Handspring Offers 25% Rebate on Visor Edge

Posted By: Ed Thursday, June 7, 2001 8:50:50 AM

In another salvo in the ongoing price war, Handspring has announced a $100 rebate on the new Visor Edge. That will bring the price down to $300. The plan goes into effect tomorrow, June 8, and lasts until July 1.

According to company spokesman Brian Jacquet, in order to receive the discount, customers will need to trade-in an old handheld from Handspring, Palm, or any of their competitors. "We're not being too picky," Mr. Jacquet. said. They will also accept Pocket PC's and even Apple Newtons.

In addition, customers who already own a Visor can pass it on to a friend or family member and receive the same $100 to put toward a new Visor Edge. Details on this trade-in will be available on this page at Handspring starting Friday.

"From day one, people have been asking us how they can trade in their old handheld for one of our Visors,'' said Ed Colligan, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Handspring, Inc. "We think this is a great way to reward our own Visor customers with an easy opportunity to upgrade to Visor Edge. In addition, the program provides a strong incentive for anyone already invested in a handheld to step up to something new.''

United DataTech Distributors, a full service reclamation company, will handle recycling and environmentally sound disposal of the incoming products for Handspring. Products qualifying for the trade-up program include handheld computers that utilize the Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC or Symbian operating systems, as well as Apple Newton, Sharp, Psion and Casio handheld computers.

Palm is currently suffering from a glut of inventory and has dropped the prices on many of its models. In an attempt to maintain their share of handheld sales, Handspring has been dropping their prices and offering rebates. Both companies are also seeing reduced demand because of the slowing economy..

Early last month, Handspring dropped the price of the Visor Deluxe to $200, a drop of $50. In addition, the company introduced a mail-in $50 rebate for its Visor Platinum so it will cost $250. The rebate offer goes on until June 17.

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Aboot time

Coyote67 @ 6/7/2001 9:49:29 AM #

Ok, well I don't know about anyone else, but I'm definatly getting a Visor Edge now.

OH my god...becky, look at her....Prism.

RE: Aboot time

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 11:44:41 AM #

Why? Your gay Prism is way better than the Vx knockoff edge, with ugly expansion, monochrome screen, and breakable stylus. Why would you even want one?

Edge not selling well?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 10:47:14 AM #

Is this an indication that Visor Edge is not selling well against the current competition?

"not too picky".....

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 10:49:39 AM #

Hmmmm, I wonder if this would include an old Sharp YO series 128k organizer.

RE: Not Too Picky

Ed @ 6/7/2001 11:04:38 AM #

I think it would.

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RE: Creative Marketing

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 11:27:29 AM #

It's just another way of lowering the price (and not making it look as if they are desperate to move inventory). Too bad the Edge doesn't seem to be moving well, it's the most high-tech and cool looking PDA around. Maybe Handspring should consider a color screen and dual expansion slots (The handspring modules add too much bulk and compromises the "pocketability" of the PDA vis-a-vis the Palm V's or m50x series).

RE: I second that Edge is cool

fkclo @ 6/7/2001 1:36:01 PM #

The Edge is cool. I commute with my Edge in its slim format. When I am back to office, I insert the 8MB Flash addon - where all the large databases reside, and keep my Edge humming at 244% benchmark. I have my SoundsGood MP3 module in its Energy Clip, my TotalRecall recorder in its own self-powered holder. So, there is little conflict fighting for the same Springboard slot. It seems I am enjoying the best of both worlds. And just in case I need more memory, there are CF adaptors, and MemPlug already available in the market.

The Edge then allows me to edit my voice recordings, and transfer the finished pieces to PC for archiving. I am thinking of investing in an Eye Module, since I miss my PalmPix much (working with my Old Vx).

I don't believe M50x is going to offer the same array of add-ons as the springboard modules - not even in the next quarter.

Yet, there are shortfalls on my Edge - I am longing for a keyboard because none of my GoType, GoType Pro, and PPK works with it. The stylus does rattle a bit, and makes holding the Edge less natural. But the finish and construction of Edge, especially the detachable metallic protective cover, are superb. The cradle's slim and flowing design is cool ( and too bad it isn't the same metallic finish as the Edge).

When I buy an Edge, I have immediate access to the well developed spectrum of springboards, a well tried OS and good workmanship.

Francis Lo
Hong Kong

Edge Not Selling

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 10:49:09 AM #

Went to 2 Best Buys in SoCal. Each salesperson told me that they had not sold one Edge. Both mentioned the external stylus as well as the fact that the stylus tip on the demo model has been breaking.

[ No Subject ]

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 1:35:11 PM #

OK, when Handspring adds a color screen to the Edge and drops the price of it to $99, then I'll think about sending in my old Sharp YO-110 organizer to get one...

edge not compatible

mtree @ 6/7/2001 3:23:45 PM #

I am typing this note on my stowaway keyboard. wouldn't you know that handspring used new pin configurations that will not work with the keyboard and its manufacture has a new keyboard that supports the Palm500/505, but not the edge...AND THERE IS NO ADAPTOR.
why get an edge if you can't use the keyboard?
I also notice that palm is now using what they promise to be a universal base pin that promises future compatibility...Handpring is apparently orphaning its different versions.
And I have the added complaint that the base pins of the new cradle are not compatible with existing non-power bases for multiple machine synchs at different locations....
In short...the edge is not yet sharop enough.and I fear it will not be useful with add ons in the future.

Yawn.

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/7/2001 11:11:39 PM #

When Handspring starts supporting OS upgrades on their devices I'd be willing to pay 25% more for them.

It better be bigger

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/8/2001 10:26:10 PM #

First, this is a thinly veiled attempt to admit the Edge is overpriced.

Secondly, the Edge isn't even worth $300. When Handspring offers 50% off, MAYBE it'll be worth it. It's thin--SO WHAT. Beyond that, it offers nothing justifying a $400 price tag(Fast Look-Up? Get serious...). I exaggerate a bit--mainly to piss off all you "Visor-istas"--but not by much. All you Handspring loyalists gleefully celebrating what you consider to be the impending death of Palm better be careful. Handspring appears to have been bitten by the stagnant bug. Within a year, the Visor Edge will be the punchline to a joke.