Comments on: Palm Releases New Accessories, Keyboard and Camera

Palm has released a number of new accessories including a IR wireless keyboard, a 1.3MP SD digital camera and a multifunction stylus. Most of the new accessories are available now or by October 1st. The company has also debuted new cases, styli and accessory kits.
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Great products

Konstantin @ 9/16/2003 10:55:37 AM #
Dont you think that the executive stylus is rather cheap or well priced.

Keyboard pricing / fit Tapwave?
skennedy1217 @ 9/16/2003 11:34:43 AM #
I'm not too into specialized styli, but I'm wondering if the price will drop on the regular ultra-thin keyboard (w/ universal connector). Currently it's priced at $99.95, but this one is $30 cheaper. I also wonder how the Tapwave would fit on this keyboard?

Scott

RE: Great products
john_h @ 9/16/2003 12:50:00 PM #
WHen the Palm website offered a $30 rebate through the weekend on the Ultra-thin keyboard (bringing to that same $69 level), I almost jumped... The new one sounds interesting--I'm glad I didn't.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but given that the keyboard communicates with the PDA via the IR port, it may even be possible to have the PDA charging at the same time. And with the keyboard running off it's own AAA cells, it looks very interesting indeed.

~john_h

RE: Great products
painted_dog @ 9/16/2003 1:04:53 PM #
... to me, i'd call it mediocre products

I think more beneficial would be a BT keyboard in the slim XT form. (especially if i have to put batteries in it)(why not a BT w/ rechargable then they could justify a $99 price tag) I too do not understand why the 1st XT is $99 & now an IR version is $69...

The camera is nice with a higher resolution, & video capture, but to have no memory, or expansion for memory, that hurts.. (at least this in a Zodiac wouldn't be bad, you have a second slot) but also the lack of a flash decreases it usefulness (my brother's Samsung mobile phone has a tiny flash, not that it does a lot, but for close ups of parts it would be useful) & looking at the size of that attahchment is should have something.

the pen to me is pointless.. really unless it fits the unit or somehow goes well with it... forget about it.. [IMHO] but for those it works for, enjoy.

just my thoghts...

-painted dog

RE: Great products
painted_dog @ 9/16/2003 1:15:36 PM #
PS.

a great product would be a Wi-Fi SD card ! [b or g flavor]

see you all @ Tapwave.com tomorrow moring for pre-orders! :-)

RE: Great products
drac @ 9/16/2003 2:26:15 PM #
(1) Bluetooth doesn't seem to be functionally superior to IR for this product.
(2) Using BT instead of IR would drastically reduce the possible market for this product.


=> NO, I don't think that the designers should have used BT instead of IR for this keyboard.

Dual peripheral question
hkklife @ 9/16/2003 5:22:39 PM #
I seem to recall this having been answered a while ago, with the debut of that Microinnovations IR keyboard, but I couldn't dig up the answer to it right away.

Does anyone know if a Palm (any model) can be online via BT or modem/cell on the UC and receive input from an IR keyboard? Is it a driver issue or a Palm OS/hardware limitation?



RE: Great products
skennedy1217 @ 9/16/2003 9:56:48 PM #
hkklife wrote: "Does anyone know if a Palm (any model) can be online via BT or modem/cell on the UC and receive input from an IR keyboard? Is it a driver issue or a Palm OS/hardware limitation"

That's a good question. Earlier in the another room watching TV and using my T|T, VeriChat and Palm folding keyboard (1st generation). When I upgrade to a Zodiac and get the IR keyboard I hope I can still do that.

Scott

Sweet!
TTrules @ 9/16/2003 9:58:27 PM #
I want the James Bond stylus. (lol) These are some really good deals, an example being that the ir keyboard is $30 cheaper than the ultra thin one.

One Palm to rule them all!

-Sniffer

RE: Great products
skennedy1217 @ 9/16/2003 10:00:37 PM #
I wish that I could edit these posts.
RE: Great products
skennedy1217 @ 9/16/2003 10:00:37 PM #
I wish that I could edit these posts.

Now if they only had multi SD slots..

statik @ 9/16/2003 11:03:16 AM #
The camera sounds great. My only issue is that I want to store the pictures on an SD card, not in my local ram.

I wonder if this camera would work with the Zodiac's duel SD slots?

RE: Now if they only had multi SD slots..
hkklife @ 9/16/2003 11:29:22 AM #
Well, this solution could be remedied if they'd just put a SMIDGEN of memory into the camera itself-4mb would suffice, at least for the low-res shots these cameras are capable of, at least until the user could offload them onto a dedicated SD for storage or a desktop. Anyway, I'll keep on waiting, thank you.

Also, the pictures from the new Clies with the "assist light" (not a flash) are surprisingly decent looking. It's a shame whoever OEMs these for Palm couldn't have come up with some sort of similar solution involving white LEDs.

The other accessories announced today are just rebranded stuff you could get from Belkin or Brando-just not as stylish looking. Still, a nice move on Palm's part but what I'd like to see are some really innovative gadgets that utilize the UC-perhaps a Guyver-type sled with wi-fi, an extended battery or charger and another SD slot? Or a newer, smaller BT card. I also think it might be a good move by Palm to try and rebrand one of the memory/wi-fi SD cards from Sandisk as a "Palm wireless storage solution" type of gadget. Their margins on the current Palm-branded backup cards and SD cards are very good...

RE: Now if they only had multi SD slots..
palmit @ 9/16/2003 11:32:19 AM #
The camera does look good. Wondering if it includes any available memory on it?

RE: Now if they only had multi SD slots..
cbowers @ 9/16/2003 1:34:35 PM #
"I wonder if this camera would work with the Zodiac's duel [sic] SD slots?"

Hmmm, that possibility hadn't occurred to me.

So this one SD slot says to the other,
"I'm way faster than you, the end user should pick me next time", "am not", "am too"...

"I bet you can't even *spell* SDIO never mind use it, can you..."

"I know you are but what am I"

"What are you? You're about to get your ground pin yanked out, is what you are..."

"Why you 2-bit knockoff"...

Who knew SD really stood for Spontaneous Dueling
Think I'll just stick with the one slot then...


RE: Now if they only had multi SD slots..
Wollombi @ 9/16/2003 7:46:02 PM #
One positive is that OS6 will supposedly allow native files in RAM, which with enough RAM would make this camera pretty useful on an OS6 machine.

Just a thought. I'd rather have dual slots, but at least PalmSource is working on some kind of solution.

_________________
Sean

"They're smoking crack."
-Linus Torvalds on SCO group's copyright claims against Linux-

Palm store has no record of any of the above!

a3 @ 9/16/2003 11:25:39 AM #
Maybe it is just me but I could not find any of the above products at palm.com!

____________________________________________
Former Tapwave's Helix fan, now a T|T3 fan.
RE: Palm store has no record of any of the above!
ComputerBob @ 9/16/2003 12:12:49 PM #
nither could i.....
RE: Palm store has no record of any of the above!
GHaavy @ 9/16/2003 3:14:42 PM #
These products have only been announced. They won't be released for sale until October 1st (all except the camera, which will be released at some later date).

You won't see them show up on the Pa1mOne website until the 1st (although other websites may 'jump the gun', so to speak).

Cable to connect two UC devices

robrecht @ 9/16/2003 11:48:27 AM #
Does anyone make a cable that will connect two UC devices?

I think I'd rather use the locking nonbattery XT keyboard in my lap (reclining with my feet up) and a T3 sitting nearby on my desk at eye level. I hate the poor laptop ergonomics of hunching over to read a screen that is attached to a keyboard, poor ergonomics that is only made worse on a handheld.

Please don't tell me to get a thumboard. I hate those even more.


Thanks, robrecht

Deal-breaker issue on camera

Navamske @ 9/16/2003 1:22:51 PM #
Does the camera *really* take JPGs? That similar Veo camera was advertised as taking JPGs, but it actually saved the images in some proprietary format and they didn't become JPGs until you sync'd with your PC. That seems to me to defeat the purpose of having an on-the-go camera with you all the time. I want to be able to see the image on the Palm immediately, then transfer it to an SD card and from there, via a card reader, to whatever PC I happen to be sitting at. This is clumsy because you have to swap out the camera for the SD card, but it's still better than the Veo way.

RE: Deal-breaker issue on camera
Altema @ 9/16/2003 3:04:52 PM #
They have a work-around for the Veo camera called Veo Transfer. It takes the Veo images and 'develops' them, producing jpegs on the card. Hope a similar option is available for this if it does not have it's own memory.

RE: Deal-breaker issue on camera
ahasani @ 9/18/2003 1:09:39 PM #
Do you know how could I get this Veo Transfer file for download ?

thanks in advance

Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?

palmhiker @ 9/16/2003 1:35:49 PM #
It looks like the apparatus that holds the PDA is designed to allow for a landscape orientation. This would be a pretty sweet setup if the keyboard folds down to the size of the current ultra-thin.

RE: Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?
beboscott @ 9/16/2003 9:58:04 PM #
"It looks like the apparatus that holds the PDA is designed to allow for a landscape orientation."

My thoughts exactly. One of the reasons many would want a T3 is because they could work on doc or xls files in landscape mode. But, since the T3 won't have a second universal connector comming out its side, well, you'd have to have some other solution. The "tray" on this thing looks just the right length to hold your T3 in landscape. And if that indeed is the case, you could possibly hook a sync/charging cable up to it and charge while typing. (Note that the operative word in that last sentence is "possibly").

IIIxe & 3:16

RE: Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?
I.M Anonymous @ 9/17/2003 12:32:58 AM #
With the T3 in landscape mode, I'm not sure the IR port would be in the right place.

RE: Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?
hjordanh @ 9/17/2003 1:16:18 AM #
I would imagine that the IR arm can swivel to accommodate, otherwise there is no reason for making the holder near that wide.

-Jordan

RE: Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?
Palm_Otaku @ 9/17/2003 6:19:18 AM #
That's correct - the Ir arm does swivel to accomodate the T|T3 in landscape mode.

- D

RE: Keyboard T-3/Zodiac Ready?
Palm_Otaku @ 9/17/2003 6:22:38 AM #
Also, according to Anthony Armenta at Palm, the keyboard is slightly thicker than the XT/Ultraslim and is not rigid across a lap.

It runs on 2 AAA and power should last for 2-6 mo. with typical usage (however that's defined...)

- D

Where are they?

Moosecat @ 9/16/2003 2:34:21 PM #
Like others, I can't find them at the Palm Store site. I really like the looks/idea of that stylus, and for $20 I'm all over it.

RE: Where are they?
rexracer @ 9/16/2003 3:27:25 PM #
The Executive Multifunction Stylus looks amazingly like a black version of the Belkin Quadra 4-in-1 Pen. It's OK for $20, I gave mine to my brother and got a Belkin 4-in-1 Stylus Pen for about $15.

I may get a Quadra for myself, I like the LED flashlight, the laser pointer is not a need for me. The downside to multi-function pens is that they always seem to have some loose parts that rattle around and make noise. The only exception so far is the cheapy Papermate PhD Multi, which is nice but doesn't fit in my case. Otherwise I would use the cheap but nice PhD Multi.

RE: Where are they?
rprata @ 9/16/2003 8:06:35 PM #
I got one of these from StylusCentral for 9.99 plus shipping:

http://www.styluscentral.com/ebcoduostylw.html

I love it. It came engraved in an aluminum case, and I got it within a week. It's got a pen, stylus, and laser pointer, and comes with 2 extra batteries for the pointer.

RE: Where are they?
GHaavy @ 9/17/2003 5:40:09 PM #
A little late, but here's the press release
http://pressroom.palm.com/InvestorRelations/PubNewsStory.aspx?partner=5150&storyId=94154



I'm not a smartass in real life, I just portray one on the web.

Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne

kevdo @ 9/16/2003 5:00:52 PM #
There is no number 1 character in the name. It is an "L".

Not that palmOne without the "1" is so much better...

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
GHaavy @ 9/16/2003 6:32:27 PM #
Actually, you're right AND wrong.

The official name is, as you suggest, PalmOne.

Their logo, however, clearly depicts the number '1' in place of the 'L', hence some of the confusion.

So everyone is right.

Everyone happy now?

Here's the official logo:
http://www.palmone.com/us/images/wrapper/logo_whiteorange.gif

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
GHaavy @ 9/16/2003 6:43:05 PM #
... or is this the official Logo?
http://www.palm.com/us/images/company/pressroom/palmOne.gif

I'm not a smartass in real life, I just portray one on the web.

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
JKingGrim @ 9/16/2003 7:56:39 PM #
I am already getting sick of people saying pa1mOne. It looks so stupid. I still call them Palm.

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
arielb @ 9/16/2003 11:37:23 PM #
I'm sure they wanted to reinforce the 1 in the name PalmOne. l looks so much like 1 that they were able to get away with it

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
Scott R @ 9/17/2003 2:45:39 AM #
Actually, are you sure that the "O" in palmOne is really the letter "O" and not the number "0"?

Don't blame us for joking about it...we're not the ones that designed that logo.

Scott

http://goodthatway.com
- featuring PDA/smartphone news and FREE MONEY!!! -

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
G M Fude @ 9/17/2003 3:06:49 AM #
I think the letter 'el' that looks like a numeral 'one' has also been done for trademark reasons. It's probably a more recognisable design that is easier to register as a trademark.

Or maybe there were some mind-altering substances involved. I don't know.

RE: Hey everyone: It is palmOne not pa1mOne
mikecane @ 9/17/2003 10:48:05 AM #
It is actually pronounced pa-ONE-em ONE.

New SD Camera--Nice Veo and Typical Digicam Replacement

vesther @ 9/16/2003 7:47:37 PM #
I guess I finally got a successful successor to my measly Veo Digicam and Olympus CaMedia Camera here. I guess I can finally use my Tungsten C to take pics at long last!!!

Did anyone tried the Ultra Thin Keyboard on a Tungsten C? I found out that the Keyboard itself had some misstrokes and sometimes does not "type" certain letters even when the Tungsten C was properly connected. Is it because the UTK is not compatible with the Tungsten C? Please don't say this because I don't have to cough up another $70 on another Keyboard.


My Primary Handheld: Palm Tungsten C "Air Swallow"
My Secondary Handheld: Palm Tungsten T "Sea Chugger"

RE: New SD Camera--Nice Veo and Typical Digicam Replacement
feed_sheep @ 9/19/2003 8:05:47 PM #
I have the T|C and ultra-thin keyboard and do not have problems typing certain keys.

However, doing Ctrl-B is sometimes buggy with Wordsmith. Sometimes you can do it to turn on bold, other times you have to do Cmd-B.

The big irritation for me is that Cmd-right/left arrow keys does not put the cursor at either end of the line as advertised, nor does Green Fn-right/left - in Wordsmith and Documents to Go. These commands do work in Memopad.

The other frustration I have is that I miss the dedicated number row.

ir keyboard and sony's ux 50?

southbound747 @ 9/16/2003 11:31:45 PM #
i am considering buying the new sony ux 50. i wonder if the new palm ir keyboard will be compatible with the newest sony offering....the ux 50...anybody know?

Wireless keyboard

Navamske @ 9/17/2003 9:46:42 AM #
I'm not sure I understand what, beyond any "coolness" factor, is the point of this. The physical setup of the keyboard and the Palm looks the same as when the not-wireless keyboard is used, except that with the new keyboard, the Palm is apparently just sitting there instead of being physically attached to anything. Is there an advantage to this, such as being able to use the keyboard while another peripheral is attached to the UC? If so, wouldn't that make it difficult to see the screen while you're typing, since you could no longer rest the Palm in the little seat?

Also, this keyboard requires batteries whereas the not-wireless one doesn't.

RE: Wireless keyboard
Konstantin @ 9/17/2003 10:35:33 AM #
Thats the point exactly. Keyboard uses other power source and do not compromises the PDA, and accordingly to pa1m0ne last up to 6 months.



RE: Wireless keyboard
mapaman @ 9/17/2003 11:47:07 PM #
Another advantage would be the ability to use in landscape mode (e.g. if using the T3, or if your Palm has software to rotate the screen), thus lowering the profile of your setup.

Still another advantage would be the ability to use the keyboard with other devices, maybe the treo 600?

Bluetooth keyboard

ganoe @ 9/18/2003 12:36:02 PM #
I'll be much more interested when Palm has Bluetooth keyboard drivers available, and we can choose from the Bluetooth keyboards that are becoming available.

SD CAMERA

griego @ 9/22/2003 7:29:10 AM #
DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF THE NEW CAMERA IS COMPATIBLE WITH M505? THANKS!

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