Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

This is strictly supposition on my part, but I do believe we will see new units from Palm and possibly Handspring at PC Expo 2000 next week. Both companies are said to have an active presence at the event, and since Sony will be showing their new Palm based PDA, I have to believe that neither Palm or HS will allow a competitor to steal their thunder. We already know that Palm is going to demonstrate their long awaited wireless strategy.

Here's one reason why I believe Palm is cooking up something new. Palm's web site has just been updated to offer a glimpse at upcoming demos at PC Expo next week, but here is an interesting quote: ...Also visit the hands-on demo area to test drive the latest Palm handhelds and hot applications.

Granted, that's not eluding to much, but since Sony is going to be a major show stopper I have to believe that Palm will show us what's in their hands (sorry for the pun). The same may be true of Handspring. I doubt they will ship a new product any time soon, but may at least preview a color unit in the same manner as Sony.

Well, that's my .02 cents, what do you think?


[This message has been edited by foo fighter (edited 06-21-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Agreed... I think both Handspring and Palm will be showing off more than their current offerings.

I'm hoping Handspring has some really BIG news... now that they're $200,000,000.00 richer!!!

------------------
MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

alright, you've got me anticipating this show a little more now...

i agree..i noticed that on the Palm site yesterday and TRIED not to read anything into it.

I hope it's a Palm V style with wireless built in and a colour screen. hmmmmm.....i wouldn't need my desktop to sync!!!(here i come AnyDay.com!)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hoser_in_USA:
I hope it's a Palm V style with wireless built in and a colour screen

---

I wouldn't put too much levity into the idea of a Palm V with a color display. Judging from statements made by Palm executives and engineers in the past, it just isn't possible. The Palm V form factory is simply too small to accommodate a color display+Power source. What I'd like to see is an off shoot of the Palm III form factor that has better styling, slightly thinner design, color display (higher pixel resolution of course! color on a 160x160 screen looks like sh:t! Handspring...are you listening?), audio support, and oh yah...a metal case wouldn't hurt! In fact, the Visor has a better overall industrial design than the current aging line of Palm III handhelds. A friend of mine who is new to PDAs said it best;..."these things look really old! It's like something from the 1980's."

I'm looking forward in seeing Palm's wireless strategy. Don't take them for granted. Palm could in fact become the standard in wireless computing. One thing that has me concerned is "HOW" they will deliver their wireless solution. What I want is built in wireless, something akin to a Palm VII or WAP phone. But I've heard a couple statements from Palm engineers that have me worried. In one statement made to CNET news.com a Palm eng. made the comment that "what people will want is a PDA that can talk to their cell phone, and access the wireless web through that" I hope he wasn't serious about that! My Pocket PC can do this, but I don't consider that a serious wireless solution. Not to mention the fact that it's a very clumsy solution. Imagine having to hold two devices (one in each hand) to perform one simple task. I don't do this on my Pocket PC, and I doubt I would on a Palm either. If they want a separate solution they should do what Omni Sky did...build an attachable add-on device that your handheld can access directly! So far, I think the Visor has the best solution, but isn't available yet...a simple wireless Springboard module that snaps in and connects to a wireless carrier. I'm also very skeptical of Palm's web clipping technique. I don't like the idea that I'm not really connecting to the "web", but rather a small sort of AvantGo channel. Not to mention that Palm.net service is SLLOOOWWWW!

I forgot to mention another reason I believe Handspring will, at least, show us something at PC Expo; IPO BABY!!! Since they now are a public company, they will most likely show off new hardware to pump interest in their products and services, and most importantly...their stock! Palm did this with the IIIc, and to some extent it did help them out the gate, but their stock tanked! My theory is: Palm investors gobbled up stock at high margins in support of the company...then went out and bought a IIIc to "celebrate" later that day. But when they discovered how bad the display looked they lost confidence in the company and the stock dropped! OK, that's not really my theory...just a joke! Kinda funny though!

By the way, if anyone here is planning on attending this event, for gods sake please take your Visor+Eyemodule and start snapping pictures to share with the rest of the class!!!

------------------
www.palmfactory.com

"No matter where you go...there you are!"

[This message has been edited by foo fighter (edited 06-22-2000).]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 241

I think that Handspring's next products will be out in time for Christmas. I'm thinking a Palm V competing unit (though if you look at the capabilities, the Visor competes with the Palm V!!!) I'm also thinking handspring will have it's own wireless springboard out soon, if not an integrated wireless visor. I sure hope so!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

Told ya so!!! I just checked out ZDTVs Fresh Gear page which is now featuring an inside preview of PC Expo 2000. It mentions some very interesting tidbits about the Palm platform. Looks look little Foo may be right!

quote:

---

From ZDTV's FRESH GEAR:
Sony, too, is making a big splash at PC Expo. It'll be unveiling its own Palm device. We expect to see a PDA focused around delivery of multimedia, but still running the ubiquitous Palm OS.


Palm, too, will be making a few announcements. But the real excitement will be behind closed doors. There's more brewing up inside the popular PDA manufacturer than meets the eye.


Handspring, fresh from its IPO, will be showing off even more exciting Springboard modules that still aren't shipping. Pager, GPS, walkie-talkie, and cordless phone modules will be on display. Alas, they'll probably just be more vaporware. Handspring's been touting these modules every chance they get, but none ever seem to make it to market. Hopefully someone will ask company founder Jeff Hawkin about the dearth of shipping modules during his PC Expo keynote

---

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 105

Foo, I believe Palm has stated that they'll offer two varieties of wireless for each model. One with Bluetooth which would be like what you mentioned connecting with the telephone, though it'd be all cordless so it could be in lets say your pocket, and the other with wireless built in like the Palm VII.