Comments on: HATcker 101 Review

TapSpring, the Taiwanese company with some very innovative ideas for Palm V series add-ons, is almost ready to release their first product, the HATcker 101. It isn't available until the end of this month but we have a sneak peak at this handy device that allows V series handhelds to connect to PC keyboards and will eventually be able to do lots of other stuff, too.
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Serial Port... Still Usable? I dunno...

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/16/2001 1:37:27 PM #
Did the reviewer test the claims that the serial port was still functional with this device attached? I have my doubts - the serial and IR ports share the same electronics and should be mutually exclusive.

RE: Serial Port... Still Usable? I dunno...
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/16/2001 2:18:35 PM #
Perhaps they are making a distiction between the device being attached, and the device actually functionsing.

Use with OmniSky

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/16/2001 2:01:43 PM #

I wrote to TapSpring a few weeks ago (info@TapSpring.com) regarding how large the HATcker was,
and if they thought it would work with the Omni Sky modem. They responded that it would be in
the way. We didn't get as far as figuring out if the serial port would work at the same time as the
IR port. But I think that you right, there are some problems with using the IR and the serial at the
same time.

-Mike

Some words from TapSpring ......

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/16/2001 3:01:50 PM #
Yes, the serial port and IR occupy the same electrical ckt in Palm.
Maybe rephase as " physically available" is more appropriate, that means you can sit on the cradle without taking off the "HAT", also, you can BEAM to another Palm without taking off this module.
BUT, electrically, you must temporary DISABLE the HATcker101's keyboard function when you want to do a HotSync or BEAM. The default HotSync/BEAM function do not allow other application to occupy the serial port.

Harry
TapSpring

What about the SD

Nate @ 2/16/2001 8:52:12 PM #
When pictures of this first appeared a few months ago, I remember that it had an expansion slot for SD cards. What happened to that idea? I guess it's less important now that we know a little more about the next generation of Palms, but it would still be cool for people who want to keep their current V.

Syncplicity. Redefining Simple. www.cognitiveroot.com
RE: What about the SD
Ed @ 2/16/2001 10:10:09 PM #
Sorry, you'll have to settle for an MMC slot in the next version of the HATcker, coming out before the middle of the year for just $80.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

Infrared Send/Receive and power consumption?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/17/2001 5:27:43 PM #
Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but if:

"The Palm is sending data to the HATcker but it isn't trying to recieve any so 'power loss can be merely ignored.'"

How does the Palm get the keystrokes from the keyboard?

RE: Infrared Send/Receive and power consumption?
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/18/2001 5:43:48 AM #
some points,

1. HATcker provide the power for Keyboard.
2. Palm send only 1-2 commands to ENABLE keyboard function.
3. After that, Palm merely in receive state, and decode the data transmitted from HATcker with keyboard.

Normally IrDA take more power when Tx data out, but less power when it just in Rx mode.
The same case is when you turn the BEAM function ON of Palm, the IrDA is in Rx mode, too.

Harry
TapSpring



RE: Infrared Send/Receive and power consumption?
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/19/2001 11:06:51 AM #
You read it wrong. Read it again. The palm doesn't send data, it only receives.


"The Palm is receiving data from the HATcker but it isn't trying to any send any so "power loss can be merely ignored."



RE: Infrared Send/Receive and power consumption?
Ed @ 2/19/2001 11:36:13 AM #
Sorry, I may have created some confusion and I wanted to clear it up. The original poster was correct; I apparently had a touch of dyslexia and wrote "sending" when what I meant was "receiving". I corrected the article based on their comments.

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Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

Network Connection?

Rob Cheek @ 2/20/2001 6:58:26 AM #
Are there any plans for a similar device, but with a NIC instead of a keyboard adapter? I would love to have direct LAN access from my Palm, but $250 for the Clarinet is just too much $$$.
RE: Network Connection?
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 3:13:56 AM #
LAN chip cost too much power!
We have the same idea before, basically, there is no tech. barrier to put a LAN chip inside HATcker, but there is big trouble to deal with power consumption.
But, there is a device already on the market - IrDA-LAN, this should be the right answer for Palm to enter the NET.

Harry
TapSpring

HATcker 101 Available

Ed @ 2/28/2001 9:06:49 AM #
HATcker 101 is now for sale on the TapSpring site:
http://www.tapspring.com/Order.htm

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

Sad - Just Buy a Visor

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/1/2001 1:14:54 AM #
Sad to see Palm admitting they didn't get it right and Handspring did. Just buy a Visor. Why accept the limitations of the IR port (and deprive yourself of its use for its intended purpose).

RE: Sad - Just Buy a Visor
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2002 2:02:06 AM #
Only problem is that visor is discontinuing their visor-port.
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