Comments on: New Visor Accessories Available

Several new accessories for the Visor line have been released lately, including an emergency charger and a case that allows access to the Springboard slot.

Tech Center Labs has just come out with an emergency charger for the Visor line. Rather than depending on removable batteries like most emergency chargers, this is a Springboard module with a built-in NiMH battery. This charges while it's in the Springboard slot and the Visor is charging in a cradle. It's available now for $50.

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discontinued

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:16:34 AM #
Wow... cool new add ons for discontinued handspring devices. Bummer for the folks that put in a bunch of time developing these only to have the carpet pulled out from under them.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:24:38 AM #
How so, troll? The last I checked Visor sales were doing extremely well. Well?
Not Discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:26:22 AM #
Reports of the the Visor's death are premature. Here's a quote from Jeff Hawkins, one of the founders of Handspring:

    Handspring remains committed to producing and supporting our organizer products. We believe that there will be a market for organizers for some time to come. What we intended in our earnings call is that because of our strong belief in the value of wireless communications, we are putting more and more of our development resources into our communicator products.

    We will continue to manufacture and sell Visor products as long as there is sufficient demand and we are able to build them.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:38:11 AM #
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2833

"During a conference call today, Handspring CEO Donna Dubinsky said for the first time that her company will eventually stop making Visors and only make Treos. She said, "We are a company that is transitioning out of the organizer business and into the communicator business. At some point we will have transitioned out of the organizer business."

Sounds like a little Spin Control to me

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:49:23 AM #
The word you, and a lot of people, have ignored in Donna's remark is "eventually", in the line "[Handspring] will eventually stop making Visors". Eventually means not now.

It's like your Mother told you, "I'm going to eventually die " and you immediately stuck her in a coffin and buried her.

According to IDC, Handspring is the number two handheld maker in the US, with higher sales than all the PPC makers combined. This is based entirely on sales of the Visor.

The Visor line is alive and kicking. True, it will probably be gone in another couple of years, to be replaced by wireless models. Guess what, in a couple of years, all Palm's models will be wireless too. And probably Sony's, if they can get their act together.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:06:33 AM #
if you read the Piloting Palm book, they make it clear that the visor line was a stop gap measure to get some cash into handspring. Hawkins started Handspring already developing the communicator line of devices. This is where he sees the future. This is where Handspring is going. Now or later, it will be the direction. This isn't some mystical crazy maybe in the future type statement, this is the way it will be. I sure can't recommend Visors anymore. I sure recommend the Treo though.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:09:51 AM #
Why can't you recommend the Visor? Will it be a less effective device for contacts, schedule, etc? NO. Oh yeah, they are going to eventualy discontinue the Clie line too, sorry folks, but the proof is out there. They already kill off an older model every few months now.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:14:33 AM #
It certainly DOES matter whether the Visor will be discontinued within the next two years - to Springboard developers who would be foolish to continue to work on new products.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:18:53 AM #
cute.
HS was always a downer.
HS's springboard slot was never a good utility, although so many springboard slots were produced, no one really liked it. Which is why you can't trade data with a Panasonic video camera or a Sony MiniCam.
Even Handera didnt go to HS for their new models and universal connector. cute.
HS will eventually die out, Palm will be left along with Sony, but Palm will soon die out to the corporations unless they come out with something innovative. hah. brighter screen. M515. Cute.

SONY ROCKS!

stupid PDA trolls. Sony is the one that will eventually come out strong.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:51:45 PM #
"Discontinued" as in "when our stock runs out...". I'm sure we'll see a whole line up of new Handspring devices that have Springports on them any time now, NOT. I agree, hardware developers would be crazy to continue down the path of the springport now.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:53:45 PM #
I guess the "Sping Doctor" did a good job at curing a lot of you folks....
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:59:09 PM #
I really canīt understand some posts... You may own a 1990 or older car and buy accesories and parts for it. How many Visors have been sold? Do you think that because there is a cool new Clie out there all the Visors are not being used anymore? Many people donīt require yet a built-in camera or keyboard or hi-res, etc. I also think that some people donīt read, there are many professional Springboards like barcode scanners, RFId scanners, magnetic card readers, probes, measurement modules for mechanics, etc.
Do you really think that all these and the more consumer oriented module developers are stupid??!!
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 1:01:01 PM #
HS trolls , the fact is : Handspring will be "Discontinued".
Quiet rumor
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 1:16:11 PM #
Handspring is developing a Pocket PC. palm sales too low and Sony too hard to bypass.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 2:43:40 PM #
If Handspring can't survive in Palm world with one competiton from Sony. It will get snuff out for sure in no time in PPC world.

It won't be able to pull cute trick like springboard or treo, either it has to outdo Genio e550g, Sendo's Z100 or XDA. Nevermind tight enterprise integration and service like iPAQ.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 3:27:02 PM #
>> HS will eventually die out, Palm will be left along with Sony, but Palm will soon die out to the corporations unless they come out with something innovative. hah. brighter screen. M515. Cute.
SONY ROCKS!
stupid PDA trolls. Sony is the one that will eventually come out strong. <<

Just exactly who is the troll here? Sounds like you're a pseudo-religious Sony zealot who just wants to spout "Sony Rules" bullsh**.

>> "Discontinued" as in "when our stock runs out...". I'm sure we'll see a whole line up of new Handspring devices that have Springports on them any time now, NOT. I agree, hardware developers would be crazy to continue down the path of the springport now. <<

OK, first, Handspring is STILL producing Visor handhelds, and if you paid any attention to PIC, you'd know there's a new device being rumored. Second, it's SPRINGBOARD, not SPRINGPORT. Dipsh**.


>> I guess the "Sping Doctor" did a good job at curing a lot of you folks.... <<

So what exactly is a "Sping Doctor?" Is that who you go to for your crack addiction?

>> I really canīt understand some posts... You may own a 1990 or older car and buy accesories and parts for it. How many Visors have been sold? Do you think that because there is a cool new Clie out there all the Visors are not being used anymore? Many people donīt require yet a built-in camera or keyboard or hi-res, etc. I also think that some people donīt read, there are many professional Springboards like barcode scanners, RFId scanners, magnetic card readers, probes, measurement modules for mechanics, etc.
Do you really think that all these and the more consumer oriented module developers are stupid??!! <<

Thank you for a rational post.


>> HS trolls , the fact is : Handspring will be "Discontinued". <<

Really? Are you an industry insider? Oh, wait, no...,you're just another piece of sh** who likes to spout your drivel because you have no life.


>> Handspring is developing a Pocket PC. palm sales too low and Sony too hard to bypass. <<

Yeah, right. Handspring hasn't yet reached profitability, so they'll hang their hat on an OS that is losing money for all its licensees...
Perhaps you should visit the aforementioned "Sping Doctor" to satisfy your crack habit.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 4:15:54 PM #
Ok, here's a calm post with no name calling. The visor line appears dead because we're still waiting for a new model with features to compete with Sony. My prism has been used to the point that I'm going to have to tape the case together soon and there is no handspring replacement in sight. I'm not going to shell out any bucks for another prism that has 8 meg of memory and a screen that's unusable in sunlight, so despite my investment in springboards I'm ready to leave the HS camp. HS has left it's users hanging for too long, which is too bad, they made great products that I really liked.
RE: discontinued
Fzara2000 @ 4/24/2002 4:36:44 PM #
Actually, I didnt know they're coming out with a new HS PDA. Enlighten me IM Anonymous.
Sure, the periphals might be abundant for HS, but how useful might then be? The Neo and Pro were only 16mb models of any Visor HS came out with.
The M515 was only a brighter version of the M505.
From what I see, Sony is the only company who is actually coming out with new PDA improvements rapidly and quickly that actually upgrade something of their line.
Mp3 line, high res. line, keyboard w/camera line.
Besides, who would you trust, a major player like Sony, or a company like Palm, who of course are big, but dont have the resources to make a better PDA and to study research figures.
Think when you reply to this post. I dont want another HS troll/midget taking this post and ripping it to pieces for no apparent reason.

SONY ROCKS!
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 4:59:47 PM #
>> Actually, I didnt know they're coming out with a new HS PDA. Enlighten me IM Anonymous. <<

www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3297

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 5:12:55 PM #
"From what I see, Sony is the only company who is actually coming out with new PDA improvements rapidly and quickly that actually upgrade something of their line."

Open your eyes. Sony just copies it's products from others, then adds a few gimmicks which it hopes to pass off as innovation.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 5:25:19 PM #
Can Palm copy the few gimmick that Sony make? You know, mp3 DSP, big color screen, virtual grafitti? Palm can't even put the 66mHZ dragonball before Sony, so much for the obvious.

oh well.


RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 6:47:19 PM #
Please

Don't be dumb, the only reason Palm is not devoting time, money and energy seeking the DragonBall 66mhz is that there is no pratical gain in porting the entire m-series over a new processor. Power users aren't going to be impressed by a spin-off of an "inferior" technology, and "normal" users (if there is any..) don't give a **** to it.

What is going to catch the eye of all users, power users and geeks specially, is the new ARMed, PalmOS 5 devices, with BeOS multimedia implemetation.

And it is really just a matter of time until Handspring releases their version of the ARM PalmOS 5 devices. Really, who didn't droll over the Visor Edge when it was released?? Even that it has a grayscale screen????

So don't tell me Handspring is going to kill the Visor line, oh, Handspring is going down, dahdahdah. Everything gets discontinued EVENTUALLY. When (not if) the Visor line gets sacked, Handspring will release a new model to fill it's niche. Maybe it'll look more like the Treo line, but it will be a Handspring. Ah, don't wait to buy this one, it will too get discontinued EVENTUALLY....

I.M. Notorious

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 7:18:58 PM #
It's interesting you say "spin off" of inferior technology. Wouldn't that imply the entrie Palm is inferior? (ie. the origin of the spin off?)

with zealot like you, who needs troll.

Discontinued
I.M. @ 4/24/2002 7:22:16 PM #
I'm no zealot, nor a fanatic. Facts are facts, and no name calling or blind denial can change that.

Now, regarding your questions:

Don't you agree that the DragonBall platform is "inferior" comparing to ARMed devices? I'm not saying that PPCs are better devices (blame on the OS, it's HUGE, crappy interface, NO battery life, and so forth), but anyone who had saw the PalmOS 5 specs sheet regarding hardware know what I'm talking about.

Facts of life. Everything has a life cycle. It is born, grows, thrives, and EVENTUALLY dies. Now think hard: does one's elderness eliminate or invalidate one's life achievements? Thus, does Palm's obsolence neglects its strenghts,achievements, sucess?

Think hard and ponder this....

Ignorance is bliss??

I.M. Notorious

___________________________
Posted by: I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 7:18:58 PM

It's interesting you say "spin off" of inferior technology. Wouldn't that imply the entrie Palm is inferior? (ie. the origin of the spin off?)

with zealot like you, who needs troll.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 7:41:58 PM #
"Can Palm copy the few gimmick that Sony make? You know, mp3 DSP, big color screen, virtual grafitti? Palm can't even put the 66mHZ dragonball before Sony, so much for the obvious."

The big screen is nice. I wish all manufacturers could think about this, but only if it doesn't turn the new units into bricks.

As for the rest ... well, what's so new about that? New models typically have faster chips than the previous model - the 66mHz chip is just an expected improvement, not new tech. Yes, some apps may run faster with a 66mHz chip. On the other hand, with all the built in bloat, the NR series might not be any faster than say a 33mHz Visor.

Mp3 is hardly new for a handheld. Virtual grafitti is copied from Handera.

So most of Sony's gimmicks (as you call them), are just copied from others.

Does Palm copy such gimmicks? No, it concentrates on making steady improvements to already successful products - Palm doesn't try to market itself on (imaginary) innovation.

It is Sony that needs to show it is innovative, in order to win some sales from Palm. But where is the innovation which Sony keeps talking about? Copying doesn't cut it!

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 7:51:35 PM #
Here's my post. I'll be discontinued eventually as well. Damn.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 7:57:46 PM #
I thought handspring just had some more platnum visors made. I think the visor is great, its what I use, and it costs the right amount.
RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 8:04:24 PM #
>SONY ROCKS!

I thought so too, until I got a T615. Anyway, I got a good price for it on eBay.

RE: discontinued
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:22:26 PM #
"Does Palm copy such gimmicks? No, it concentrates on making steady improvements to already successful products - Palm doesn't try to market itself on (imaginary) innovation. "

Ok let me get this straight, Sony is making gimmick but Palm is doing steady improvement.

adding color160*160, SD and vibrating alarm is steady improvement, while making hi-Res, MS, and mp3 are merely gimmick.

If this is not zealotry, I don't know what.

RE: discontinued
I.M. @ 4/25/2002 4:37:15 AM #
Who is the zealot here? Why do mentions to Sony Clie have to show up in every thread, doesn't matter it is a Handspring news, a Palm model review, etc.

dahdahdah Sony ROCKS, dahdahdah.

This is a Handspring thread, not a "I LOVE SONY" thread. Take it to ClieForum, ok, troll?

I.M. Notorious

treo

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:46:36 AM #
we only care about the treo. where are the treo accessories?

$14 for a earbud? outrageous.

RE: treo
fkclo @ 4/25/2002 12:35:40 AM #
You can get any 3rd party ear piece from Nokia 8xxx compatbile producers. It works equally o.k., and cost a lot less.

Francis Lo, HKG

But still no keyboard for T series

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:20:35 PM #
I'm beginning to think I made a mistake buying the T 615 after 3 months and still no keyboard. Palm and Handspring clearly still have the lions share, peripherals are abundant for them.
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:37:10 PM #
Why would someone make a keyboard for these? Sony will kill them off soon, leaving these parts to get dusty.
Palm and Handspring don't make keyboards either.
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 12:48:21 PM #
If you are concerned about the lack of a keyboard, then let ThinkOutside, Targus, or Landware know you are yet another T615 user looking for a way to use the kb.
thinkoutside.com Start Page - Color Handera?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 2:04:55 PM #
Has anyone visited the thinkoutside.com page? It seems to show a color Palm III-sized device with a silver case. Looks like a Handera 330 with color. Take a look!!
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 2:43:58 PM #
Dude, the thinkoutside.com page you listed is just a photo negative image of a IIIc. It is an old Photoshop trick to give something the look of an x-ray image.


RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 4:16:58 PM #
I could be mistaken, but I think the new NR-70s use the same sync-port design as the T series. If you look at how Sony is making their peripherals for the T and NR series, you'll notice that the actual connector to the sync port on all their cables is separate from the chargers, sync cables and other devices that plug in there. All of the new designs for both handhelds and peripherals indicate that Sony is thinking further ahead with this generation. It appears like they're planning on releasing only one line of peripherals from now on and then just providing different sync port plugs for the different models (if they ever decide to change the sync port again). It's debatable whether this solution is ideal or not, but at least it gives peripheral makers some way of keeping up the pace with Sony's insane release schedule for new Clie models.

I think Sony has finally figured out why they can't outsell Palm and Handspring (no peripherals) and they're finally taking some steps to insure that future models of the Clie line won't get left behind like the previous ones did. At least I hope so, being a T615C owner myself.

Peripheral support wasn't the biggest selling point for me though since I use my handhelds standalone more than anything else, and the T615 is IMHO one of the best PalmOS devices when considered as a standalone model.

RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 5:07:42 PM #
For goodness sake, why do you need a keyboard for a T615? All your games will run perfectly well without a keyboard. Don't tell me your bought a Clie for serious use - you can't fool all the people all the time, you know.
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 6:46:14 PM #
I use my T615c for triaging project management data via Project @ Hand (Natara), Docs To Go for Excel and Word correspondence, Help Desk support for my company via Bonsai Outliner (Natara), Isilo for reading assignments/web clips I take from University of Phoenix, Palm Reader Pro for downloading and reading etexts from University of Phoenix. I don't play games on my Clie. What makes you assume that because I have a Clie I use it for games? It's Palm OS, does pretty much the same as the other Palms. Pretty much compatible with most Palm software. My only gripe is that if Sony did not put out a new device every 3 months, maybe some of the manufacturers such as Think Outside would find it feasible to develop a stowaway keyboard, but, I guess that may not happen. But games? C'mon.
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 8:07:16 PM #
>> What makes you assume that because I have a Clie I use it for games?

Well, for one thing, Sony says that the E in CLIE stands for Entertainment. Also, with all their focus on colour, pizels, MP3, they are intentionally pitching their products outside the serious user market. Lots of posts to forums like this state that stuff like hi-res is good for games, but the fonts are too small for e-books, etc.

If you didn't buy your T615 for games, then I suppose you paid for stuff you won't use and, in the meantime, you have to put up with washed out colours, a cludgy digitiser, poorly designed buttons, a toothpick stylus ... (Don't take my word for it, all these issues have been reported before here at PIC.)

Anyway, I'm impressed by the applications you run. So why doesn't a power user like you go for an IBM c505? Clearly the superior product - it's lighter, has a great design and you get decent support!

RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 10:01:03 PM #
IBM c505? Superior product?? LOL!! IBM discontinued making IBM-branded Palm handhelds. Its merely a m505 in black. A low-res poor-quality screen, only 8MB of RAM, and no additional features. Welcome to 2002...
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 11:46:35 PM #
check www.pocketopinc.com. It will work with T615.
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 12:25:29 AM #
We need to keep in minf that SOny is an entertainment company. All thir products are designed around entertainment...not business, productivity etc.
RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 1:27:54 AM #
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/24/2002 8:07:16 PM = Troll

Not good for ebook? Font too small? Well as a fact, the Clie is a great ebook viewer. If you find the font too small, there are many other alternatives to increase the font size. If you used Palm Reader Pro with Agfa fonts, you will see they far superior in clarity compared to non-hi-res palms. Even the normal version of Palm reader looks good. Also don't even compare cleartype technology, it just makes text fuzzy and may make it even harder to read.

"Don't take my word for it, all these issues have been reported before here at PIC." Well if you combine all the negatives of one machine and put it into one, you will always get a poor product in YOUR view. I am confident to say that you will NOT find a perfect product.

washed out colours: You will only detect this when you compare 2 handhelds together. You will never notice the differnce if all you have owned is one unit.

IBM c505? I laugh at that. You are saying that is better? Come on, you can try better. Around the same price but the clie has much more features? Who is going to win. And the c505 is basically a m505 that is cased in black with extra software. And we ALL know how good the m505 is. Its so good that Palm had to come out with the m515. And lets not forget the black matrix.


RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 2:14:27 AM #
Well, I think you just said that hi-res is good for e-books, but only if you replace the font. Kinda sounds like you agree that the normal font is a bit hard to read. Isn't that what the original post is about?

Then you say that CLIE has more features. That's what was stated above - it has all the features which make it good for playing games. So you agree that CLIE is not meant for serious users?

RE: But still no keyboard for T series
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 11:16:10 AM #
Your argument is extremely weak. If the c505 (m505) is supposed to be for serious use, then why does it have...

Poorly lit screen (c505 is an m505, therefore does not have the corrected lighting of the m515)

No jog dial (All Clie's, the Treo, and the Handera 330 have jog dials, its a standard for PalmOS handhelds, but Palm hasn't seen that yet)

Only 8MB RAM (again keep in mind, there is no c515), compared to the T615C's 16MB

Substandard alarms, compared to the T615C's audio alarms

Low-resolution, which means less readability, which again, would be detrimental to such "power" users like you describe.

Feel free to contest anything I mentioned, because you're dead wrong and anything you say can be easily countered.

good job!

PIC mobile user @ 4/25/2002 3:41:05 AM #
that's good! when i see this news, i felt real happy as i thought that my purchase of my Visor Prism is wrong as there are hardly any accessories for it. by the way, is bluetooth module out in Singapore yet?
RE: good job!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 11:34:46 AM #
The Red-M Blade, a HS bluetooth module, I saw that before. I think it is available already.
RE: good job!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/25/2002 6:54:11 PM #
Check out Tech Center Lab's site for ALOT of Visor accessories!!!!!!

Eh?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2002 10:50:10 PM #
In all honesty, I'd say the only good reason for hires is for viewing documents and spreadsheets. I use a Visor Prism, and I use spreadsheets(DocsToGo), and I wish that I had a hires screen to see all of the sheet. Besides that, I'm good. Have a Stowaway, backup module, MemPlug SM, travel charger, and I'm good to go. Suits all of my student needs. I've been a Handspring user for sometime, and IMHO, Handspring will not go down with a fight. Sure, Palm looks better(case design, pleasing to the eye), but, compared with an m130, the Prism is brighter, and has a bigger screen. Ditto for the m505. My friends have those handhelds, I've seen it. Handspring is of course going to produce some OS 5, ARMed PDAs, they'd be crazy not to. It's just like PCs: new tech. comes out, people buy it, tech. gets better, people upgrade, old tech. dies out. Seriously, does anyone here have any P1, 133MHz computers out there, using them? I think not. Just a sign of the times...

EL Jefe, Prism=w00t!

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