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

I really think my Visor is great, but, like all things I buy, there are always things that I'd change if I were to design it myself. I thought it would be interesting to hear what other people would do if they were asked to redesign the Visor.

Here's my list of things that I'd do if I could:

1) Get rid of that "menu" icon. It is completely backwords to have to click the bottom of the screen to activate a menu at the top of the screen...especially when most major OSs have adopted the concept of a clickable menu across the top of the screen.

2) Backlight the grafitti area and the icon buttons so I can see what I am writing/clicking on in the dark.

3) Extend the screen so that it includes the entire grafitti area. Then, make the grafitti area a "hideable" tool ala the windows explorer bar. This would free up a lot more screen real estate when you need it.

4) Increase the range of the IR port so that I can replace the 6 or 7 remote controls sitting on my coffee table (and have it act as a spare remote-entry for my car!)

5) Increase the diameter of the Stylus silo to accomodate a stylus with a more comfortable diameter.

6) Take advantage of the relationsip Palm and Apple has and adopt the Newton's handwriting recognition system (MUCH better than grafitti). Better yet, ad voice recognition

7) Add built-in "password" software for the Visor and desktop. (still looking for a good one for the Mac...any suggestions)

Any other ideas?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 28

Eliminate PWS (Pinking Writing Syndrome)

Every time I write, my pinky finger seems to rest on the memo button and too much preasure cause me to exit from active window (big "PITA").

Would like to see buttons moved or better yet, not respond while window is active till one selects DONE (should be easy software patch).

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 219

Plastic flip-up cover (like PalmIII series)! I know some Palm users don't like them but it seems better than current Visor plastic cover.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

In this order:

Louder Alarm, with continuous alarm mode (not this beep every minute business)

Better security

Better Backlight

Flash ROM

Better IR range

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Orem, UT, USA
Posts: 22

Make it the same size, shape, and weight as the Palm V series.

Better backlight.

Louder Alarm and include a vibrating alarm.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 19

Better speaker! This would allow for louder alarms and DTMF for dialing out of your address book. I'm lazy, I don't want to dial all those numbers!!!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 16

How about a small indentation on the scroll up and down buttons, same as on the power button. then I could use my stylus on those buttons too!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Chicago
Posts: 31

just a thought but how about a cradle- doesn't matter serial or usb that actually works. i just find it extremly frustrating that hot synching is impossible.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

homer with the exception of the password protection stuff, i will adopt your entire list of suggested upgrades.

But, before i would do ANY of those, I'd provide an enhanced address book that would sync extended contact information with programs like, outlook, lotus organizer, etc. The one or two address books out there that provide extended fields in the PalmOS organizers won't sync the extended info with these external organizers.

It's a shame that the PalmOS devices have such a superior "interface" to the old text-based Franklin Bookman Sidekick organizer that I had used for several years, but that I actually lost quite a bit of "functional" ability to keep & sync info on my contacts.

Actually I've just about reached the point at which I'm wishing that one of these organizer companies would not just write a sync routine for the desktop, but would rather recompile their entire program for the PalmOS. Wishful thinking, I know, but I find the Palm programs pretty limiting in comparison.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

quote:

---

Originally posted by homer:

4) Increase the range of the IR port so that I can replace the 6 or 7 remote controls sitting on my coffee table (and have it act as a spare remote-entry for my car!)

---

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 33

Everyone's got good comments here. However, the only thing that I would really like to see is better integration of the apps. Let me tell you what I mean with an example. I go on travel quite a bit for work and I put my itinerary into the memo pad application. I also enter my flights and meetings into the date book. I would love to be able to add a note to the date book which is just a link back to my itinerary in memo pad (I know I could copy it but a link would be easier, if my itinerary changed for example a link would mean that I wouldn't have to change it everywhere). Also, I have all my frequent flyer, hotel member numbers & car rental company member numbers in the memo pad. Unfortunately, I have to flip back and forth between my itinerary and these membership notes, or I have to copy these notes into my itinerary (yuck!). So if I could make links from a record to other records for other apps, life might be that much easier. My guess is that this might be an area where WinCE (eeek!) is superior.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Check-out Arranger. It claims to allow you to consolidate information from the built-in apps in an outline format - - seems like it exactly does what you are asking.

[This message has been edited by yucca (edited 02-14-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

quote:

---

Originally posted by ronpro:
...the only thing that I would really like to see is better integration of the apps...I would love to be able to add a note to the date book which is just a link back to my itinerary in memo ...Unfortunately, I have to flip back and forth between my itinerary and these membership notes, or I have to copy these notes into my itinerary (yuck!). So if I could make links from a record to other records for other apps, life might be that much easier...

---

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

I HATE the cover, it sucks, the ones on the Palms are much better compared to the (&(*&^ thing.

I also agree a better and louder speaker would be nice.

Otherwise, I like my Visor.

Tom

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 24

Change the screen sensitivity by the calculator. I am always launching the calculator by mistake!

I also believe handspring should get rid of the buttons, and shorten the unit up. I launch all apps by the screen, I never use the buttons. Just my 2 cents

------------------
Would you like to be in control of your time, finances and life? Then check out http://www.rexall.com/LVasile
Lenny Vasile
Email [email protected]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 28

Ditto on Calculator, same problem!

Also needs to be better designed to accept several different cases/covers. I'm waiting to size-up modules so I can figure what to get. However I've noticed PALMs have a "Security Rail" (whole unit can be on hinge and still fit craddle without removal).

I don't what anything permanently attached (velcro), fit craddle while in case, and easily removed as needed.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 29

Homer and friends,
You can use MenuHack to tap in application title bars for drop down menus...and it's freeware:
http://www.daggerware.com/mischack.htm

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Re: Calculator problem: http://www.visorcentral.com/faqindex.php3#II.F.3.

As for the buttons I hope they stay. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to play my video games...


------------------
Eugene Hsieh
Editor, VisorCentral FAQ
Come visit my homepage.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 21

The one thing I would really love to have different would be a way to get the desktop to initiate a sync transfer with the cradle, instead of vice-versa. I dream of being able to slip my Visor into the cradle at night, and having a cron job on my main Linux desktop box run malsync before I get up, so I have the latest AvantGo channels when I hop in the car to go to work.

[This message has been edited by jammer (edited 02-29-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: TX
Posts: 29

I recently spent some time using a Casiopeia palm device. I know they are twice what I paid for my Visor, but I really wish the visor had a similar visual display. I was amazed at how clear and easy to read the screen was throughout all applications and programs. I could see it clearly and sharply whether in the dark or in the daylight. I was amazed at how much different it was. I wish my Visor was as clear and easy to see.