IanP
Member
Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118 |
quote:
Originally posted by Yardie
Well you have a Visor Platinum with a stowaway what are you complaining about? You do not have to get the edge if does not fit your needs. The improvements are called progress. the Visor like all computer devices will evolve. I would agree with you if Handspring had discontinued the Visor or Visor deluxe line, but it has not...yet.
Despite your lack of praises, the Edge will sell like hot cakes. I can bet on that.
I don't resist progress and don't deny that the Edge won't sell. In fact if I was a new individual user I'd be in there like a shot. However...
Handspring is treading on dangerous ground right now. The Visor's success has been built on its loyal user base. IMHO I fear this is being undermined by direction of this new product line. As it stands the Edge is a great product. In the history of Handspring, the context of the current PDA industry and considering future progress, some serious issues are raised.
Handspring promised an expandable palm-os-driven pda and lauded its springboard technology. The VDX appeared to give us that, despite the springboards being intially slow to appear. Then following the launch of the VPL it was proved that Handspring had no intention of providing anything but patch OS upgrades to its devices. Now with the introduction of the Edge, Handspring introduced a revision to they self imposed standards (ie the 10 pin USB/Serial connector and the Springport that assures developers are creating directly attachable springports rather than utilising the detachable adapter). The success of the 'new standards' could potentially signal the death of the existing standards barely months after they have begun to get widely recognised and established.
Yes I agree, they haven't killed off the VDX. It has been seriously wounded, crippled by an old OS that is becoming less and less supported by "3.5-and-above-only" software/springboards. Recent purchasers would have been aware that this was the case - the lack of Flash Rom issues are well documented. However, by taking the decision not to offer the latest desktop software to users of all devices they seem to be saying we don't care!
Handspring has launched a great product to increase its current market share plus squeezing a few $'s out of the early-adopters amongst us. But wait one moment and consider this. With the impending launch of a new Palm device rumoured to offer the benefits of palm os 4.0 along with expandability similar to the springport what do you see as Handsprings next move? If the rumours of the 505 are true, in the name of progress Handspring will have to counter with an equally positioned product. In doing so they immediately endanger the whole edge/plat/prism product range.
You ask why, as a VPL/Stowaway owner, I'm bothered about this. Well, firstly as an individual I'm not. my set-up suits my needs and I'm happy, in fact i love it and sing its praises to anyone that will listen. I've ditched the laptop, almost made my home pc redundant and wow collegues with the gadgetry of PalmVNC.
Secondly, having planned to expand my springport range to include the eyemodule2 and more to boot, I am devastated. I'd seen my VPL investment as expendable (I'm a gadget freak who wants the best) but my range of springboards/attachments/Software as living with me through progressive devices. Handspring have put the holds on this.
Finally as a systems manager looking to deploy pda's to mobile employees I stand at a crossroads. Having already fought and won the PocketPC Vs Palm argument I thought the VPL/Prism was my only dilemma. I now find myself not only looking at Handspring but once again having to consider other palm-os devices.
This isn't intended as a rant, nor a flame inducing post. Having clarified my earlier post I hope you now see that my comments weren't derisory simply borne out the internal dilemma Handspring dealt me given points 1,2 and 3 above.
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03-12-2001 09:18 PM
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