Cordless Phone Springboard Available

The Parafone Cordless Telephone Springboard is now available. Operating on the unlicensed 900MHz ISM band, it allows users to make wireless telephone calls as long as they are within range of a basestation. It can not function as a wireless modem for the Visor. It sells for $120.

The Parafone features call display on call waiting, a 50 entry speed dial, a 1000 entry call history with direct address book transfer, direct dialing from the Address Book, calling card support, three way conference, a Ni-MH battery, and handsfree headset support.

“The Arkon Parafone replaces the stand-alone cordless phone for consumers and small businesses and makes local telephone services much more accessible and easy to use,” said Michael Rosenthal, developer relations manager for Handspring. “The Parafone combines the personal information management functionality of the Handspring Visor, a fantastic user interface for dialing, conference calling, and call management, and a 900MHz cordless phone. People can be more productive and can access the voice services of their local telephone carrier in a new and useful way.”

This device has been a long time in coming. It was first announced in September of last year. It is the first in a series of networking solutions from Arkon Networks.

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no modem access?

shogun @ 8/3/2001 7:38:20 AM #
For $120 and then the price of a handspring visor, we are getting around the price range for 2.4 gig phones which have more range and clarity. Adding wireless modem access would have made this a good alternative for those of us who don't or can't use the Xircom wireless Lan springboard. Right now it seems like a Visorphone with less options and those are selling for much less.

lame device

JeepBastard @ 8/3/2001 10:15:36 AM #
1. Some of these springboards too way too long to hit market. Now the economy took a dump and most of the geeks who would buy this are out of work , taking pay cuts, or holding onto every penny in case of a lay off


2. Handspring took the piss out of all wireless/phone offerings by dropping the price to $49. I personally bought the phone for $299 only to find out four weeks later it was on sale for $49. Now all these other devices look silly at their price point, and are threatened with tons of inventory. This is good for the consumer in the short term when they sell it dirt cheap. But who is going to invest in R&D on a handspring sprinboard if handspring is just going to undercut your prices and you cant sell any of your inventory of springboards?



[http://www.mediathreat.net]

RE: lame device
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/3/2001 10:22:08 AM #
I think you are missing the point on this one.. It is not a cell phone.. its a domestic cordless type... So it doesn't compete at all with the visorphone....

Having said that, by not including a modem in it, these guys have really shot themselves in the foot.

For $120 to say $150 I can see a modem version of this selling like hot cakes... Otherwise its all but useless... The "ease" of dialling direct from the screen is not worth $120.

Regards

Nick



RE: lame device
EGarrido @ 8/3/2001 5:04:22 PM #
I agree. It's my understanding, however, that the speed is limited to something like 33.6 . I may be wrong, but it wouldn't be too fast.

That would be an awesome product IF it had this wireless modem feature.

Eric Garrido

RE: lame device
JeepBastard @ 8/3/2001 6:21:36 PM #
i was referring to the sprint pcs visorphone. Im sorry i didnt make myself clear. That's why I meant in a general sense all phone springboards.

[http://www.mediathreat.net]

Handspring's missing the boat

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/3/2001 11:05:38 AM #
What a piece of junk! Have you seen how enormous this is? Does it really add any USEABLE functionality to your Visor? Someone should be fired over this one...

Incidentally, I noticed Fry's is now offering the graphite Visor Deluxe for $99.99. This says to me that either Handspring is going to offer something new and alter their pricing structure, or that sales of the Visor Dx are in the toilet. Something tells me it's both of these.

RE: Handspring's missing the boat
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/5/2001 2:05:57 AM #
I think the $99 Visor are "reconditioned" aka Refurbs. If you check the packaging I am sure that it will mention this.

no Modem!?

beauX @ 8/6/2001 1:02:29 AM #
honestly, adding what already exists would be a big help for those worried about how many minutes we spend surfing wireless on our cellular account. ADD THE MODEM ON THIS! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!
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