feel like educating yet another person about what the visorphone was all about ...