Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Last time I checked memory prices, here was the result:
16 Meg Springboard: $79.00
32 Meg MMC (it was the lowest I could find): $42.00

While NEITHER of these were what I would call bargain prices when compared to more orthodox media formats, (SMC, CF) , the MMC card is at least in the ballpark. (CF was $3.00 less) .

But also keep in mind there is a reason the Springboard memory is so expensive: limited appeal. In areas where SMC and CF, as well as MMC can be used in Mp3 players, cameras, etc. , but Springboard memory is limited to... well, the Visor.

What I am surprised by is the fact that the Springboard module is enormous.

But has the Visor lost its "claim to fame," or will it soon lose it? With a few modules already announced (Bluetooth, Modem) people's doubts of the SD being capable of competing w/ the Springboard seem to be diminishing slowly. Especially with the fact that they will be priced on par with the Springboard.

And true, one could always buy something along the lines of a Memplug or MatchbookDrive (which, for most cases, is far more practical), but it would amount to a more costly sum.

Now there are advantages to the Springboard. For one, developing an Mp3 player for it would be much easier for the Springboard than so the Palm. But that's about it as far as I know of.

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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Boston
Posts: 38

SpringBoard is much alike to PCMCIA, it provide almost the same interface. SB modules are very easy to adapt from PCMCIA, that is why there are a lot of SB module around.

MMC or SD module is really good choice for storage. it is very small form factor, but for expansion, it would be incredibly expensive to make one with reasonable size. So, forget about reasonable price.

if you want storage for HS, get MemPlug. now you have two choice of memory, CF and SM. I don't expect MepPlug for SD coming out soon. But I could see it coming.

And to answer your question about SB. I think SB will survive. Compare number of SB module to the rest combined, you would have no doubt.

I also see SD as a coming future. HS must provide SD or die.

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<< yes, indeed >>

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Seattle, Wa
Posts: 6

I agree I do not see SB going away in the near future it is best expansion interface around the Palm OS right now because it enables you to do what you want with your Visor. If i want a modem I can just place it in the Slot and go i dont have to worry about clipping it on the hotsync port and not being able to use My Stowaway keyboard

Now the Handspring Memory SB I think they will be gone soon with all the new memory solutions that are out there now Memplug and Innopocket among others but thats the nature of the beast now if Handspring were to come out with a CF or SMC Springboard now that would take the cake

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

Yes, the Springboard slot was never really about memory - it was possible and people wanted it though, so Handspring offered it. I think Handspring needs a dedicated memory slot, but until then Pi is giving us tons of options. Hopefully we'll see an MMC/SD version soon so we can keep up with some of the things being released for Palm on that format also.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Bloomington, IN, USA
Posts: 30

I agree with Matthew that Handspring needs to come out with a dual-slot Visor--both an MMC/SD slot and a standard springboard slot. This configuration would rule! HandEra has already done it with their new device, except theirs is MMC/SD and Compact Flash. Dual MMC/SD and Springboard slots would be much more versatile though. This is what I'd love to see in a new Visor:

--Dual slots: MMC/SD and Springboard (full Springboard, not an Edge-type add-on)
--Higher resolution color screen w/ better visibility in sunlight
--Virtual Graffiti area (as on the HandEra 330)
--FLASH ROM!!!!!
--16MB or more internal RAM
--And of course whatever the fasted available processor that will run the PalmOS.


That's about all I can think of right now.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
Yes, the Springboard slot was never really about memory - it was possible and people wanted it though, so Handspring offered it. I think Handspring needs a dedicated memory slot, but until then Pi is giving us tons of options. Hopefully we'll see an MMC/SD version soon so we can keep up with some of the things being released for Palm on that format also.

---

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[email protected]
http://php.indiana.edu/~jawalsh/

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

I agree

Jawalsh, I totally agree with you!

--Dual slots: MMC/SD and Springboard (full Springboard, not an Edge-type add-on)
--Higher resolution color screen w/ better visibility in sunlight
--Virtual Graffiti area (as on the HandEra 330)
--FLASH ROM!!!!!
--16MB or more internal RAM
--And of course whatever the fasted available processor that will run the PalmOS.

These seem like all the best features, is it posible that handspring (my favorite thing to talk about) could make such a killer PDA? Oh dont forget the Headphone jack =). I think i will sleep tonight and dream of my super duper PDA.
Goodnight.

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: SE Kansas
Posts: 8

I agree with Dishnu. Handspring created the interface, and most likely optimized it to work effeciently with their version of OS 3.5 and hardware.

It's like PC hardware. My thought is..using equipment made specifically for the machine...rather than something requiring lots of band-aids and hacking...works better and more reliably. Creates less headaches.

-ksranger-