Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 31

I don't know much about the IBM 340meg microdrives but is it feasible to include one on a Springboard and if so, has anybody heard anything about the possibility of one these things coming out? It would perfect tech for a voice recorder or massive MP3 library.

Also, is anybody coming out with a Springboard using the Sony MemoryStick technology? I know they have walkmen using the MemoryStick but the small size is perfect for this size use.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: East Lansing, MI, USA
Posts: 126

That'd be cool but I heard that IBM is having problems with the microdrive. Seems that it has a long term storage problem. After about a few thousand reads the data degrades and becomes unreadable

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: US Military in Germany
Posts: 46

The MicroDrive is built on the Compact Flash type II slot so any springboard with that slot can access the drive. There are many rumors of CF springboard development and I would be suprised not to see that with the TRG already having a CF capable machine out. The CF slot would also give you access to all of the CF devices (modems, ethernet cards) out there. The memory stick though is another form of flash memory with sony putting their typical proprietary spin on it.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

Nutt: I didn't know there were problems with the microdrive. Where did you hear about this? I did a search on ZDNet and found no hits. This is of minor interest to me because a friend was raving about the microdrive for some mp3 player's storage. If the drive failes after a few thousand reads, mp3 is certainly NOT the application for this drive, even if we accept its extremely limited lifetime as a 'feature'.

Chris

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: East Lansing, MI, USA
Posts: 126

I'm probably thinking of the wrong thing. IBM announced, quietly, that they had discovered a way of storing a large chunk of data on about 1 square inches. About 2 gigs I think. However the data tended to degrade after too many reads. I thought that was what you were talking about but "whoops" wrong thing. It'd be neat to have a portable hard drive though that could connect to your visor a la springboard. Maybe an older 2 gig notebook HD? Just build an IDE to springboard interface and the software. Sounds easy Huh?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 37

The ability to use the IBM 340 MB microdrive will be the deciding factor in whether or not I purchase the Visor. It seems like it should be easy to implement the use of it because the Smart Media slot is becoming so common on many of today's devices. I think this would help the Visor to increase its range of customers since people could use the same cartridges they use for their cameras with their PDA.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Posts: 72

Bad idea guys, if those conglomerates get a hold of this technology who knows what they will do next maybe even run there own "visor"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

Ploobers,

If you have the techie knowhow, you could always build it, since the springboard spec is open! See:
http://www.handspring.com/developer...t2/DkManual.pdf

(this is a ~ 1M pdf file - which is completely greek to me!)

If you can do it, I might buy one!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Posts: 72

I did do it wanna buy one?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

post specs and price and we'll see. A digital photo would be nice too.

How did you handle power consumption?

[This message has been edited by huski (edited 11-05-1999).]