More Palm Vc/m505 Details Emerge

Posted By: Raishe & Ed Saturday, January 27, 2001 8:51:39 AM

More details about the Palm m505 have come to the surface thanks to ZDnet. This new Palm is expected to run a Dragonball VZ chip at 33 MHz and sport 8 MB of RAM. Also new will be the "postage-stamp-sized" SD (Secure Digital) expansion slot.

There will be two versions of this device, monochrome and 16-bit color. The monochrome version won't weigh more than 3.25 ounces, about an ounce less than the current Palm V series. The color version will weigh between 3.9 and 4.3 ounces and use flexible lithium-polymer batteries. It is 1 mm thicker than the current Palm V.

Click for Larger Image The prices that ZDnet are quoting are slightly confusing. They cite a French source who says that prices will range between $500 for the monochrome version and $635 for the color version in France. What they will cost in the U.S. may be different.

Both versions of this device are expected to be released at Germany's CeBIT trade show in March.

PalmStation.com is citing the same anonymous person who originally leaked the m505 picture earlier this week to concur with ZDnet. They go on to say that the monochrome device will be called the m500 and both versions with have 4 MB of ROM.

Update: According the original ZDnet France article, these models will also come with the Mobile Internet Kit.

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French Palm Prices

Ed @ 1/27/2001 9:12:03 AM #
I'm trying to figure out how much difference there is between what Palms cost in France compared to what they cost in the US. For example, if the V costs 15% more in France than it does here, I'd be willing to say that the m505 will be 15% more too.

Trouble is, the French Palm site (http://www.palm.com/europe/fr_french/index.html) doesn't list prices. Can anyone please tell me what any new Palm costs in France?

Thanks.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: French Palm Prices
EGarrido @ 1/27/2001 10:32:42 AM #
I found a Palm Vx and a cheap case bundeled together @ booston.com for 3490 FF (US$618.39).

Therefore, the Vc is a little more than 2.5% more expensive than the Vx (as it is above), however one must take into account that the Vx comes with a case that is already added into that given price.

I'll follow up if I get anything else.

Eric

RE: French Palm Prices
Ed @ 1/27/2001 11:48:34 AM #
Oops, you mean it is a little more than 25% more expensive, not 2.5%.

Using that as a thumb-rule, I'd say that the color version will debut in the U.S. at about $500 and the monochrome at about $400. This is pretty much what I expected and good news for me. I think I'm going to spring for the color version but not at over $600.

To give this some perspective, the current Vx is $400. The Visor Prism costs $450.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/27/2001 5:38:28 PM #
i'm not so sure what the "oops" means, seeing as how the difference between $618 and $636 (and some change) is roughly $18, or ~2.8%. so, based on the french relationship, that makes the american palmVc about $409. which i'm sure is significantly less than what it will be, but i wouldn't be too surprised if the m505 replaced the IIIc for the $450 range palm model.
just my 2 francs



RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/7/2001 10:56:19 AM #
Actually you can public price of the PalmVx in France is 3790 FF, but you can find it for as low as 3290 FF. The Palm IIIc can be found for less than 3000 FF.
Vx is waaay overpriced.



RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/14/2001 5:12:10 AM #
Yeah... Prism costs about 4300ff which is about %620... It's as expensive as Casio or iPaq!!! Damn, do they think French are as rich as Swiss???

RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2001 11:07:58 PM #
US price is 469...I just pre-bought mine today and Franklin Covey. They are expected to be recieving them in May

RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/30/2001 9:23:58 PM #
Go to E-bay do a search for M505. Read the ad. Note the Discount certificate for amazon. you don't have to bid on it. take the coupon number to amazon get a 50.00 discount and pre-buy the Palm m505 or M500.

I just did this morning and am waiting for estimated ship next week.

Good Luck.....

RE: French Palm Prices
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 3:51:54 PM #
went to ebay and looked for coupon, can you help with this

Palm Vc/m505

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/27/2001 7:07:12 PM #
Impressive stats. A colour screen would be a nice addition to the Palm Vx platform, but a bigger screen (say 200 x 240) would be much better. I suppose I will have to wait until OS5.0 becomes available.

info**
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/20/2001 12:23:58 PM #
Things I know

The enhancements of these units are many. The alarm system will now have a flashing
power button and a vibrator for a silent alarm. The will be a much smaller expansion
pack on the back of the unit in which many things will fit, ranging for a digital camera
to a 256k back memory card to a number of Sega gaming cards. These cards will be
about ¼ the size of the ones used on the Handspring. The left had rail will be smaller
than that of the V and Vx. Palm has also built a feature to dial phone numbers out of
the address book and beam the command to you cellular phone. After a "hard reset"
you will have the option to restart the palm in a number of languages. The Battery
power claims to be longer and the weight lighter. On the m505 the screen will be
65k color just like its competitor the Prism, and on the m505 it will be a regular
plasma screen. The price on the m505 is $449us and $399us on the m500,

Also for any one interested in exactly two weeks palm will release the m105. This unit
is just like the palm m100 yet comes with a bundled cradle and 8mg of memory, that
is basically the only change. The price on this unit is $199us

Feel free to ask or inquire upon this statement. I will reply.

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 6:37:14 PM #
Are you sure about the prices? If so, then the Prism is in big trouble.

How reliable is your source for the pricing. Thanks.

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 7:52:55 PM #
What does a plasma screen look like?

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 9:34:53 PM #
Very confident in the pricing. And I meant to say that the m500 will have a plasma screen similar to the Vx and that the m505 will have one comprable to the Visor Prism.

Trust me on the pricing, I can't reveal the source of my knowledge, sorry

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 10:17:57 PM #
When will the color palm Vx's come out? Within a couple of months? I was about to purchase a Vx today, however, I will wait a few weeks for a Vx color.

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/22/2001 8:06:22 PM #
Um..... there will be no color Vx. The m505 is replacing it. Why would you want a color Vx when you can have a m505 for around the same price that a unit like that would cost? Anyway, anything else?

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/22/2001 11:34:28 PM #
will they have enough units to be sold to the consumers? I hope they will not have the manufacturing problems like the IPAQ.



RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/23/2001 12:49:29 AM #
I am also curious if they will be making enough units to satisfy the initial demand... any word on WHEN they'll be available in the USA??

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/23/2001 2:16:08 AM #
My question is, what type of connector will it have at the bottom and will it be able to use current Vx accessories, like my PPK? I've heard that it will use USB, will the change from serial mean that everything will have to be new? Also, Palm has said that they are going to standarize this connector. Any chance that it will be the same one as on the III and VII series since even the M100 series works with those connectors? Thanks!

informer**
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/23/2001 11:37:19 AM #
It is true the m500 series will be USB cradles, the palm hotsync manager version that
will be able to run this cradle is 4.0.1. Also, I am unsure what you mean by m100s fitting
into a III and VII cradle, this does not work without tape; so in regard to the question on
standerdizing the cradles I honestly doubt that any unit will work in the m500 series cradles
except for of course the m500 and m505.

As far as the release date, I am unsure. I don't even think that Palm corprate is sure yet.
They would like it to be around the end of March but I don't know if they are going to make
it. I WILL let you guys know when I know. Regarding the quanity, lets hope that they have
it under control. Corprate is not planing any "limited addition palm frenzy" I am sure they
are doing there best to cover their bases. They have said that they plan a "worldwide
release date" as in comercials, web banners and emials sent out all in the same hour of one
day...... I have no idea how well this is going to work, mainly because of people like me.


Checking Messages Daily,
Your Informer**

Informer**
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/23/2001 11:55:48 AM #
I honestly don't know about clipping Vx accs. to the bottom of the m500 series, thats a
question. I will find out tonight for you. I know that all accs. will now be attached through
the top of the unit as you know; so I am unsure if much anything will attach there. Anyway
give me 12 hours to figure that out for you.

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/28/2001 4:02:05 PM #
I heard that Palm is coming out with a Push Technology Palm....to compete with RIM's Blackberry.......do you have any idea when that is coming?

informer**
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/28/2001 9:29:15 PM #
I have a hard time believing that palm needs to compete with the "blackberry" units. They are over priced and have limited functionality. The palm units have a different niche in business. If you want e-mail on the palm, you already have an unlimited amount of ways to arive at that goal, for no monthly charge at that. To answer the question, no, I know that Palm Inc. has no intention to compete with these units.

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/2/2001 9:36:55 AM #
the m105 also comes with mobile internet kit in the box.
i've used one.
its memory is also non flash upgradable

RE: Informer**
Ed @ 3/26/2001 11:28:00 PM #
I was just reviewing all the posts made by the Informer** in the days preceding the release of the M500 series and whomever he or she is, they were dead on with everything they said.

So thanks a ton for all the info you gave us. I really appreciate it and I'm sure everyone else does, too.

If there is ever want to contact me directly with pictures or other stuff you might learn, my e-mail address is ed@palminfocenter.com.

Thanks again.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: Palm Vc/m505
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/4/2001 2:30:02 AM #
Will the palm 505 have the connection for mobile phone attachment, such as handspring have? So we can phone directly from the palm 505?

Additional function in the Graffiti area ?

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/27/2001 7:22:41 PM #
Does anybody know what thie litte 2/3 circle in the upper left corner of the graffiti field of the m505 will bw used to ?

RE: Additional function in the Graffiti area ?
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/27/2001 7:53:19 PM #
My guess is that it will activate the clock application like it does on the m100. The good thing about this is that no matter what application you are in you can check the time without leaving that app.


RE: Additional function in the Graffiti area ?
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/14/2001 4:48:52 PM #
I think it'll be a contrast panel. Just like the Visor's (at least the one i've played with)

Informer**
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/23/2001 12:04:14 PM #
That IS the contrast field, just the same as the reset of the m-series, just like the m100.
You guys should know that.

~Your Informer**

RE: Additional function in the Graffiti area ?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/1/2001 11:34:45 AM #
I thought that the color palms didn't need a contrast control. I think it porbably does launch the clock that was mentioned earlier.

Matt.

informer**
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/1/2001 11:58:37 AM #
Any palm unit with a plasma screen will need a contrast control, such as the m500.
The m505 will also need a funtion to change the brightness of the screen. It
may have a clock function on it, but the palm OS always has a clock on the
applications screen. I have not had any "hands on" with these units YET but
when I have I will let you know, I think I should know alot more in about 24hrs.
I will let you Matt if I find out.

clock
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/11/2001 7:43:40 PM #
just like on the m100/m105 it is a clock

RE: Additional function in the Graffiti area ?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/21/2001 9:55:18 AM #
I KNOW...

I LIVE IN ISRAEL AND I WAS IN PALM PRESENTION IN THE LAST MOTNTH, I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE NEW M505 COUSE I WORKED WITH HIM THERE !
THE LITTLE CIRCLE WILL BE A SIMPLE ALARM PROGRAM THAT WILL BE IN-BOARD THE PALM M505.

Watch out Palm!

Lito Simpao @ 1/28/2001 6:18:41 AM #
If they're not careful with their pricing strategy, Palm may just about suceed in pushing loyal Palm users like me into the clutches of PocketPC. US$600+!!!! I have a feeling my next handheld will be a Compaq!
RE: Watch out Palm!
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/29/2001 2:10:11 PM #
Go buy your compaq at best buy! And I will guarantee you will return it in less than a week! Quit your whining and spectulating! Palm rocks the house with it's simplicity and functionality!

RE: Watch out Palm!
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/7/2001 2:49:17 PM #
What, $600 for something I can use a $3 calculator to do? Come on, admit it, you KNOW PocketPC rocks!

RE: Watch out Palm!
Ed @ 2/7/2001 3:07:41 PM #
I'm still confused about why you PocketPC trolls feel the need to hang out here. Why don't you go over to http://www.brighthand.com/ where you can find other like-minded people?

This doesn't refer to all PPC users, most of whom are fine people. I'm referring to pinheads like this guy, who feel so insecure that they need to convince other people to believe the same things that they do. If the situation was a cut-and-dried as they think it is (PPC rules, Palm drools!) then more people would agree with them without their sophomoric comments.

Oh well, I guess every society needs a village idiot.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: Watch out Palm!
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/21/2001 2:58:20 PM #
OK well it goes like this - the Palm is the neatest piece of alternative computing to come out since the PC, in fact it's more like CPM in the late 70's... The PocketPC is like the IBM-PC in 1980 - it's got a big name and corporations are comfortable buying them - as are weenies with no guts to learn.

I develop on both platforms - and everything being said in here is true: that the PPC SUCKS memory and that the Palms handle memory extraordinarily efficiently.

SO?

Both platforms will attract their own style of user - if we all stick to open architectures both may actually survive a long time - but traditionally only one wins... which is why we develop on both platforms (!)

It's way too early to foresee any side giving in to the other - CE is gaining ground from business users, Palm's maintain a leadership role in the general community - killer apps, there aren't any... so: live and let live...
...............a PPC owner isn't your enemy, he's someone to be sympathized with and nurtured from the dark side until Microsoft see the error of their ways and try, at least attempt, to reduce the bloatware they can't help but to produce.

My 2Francs worth!

Niggle

RE: Watch out Palm!
I.M. Anonymous @ 2/25/2001 5:04:48 PM #
Too bad the Compaq only has a 12-bit color screen. The price of the m505 IN FRANCE will be $635, but in the US it will certainly be less. Palm may have made mistakes, but they aren't completely stupid.

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