Comments on: palmOne Launches new palmOne Press

palmOne in combination with Peachpit publishing has established a new palmOne Press. Their first title is a handheld sized book called Now You Know Zire.

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This "novel idea" used to be called a manual.

honus @ 4/29/2004 1:48:03 PM #

But then someone figured out you could charge for it.

RE: This

Bartman007 @ 4/29/2004 1:52:06 PM #

Well, in the immortal words of Slashdot,

1. Create new handheld
2. Sell to people who don't know how to use it
3. ?????
4. Profit

Peace,
-Bartman007

RE: This

Scott R @ 4/29/2004 2:01:48 PM #

"This "novel idea" used to be called a manual."

LOL! I had that exact same thought when I read it. Actually, I think it's even worse than that, because I think what they're selling here isn't even a manual but rather a "Quick Start Guide."

Scott

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -

RE: This

Myndwalker @ 4/29/2004 3:31:11 PM #

It's been done for years in other areas. Take a look at the Magic Lantern guides to camera equipment as an example.

RE: This

pkuhns @ 4/29/2004 5:01:38 PM #

1. Underwear
2. ?
3. Profit!!

Does Palm Infocenter have the cajones to talk about the Zire 72's crap-ass camera/lens? Or are they in bed too much with the hot Marketing chicks/PR babes? I guess I answered my own question. So much for truth...

Nokia 3650 bluetooth magnate

RE: This

beboscott @ 4/29/2004 7:08:37 PM #

It would be nice if they sold these very helpful books at Borders or Barns & Noble. That way a new Zire user could grab his or her espresso beverage of choice, relax in a comfy chair, breeze through their "Now You Know Zire" in a half hour or so, and get the same information for under 4 bucks (unless, of course, you opt for the venti mocha with extra whip)!

manual comment

PDA Guy @ 4/30/2004 2:30:16 AM #

This is a "manual"??? Has anyone actually bought/read this book?

From what I've seen, this appears to be more of a "Tips and Tricks" book, how is this any different than the "How to Do Everything with your..." books that are out there?

If there's a market for books that go *BEYOND THE MANUAL*, then why *shouldn't* palmOne get into that market?

RE: This

Scott R @ 4/30/2004 10:51:42 AM #

Well, that's the big question, now isn't it? According to PIC's story, this is a "slim, handheld-sized" book, which equates to me as "small." It's possible that the wording is tiny and there are still lots of pages, though.

Scott

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -

RE: This

Scott R @ 4/30/2004 10:53:27 AM #

...of course, I realize that they're trying to make extra money here, but if we're dealing about a potentially tiny book, I can't help but wonder how nice it would have been for them to convert this thing into online help that came bundled in the ROM of their devices. How much memory could it take?

Scott

http://Tapland.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -

Yikes! Talk about spinoffs!

achitnis @ 4/29/2004 1:50:26 PM #

They are selling the "Getting started..." and User Guides as separate products now?

Atul Chitnis
http://atulchitnis.net

RE: Yikes! Talk about spinoffs!

hkklife @ 4/29/2004 3:06:46 PM #

Get used to it. The games industry is heading in the same direction--a new flight sim is released and comes with a mere "getting started" PDF on the install CD. You then have the option of mail ordering a lavishly bound "flight manual" for some outrageous sum ($40+). For most users, a small, cheap printed manual would suffice. But no, they have to offer a choice between two extreme ends of the spectrum. Same goes with card nowadays. Want a sunroof with cloth seats? Sorry, you have to buy a $3500 "Premium Package" that nets you the sunroof, alloy wheels, CD changer, leather etc etc.

No matter what spin they try to put on it, these are just signs of an increasingly desperate company (POne) with no one at the helm having any long-term vision or concern with brand loyalty. If the margins on unwired PDAs are *that* bad, then they should just jump into the smartphone market with both feet.

What we are also experiencing is a series of dimishing returns for their flagship products. Why buy a $400 Tungsten? It doesn't get you a printed manual, complimentary phone support, guarantted ROM updates, reliable quality control, the guarantee of a UC, or improved build quality. Might we well just buy refurb Zires from Overstock.com and toss 'em once they get flaky.

RE: Yikes! Talk about spinoffs!

pkuhns @ 4/29/2004 5:04:08 PM #

Print those PDFs at work on the high-end Cannon when your boss is playing golf. 3-ring bind it and stuff it in your backpack. Oh... did I say that?

Nokia 3650 bluetooth magnate

Now you know Tungsten?

vesther @ 4/29/2004 10:39:18 PM #

If this "Now you know Zire" is going to be a hot seller, how about PalmOne Press launch "Now you know Tungsten"? I would like to see more Tungsten-related mumbo-jumbo rather than the Zire mumbo-jumbo.

A Palm-Powered Handheld is the bread and butter for many people. Without a Palm-Powered Handheld, your progress is all for naught.

$15 ... Pleeeeease!

LiveFaith @ 4/29/2004 11:22:21 PM #

$15 for a color Zire "Start Here" manual? Ka-Chinggggg!

I can see this concept being useful, and po$$ibly profitable? But, is this not the same thing that Acrobat Reader is already supposed to do, which comes bundled on most PalmOnes? Aside from the still cheesy lo-rez portions & no support for much needed 320x480.

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Hey can I get this...

Nusm @ 4/30/2004 8:59:57 AM #

...as an ebook?!?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

What next? Selling Palms with no stylus?

;-( @ 4/30/2004 11:00:34 AM #

They've already dumped the cradles and paper manuals.

Sounds like a desperate company trying to make a quick buck off newbies. How sad.

It's massive. Massive.

RE: What next? Selling Palms with no stylus?

hkklife @ 4/30/2004 11:24:09 AM #

FINALLY someone agrees with me that these are desperate maneuvers by a company nearly dead in the water instead of preaching at me to "get with the times", "print is dead" etc etc.

I can see shortchanging Zire customers left & right. But in this day and age, to have any remaining loyal customer base (with many of them willing to pay $300-$500 for a non-smartphone PDA) is a small miracle unto itself. POne should make the Tungsten line the Cadillac to the Zire Chevys and treat those owners with a little bit of respect. Above I have outlined just a few solutions. Todd Bradley, if you're reading this, either hire Mr. Face above as a consultant or at least take my comments to heart before it's too late!
Oh, also do something about the blister packaging for your retail units. If the big B&M chains keep them in lockup, there's no reason to worry so much about stuff looking fancy in the package since no one other than Target actually hangs them on retail shelf pegs! Go with a printed kraft box like Sony's Clies and put the $ you save towards a printed manual or better build quality!