Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

During PC Expo there were four modules shown that will have wireless capability. Palm also announced a kit that allows older models to use a cell phone to get online.

How important is this to you? Do you see wireless as something you need now, or (like Hawkins) would you rather vendors focus on other features? Are you going to shell out the $$$ for these modules?

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 241

I don't see myself needing one now, but in a few years I will. For buisnesses and people who don't want to carry around a PDA and a cell phone, or a wireless modem for a laptop to access corporate info: the more the better!

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Same here. There are obvious reasons for wanting to go wireless with your Visor, but I just don't have the need right now. Perhaps, as wireless service offerings develop further, I will one day have that need. At least I'll know that the hardware is available...

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

Do i NEED it? Not entirely. Do I WANT it? Heck ya!

My goal is to not require my PC for my PIM. I like the idea of AnyDay.com and a wireless Palm (many don't like the idea of information being 'out there' instead of the PC but i think this is a fear that will slowly disappear in the future...like the fear of 'cookies' did).

I'd like to use my PC for computing and my palm for Information on the go. SO an optimal PIM would not be 'leashed' to my PC.

As far as cost is concerned...wow! Things look expensive now. But like ISP's, i'm sure they'll eventually come down. I won't be getting any wireless module until pricing comes down.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I'm dying for a module that will enable a Visor to have some of the functionality of a RIM Blackberry. I depend heavilly on email to communicate with clients, and right now if I'm out of town I have to lug a laptop with me.

It would be great to have something that lets me get my work messages without wires or other entanglements.

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

At the moment, Wireless is VERY over hyped! First of all, the infrastructure isn't here yet. Secondly, neither is content. Until the day comes when we can stream video or audio over a fat wireless pipe, this is going to remain a rather limited media. Third, cost! Wireless access still remains considerably high. The going rate is around $40 monthly....too high!

I think Hawkins should collaborate with Palm in making much needed improvements to the OS. For example, pixel resolution and depth. I think Hawkins is becoming out of step with the times. He made a rather foolish statement at PC Expo that makes me wonder if he really knows what's best for this platform. When an audience member asked him when we will see a higher resolution display and a removal of the Graffiti area, he said..."we don't need higher resolutions. 160x160 is perfectly fine". Fine? What has me been smoking? Even Microsoft figured out that a higher resolution display with a soft input area yields a much clearer display with more readability. Even the new ebookman, from Franklin, has a clever screen layout with a 220 resolution.

Believe it or not, the one thing that surprised me with PC Expo is that Palm (and possibly Sony) is turning out to have a much broader vision than Hawkins! Jeff seems more concerned with keeping prices low than adding new features. Did anyone else here notice that Jeff gave a "no" answer to people in the audience who asked about a feature they would like to see added or changed to the PalmOS? I think he's perfectly happy with the OS as is, which leaves me questioning his judgment. His constant ramblings of "Simplicity" are making him look like Bill Gates preaching "Innovation through great software", it's becoming a tired argument. I think he's losing his touch. Bicycles are simple too, but I stopped using them for transportation when I was 16.

If this really is Handspring's philosophy, then they are going to be crushed by Palm, Sony, and Microsoft! I hope Hawkins realizes this before it's too late!

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www.palmfactory.com

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

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

They surely are up there on the cool factor, but unless the price gets lowered by signing up for access, there's no way that I'm going to shell out $369 plus $40/mo to have wireless access (can anybody say Palm VII). This puts cost of the Visor/access springboard combo into the stratsphere...

I was looking forward to these modules, but I'll have to pass for now until they are more reasonable.

-Larry

[This message has been edited by LarryN (edited 07-03-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Somerset, MA USA
Posts: 23

I agree with many statements made in the last post. I would however like to defend Hawkins' way of doing things. He wants to sell a lot of these things, right? So he has to keep the price as low as possible. Right now the technology in the Visor is in line with the price people are willing to pay for such a device. WinCE was terrible. The devices were too expensive for what people wanted to do with them. Do we need video on a Palm device right now? I would love to see a high res. screen but how much do i want to pay for one. He got it right with "simplicity". In the future simplicity will mean something different but for the time being we should be happy with all the things a visor (and Palm) do well.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Somerset, MA USA
Posts: 23

sorry for a couple of things. I got off topic. Plus i said last post but someone posted while i was writing. Flame me if you must -- Jeff

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

quote:

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Originally posted by AussiS5:
I would love to see a high res. screen but how much do i want to pay for one.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: nowheresburg, PH
Posts: 98

As tempting as it may sound to be hip when you are without wires. Aside from the price, I can't seem to find any beneficial use with a wireless module. I'm gonna have to pass on this one. In a year or two maybe...... maybe.

I'd put it under consideration when the Colored visor appears in the market.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

Here's what I'm interested in. What about wireless networks on college campuses? Nearly all have ethernet connections in residence halls, etc etc now. I'm not sure how advanced some schools have already progressed but wouldn't it be more feasible at a college? Just like the network (with access to the Internet through it) where you pay a flat fee for the academic year--you could get a flat fee for wireless. Possibly the two would just be combined under a flat "University of ******* Network Access Fee". It could be much cheaper because of the large concentration of people as well. What do you guys think of wireless's potential at colleges and universities?

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-Vinny

I'll pack my bags I swear I'll run, wish my friends were 21

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: St Petersburg Fla
Posts: 224

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter:
That is a common misconception. Higher resolutions do not increase cost! For example look at the new Franklin ebookman:
www.franklin.com

It has a much higher resolution display (200x240), uses Microsoft ClearType technology, plays MP3 music, and yet sells for only $129.

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

quote:

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Originally posted by BudPritchard:
Handhelds are not the appropriate display platform for book reading.

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland
Posts: 4

On Topic:

Yes, I would be interested in wireless tech for the Palm to save me email time. I will wait, however, until prices do drop. I will also pass on web browsing until data speeds increase.

Off Topic (from previous posts):

I think that the Palm platform is a great way to read books. Can it be better? Of course. But it works well now. I've been reading books on the train, subway, bus, standing in lines, etc. now for almost two years. For text only (no graphs, photos, etc.) it is simply the best way to carry around books! I don't have to lug bulk or pounds around and I can read whereever and whenever I want.

I could live w/o higher res and larger screens, but of course, I always want bigger, faster, better. The Franklin has TONS of screen area it seems. Wow.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

The need for wireless access depends on your lifestyle. I hate being tethered to a wall. I want wireless and I want it now. I don't need streaming, Flash or other extravagant multimedia. Streaming isn't intended for mobile usage. I just want to be able to have access to information anytime, anywhere -- without being forced to enter data through a numeric keypad. If I want to know what time a movie's playing, it would be nice not to have to hunt through a newspaper to get the information. Also, as a journalist I really need to be able to research and submit stories from remote locations. I especially want the ability to send and receive email from anywhere.

I originally bought the Apple Newton because it was eventually supposed to offer wireless messaging (hence the name Newton MessagePad). Five years later we're only starting to realize the PDA as a messaging platform. When wireless access drops below $20 a month, I think it will change the way people look at the internet.

[This message has been edited by Gameboy70 (edited 06-30-2000).]

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

I don't need wireless access the way that I use my visor. It is also way to expensive for a 13 year old! I already have to pay for the pager I'm getting for the visor.

The wireless access that I want is a 802.11b module. (wireless ethernet) (there's one in dev). That way when I'm in my bed or in the basement I can surf the web, and etc.

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Visor + Linux = Perfection
MD

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

http://www.allnetdevices.com/wirele...rizon_adds.html

Everybody keeps touting this $40/month charge ....

Verizon (Bell Atlantic Mobile) just announced wireless web access for handhelds at $24.95/month for unlimited usage!

Let the price wars BEGIN!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 73

I find this whole wireless thing pretty amusing. All these vendors hawking expensive springboard solutions. Even more amusing are the cellphone manufacturers who think that surfing the net and reading e-mail on their puny cellphone screens will be a rewarding experience. I have been using Sprint PCS to download my e-mail and even surf the net using my Visor. And it cost $9.95 per month. And you don't need a springboard, just a serial cable.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

quote:

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Originally posted by Hoser_in_USA:

Verizon (Bell Atlantic Mobile) just announced wireless web access for handhelds at $24.95/month for unlimited usage!

Let the price wars BEGIN!

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