Comments on: Hardware Hack to Use III Series Accessories with m505

Many have complained that Palm once again redesigned its serial port connectors for the m500 series and have asked for an adaptor to let the new models connect to their current peripherals. Someone handy with tools in Japan got tired of waiting and made one for himself. The GO GO PalmDock 505 is a converted PalmDock that allows him to connect his m505 to a III series PalmModem and GoType keyboard.

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I have to be the first to comment!

mondo @ 6/22/2001 7:43:44 AM #

If you have a few spare minutes, take the time to visit the site in question, and then translate it through Babelfish. Its a very funny read.

Speaking a little Japanese, I could actually understand more of this in Japanese than English (my first language).

-----
mondo
Sydney, Australia

RE: I have to be the first to comment!

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/2/2001 11:45:39 AM #

There is now an ENGLISH selection at the top of the page to view the page in English.

About Time!!

superbenk @ 6/22/2001 8:51:48 AM #

I'm surprised some small company hasn't put one of these out already. It seems like such a simple project to put adapters together to make any one device convert to anothers connector type (ie, 50x -> III, V -> 50x, etc.). If I had the tools, space and money to play with all the platforms, I would have made it when the 50x came out and be making all kinds of money!

Oh well, I guess I'll catch my next money boat... in the meantime, somebody with the capabilities to market this, PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!

RE: About Time!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/2/2001 11:41:08 AM #

I found a company that makes Palm III to V "bridges", Midwest PCB Designs, Inc. Their website: http://www.midwestpcbdesigns.com. I contacted them about a V to m50x "bridge" and they said that they are working on one, but are waiting for connectors.

I want it, and I want it NOW.

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 11:27:20 AM #

This is exactly what needs to be on the market. If any palm acessories supplier is listening.... Get these specs and get it made ASAP.

RE: I want it, and I want it NOW.

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 11:47:00 AM #

Yes somebody has to do it OTHERWISE I (and many others) WILL NEVER MOVE FROM THE PALM Vx to the M505.

Clie?

Ant @ 6/22/2001 12:53:21 PM #

And what about clie to 3 series? sure, the clip on the back may cause a few problems, but it's got even fewer accessories than the 50x! come on, do us a favour...

Ant
http://fly.to/clie/

truly universal connector?

c_blue @ 6/22/2001 1:10:03 PM #

if this device goes to the market and become a success.. it will make the III series connector the REAL universal one? ....

RE: truly universal connector?

superbenk @ 6/22/2001 1:47:17 PM #

No, I don't think so. It just makes the transition to a new Palm unit much easier. Technology is growing fast and with new wireless technologies and such it makes sense to replace that outdated modem that is working at 33.6k (maybe), but it doesn't make sense to replace a perfectly good keyboard with another that is EXACTLY the same in every way except the connector. Well, not until it breaks anyhow. If I could buy a M505 (or any other model) and a $20 adapter as opposed to an M505 and HUNDREDS of dollars in replacement gear, I'd be more inclined to make the upgrade. Then I can upgrade accessories when I want/need/can afford to.

Palm needs to help people transition, not just dump them cold. I'm all for these accessory companies wanting to sell new products, but my Stowaway keyboard isn't toilet paper and I'm not about to flush it down the toilet just for a slightly sleeker, faster unit that does basically the same as what I have now.

Blue light?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 2:43:59 PM #

On the site that has the GoGo adapter, what is that blue light that is shining from the Plam m505 in one of the pictures?

RE: Blue light?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 2:46:18 PM #

Sorry, that's a Palm m505, not a Plam....my fingers slipped, or I'm getting dislexic.... ;-)

RE: Blue light?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 7:37:00 PM #

Check out all the links to the other cool sites (mostly in japanese) that have these ultra cool lights.

Here are just a few:

http://www.fureai.or.jp/~mori-t/0904_full_blue/full_blue.html
http://homepage1.nifty.com/jl1bmw/1016nightrider/knight.htm
http://www.fureai.or.jp/~mori-t/

Cheers!
Andrew

Not enough money...

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 4:49:21 PM #

These companies today do not have enough money to do the customer research and dev. so they can't produce something that the majority doesn't want, so basically until someone raises a lil' heck, this converter is non-exsisting on the open consumer market, and the version built by "no one knows" doesn't have any warrantes or guarentees. And just to let everyone out there know, I'm byass when it comes to the Palm keyboard series III , I love it ,, its the best invention ever!!! the people at palm are pure genius

It's all ABOUT money...

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/22/2001 7:00:32 PM #

Case in point. I recently discussed an adapter product with a friend who had invented one and planned to manufacture and sell it. It was a GREAT idea, and was bound to make him some money. Well, some other people found out about it, and he made a deal with them. I'm not privvy to the details, but I'm guessing he sold them the patent or rights or whatever for a chunk of cash, with the belief that these other people (from a big company) would be making the device and selling it, or bundling it with other things.
Did you already guess? I haven't heard a darn thing since then about this product. It would not surprise me at all to learn that this company bought him out, simply so that they could keep the item FROM the market, therefore being able to sell more of their more expensive, specialized (no adapter) products.
I mean, be honest, business is business. They're out to make as much money as possible. If they believe they can make more money by selling few $80 specialized items than slightly (if at all) more $20 items, you bet your ass they'll opt for the higher price item and screw interoperability.
All I can say is that I SERIOUSLY hope the PalmDock people are already hard at work making m50x/V and m50x/III adapters. They'll make just as much money, if not more, with those as they have with the PalmDockV.

about a hardware hack

uk7517 @ 6/22/2001 10:36:03 PM #

i dont know if its the first hardware hack for palm, but its going to be a good encouragement for palm hardware world.

well, this s a layman's idea, but i think that if there s an adapter for PPK the demand for PPK will increase. a lot of people are hesitating to buy PPK (of course, there would be many reasons, but) because of the incompatibility among palm hardwares.

one of the reasons why there s not been any hareware hack could be lack of the market. i have no idea how many hardware adapters would be sold if its released to the market.
i doubt if it could be successful. so, i dont expect the third party companies to make it but expect stowaway to do it.

could my PPK be used for a new palm model one or two years later? i hope it to be true. =)

Seong-uk Kim
http://internet.start.w3.to