Rumor: More Details of Visor Edge, m500

Posted By: Ed Thursday, March 8, 2001 7:48:22 AM

The same source who leaked the m105 details last week has revealed that the Visor Edge will be released next Monday, March 12. It will come in three colors: silver, blue, and red. In addition, PDABuzz has finally posted the photo of the Edge that someone leaked to them. They admit this photo has been retouched to protect the person who sent it to them.

Another source has confirmed that the m500 does have Palm's uniform base connector, meaning that peripherals designed to clip to its serial port will work with future Palm models. Unfortunately, according to this source, Palm V series peripherals will not work with the m500 series.

The source admits they have only had access to the m500 and not the color m505, which is rumored to be slightly thicker. How this will affect clip-on peripherals is not yet clear.

The m500 series is Palm's replacement for the V series. It will be comparable in size and has a Secure Digital slot to allow it to use SD memory, modems, and other peripherals.

The Visor Edge is Handspring's first slim model, designed to compete with the V series and the forthcoming m500. It has a greyscale screen and is so slim, it needs an clip-on "sleeve" to be able to use Springboards.

Remember, all of this is rumors and leaks. Anything in this article could turn out to be incorrect.

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Edge Picture

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 8:17:15 AM #
That picture doesn't look right. The screen isn't square. I know Handspring hasn't changed the screen resolution so the picture has probably been stretched for some reason. Or maybe the whole thing is a fake.

RE: Edge Picture
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 9:20:42 AM #
lets hope that picture is a fake, because It is butt ugly. I know that's terribly shallow and with the exception of the V series neither Palm or Handspring would win any design awards. I respect function over form but yuck!!

RE: Edge Picture
fleegle @ 3/8/2001 9:38:43 AM #
It isn't the best looking PDA. Hopefully it will look better in person. :)

What do you think that black thing is on the left side of the PDA, next to the Graffiti area? That's an odd place for the IR port, if thats what it is.

Also, it looks like that hole in the lower left corner is a microphone.

RE: Edge Picture
Ed @ 3/8/2001 9:56:54 AM #
I believe the black thing is the IR port. Its unusual location is caused by the need to clip the Springboard sleeve onto the back and sides of the device. The IR port on the Visor has always been on the side because the Springboard port takes up the top. Now it looks like the Springboard sleeve is going to take up the top and about half of the side.

This isn't the best solution because the usual way of holding the Edge will mean the hand is over the IR port. On the other hand, where else could they put it?

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: Edge Picture
PFloyd @ 3/8/2001 10:04:57 AM #
I bet that is the IR port. Have you ever hotsynced with IR on a laptop? It's neat, it's handy, there're no wires but on most machines I've seen you have to cram the Palm either in back or in front of the laptop. Nec used to put IR ports on the front and rear and you could choose which you wanted. I hope that's one of the next things we'll see as PDA continue growing in popularity. Maybe even on the sides...

What's that about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. Handspring making the edge really validates the V design. Does anyone know who designed it? Frog or whatever bizarre named company used to do design work for Apple perhaps?

RE: Who Designed the Palm V
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 11:21:59 AM #
"Handspring making the edge really validates the V design. Does anyone know who designed it? "

A company called IDEO designed the Palm V and the Visor. Ironically, they could have designed the Edge as well. ;)

http://www.ideo.com/studies/palm5.htm
http://www.ideo.com/studies/handspring.htm

RE: Edge Picture
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 9:32:17 PM #
I think that it is the power button. If you look at the sliver photo that is linked at the top of the page, you see what looks like an IR port on the lower left side.

Palm V peripherals

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 9:44:04 AM #
"meaning that peripherals designed to clip to its serial port will work with future Palm models"

But will Palm V peripherals work with the m500?

RE: Palm V peripherals
Ed @ 3/8/2001 9:51:47 AM #
According to my source, Palm V peripherals will not work with the m500 series. Sorry.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter
RE: Palm V peripherals
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 12:43:52 PM #
Does anyone know if my Palm III series foldaway key board will work with the new M505?

RE: Palm V peripherals
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 1:24:43 PM #
Man....I just bought the Streetfinder Palm V GPS and I also have another GPS for my notebook. And now I have to get yet another one when the new m500 is out? What a rip off!! I hope someone will create a converter soon....

RE: Palm V peripherals
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 3:13:16 PM #
NOTHING older then the M500 series will work with the M500 series. This includes the M100 series. Every peripheral will have to be made for the new connector -- the good thing though is now that its a universal connector Palm is also doing away with only supporting serial connections out of the box and is now supporting USB directly out of box and that there will only have to be one Palm Modem or Keyboard in the future.

The new universal base connector the M500 series will have, and subsequently every Palm after that, is vastly different and actually has a locking mechanism when a device is plugged into the port. Now it is impossible to accidently knock the Palm out of its cradle while HotSync'n. If you tip the Palm over the cradle will go right with it and continue to HotSync interruption-free. Same stands for other devices to be released later.

If this gets duplicated my mistake, I screwed something up and I had to correct it.

What Do U Think???

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 9:39:45 AM #
Forget the Visor Edge. The big news here is that supposedly Palm V series peripherals will be compatiable with the new m500 series!!! Does this mean the Omnisky Palm V modem will work with the new m500? Even if the m505 is slightly thicker, most peripherals should still work because they are not wrap around and the added width should NOT be a factor. If the connector matches, what is the issue?

Am I missing something or does anyone (dis)agree??? Two weeks from today these babies should be on the shelves. I've called a bunch of places to pre-order and while they won't accept the order, they do acknowledge that the new m500 series will be out March 21-22.

That wait has been unbearable- hopefully it will be over soon. :-)

I think you're missing something...
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 9:55:53 AM #
I think the "uniform" base connector is the "new" connector that all future Palm models will use. It'd be great if they used the current connector, but I seriously doubt that'll happen. I too have Palm V accessories that I'll no longer be able to use. Hopefully Novatel will develop an M-series modem soon.

March 21-22??
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 10:32:42 AM #
If those dates are right, will it still be announced at CeBIT 2001 since that starts on the 22nd? Would they announce it at CTIA Wireless 2001 in Las Vegas which is the 20th-22nd?

RE: What Do U Think???
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 4:35:59 PM #
Which places did you call to Pre-order? Will they actually be on the shelves on Mar 21 or be shipping as of that date? Are these retail places that you called or internet companies?

monochrome screen type?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 12:25:58 PM #
Will the monochrome m500 have a decent screen
like the monochrome ipaq:
"15 grayscale on paper-white, semi-transmissive graphic STN (supertwist neumatic) LCD display"
or will it be the same cheap unreadable
screen?


RE: monochrome screen type?
mikecane @ 3/8/2001 1:35:49 PM #
Have you actually SEEN the mono iPaq screen? Go look at the review at http://www.brighthand.com You will see it falls far short of the hype.

How is SD used?!

mikecane @ 3/8/2001 1:41:32 PM #
Can anyone tell me if SD on the new m5xxs will be used more like a hard drive or if it will be ala CF and Memory Stick is currently used: that is, tediously, manually, copying apps and DBs back and forth from CF/MS to Palm RAM?

RE: How is SD used?!
atrizzah @ 3/12/2001 10:56:43 PM #
As I understand it, with OS 4, the SD is pretty much seamless

Peace Out
Alan

what about the intergration with OS4

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 3:46:20 PM #
i like the new designs that are coming out for both the Palm and Handspring. but i am wondering, becasue the screen size is the same, most likely will be clearer though, as the Vx, does any one see Palm offering a change in the availiable resolutions for the devices. 160x160 is kool for small things like email and all. but is there anyone out there that thinks that there should be a change, or at least teh option to change, the resoultion to make better use of the newer hardware technologies.

RE: what about the integration with OS4
Ed @ 3/8/2001 5:48:38 PM #
The 160 x 160 resolution is both a limitation of the OS and all Palm software has been written for a 160 x 160 screen. The ability to support different screen sizes, and have a "soft" graffiti area, is a part of OS 5, so we'll have to wait another year.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

my final straw with Palm

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 7:19:28 PM #
The new m500 series will have a different connecter?? Why is it that Palm can't stick with one? First we had the connector for the original Palm Pilot and the III series. Then the V's came out and that was new. Now the m100's use a different one, and the m500's are too? WTF? Seems like either a technology plan that has no cohesion, or disregard for loyal consumers, or a money grab as we all have to get new peripherals (maybe all three). I have been a Palm user since the first Palm Pilot, but this is just getting silly. Not to mention that the m100's are a step backward from the III series. Put the IIIxe next to the new m105 and tell me which one YOU'D prefer. I think I'm gonna jump ship to Handspring. Sigh. You had me Palm, but you lost me.

RE: my final straw with Palm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/8/2001 11:56:57 PM #
The new m series are the start of palm's decadence.

Why the sam hill did they have to change connectors AGAIN?

Great, that fucks my VII and your v's... and these m100/m105 will last for less than a year, then the new m500 comes out and palm brings yet again a series of palms with less thana year of life and no further copatibility.



RE: my final straw with Palm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/9/2001 6:15:15 AM #
I had looked forward to going colour for the replacement to my Palm Vx but if the connectors are changing the addition of colour is not going to outweigh the cost of replacement peripherals.

The Visors including this new edge one simply do not have anwhere near the style of the Vx and Palm are gonna make a big mistake pissing Vx owners off with this. I think I shall probably take my colour requirements else where and non-Palm OS if necessary !!

RE: my final straw with Palm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/9/2001 10:10:23 AM #
I am with all of you - If I cannot use my Palm V keyboard or Omnisky modem I am so gone!! WTF? How can Palm be so ignorant?? If this is true - I amy just have to go to the ipaq, I mean if you are going color, you might as well go for Compaq or at the very least Handspring.

RE: my final straw with Palm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 8:47:13 PM #
same here, if the m505 series does not work with my omnisky modem,I am definitely moving to the ipaq

RE: my final straw with Palm
Ed @ 3/12/2001 10:13:32 PM #
I think you are getting out one generation too early. While it is pretty certain that the m500 series will require all new peripherals, this will be the last time this will happen. The m500 and m505 have Palm's new Uniform Base Connector, meaning that future generations of Palm devices will be able to use m500 series accessories.

Really, I feel your pain; I'm going to have to pitch a bunch of III series accessories. And I'm still trying to stretch out the life of a whole lot of non-USB Macintosh peripherals, too.

If you think this is irritating for you, talk to a Palm accessory manufacturer some time.

If you are determined to dump the Palm for a Compaq, I wish you good luck. Try to get one of their forthcoming 64 MB models; they look like they rock.

BTW, if any of you are considering an m105, be aware that it is is an evolutionary dead end. It doesn't have the Uniform Base Connector so there probably will never be another model that has its shape and can use its accessories. On the other hand, at that price it is almost disposable.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: my final straw with Palm
atrizzah @ 3/12/2001 10:38:55 PM #
As I see it, there is a reason for the different connectors. First of all, the m500s have different connectors than the Palm V's because the m500 is supposed to have a faster serial port for the USB cradle. For a simalar reason, the port on the m500 is different than the one on the m100. Also, imagine hooking up an accesory designed to fit well for the m100 to the m500 or vice versa. Pretty silly looking if you ask me. I know it sucks to have to get new accesories though. I still think its better that they switch to the USB style. But then again, I have a different point of view since I never bought any serial port accesories. BTW, does anyone know if the connector will be an actual USB port?

Peace Out
Alan

Yeuuuch

Gaardii @ 3/9/2001 4:08:25 AM #
The Edge is not pretty at all and, if the forthcoming m500/505 is even almost as stylish as the V/Vx series, Palm will win the battle hands down. When tech specs are equal, good style wins.
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