SmartPad2 Coming Soon
Seiko Instruments is developing the next version of its SmartPad. The original SmartPad is a carrying case for the Palm with a built-in digitizer pad larger than a Palm's screen that allowed notes and drawings to be entered into the the Palm via infrared. A regular sheet of paper rests on top of the digitizer and a drawing can be put on the paper and in the Palm at the same time.
The SmartPad2 adds a keyboard to the digitizer pad to make typing easier. It also has a movable infrared port which allows it to be used with handhelds that don't have their IR ports at the top. It will cost $200, though the company hasn't released a date yet.
Earle Roddy, senior marketing communications manager at Seiko Instruments, said the keyboard on the SmartPad2's digitizer is more than twice as big as the keyboard on the Palm screen. "It bothered us that when you wanted to get information into a Palm, you were using that itty-bitty tap touch field," he said.
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Yes....yes
OH my god...becky, look at her....Prism.
Problems with original SmartPad
yeah, this sucks!
-Pepper
RE: Problems with original SmartPad
It's a brick - and if someone wants one I've got one that I'd take next to nothing for it.
MooseMan
rsgmoose@msn.com
Seiko Instruments not honest
On contacting Seiko Instruments, the replied that they have no intention of developing the Pad software any further for Palm and only Pocket PC versions will work due to "inherent limitations of the OS". What nonsense!
The web site hides this fact very well and it's not easy to figure out that SmartPad products just can't work practically with colour Palms and compatibles.
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Original SmartPad not a Palm Platinum Member
No Full synchronization (2 way). Once you hot synced, you couldn't bring back the memo.
No Templates: Basic sketches are many times a starting point necessity. Couldn't do it.
No Save As: Got 5 similar drawings? Too bad. Draw 'em all. Gee, since I'm drawing them all on paper, why should I carry this extra brick around.
Very bad power management; the AA batteries would last about 2 days. It would also drain the Palm's battery by constantly communicating w/ the device via the infrared port.
I hope the new SmartPad2 has addressed these issues. The OSP looked cool but, couldn't pass the Road Warrior test.