Comments on: Rumor: Picture of Palm Zire

Geek.com has been leaked a picture of the Palm Zire, the low-end model Palm Inc. is expected to announce next month. This confirms much of what has previously been leaked about this model, including that it has only two hardware application buttons, not the four that have always been standard on Palm OS models.

Update: Todd Bradley, CEO of Palm's Solutions Group, said his company's entry-level model will be launched October 7.

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What a peice of Junk

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:25:39 PM #
2MB. Thats it. How about getting a M105 or something like that?

Another dud from Palm.

Another Opinion
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:29:23 PM #
> How about getting a M105 or something like that?

Because the Zire looks about 5000% better than the M105. The screen looks like it has much better contrast tho it could be too early to say what with the screen being simulated. It doesn't look like it has the reduced screen from the M105 either tho again it could be too early to say. So far, I give it a conditional thumbs up.

Hey, Come on.. Give us 8MB
peter167 @ 9/19/2002 1:43:50 PM #
A 2MB model? A 8MB one should not cost more than $5 (in terms of manufacturing costs, I think...).

2MB is out. Even Handspring does not sell models with 2 MB.

******************
Lie is the future.

RE: What a peice of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:44:01 PM #
The key of this model is to create 1.)a palm model under $100 new, 2.) a consumer/student model 3.) something that in 6 mos. will most likely cost $75 and in a year can be sold for $50. A $50 palm! Imagine the new markets that opens up.
Most people I know who are looking and considering Palms and who don't own them only want the organizing functionality and one or two apps max. They don't care about anything else, they just want to organize their life. This model is aimed squarly at them.

RE: Hey, Come on.. Give us 8MB
terrysalmi @ 9/19/2002 1:47:06 PM #
When people buy this model, they will want to upgrade to an 8mb user IF they use the Palm OS to its full functionality.

Most people with Palms do not even install third-party software on it, and I doubt they have trouble fitting 2mbs of personal data onto the device.

If they decide 2mbs is not for them, they upgrade. Which means Palm gets a 2nd device bought...which means more $$$!

______________________________________
The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
-Hubert Humphrey

Good Strategy
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:51:31 PM #
Whether you realize it or not, the reason you think 2 MB isn't enough is it won't hold WordSmith, AvantGo, Bejewelled, TinySheet, and a dozen other apps. In short, it isn't right for YOU. Of course it isn't, but it is great for someone who wants an organizer and doesn't want to pay $150 or more for it.

Don't get too hung up on the $100 price. That is the early adopters tax. It was designed to sell below $80 and will be close to $50 before you know it.

This is the PDA for people who have been holding back because other PDAs are too expensive. They wil buy a Zire, love it, realize in 6 months it is too small, give it to their kid (or wife or brother-inlaw) and buy a better model.

RE: What a peice of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:53:19 PM #
If they want a basic Palm, they can get an old Handspring or older Palm for a lot cheaper than $100. It will have a real hotsync port, all the buttons needed for a couple of simple games, and will have 8mb.

Trying to reinvent the Palm market after the dramatic price drops. That's a good idea. This is going to really push the high end models up to $600 to $800, which is more expensive than a good (though inexpensive) desktop with monitor and printer. You can pretty much get an older, basic desktop computer for $100. With the coming of complete computers I can put in the palm of my hand for less than $1000, and dock them with a monitor and keyboard at will, I'm starting to think handhelds with less than full computing capabilities aren't worth the price.

Of course, for the majority of the US population, they'll buy them.

In anticipation of all the complaints about crashes, boot-up time, power consumption, etc. when you put a complete computer in the palm of your hand, I will simply say "Linux", "Hibernate", and "good enough" (when you compare to high-end Palms). I don't think there's that much that would need to be done to make a usable package for the average Joe.

Just curious
peter167 @ 9/19/2002 2:17:52 PM #
My question is: If Zire's functionality cannot expand beyond that of an organizer, how would one pay $100 when other organizers can do the same thing?

I really doubt that how many contacts/email/calendar could a 2 MB model be synced with one's Outlook.

My final word - $100 is way too expensive. It may look cool, and then what?

At least it cannot be used as an e-book reader because it will run out of memory. Does Palm think it itself is a company like Nike? To make beautiful sneakers?

We want more RAM, more processor power, more features, less weight, longer battery life, without the upswing in prices.

******************
Lie is the future.

RE: What a peice of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:35:11 PM #
"Most people with Palms do not even install third-party software on it"

AAMOF, according to PalmSource in an article posted here, 67% of Palms have third-party software, and 82% of users are aware that they can install more software.

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2968

RE: What a piece of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:16:52 PM #
It might be true that a large number of Palms have third party software, but I think the point of the Zire is not to appeal to people who want to add a lot of apps, but to a new market of people who don't currently use Palm's. The people who don't have Palms now, and who would pay $80 for one, are the same people who don't want a handheld gaming machine or whatever. They just want phone numbers and the grocery list to take with them.
RE: Good Strategy
sford @ 9/19/2002 7:25:40 PM #
I agree completely! Now that I've been a Palm user for almost 8 years and currently own a Clie NR70V, I of course am not going to buy it. It's not meant for me, though. It's meant for a lot of people I know who like the idea but shudder when I tell them how much mine cost. I look at the PalmPilot Professional with which I started, and I wouldn't go buy that today either. But at the time, and being my first one, I though I'd been transported to the Enterprise. And, in line with the marketing strategy, I've owned 5-7 different Palms and now a Clie over the years. So, for use cronies, big whoop. But for the target market, it actually looks pretty cool. And when all the newbies start comparing their Zires with our m515s, etc, they'll be a-shoppin' again soon enough! :)

Maybe Palm's marketing and business planning folks *haven't* completely lost their minds after all.

RE: What a peice of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 10:36:01 PM #
Palm knows what it's doing on the low end junk PDA market -- they have it all locked up. This will do decently, especailly around grad. time and Christmas when people want to give cheap, but functional gifts.
RE: Good Strategy
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 2:39:58 AM #
Over 25% of of handheld buyers never install software. This unit is also thinner than an m105, and in a currently more hip color. In the under $100 watch category, cool looks are a bigger selling point than features. This handheld is perfect for that budget market segment. With the after holiday price cut, this product will come down to a toy store and discount store price point. If they can get a fraction of the Gameboy market, they'll sell zillions.
RE: Good Strategy
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 5:01:21 PM #
And, in addition, let´s just remember that potential consumers almost always prefer to buy brand new palms and show it to their friends when drinking with them. And I think older people who aren´t used even to something beyond M$ Office with their desktops would not be so much interested in hi-res+, wordsmith (they´ll have problems enough trying to figure out how to use grafitti), overclocking and stuff like that. First they need to give it a shy try, with the promise "keep your adressbook organized" and then some of then would start thinking o fsomething bigger. Others probably will stick to Zire on fear others seem-to-be-too-complicated handhelds.
RE: What a peice of Junk
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/21/2002 3:55:06 PM #
I am realy disapointed! This is a realy risky venture on Palm's part. It will either sell a ton, or none at all. With the price of color screens falling, they could have done a lot better with a color screen. My old Palm Pro is dying, and I was waiting to see the new line before I went out and replaced it. Now I will go out and get a Palm M105 -today! Much better value for the same price. I wont even wait until Monday to see the "offical" product. Sure, the M105 might be ugly, but it sure is a better unit for under $100 US($169 here in Canada).
RE: What a peice of Junk
ahecht @ 9/21/2002 4:04:49 PM #
peter167, for years I had a 2MB Palm V, and I had all my contacts synced with Outlook, bejewled and a few other games, 4 or 5 AvantGo channels, astronomy software, and an ebook (only room for one at a time). I'll admit that I actuallt had about 2.5MB using flashpro, but still I could do plenty with 2MB. I didn't see any need to upgrade it to 8MB until I wanted to also use Vindigo and some mapping software as well. You can do plenty with 2MB.

RE: What a peice of Junk
andrewholler @ 1/19/2003 2:10:04 PM #
What a piece of junk? I don't think you can call it a piece of junk. Although it isn't the best PDA out there, it still has a purpose and can be useful to some people.

Kind of cool-looking

Moosecat @ 9/19/2002 1:25:11 PM #
Without commenting on its functionality (e.g., the two-button layout), I think it's a pretty attractive-looking device. The whole flat-white finish thing is very popular now (e.g., Apple's recent releases). Might be pretty tempting to a first-time purchaser who walks by a nice, glitzy display.

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:27:25 PM #
I agree, this looks really good. It should appeal to people browsing through electronics stores the way the m100 series never could.
RE: Kind of cool-looking
Midknyte @ 9/19/2002 1:29:12 PM #
PalmBoy!

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:33:18 PM #
> PalmBoy!

What?

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:33:52 PM #
Not enough screen and too much rim!

Sorry, I think that that thing is hideous. So basic and plane, it does not look like a compelling consumer device to me. The white is cool but the device looks so blah!

Looks like a toy

it's great
huggy @ 9/19/2002 1:40:17 PM #
It's great. It looks wonderful.
It IS a cheap palm, but one I wouldn't care carrying with me to the beach or concerts, in my pants back pocket, when jogging, etc... Even I, owning a color Clié, would consider getting one of these at $70 or so when prices begin to go down, just to have a cheap plastic palm to have my data with me...

Also, with this plastic case and thin looks, I'd say this unit must be fairly lightweight...

And it has a rechargeale battery! (why else would it have a cable to recharge?!)...

-------------- huggy ---------------

RE: Kind of cool-looking
Fammy @ 9/19/2002 1:40:25 PM #
PalmBoy, as in GameBoy, I think. Needs about 4 more buttons for that one.

_____
Fammy
RE: Kind of cool-looking
ahecht @ 9/19/2002 1:42:40 PM #
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! UGLY AS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:44:29 PM #
Let's hear some thought behind these opinions. What don't you like about it?

I'll start by saying why I like it. I like the white, makes it stand out and look very clean, much better than that all black M100. I like the simple shape, also very clean. The screen has good contrast, tho it is too early to say for sure.

OK, back up your opinion with some reasons.

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:52:28 PM #
Ugly with capital UGLY. All that rim, and white? Looks cheap. Lets hope this isn't the real product.
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:52:49 PM #
It's better looking than that weird-looking m1xx series. And it's better-looking than the new "Japanese-squatting-over-toilet" shrunken CLIEs (those SJ -- the J is for Junk!).
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:55:58 PM #
Yes, better that the M1***, but the thick white rim is ugly and who knows what the screen really looks like. In my humble opinion it's just too plain. I guess good for the kids and as a backup palm. Nothing else!
Oh My God...
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:41:54 PM #
It looks like they ripped out the insides of an m100, encased them in rubber cement, and spraypainted it white. The day this is released will be a sad day for the PalmOS community...
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:52:03 PM #
I agree that it is kinda good looking. As for all the arguments about not enough ram or buttons, clearly this is targeted at the low end consumer who wants a simple, functional, efficient and yes, fashionable way of keeping track of appointments, addresses and so on.

Bottomline is : Palm will sell tons of these mostly to people who never have and probably never will visit and/or participate on a site such as this.

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:59:38 PM #
either the white frame makes the device really big
or the screen is really small ......

I think this palm has the biggest frame in the history of Palm device including the PalmPilot 1000/Pro series

Ugly
UZI4U182 @ 9/19/2002 3:36:10 PM #
Wow, I never thought the Zire would be this ugly! I would much rather have the m100/m105! (i have a m100) I would even rather have an old Sharp organizer, lol. Like some other guy said (sorry i dont know who), another dud from Palm. Who could possibly think that the m100 is uglier than this?

Maximum price I would pay for the Zire: $5.00

--Devan-- | Email me: UZI4U182@att.net

Webmaster of www.tavern.2ya.com
Palm OS apps, news, reviews and such
Proud owner of a Palm m100 and a Sony CLIÉ PEG-S320!

RE: Ugly
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:44:37 PM #
Notwithstanding how ugly/pretty it is, I am convinced that this Zire is better than your old Sharp stuff...
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:51:07 PM #
One WORD - FUGLY!
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:55:26 PM #
I speak to 10,000's of teens every year around the country. Our organization has 1,000+ chapters in the US. The white space look is IN. It will sell to teen youth. My guess is that is the intended market.
RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 5:02:44 PM #
White is a good color, but depending how you use it, if you just put a big freaking white frame there for no reason then it's a waste of space and it looks like an iPod-look wanna be, of course iPood is much smaller and with much less wasted non-functional space.
Are the faceplates interchangable??
Token User @ 9/19/2002 5:08:41 PM #
We are seeing this in white, but what if Palm keeps the changeable faceplate idea they used for the m1xx series? (OK, so it was borrowed from Nokia ... but the idea is good).

Interchangable faceplates, and translucent keypads that light up like "Simon". Bling, bling - instant youth market winner, and cross brand promotion opportunities.

RE: Kind of cool-looking
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 5:26:03 PM #
This will surely please its intended audience, mainly teenagers, college students (mainly female), and older people who seek simplicity and good looks above raw processing power and all the other goodies that we PIC readers are looking for.

I think this will do quite well.........

iPOD design?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 8:07:19 PM #
Looks like they inspired from the Apple's iPOD design. Not a successful one though! Sorry Palm, the design just too plain boring.
RE: Kind of cool-looking
ahecht @ 9/19/2002 10:45:27 PM #
When I said "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! UGLY AS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!," I meant that the screen was too small in proportion to the size of the case (unlike the m1xx series, which had a proportionally sized screen and case), the up/down buttons are positioned so that it is hard to scroll without hitting the two app buttons, and, oh yah, it only has 4 buttons, instead of the six that every other palm has. Even a gameboy has 8 buttons.

RE: Kind of cool-looking
DarkestFire @ 10/1/2002 9:17:13 PM #
This device appears to appeal to 12-24 year olds who don't have a lot of cash, very "kiddy" in appearance, nothing wrong with that. Most people who have posted have had at least 1 or more pdas so this isn't designed for them but to hook new users. I remember my first pda had only kb for ram not mb. For teens this would be an easier purchase for their parents than $400 for new higher end devices.

No Universal Connector

Beavis @ 9/19/2002 1:29:52 PM #
So much for the "Universal" connector. It had a good run, May 2001 until now.

RE: Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:33:44 PM #
What makes you think the UC is dead? If you read the original announcement from Palm, it said it would use the UC on *most* models.

Don't think people will get all freaked out that they can't use all peripherals with all models. People are used to this with their PCs all the time and they don't get mad and decide to not get a PC. There won't be another standard for peripherals with this model. There will be none for the Zire besides power and hotsync cables.

This is a good differentiator. Low end handhelds shouldn't have all the same features as high end ones. Salesman: "You want to plug in a digital camera? Let me show the Tungsten..."

Also, don't think because Zire doesn't use the UC, Tungsten won't either. We've got a picture of the Tungsten sitting in a UC cradle, don't forget.

RE: What a peice of Junk
Beavis @ 9/19/2002 1:50:30 PM #
"Universal" implies every model. Not we'll put it on this one, and not that one.


u·ni·ver·sal Pronunciation Key (yooni-vûrsl)

Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration: the universal skepticism of philosophers.

palm lied!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:51:47 PM #
palm lied when they said they will from now on USE universal connectors on all devices...BS
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:05:56 PM #
As someone already said, they only said they would use the universal connector with most of their PDAs, not all.

And "universal connector" is a marketing term, not a legal contract. When a TV commercial promises me that a bubble bath will make all my cares go way, I don't take them to court because it doesn't.

Universal Connector - standards
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:07:47 PM #
How does it go? I love companies that set standards, there are so many to choose from.

OK OK... the reality has to be that if they used the connector then everyone would be wanting to plug add ons from the rest of the Palm line into this device and they would have support issues beyond what the cost of the unit would support. This is the bare bones for folks wanting to keep track of their names and addresses, maybe their school classes. Add a app or two and go out to buy the next up in price unit. Palm sold two units, thus their 'market share' just went up and the game goes on.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:10:22 PM #
nea , no one is going to take them to court because of this,

funny how they call it Universal and yet not universal on their device

funny how they call it Universal and yet refuse to let other people use the same connector.

so much for Universal ... it's not universal anymore.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:45:13 PM #
*sigh*
Can we agree it's more universal than sony?
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:53:08 PM #
according to my memory sony only got 2 connectorss, the Big connector which already phsed out after S-series and the smaller T-series connector, sounds like Palm at least got 3 connector, I guess Sony T-seires is more Universal than Palm's Universal connector now.
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:31:38 PM #
Well, if it really is a standard mini-USB connector, then at leat it follows some standard. Palm has only had about 3 different connectors over quite a few years and many models.
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:46:37 PM #
> I guess Sony T-seires is more Universal than Palm's Universal connector now.

Yes, of course, because any one of Palm's connectors has probably outsold all of the Sony Clies made to date.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:06:25 PM #
Palm lied, as a member of the PluggedIn program I heard it from the horses month that all future Palms will have the universal connector. Now all I am seeing is the other end of the horse.
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:25:00 PM #
What this really hurts is school sales. Palm could sell a *huge* number of these things to schools, with the right marketing. First push them as a calculator replacement, then as a super-cheap computer.

However, no UC pretty much means none of the standard folding KBs work. That's important for school sales.

Palm really should hit this market strongly, going school to school if need be.

Todd.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:49:17 PM #
What !? are you stupid or something like that ??
calculator replacement !? .... a 99 dollars CALCULATOR REPLACEMENT !? ..... yeah right ..... the last time I check I can get a pretty powerful CASIO calculator for 20 dollars
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:51:42 PM #
"Both these Palms are aimed at an entirely different market from Zire. Palm's strategy: to give existing Palm users something that will make them want to upgrade. "A lot of people didn't see reason to upgrade to the Palm m500," said Bradley."

So I guess the "make them want to upgrade" is the key line. Money to be made, that's why there is no UC.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 5:18:09 PM #
"Palm lied, as a member of the PluggedIn program I heard it from the horses month that all future Palms will have the universal connector."

Then perhaps you can cite? I posted on this a short while ago, and posted the citation from the "horses mouth" and they only said for a substantial portion of their PDA's for the next 3 years or so. And we're two years through that already.


RE: No Universal Connector
bcombee @ 9/19/2002 8:10:59 PM #
If it doesn't use the Universal Connector, the likely reason is cost-reduction. The UC does have USB connectivity for syncing to the desktop, but it also has a serial port, power for peripherals, and pins for doing plug-and-play detection of peripherals. Removing this from their bottom-of-the-line device means it can't really be expanded at all, but it also probably reduces the cost-to-built by a a dollar or two, which is very significant in a $100 product.

As for two buttons -- I think its likely that Palm has done a lot of user testing, and that they've found that some people on the low end were confused by all the buttons on the device, and thet they didn't use memo pad or the to-do list very much. Sure, its a pain for applications that assume you'll have all the buttons -- hopefully, there will be an easy way to detect how many buttons are available for software developers.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

"universal connector" was always a joke
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 9:48:45 PM #
Palm has made at least 4 different connectors, all of which do the same thing. The changes have been just to force accessories upgrades. Saying the old connector was "universal" was a joke to anyone who had paid attention since the Pilot 1000/5000.
RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 10:11:59 PM #
> Palm has made at least 4 different connectors

From the original Pilot through the Palm III, VII, and m10x used the same connector; the V series had its connector; and then the so called universal connector. That makes 3.

RE: No Universal Connector
Altema @ 9/19/2002 11:07:04 PM #
"The changes have been just to force accessories upgrades."

Actually, the UC is the first one from Palm to provide USB, RS232, input charge connections, AND connections for output voltage that were designed to provide power for external accessories.

Adding fast USB without dropping any of the three original capabilities was a good thing... I use all four functions regularly.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 11:28:07 PM #
"What !? are you stupid or something like that ??
calculator replacement !? .... a 99 dollars CALCULATOR REPLACEMENT !? ..... yeah right ..... the last time I check I can get a pretty powerful CASIO calculator for 20 dollars"

So? Most high school kids who need a calc are now required to get a TI that's usually $50+.

And you're not selling it as just a calculator replacement. That would be stupid. That's just to give an immediately showable use.

Schools have been trying to integrate computers into the classroom for years. By far the most sucessful are the very few schools that can afford a laptop for every kid. A Palm can be a substitute.

There are already schools using Palms for all the students.

Todd.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 11:30:38 PM #
>> Palm has made at least 4 different connectors

>From the original Pilot through the Palm III, VII,
>and m10x used the same connector; the V series had
>its connector; and then the so called universal
>connector. That makes 3.

And now this one, thats four. Also, I recall the PalmIII had a different connector than the original Pilot - but maybe I don't remember correctly. Anyway, its been at least 4, possibly 5.

RE: No Universal Connector
Bartman007 @ 9/20/2002 1:48:15 AM #
The Palm III series had the same connector as the originals, the bottom of the case was slightly curved though, but this didn't affect the connector in anyway.

Palm has had precisely 3 different connectors. Yes, this one is a fourth, but it has not been released yet.

RE: No Universal Connector
Beavis @ 9/20/2002 7:56:23 AM #
..."As for two buttons -- I think its likely that Palm has done a lot of user testing, and that they've found that some people on the low end were confused by all the buttons on the device..."

Ah, so they did all of their user testing on Florida Voters.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:06:38 AM #
"Palm lied, as a member of the PluggedIn program I heard it from the horses month that all future Palms will have the universal connector."

"I posted on this a short while ago, and posted the citation from the "horses mouth" and they only said for a substantial portion of their PDA's for the next 3 years or so."

I heard the horses month talk at PalmSource 2000 held December 2000. Not even 2 years ago. The first Palm with the UC came out May 2001. Just 17 months ago. The horse I heard was speaking at a private PluggedIn dinner at PalmSource 2000.

RE: No Universal Connector
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:33:45 AM #
Umm the m100 connector is different from the others, right? I've never actually used an m100 so I am not sure but it's got its own sync cables, cradles etc.

So you' have

Pilot/Palm Pilot/Palm III/Palm VII
Palm V
Palm m100/105
UC
Mini-USB on Zire

That'd be a total of 5, wouldn't it?

Also, the previous posted was right about original Pilot accessories working with the Palm III. I bought an original Pilot modem back in the day, the 14.4 model, with my PalmPilot Pro. I gave it to my dad and he used it up until a few months ago on his IIIc. It was rather wobbly, due to the change in the case shape, but it did work.

RE: No Universal Connector
johnsoax @ 9/23/2002 3:18:14 PM #
The m100 uses the same connector as the Palm III/Pilot. It just has the curved bottom, so it doesn't fit in the accessories. The same hotsync cable fits in all of these handhelds (Pilot, Pro, III, IIIC, m100, m105, TRGPro, Handera 330).

Alex Johnson
<><

Proud Owner of a Handera 330

So where is Veld?

ahecht @ 9/19/2002 1:45:35 PM #
(n/t)

RE: So where is Veld?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:26:16 PM #
Don't forget Fargo.
RE: So where is Veld?
Ed @ 9/19/2002 3:23:33 PM #
If Veld is going to be the name for Palm's smartphone, which seems likely, then it will be launched October 28.

Read more about it:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4188

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News Editor

RE: So where is Veld?
ahecht @ 9/19/2002 10:50:42 PM #
No, i meant the pictures. We have pictures of the other two now.

RE: So where is Veld?
Ed @ 9/20/2002 12:52:17 PM #
Pictures and details are now available:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4170

Thouigh it won't be called the Veld after all. Instead, it is the Tungsten W.

---
News Editor

RE: So where is Veld?
ahecht @ 9/21/2002 4:10:00 PM #
cool

looks nice..but 2 buttons??

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:45:16 PM #
does it mean that software developers have to make another version of a device with only 2 buttons???
RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
Altema @ 9/19/2002 1:50:38 PM #
I wonder how you would play Defender on this? Having the buttons laid out like a d pad seems like it would be good for games, but what to use as a fire button?

RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
Token User @ 9/19/2002 2:07:52 PM #
The little "green" one on the left :)


RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:09:25 PM #
Yeah so you could turn off the palm everytime u shoot ... :)
Sleeping Beauty Palm that never wakes up.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:24:34 PM #
Oh my, is this an outcast that they rather push it out to the market than to have no really real innovative device?

2 button operation....guess developer will have to route their games operation methods but will they do that with its capacity of only 2mb? this is so laughable!

Time to wake up Palm, you are lagging behind in your hardware and given time to redeem yourself you come out with this?

Lets all wait for what Palm can offer for its other few models (rumor: bluetooth, wifi, gprs phone) in the market first before you pull out that stash of cash.

RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
sbabcock @ 9/19/2002 2:44:09 PM #
Uhm. Take a closer look. It _may_ have a D-pad. Note that the
left and right pads are labeled. They may be buttons, so it may
have 4 buttons instead of tw.

RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
sbabcock @ 9/19/2002 2:46:28 PM #
Oh, wait. My browser was out of date with the other comments.
You mean two buttons plus up down equals 4, without a
fire button.

RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:51:07 PM #
What a bunch of whiners!!! This is a simple friendly looking little PDA to ease someone who is possibly not "tech savvy" or is even "tech phobic" into the world of PDAs. It will be capable of doing most of what people typically do with their Day Planner paper notebooks. 2mb will hold a lot more appointments and contacts than some of you who weren't on board when PDAs first came out think. Anybody who finds 2mb isn't enough will likely want to upgrade to something with more bells and whistles anyway- and they will not have wasted a lot of dough getting their feet wet with this as their first PDA.

All you negative whining power users don't have to buy this thing, and it appears your upgrade is just around the corner (Tungsten). Chillout!!!

RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons??
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 5:47:58 PM #
with 2meg memory, Palm probably doesn't expect
software developers to develop more than a few software
for this PDA.
RE: looks nice..but 2 buttons?? <-- New market opportunity
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 6:50:41 AM #
I can tell one thing. The winers here that have all the warez they want and haven't written a single line of code in their life is not the customer for this device. This is a simple, bright unit for people who have lives and actually get laid.

2MB is plenty of memory for PIM apps and a handful of third party applications for any well written piece of software.

Are you guys the ones sitting on the couch in the corner of the living room that play with their little computers are the hot girls laugh at you from a distance? If you are smart, you'd use you Palm handheld knowledge to pick up on a girl that get this "because it is cute".

Get a life!

I dZIRE something more than this . . .

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:56:18 PM #
but I suppose it's a necessary device to attract initial purchasers on the low-end side of things.

JBH

What a hunk of junk!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 1:48:21 PM #
This is a "poor man's m100," if there is such a thing. I agree that the m100/m105 was not the greatest look, but I would suggest the m125/m130 was much-improved in terms of the casing. The Zire screen looks comparable to the m125 screen, but no better. The form factor for the Zire is simply crap--looks like one of those PDA-wanna-be's you'd see next to the calculators at Target.

Don't even get me started on those horrid buttons. You thought the Sony T-series buttons sucked...take a hard look at these.

Screen size can't be addressed yet, since we don't have dimensions and you can't tell from the pics. But here's betting it's the same undersized screen from the m1xx series.

No universal connector? Shocking. (<

Y'know, it's just amazing. Palm had a winner (still the ULTIMATE winner, IMHO, when you look at just how popular it was) with the V series in terms of form factor, etc. They then went into overkill with it--the m1xx sought to be a V-like plastic Palm, the m5xx series was a V with a slot, the i705 wanted to be as close to the V as possible. Now, they seem to be ABANDONING the V series look altogether! The phrase, I believe, goes: "Dance with the girl you came with." Corollary: "Don't wear her out." Palm appears to know NOTHING about such conventional wisdom.

RE: What a hunk of junk!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:56:32 AM #
She'll make .5 past light speed...
Don't You Get It?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/23/2002 3:45:26 PM #
It is obvious from reading a large number of the posts reagrding this article that PIC members do not understand the business world. Yes, the Zire is not much of a pda by the standards set by those who frequent this, and other similar, sites. However, it is the perfect move for Palm at this time. The economy is bad, many people are intimidated by pda's and would rather buy a low end Sharp, and Palm needs to attract new consumers to the segment. The Zire will appeal to those consumers who, Palm hopes, will enjoy the Palm experience so much that they will upgrade. Why do you think Ford sells the Focus? It certainly is not to attract BMW owners. The low end of any industry is a necessary evil that manufacturers must deal with. I applaud and their efforts to broaden the category. Why everyone would jump on them before the damn thing is even released is beyond me. Grow up and go play with your Sony's!

$99??!?!??!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:14:46 PM #
OMG...$99 for that thing? Try $49. Then you might find someone interested.
RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:17:25 PM #
It will be $49... in 6 to 9 months. Not because it won't sell but because that's the marketing plan. Zire was designed to be cheap to make. They'll start it out at $100 but drop it down to $50 over its product lifespan.

They couldn't do this any more with the m1xx. They are selling them now at close to what it costs to make them. Dropping them to $50 would be below cost.

RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:21:24 PM #
M1xx cost 100 dollars to make !? ........ Don't make me laugh !!!
RE: $99??!?!??!
Token User @ 9/19/2002 2:27:30 PM #
M1xx cost 100 dollars to make !? ........ Don't make me laugh !!!

And do you think the NR70V costs $450 to make?

Retail pricing is set to what the market will bear. You can run with a loss leader, if you make up the revenue in other ways (eg XBox is sold for below manufacturing cost - because they make the money on the games, not the box).

There are no "value adds" to the Zire. Palm wont make any other $$$ off them once thay are out the door. So, they are made to a price point. We will see what the "real" value is to the consumer pretty soon after they are released, and hit the "$70 after rebate" offers close to Xmas, still allowing Palm to make $20 per unit.

RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:28:06 PM #
Maybe they are dumping the m1xx because everyone willing to buy a butt ugly brick has already got one. Time to start over with a fresh clean slate.
RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:31:13 PM #
Don't worry, guys and gals. By the end of the year, the Zire will be given away for free at your local gas stations, mini-marts, and other sundry places.

Buy a Slurpee and Nachos and get a Zire for FREE. Or buy a tank of gas and some Slim Jims and get a Zire for FREE.


RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:36:09 PM #
Bet many of you are the people who said the same things about the m100. Does "underpowered, overpriced, small screen, ugly" sound familiar? Too bad the m100 turned out to be one of the most popular handhelds of all time. Well, too bad for you I mean.
For your 10 yr old kid @ $49.99
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 7:42:41 PM #
I think your 10 year old kid would love it. It would $49.99 after a month release date.
RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 2:34:24 AM #
To those who don't like it: who gives a rat's ass what you think? This device is not targeting people like you who browse palm sites.

It's meant to open up new markets and this handheld should do just fine for this purpose.

RE: $99??!?!??!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 7:13:03 AM #
For people that pick up stuff like this in supermarkets there are cheaper, easier to use models available. Don't forget people in supermarkets won't really care what model it is as long as it lookes easy to use and is cheap. Here in teh UK we have touch screen creditcard sized PDAs from £50/$70. you can even get one with a fold-away keyboard for only £65/$90
RE: For your 10 yr old kid @ $49.99
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:51:03 AM #
Try 19.95 in the "what the hell were we thinking?" bin.

Everything Palm does is wrong, they have no clue.

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:12:56 PM #
with this piece of junk, looks more like a gameboy on steroids than an entry -level palm..
they are trying to imitate the ipod-Apple looks, of course they's so pathetic!
RE: biased opinions
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:20:19 PM #
Always interesting to hear a good unbiased opinion.

Funny how they sell twice as many handhelds as any other company. They aren't as screwed up as you think.

RE: Everything Palm does is wrong, they have no clue.
LarryGarfield @ 9/19/2002 2:29:26 PM #
Gameboy sold more devices than any other handheld in history, what are you talking about? If they can duplicate that success, with a $50-$100 device running genuine Palm OS, more power to them! If they're introducing a device at that price, it means they've figured out how to make it for some $25 or something. That means lots of cold hard cash flooding into Palm. That means financial viability. That means no bankruptcy. That is good for everyone! (Except Microsoft.)

Sony is dead! (Sorry, I don't really mean that, I just thought I'd say it for good measure. :-)

--
This post is ROT26 encrypted. Reading it is a violation of the DMCA

RE: Everything Palm does is wrong, they have no clue.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:47:05 PM #
When I talk to my friends who WANT Palms (NOT "HAVE" them) they just want a simple note pad, bejeweled, Tetris and a clock. Some will also like AvantGo. That's IT. So they're fine with this... but no one is forcing YOU to buy it, so shut your doom trap.
RE: Everything Palm does is wrong, they have no clue.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:35:51 PM #
> Funny how they sell twice as many handhelds as any other
> company. They aren't as screwed up as you think.

You misspelt "how they sell four times as many handhelds as any other company."

RE: Everything Palm does is wrong, they have no clue.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/23/2002 1:13:11 PM #
The gameboy at least has color. This is like a gameboy without a cartridge slot. and you could play games on it with only 4 buttons. left/right/up/down but now what do you use to shoot? Why not spend the same amount of money and buy Visor Prism or spend a few bucks more on a Visor Edge or Sony? you can get the sony for $170 someplaces and it'll have 16Mb ram.

Launch dates - Oct 7th for Zire; Oct 28th for Tungsten

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:32:26 PM #
According to ZDNet in the UK.....The consumer model will be launched globally on 7 October, and the high-end models will launch three weeks later on 28 October.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t271-s2122558,00.html

Highly newsworthy story
Moosecat @ 9/19/2002 2:42:28 PM #
You should submit that link to Ed as a news item. Several interesting things:

1. Zire to be sold in supermarkets (!).
2. Definite release dates for THREE models (and the date for Zire varies slightly from previous reports).
3. Now Palm's CEO is talking openly about the devices and their release dates, as well as the corporate strategy behind them.

RE: Launch dates - Oct 7th for Zire; Oct 28th for Tungsten
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:50:08 PM #
My Palm m500 stopped working a few weeks ago and now I have to wait until late October. Hope it's worth the wait.
RE: Launch dates - Oct 7th for Zire; Oct 28th for Tungsten
Ed @ 9/19/2002 3:17:53 PM #
I have posted an article on this:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4188

I'd appreciate if you'd continue any discussion about Veld or Tungsten under that article.

---
News Editor

TOILET!

cchan @ 9/19/2002 2:34:29 PM #
It's a toilet! You throw money in it, and all you get is crap!

Comes with bathroom tissues to supplement the look. Drains batteries!

Limited time offer. While supplies last.

Seriously, though. I think it looks ok. It's not dog-ugly like the m130 and m100. The buttons (while limited) are quite a bit better looking than the Sony T-series. I should know: I own a T615c and I curse the buttons every day- all they do is attract dust. Actually, it's all a Sony marketing ploy to get you to use the jog dial I realize, but they still stink.

-- True Believer = 1/4 Research, 1/2 needs assessment + 1/4 Informed decision.

It's a Day Planner.

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:35:59 PM #
It has no expansion capability and minimum memory. It's just a Day planner, a long the line of nice leather paper agenda etc.

Nice try but this is not a PDA.

Palm should have make it M500 in white with built in BT, and sell it for $199. It might be a compelling product instead of this...(cute but useless junk)

RE: It's a Day Planner.
Moosecat @ 9/19/2002 2:45:30 PM #
You know, when a car manufacturer comes out with an economy model for $15,000, it doesn't make much sense to say "Wow, that's stupid -- they should have stuck a turbo and a leather interior in that thing and charged $30,000."

They're different beasts. I don't think it's stupid for Chevrolet to sell both a $12,000 Cavalier and a $50,000 Corvette Z06.

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:50:13 PM #
For the love of god, I can't take it anymore.

Lets spell this out: This is a entry level product designed to be very feature poor.

Why? Because the whole point of this thing is to provide just a basic TASTE of the Palm to those who would never touch one before. The idea is that these people will move onto more expensive feature rich models after seeing the benefits that a device like this has to offer.

It's that simple. It shouldn't have bluetooth and it shouldn't retail for $199, because that would out-price/out-feature the very thing that Palm is trying to accomplish.

Develop some business sense people.

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:58:26 PM #
A lil' rude but I agree...
Don't compare it to any other Palm OS device
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:10:24 PM #
Just pretend that you don't own a Clie or a Treo or a Visor, or a M1xxx, or whatever other palm os device you can think of. Instead, lets say you have a Casio Digital Diary, a Rolodex Planner or something like that. I think we all agree that having a Palm os device is absolutely better than that stuff.
Well that's what's on Zire designer's minds...
RE: Don't compare it to any other Palm OS device
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:30:12 PM #
I am sorry but this device fails even comparing to palmpilot Pro ....
RE: Don't compare it to any other Palm OS device
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:31:33 PM #
Yep, maybe you are right (specially due to the 2 button issue). But this is an entry level pda, remember it's this or a digital diary... If you already own a Palm PRO, maybe you'll buy a Clie, a Treo, an M505, or something way higher than this.
Good for students
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:39:39 PM #
I can see this as a great choice for students, similar to the m100. I totally agree that this is not made to be "the best" device, it was made for students and people new to Palm. Parents will see this as a good way to get their kids organized without paying insane amounts of money for a PDA. And it does look like something that most kids would say "Hey, doesn't this look cool?" to.
RE: It's a Day Planner.
useybird @ 9/19/2002 4:13:40 PM #
Hey, at least it has more memory than the original PalmPilot.(But half the buttons).

----------------------------------------
Crack-smash! Splatter: The sound of the MLB using Pocket PC's instead of Baseballs.
RE: It's a Day Planner.
kevdo @ 9/19/2002 4:14:53 PM #
On the two button issue: I know the target audience for this machine is supposed to be newbies. But another audience is students. Students WILL add software. When they find they are missing two of the "standard" hardware buttons they are going to be mighty pissed.

I sure hope Palm includes a disclaimer on the box: "this device has two application buttons and may be incompatible with some third party software."

-Kevin Crossman

This isnt a ''pro' device. this is for joe consumer.
scaught @ 9/19/2002 5:16:13 PM #
if youre looking at this site, chances are you are used to having more device than this offers. this is not company suicide on palms part.

Calculator Replacement
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 5:32:11 PM #
"What !? are you stupid or something like that ??
calculator replacement !? .... a 99 dollars CALCULATOR REPLACEMENT !? ..... yeah right ..... the last time I check I can get a pretty powerful CASIO calculator for 20 dollars"

The calculator most of us in high school is a $89.99 TI-83+

RE: Calculator Replacement
Kesh @ 9/19/2002 5:52:56 PM #
>The calculator most of us in high school is a $89.99 TI-83+

Exactly. This would be perfect for HS students, as you could not only keep your class schedule, address book and notes... but you can download a good graphing calculator program and use it in here as well.

This means you don't need:

1) A separate paper scheduler or crappy three-hole-punched one in your binder

2) A separate address book for all your friend's numbers

3) A separate notebook (though you'd probably still want one for classes where you draw picture examples from the board)

4) A separate $100 calculator for math/science class.

Given another year or so, the price might drop enough for these to replace the crappy 'electronic organizers' you see in Wal-Mart.

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 6:45:04 PM #
Sorry, but There is no calculus/grapahing calculator for Palm OS at the level of TI-89. There is graphing utility, etc. but nothing integrated like TI-89.

Might as well getting a discounted Toshiba E310, you can load it with HP49G emulator or that almost ported Pocket VTI-89. (if not loading the HP saltaire calculus software)

As a math class tool Zire is about as good as $20 bucks solar powered calculator.

Good for Students? NOT!
UZI4U182 @ 9/19/2002 7:45:24 PM #
"I can see this as a great choice for students, similar to the m100. I totally agree that this is not made to be "the best" device, it was made for students and people new to Palm. Parents will see this as a good way to get their kids organized without paying insane amounts of money for a PDA. And it does look like something that most kids would say "Hey, doesn't this look cool?" to."

Students deserve better than this man. I'm in 8th grade and the soon-to-be owner of a new Sony PEG-SJ30 which blows away any Palm device I think.



--Devan-- | Email me: UZI4U182@att.net

Webmaster of www.tavern.2ya.com
Palm OS apps, news, reviews and such
Proud owner of a Palm m100 and a Sony CLIÉ PEG-S320!

RE: No Universal Connector
Kesh @ 9/19/2002 8:04:53 PM #
> Sorry, but There is no calculus/grapahing calculator for Palm OS at the level of TI-89.

Does this not count?

http://www.infinitysw.com/products/poweronegraph.html

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 8:15:54 PM #
no, that doesn't count. That's just parametric grapher. (TI-89 can graphs calculus function and statistic.) That software capability is somewhat similar to the old TI-83
RE: It's a Day Planner.
N8HM @ 9/19/2002 8:53:09 PM #
Unfortunately, this won't totally replace a true graphing calculator. Rules for tests, such as the ACT, SAT, SAT II, and AP tests do not allow portable organizers or computers.

RE: Good For Students? Not!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 9:08:35 PM #
Um... think of the average student who is not already into the PDA scene. If you're on this site, you've obviously been very exposed to Palms in general. This was made for organization, and the Zire looks like for most students, a good choice.
RE: No Universal Connector
Kesh @ 9/19/2002 10:31:07 PM #
> no, that doesn't count. That's just parametric grapher. (TI-89 can graphs calculus function and statistic.) That software capability is somewhat similar to the old TI-83

Maybe I'm just old, but all we used in HS was the TI-83. :) Even in Calc class.

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 11:45:13 AM #
and what's your point? that Palm is good for Highschooler? which btw, cannot use Palm doing their AP anyway, let alone college credit.

If you are arguing the $99 palm is a bargain as a general basic math tool, then there are $200+ strong arm based PD that can do far better calculation than a dinky dragon ball with 2Mb memory.

RE: It's a Day Planner.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/23/2002 1:15:29 PM #
It's not even good for students. Maybe elementary students. For $100 you can at least get yourself a scientific calculator. For a few bucks less you can get yourself a used Palm Vx or Visor Edge. People are always upgrading thier Palm devices, so easy to find used ones!

Too Photoshop-like

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 2:45:42 PM #
Am I the only one who thinks this pic looks "made-up"? Too photoshop-like to believe it's the real thing.
RE: Too Photoshop-like
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:44:17 PM #
The picture has definitely been "touched" by human hands. Still, it fits about exactly what I expected it to look like.

Sony clone?

Foo Fighter @ 9/19/2002 2:54:49 PM #
Is it just me...or does thing looks suspiciously like the Sony T600 series? Palm must be slipping, this is the first time they have copied another company's product.

RE: Sony clone?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:19:25 PM #
I'm sorry but I don't see the similarities, besides both being palm os devices.
RE: Sony clone?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 6:59:13 PM #
From the other article "Palm is understood to have hired designers from electronics giant Sony to work on the new Palm."

That should explain it.

RE: Sony clone?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 8:12:05 PM #
They hired Sony for the top models, not for this crap.
RE: Sony clone?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/23/2002 1:17:29 PM #
Palm has always been slipping. They were fools to license PalmOS to other companies then turn out inferior hardware.

''charging cable''

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:39:20 PM #
Did everyone miss that it's rechargable? I hope it uses a standard mini-USB cable. Would have been nice if it could charge from the USB cable, but I guess there's not as much power there.

I can already think of a few people that will be getting these for holiday gifts.

RE: ''charging cable''
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 3:00:04 AM #
I have a $10 USB sync/charging cable from styluscentral.com with a UC--works great. There is enough there is keep it charged.
RE: ''charging cable''
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/23/2002 1:18:24 PM #
USB actually carries a LOT of current for a "data" cable. it's one of the reasons the wires are kinda big.

And the fact that it's rechargable is good. at least Palm recognized that nobody will buy a AAA powered device anymore.

Size

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 3:53:58 PM #
If you take the picture from geek.com and put it into paint shop pro at a scale of 1:2 it appears to be about the same size of the m100 that is cut straight at the bottom instead of curved. The screen surround also appears to be that same width as that of the m100 also
RE: Size
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 8:54:12 PM #
Yes, but if you put it at the scale of 1:3, it's much bigger than the m100. If you put it at the scale of 1:5, its *way* bigger than the m100.

Get this, though-- if you put it at the scale of 1:1.5, its a bit smaller than the m100.

Backlight

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 4:19:01 PM #
You never know, it might have a nice white back light. I still have a hard time believing that Palm would release a model with less capability than the m105 for the same price. There has got to be some other incentive for us to buy.

I really don't understand this White Elephant.

Strider_mt2k @ 9/19/2002 5:26:50 PM #
Can't a first time Palm buyer get a much better value out of an existing low-end m100 series model or even a USED older Palm?

And again with something other than the "Universal" connector? Man, it's ALREADY less universal!

I don't understand the reasoning behind this at all.
How much are we going to pay for the development of this White Elephant in the cost of the other models?

I sure hope they don't suck as bad as this thing.


strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

RE: No Universal Connector
Kesh @ 9/19/2002 10:32:40 PM #
You're ignoring two important points:

1) This is going to be seen in regular retail stores. Used m100's aren't.

2) It's new. Used m100's are exactly that: used. People often don't look into the used market, precisely because they don't know what they're getting, or what quality it's in. This is for people who want a new, shrinkwrapped product without any fuss.

RE: I really don't understand this White Elephant.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:05:59 AM #
Actually you can get the m100/m105 at Target and other retail stores
RE: I really don't understand this White Elephant.
hotpaw4 @ 9/20/2002 12:43:01 PM #
The m100/m105 models are going to be closed out. This is the replacement, better looking to the general populace and cheaper to manufacture.

RE: I really don't understand this White Elephant.
Strider_mt2k @ 9/23/2002 8:10:11 AM #
So what's wrong with the M125 and M130 then? They both offer big-boy features in an affordable, rugged package.

Any kid who shows up with this one is actually going to be laughed at by kids with more standard PDAs.

It's almost like Palm has produced a cheapie knockoff of itself!

Sorry. I am, and will remain baffled until I see some real features here.

strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

Palm CEO Eric Benhamou would be 1st to use it!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 7:45:32 PM #
I guess this is only for CEO's. Most of them are technophobia and time to have PDA.

Screen Real Estate %

LiveFaith @ 9/19/2002 9:52:35 PM #
Neat clean look, attractive and probably even more user-friendly for non-computer types, but w/o even bothering to imagine why only 2 button ... this looks like the PDA champion of minimal viewable screen real estate per frontal area. Just take a look and throw out the graffiti area too ... only about 25% of the size of the unit's front has viewable data area!

Notwithstanding battery life and possible cost considerations, this screen real estate % issues has to be the most puzzling design flaw I see in most new PDAs. Imagine an ebook, game, calendar or to-do list on this model if the real estate used even 75% of the frontal size ... that would triple viewablility.

I know this is a low-end marketing solution and it may work @ Wal-Mart & Office Depot, but someone please help me understand why Palm or another does not capitalize on the #1 limitation of a handheld computer ... viewing area!

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Beaming

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 10:41:57 PM #
Will you be able to beam with this new device?

Most of you are not objective

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/19/2002 11:24:40 PM #
When you are a high-end well informed Palm user it can be very difficult to be objective. This model is meant to make an organizer as common as a PC. I think they did a great job! It is not intimidating and it looks very inviting in my opinion. I am happy to see that Palm has introduced a product that can make PDA's as common as PC's.
RE: Most of you are not objective
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 6:57:35 AM #
Bottom line. It's all look and no brain, marketed for teenage girl under 15 who think it's hip.

seriously, 2 MB and no expansion possibility? you can't even use that machine as a e-book reader without having to keep swapping file with a desktop.

RE: Most of you are not objective
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:44:42 AM #
That power button looks to be illuminated. Leave the LED out of it and save a few more $. Rechargable battery? Put the slowest possible Dragonball that is still being made in there and put some AAAs in that sucker. That could save Palm some more $.

Now, what to do with all the $ saved? Lower the retail price more? Naaah, just add 2 more buttons to the right side, shift the "D-pad" arrangement to the LEFT side and you suddenly have a reasonable machine.

Then, in 6 months or so, release another Zire, but with UC and 4 or 8 megs. THIS can be the backpack carrying teenage kid model, and the m105 in the Zire packaging can be the model designed for school use.

Let's face it, PDAs will never be as hip as mp3 players or cell phones. As a matter of fact, my newphew, who is in the 10th grade, said that everyone at her school laughed at this new guy who showed up on the first day of school and listened to his mp3 player at lunchtime. So kids will be kids and I seriously doubt any PDA, no matter how i-pod-ish it looks will ever be as hip as candy coloured Nokia cell phones and those cheesy translucent pagers....

RE: Most of you are not objective
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:52:38 AM #
This product caters to the unsuspecting and the ignorant.

Zire x SL10

Guinfs @ 9/20/2002 9:58:26 AM #
Comparing the two entry level devices it appears to me that sony's would be a better choice. I'd pay $50 for 8mb, MS slot and Hi res. Only drawback is the lack of internal/rechargeable battery. I do like best SL10 form factor but I'm not even considering the "looks", as it is always a controversial issue.

Guinfs

No Wonder!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 10:42:39 AM #
It's no wonder Palm stock is hovering around .70 cents a share. For goodness sakes Palm quit remaking the m100 series and come out with something more useful. I realize not everyone is going to buy the high end units but you already have some entry level units, stick with those. It looks like the new CEO is following in the footsteps of the old CEO.

Who uses all the buttons?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 11:43:57 AM #
Everyone is complaining about this device because it only has 2 buttons. My question is here who actually uses all 4 buttons?? I mainly use just 2 sometimes 3 but never all 4. Unlike some of you I do play some games but not a lot. I use my 515 for budget purposes, reading, planning, etc...... So I just don't see the problem of the 2 buttons

However i do use all 4 when it comes to this golf application, but don't have to, just don't see the fuss over this

just my $.02

RE: Who uses all the buttons?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 8:46:03 PM #
Ant ith that super thick rim, it is either really long and wide, or the screen is extremely long.
RE: Who uses all the buttons?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/20/2002 9:06:54 PM #
lol..I use all 4 of my buttons constantly ..not only are they remapped to programs I use a lot but I use em all for gaems like dreadling,3d star fighter pilot and the like...
RE: Who uses all the buttons?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/22/2002 10:37:39 AM #
I use all of my hardware buttons every day, multiple times per day. I've done so almpost every day of my life since I got my first Pilot. Yes, I play games. Yes, I have a colleague with a Pilot 5000 that is looking to finally upgrade but feels that a $100 PDA should give him more bang for the buck than a $400 PDA did back in 1997. I think he'd consider this an ideal replacemnt if not for the potentially small screen and lack of buttons. He'll probably end up trying to pick up a closeout Visor Neo or Platinum or something.

m100 series

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 11:36:44 PM #
If the m100 series is being discontinued probably the m515 will be lowered along wih a new low-end color PDA under the Zire group.

IT DOES HAVE 4 BUTTONS

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/28/2002 10:52:16 AM #
Look closely at the picture.

zire 72 faceplates

Buffy @ 3/15/2005 4:33:14 PM #
i need a new front and back faceplate for my zire 72 handheld, palmone wants $125 to replace it and thats exactly half of the price i bought it for, if anybody knows anyplace that will do this repair for cheep or a place i can buy a face plate please tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


RE: zire 72 faceplates
rhettwooten @ 11/11/2005 3:36:29 PM #
a good place to start looking is WholesalePDAs.com
I found a Tungsten c faceplate there today, and I''ve been looking forever.Palm wants $125 to fix anything if thet haven't changed their prices in a while.

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