Full HandEra 330 Information Available
The long awaited information on the new HandEra 330 is finally available. In some ways it is similar to current models from other licensees. For example, it has 8MB of RAM, 2 MB Flash memory, and runs the 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ. It uses a version of OS 3.5 that has been tweaked for it, though HandEra is promising to offer OS 4.0 when it becomes available.
However, it is also boasts numerous new features. The HandEra 330's most impressive innovation is a soft Graffiti area giving it a 320x240 screen (with the Graffiti area off). Current Palm apps can either run in a 160x160 window or be stretched to fit in the new space. An interesting feature of the 16 grey-scale screen is that it offers landscape mode.
In addition to the Compact Flash slot its predecessor had, the 330 sports an SD/MMC slot. It also has a built-in microphone and an amplified speaker to do voice recording. It can record directly to RAM or CompactFlash or Secure Digital card.
HandEra plans to offer it for $350 by the end of June, first at Sam's Club and then HandEra's Web site, Office Depot, and other resellers. pdaMD is taking preorders now.
In a wonderful departure from the actions of many of its rivals, HandEra has made the 330 the same size as the TRGpro, so it can use the same peripherals as its predecessor and the Palm III series. It is 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches and has a metal housing.
One of its most unusual features is that it requires 4 AAA batteries, which the company says gives it double the battery life of the Visor Deluxe or m100. This was probably necessary to power some CF harddrives which require lots of current. There is also an optional rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack which can be recharged through a power jack on the side of the unit. The 330 weighs 5.9 ounces with the AAA batteries and 5.4 ounces with the li-ion pack.
The 330 also has a side-mounted jog dial and a select button for one-handed use. It uses a noninverting backlight.
According to HandEra CEO Mike Downey, unlike features developed by Handspring and Sony, which Palm has the right to add back into the OS, HandEra's innovations are its own intellectual property. However, he is interested in getting Palm to standardize the OS on HandEra's screen resolution. A spokesperson for Palm said they would consider it. "I don’t think we've made a decision either way," said Christy Wyatt, the head of Palm's licensing program.
However, Ms. Wyatt had nothing but praise for the new screen. "The screen itself is beautiful," she said. "It's really clear. It's really crisp." Physically, it is 2.2 x 2.9 inches. Its resolution is described as being QVGA, or one quarter the size of a VGA monitor.
Mr. Downey did admit they may have problem getting developers to write applications that can take advantage of the new screen resolution. This is mainly because HandEra is the smallest of the Palm licensees. "I think we've got challenges just because we're the little guy on the block," he said.
The virtual Graffiti are has several unique features. It can be replaced with a QWERTY one which users can still write graffiti on if they choose. Also, what are silkscreen buttons now can be replaced with icons for applications.
"The addition of an SD slot came from feedback of our TRGpro users," said Mr. Downey. "Most of the users purchased the TRGpro for its massive storage and on-device backup in non-volatile data, thanks to the CF slot. With so many input/output add-ons for CF, our users wanted another slot for memory."
Of course, the 330 comes with standard Palm OS software but also it features the QuickOffice suite, which includes applications for viewing Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. "Both of those take advantage of the resolution and larger display surface of the device," Mr. Downey says. It also comes with Chapura Pocket Mirror for synchronization with Outlook.
HandEra says its new handheld is faster than all other 33MHz Dragonball devices, such as the Visor Prism, because of the slightly faster DRAM used in the 330.
HandEra is targeting the device towards corporations but will offer it through retail, as mentioned earlier.
"As HandEra, we plan to take a leadership role in the next era of personal computing by continuing to listen closely to customer needs, and deliver products and solutions that exceed users' expectations," said Mr. Downey.
Someone has sent numerous pictures of the not-yet-released HandEra device to PalmStation. As they are sure to soon be swamped, we will be mirroring them here.
Front View |
HandEra's Screen |
Voice Pad |
Top w/ CF and SD Cards |
Chart in Landscape Mode |
eBook in Landscape Mode |
Graffiti Mirroring |
Top w/o Cards |
Related Articles:
On the Web:- PalmStation Article
- Preorder from pdaMD
- HandEra
- A Palm from the Plains
- HandEra to Ship a Palm for Power Users
- Unveiled: TRGpro's Powerhouse, the HandEra 330
- It Could Be the Coolest Palm Ever
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RE: Looks like Windows CE
I'm just wondering where all the TRG/HandEra bashers are now, probably dishing up another slice of humble pie. I believe that TRG/HandEra is here to stay and they are definitely a formidable competitor in not just the Palm OS marketplace, but the PDA marketplace in general. Now my only question is who wants to buy one slightly used TRGPro? It's proven itself to be a great PDA, that, oh by the way, is still way ahead of the competition in "useable features".
HandEra will not have a color PDA for at least 12 months
Oddly, last Friday, he also told a CNET reporter, "We don't have to sell millions of units. We don't even have to sell hundreds of thousands to make money on the product", suggesting that HandEra may be resigned to maintaining their role as a minor player on the Palm scene. It has been estimated that TRGPros account for less than 0.5% of the PalmOS devices currently being sold.
ATTN: TRG - "Average" PDA users want COLOR, not B+W.
I don't know many people who even consider monochrome once they have seen a similarly-priced color device. Color is an intuitive choice for most people, and the benefits of SoftGraffiti, two expansion slots, etc. are lost on everyone but power users like the people who read this site. Can you see a salesperson trying to explain the advantages of a HandEra 330 over the new color Sony? One look at the Sony screen will be all it takes to convince 95% of casual users to go with the Sony. Another sale lost for HandEra.
Don't fool yourselves into thinking typical buyers are even slightly interested in the features that power users get excited about.
RE: trgpro great product.
I would purchase one. Well the features are great but no color?
bob
RE: Looks like Windows CE
I did want to hold out for the PalmV form factor goodie from the mothership,
but the features here seem too good to pass up!
Cheesy
RE: Cheesy
RE: Cheesy
I know, what a friggen ignorant statement..
Some of us have more important uses for our PDA's than playing video games while listening to the latest M&M song ripped off from Napster.
When you move out of your parents house and stop popping zits you may start to understand.
RE: Cheesy
RE: Cheesy
RE: Cheesy
As for the 330, just admit that, color aside, it is the best PalmOS PDA released so far. Palm III form factor is not a big deal. Nor is the supposedly "ugly" case or high price. For comparison, I give you the Visor Platinum--possibly the butt-ugliest, cheapest-looking PDA out there, but also the fastest. The HandEra 330 wipes it.
RE: Cheesy
RE: Cheesy
this is cool
And soft graffiti. That's what palm should have done 5 years ago.
RE: this is cool
And it's not like this is "just another B&W PDA". This device has some new unique features that are quite practical and compliment the PDA concept nicely.
Just get a PocketPC if you guys are so starved for all these bells and whistles.
2c
RE: this is cool
RE: this is cool
for the record, i don't plan on getting a color handheld until someone makes a color screen worth looking at. even the m505 screen isn't good enough. i'd rather look at a crisp grayscale then the color currently available. oh, and i thiink this new handera device is pretty slick, the addition of an SD slot along with maintaining the same serial slot (so the same peripherals work) is making this handheld quite a bit tastier than the m500. of course, if size is a big issue, i can see this being a letdown for people looking for something as beefy as this in a palmV form factor.
RE: this is cool
I'm on a Palm board because, as a former hardcore Palm user, I'm interested in new devices and how (if at all) the platform can really be pushed. Like most of us here, I'm a PDA enthusiast. I surfed plenty of PPC boards before I switched too. I didn't know that showing up and expressing one's opinion was a crime. Rather, I think that's what these boards are for.
Resolution
RE: Resolution
RE: Quickword
---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter
RE: Quickword
Now someone needs to make an adapter for the Palm Portable Keyboard so you plug the HandEra device sideways (in landscape mode).
Cool
I have to congratulate them on their innovations - two slots, landscape, soft-graffiti with mirroring, voice recorder... I'm glad someone is getting clever with the platform.
Reminds me of the Apple Lisa
exploit the cool innovations. Just like the Apple Lisa. (Fine, Apple did okay after the Lisa with its
own schtick, but everything Apple ever did indirectly siphoned money straight to Gates.)
Face it: It's ugly, and uncool, and the name sounds stupid, and well-heeled executives are
going to spring for the Palm (or Edge) every time. HandEra has no cachet. And it's not color.
Get ready for the Palm 900 (hypothetical only!!!): V form factor, wireless, two slots, 320x320,
soft graffiti. That's when money will be made. We'll all be saying "Remember the HandEra?
That was a cool little thing. Ahead of its time ..."
RE: Reminds me of the Apple Lisa
RE: Reminds me of the Apple Lisa
I think ANY PDA manufacturer would think the better of it just to cater to a small-well-heeled-executive market. They might as well close their doors if that is their concept.
I am not a well-heeled executive (therefore no high-heeled secretary following me around) and I want the expandability it provides me.
And what about color ? I agree with other comments made here, the market for color is not as large as people make it. I have yet to see a program that I would like to have in color mode. OK, I have played a bit with certain games where color would have been nice, but they usually don't stay on my Palm long enough anyway (for space AND time reasons). Datebook in color ? big deal. I can do without it, and most people I know ditto.
I would love to know what most people use their handheld device for. I bet for the large majority, color is a nice add-on but definitely not a must-have. The people that buy color-pda's either need to have the latest gadgets all the time (i used to be one of these) or just have too much money.
What do people put in their datebook that requires color differential anyway?
Monday 8 am: take dog for a walk (BLUE & BOLD)
Monday 9 am: take a pee (YELLOW, FONT 9, BOLD)
Monday 9:15: Go to work (RED, FONT 8, Italic)
Monday 9:30: arrive at work (GREEN, FONT 19, BOLD)
Monday 9:35: Chat with co-workers at coffee-machine
Monday 9:45: finally get the coffee (GREEN)
Monday 9:46: add sugar and milk (GREEN , BOLD) so I dont forget (RED BOLD)
Monday 9:50: arrive at work-station / office (BLUE)
Monday 9:51: turn on PC (RED, BOLD)
Monday 9:51: wait till windows loaded (10 minutes) GREEN
Monday 10:01: surf the net (CYAN)
Monday 11:58: prepare for lunch (RED)
etc, etc, etc.....
Very interesting to have color for these entries....
Color in Datebook 4
RE: Reminds me of the Apple Lisa (320x320)
Handera have made the single biggest improvment for Palm since inception: Portrait/Landscape screen.
This will allow far better access to information. Color would be nice, but that is coming...
RE: Reminds me of the Apple Lisa
Your time used surfing the web could be spent more effectively by both you and your company-(speaking of color)your company should get you your pink slip and you may find it more cost efficient to upgrade to the color pda and surf the web at home(hence the reason most folks want color).
It has LOTS of NEW features - Many like the Sony CLIE and ..
It also has the famous Sony JOG dial, and also includes the new BACK button on the left hand side as well that Sony is incorporating on their new model 700.
I has improved speaker volume. It also has a Mic on-board now so one can record Voice Notes (and also use with the future planned CF Cell-phone attachment).
The case is also plastic, like the old one, but now Silver in color on the front, and black on the back. It also incorporates the new Lithium-Ion-polymer batter which will last a two weeks without recharging.
It is the same physical size as the Palm IIIxe, so one will be able to use all of their old cases and such.
The screen resolution has changed to 240x320. Old programs will be able to run in two modes, enhanced or legacy. The screen can also be tilted so as to appear to have a 320x240 screen (yes, the same, but sideways).
The Graffiti area is now virtual, so you can collapse it when you don't need it, giving one more screen space.
Lastly, the Back-Light is like the old Palm-Pilot style, unlike the current style, which should be a nice suprise.
One item I was unable to confirm or tell is wheather the new HandEra has a vibrating alarm mode along with the new Flashing LED "silent" alarm.
RE: It has LOTS of NEW features - Many like the Sony CLIE and ..
RE: It has LOTS of NEW features - Many like the Sony CLIE an
I'm curious, what do people think is the best looking handheld? No consideration of function; which just has the best appearance?
RE: It has LOTS of NEW features - Many like the Sony CLIE and ..
Too much diversification?
BTW: I’m talking out of my ass. I just wanted to see what people thought. :)
RE: Too much diversification?
HandEra owns intellectual property on some of the innovations they have made. If they dont do
well in 12 months, someone will buy them and incorporate such a Palm device to make us weep.
(I hope).
Handspring had better watch out. They still dont have a "killer app" the potential is there
but the competition isnt far behind.
My hat is off to HandEra.
RE: Too much diversification?
Peace Out
Alan
RE: Too much diversification?
I say these words out of concern. The current platform is tapped. Palm needed to come out with their Next-Gen-ARM Palms yesterday.
2c
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Looks like Windows CE