Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Paris
Posts: 66

give me all you got

more seriously, i know that we will have more infos about it on 19th but i can't wait
so if you have any informations tell me !!!

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All about PDAs but especially for the Visor in french for the moment
www.Toopalm.com
<a href="http://www.Toopalm.com"><img src="http://garcimore.online.fr/p/bangarci.gif" border="0"></a>

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

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few pics pop up over the next couple weeks. But here are my predictions/speculations on the Prism:

a.) Color Depth: Prism will run at 256 colors by default, and will only display 65k colors for games that are specifically written to take advantage of the color palate. But for general usage such as the Date Book or AvantGo, your going to be looking at 256 colors. Just like the IIIc

b.) Screen size: The Prism will run at 160x160 pixels, but will have a smaller screen similar to a Sony Clie. While smaller, this will pack pixels together more tightly, thereby reducing the black void in between each pixel. That could be a huge advantage over the IIIc, which will literally give you a headache to use for more than a few minutes.

c.) Size: According the ZDNET article, Prism will be thicker than the current Visor. So, who knows what that will translate into. I'm betting, or at least hoping, that Handspring will introduce an all-new design for it's color device. Something Palm didn't, but should have!

d.) Display: CNET's news article on the Prism mentioned that it would be an entry-level Palm IIIc alternative. I'm thinking that could mean it will utilize a Passive Matrix display, rather than Active Matrix.

e.) Audio Capabilities???: That is my big question; will it play MP3 audio files? Hawkins is a fairly smart designer, to say the least. By now, he has to be seeing what's happening with the Pocket PC and realizing that it is time for, at least some, Palm devices to offer digital audio capabilities. That's only a guess, but Hawkins MUST see that part of the Palm IIIc's failed sales were based on its lack of features. I don't expect he will repeat Palm's failures.

Can't wait for the 19th to roll around. I just hope Handspring doesn't offer the Prism online only!

[Edited by foo fighter on 10-10-2000 at 11:04 AM]

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quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
e.) Audio Capabilities???: That is my big question; will it play MP3 audio files? Hawkins is a fairly smart designer, to say the least. By now, he has to be seeing what's happening with the Pocket PC and realizing that it is time for, at least some, Palm devices to offer digital audio capabilities. That's only a guess, but Hawkins MUST see that part of the Palm IIIc's failed sales were based on its lack of features. I don't expect he will repeat Palm's failures.

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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 Toby

Umm...all visors offer digital audio capabilities with an mp3 module. [/B]

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

Completely off topic but....

does anyone else find that Garcimore's signature graphic makes their eyes hurt? Kinda reminnds me of the old flashing banner ads.

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 DanJ
does anyone else find that Garcimore's signature graphic makes their eyes hurt? Kinda reminnds me of the old flashing banner ads.

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What did you say? Sorry, I couldn't read your post. My eyes are hurting too much from Garcimore's signature!

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
If the Visor requires an MP3 module, then it DOES NOT offer audio capabilities. [/B]

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

Hey, I admit I was wrong in that argument!

I agree that I did over-state the ebook issue. Palm docs are ebooks, but they don't render as well on a Palm display due to the low resolution and font style. I'm not saying it's un-usable on a Palm, it just looks better on a Pocket PC with ClearType.

As for the audio capabilities of the Visor...that's a non-issue. Do you see any headphone jack on a Visor? If I have to pay $270 for an add-on module, then I don't consider that as built-in audio.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
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quote:

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That's only a guess, but Hawkins MUST see that part of the Palm IIIc's failed sales were based on its lack of features.

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
Hey, I admit I was wrong in that argument!

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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 John Nowak

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
Hey, I admit I was wrong in that argument!

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And you're wrong here, too.

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Gameboy:

Good points, but I think that people who buy a Palm V vs. the Palm IIIc, tend to fall into different categories. Those who purchase a V are usually looking for a simple, stylish device with an excellent form factor, that would seem to describe most Palm users. As for the IIIc crowd, they are (usually) looking for a slightly more capable device that offers a good assortment of features. The device didn't do very well because it offered no significant improvement in feature or performance, all while compromising on form factor. In other words, its price, larger form factor, and lack of new features didn't spur interest among Palm users. They continued to choose the Palm V over color.

Next year we are all going to get our wish; a Palm V with a color display! I have to admit, I would probably be willing to sacrifice MP3 audio for a small form factor and a nicely done color display. But considering this is Palm were talking about, I'm afraid to find out how much its going to cost me.

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quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter

quote:

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Originally posted by Toby

Umm...all visors offer digital audio capabilities with an mp3 module.

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If the Visor requires an MP3 module, then it DOES NOT offer audio capabilities. I'm talking about integrated audio, similar to what is offered on Pocket PCs.

As for storing your MP3s, well, that's what storage media is for. [/B]

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

Rob,

Agreed. It really depends on the needs of the user. For those who don't want their Visor's to play MP3 music, it would actually be more of an inconvenience. But since Handspring is, according to ZDNET, marketing the Prism as a gaming device, then I suspect it may have built-in audio support.

I'm waiting for leaks to begin soon. Anyone got a pic of the Prism they would like to share?

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quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter

quote:

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Originally posted by Toby

Umm...all visors offer digital audio capabilities with an mp3 module.

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If the Visor requires an MP3 module, then it DOES NOT offer audio capabilities.[/B]

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: LA, Boston, MO. its different every 6 months
Posts: 56

distinction...

im going to have to side with foo fighter here on his point that the handspring visor does not offer built in mp3 audio capabilities. if it did, ever visor would have it 'built in'. the mp3 modules are not built in. according to what foo fighter said, he is correct. there is no built in mp3 audio capability.

however, i think it would be absurd to build mp3 audio support into any of handsprings products. it would needlessly drive the price up. thats the beauty of the springboard slot. handspring doesnt have to built in all kinds of flashy stuff not everyont wants.

foo fighter may be correct in saying there is no built in support, but i cant see handspring building that in to the devices.

what i _would_ like to see is a built in modem. if the article posted earlier was correct, it would only add like $10 to the total cost for something i think more users would want. perhaps adding it to the higher end visor platinum. i would sell my year old visor (preordered sept 15th of last year) and buy a platinum without question for a modem and new processor built in. that would just rock. ooh, and do some kind of palm V aluminum casing on the outside.

perhaps the modem idea is just as unnecessary as the mp3 player. who knows.

Registered: Jul 2000
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Re: distinction...

quote:

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Originally posted by drgandy
im going to have to side with foo fighter here on his point that the handspring visor does not offer built in mp3 audio capabilities. if it did, ever visor would have it 'built in'. the mp3 modules are not built in. according to what foo fighter said, he is correct. there is no built in mp3 audio capability.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 40

I don't think it's worth arguing about the mp3 thing.

I think the reason the Visor is so successful is because it has the advantage of price, form factor, usability, battery life and compatibility over the PPC, and it has expandability over the Palm.

The Palm V is unbeatable for professionals who don't use their PDA as a "toy" as much as the rest of us, and for whom form factor is the best thing. And it looks damn cool too.

The PPC has many more features than the Palms, but it's more a small computer than a PDA and few people really want that. Most of us already have laptops, I don't need another portable PC. I would only consider one if the battery life, size and cost approached that of a Visor, and right now it doesn't.

The cool thing about the Visor is that it's an initially low cost, but then with springboards you can add many PPC-like features, plus features that the PPC will never have.

But most importantly low cost and small form factor is where it's at, and PPC has neither.

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Belzebutt

Registered: Oct 1999
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Posts: 1287

Sorry for not making myself clear on the audio issue, Toby. I was indeed referring to "Built-in" audio, as apposed to the modular concept. No offense intended.

quote:

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Next will come the PocketOffice examples...whatever.

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ooh ooh, me too me too, let me throw in my 2 cents about this.

Ok, I agree with foo fighter on this one. He stated that the Visors now don't have audio capabilities. The mp3 module doesn't really use the Visor for anything more than a user interface and a power source. Other than that the actual module is the only audio capable device. The visor doesn't have any real audio capability. Look the Soundsgood is supposed to have an batter pack accessory that allows you to take it out of the Visor and use it, therefore the Visor is no more than a power source and optional interface. Now I'm not bashing the visors lack of audio. I think its great to be able to have the OPTION of mp3.

I have my reservations about the MP3 player built into a Visor. I think the module is a much better way to go. It gives people the option of whether or not they want to pay for an MP3 player. But I also have issues with the color screens on Palms. I guess I just don't see the need. I mean sure its nice to have a color screen, but at what cost, and I'm not talking about price. The battery power on these things is not typical Palm endurance. And the extra thickness added to the palm also works against it. I think one day color won't even be and option, it will be perfected to the point where base models will come with color screens and battery life will not be an issue. But for now, I think its a loosing bet. Palm users want small and easy to use. Thats why palm is beating out PPC's. PPC's don't have those same attributes. They definitely have their market, but I think Palm has a winning formula with their handhelds and it just doesn't seem like color fits into that. I think someone that was seriously going to use the color, like GPS and video, is probably better off with a PPC. But for the majority of users like myself, I just want small and usable. The visor is small, not the smallest, but still very easy to carry, and with the springboard it allows me to expand it to do what I want it to do. If I want an MP3 player I'll buy one, and if I don't I get to save 250 bucks and not buy it. This "cram in whatever you can think of" mentality just doesn't work very well. KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid, thats worked for Palm and I think they need to stick to that. I'm really looking foward to Handsprings new B&W visors, I hope they can blend a palm v with a Visor, I'd pay big bucks for that.

-Visorholic