Run Apps From Springboard Expansion Cards with PiDirect

Posted By: Ed Friday, July 27, 2001 1:44:47 PM

Portable Innovation Technology has announced that PiDirect is no longer in beta. This app works with either of the MemPlug Springboards to allow users to run applications and read-only databases stored on a memory card. It will cost $20 but it is on sale for $10 until August 30.

Update: PiDirect II is now available.

"PiDirect allows seamless access to Palm applications and read-only databases stored on memory cards, turning the Visor handheld into a game machine, a reference book or a mobile office," said Patrick Lin, the company's director. "PiDirect further enhances the usability and flexibility of the MemPlug Springboard module product family by giving people with Handspring Visors instant access to hundreds of megabytes of applications using two of the most popular and accepted memory card formats."

It requires Palm OS 3.5 or higher, meaning it works only with the Edge, Prism, and Platinum. The company has a long list of applications that have been confirmed to work with PiDirect. It apparently only works with the MemPlug, not with other expansion-card Springboards.

There are two versions of the MemPlug: one uses SmartMedia cards, the other CompactFlash ones. They cost $50.

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Keep up the good work

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/27/2001 3:08:29 PM #

Keep up the good work!
I'm awed! These guys sure don't sit around on their duffs doin' nothin, eh?

come on..

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/27/2001 3:58:07 PM #

It went out of beta weeks ago. old news. WAY old news. I bought it such a long time ago, and it works so nicely :)

RE: come on..

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/27/2001 4:59:43 PM #

So why didn't you tell anybody? Keeping all for your self? You're just an app hogger, that's what you are. Hogger, hogger, hogger.

Look, this site and other like it do a good job of keeping up with what's going on but no body's perfect. Pointing that an app came out weeks ago doesn't help anyone. If you hear about something new, tell us about it too. We want to know!

CF MemPlug

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/28/2001 11:17:17 AM #

Will this allow CFIO?

RE: CF MemPlug

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/28/2001 1:18:52 PM #

I don't think it does but you should really check for yourself if you want to be sure.

RE: CF MemPlug

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/28/2001 4:49:29 PM #

Yes. It's compatible across the MemPlug product line: MemPlug-SM, MemPlug-CF, and, when it's released, MemPlug-SD/MMC.

RE: CF MemPlug

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/28/2001 4:52:32 PM #

Whoops! I made the above post without comprehending what was meant by CFIO.

No, the MemPlug-CF does not support CF peripherals. Sorry.

But PiDirect will work on PalmOS 3.5 visors with either the MemPlug-CF or MemPlug-SM.

Update it to 1.61++++

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/28/2001 5:54:35 PM #

Ok, I've had mine for about two weeks now (SM and CF). It's a great device, but there are MANY bugs with it. For those considering this product, be aware that you will want to upgrade it IMMEDIATELY to version 1.61 (or a more recent version). Don't even copy any data to it unti you have.

It's not a difficult process to upgrade the Module. You'll run a flash updater that will post the new code to the module. If you don't, you will "May" (most likely will) have many problems (at least I did).

If you are using a 64MB SM/CF Card, DO NOT STORE MORE THAN 44MB OF DATA ON IT! I did this and royally hosed up my SM memory card. So bad, that it crashed my PC when Explorer was trying to read the SM Card (win98). Luckily, Pi came out with 1.61 which allowed me to reformat the card (Prior to that, it would simply crash my Prism as soon as it was inserted into the device my PC Reader would also freak out). Also, upgrading after corrupting the SM Card was tricky. I had to time the insertion of the corrupt SM Card during the Erasure process inorder to reflash it. Trust me, upgrade to 1.61 ahead of time... Many headaches will be prevented.

The version of software that I received with my CF Card (Just a week ago) was version 1.2x. So it is most probably even a newly purchased module will need upgrading.

Pi does have an excellent forum on their website. Be sure to read the posts there prior to purchasing. I've highlighted the worst part of the module. Only to prepare newbies and the non-techies for what they "Might" experience.

What do I think of it now after the 1.61 upgrade? I still won't put more than 44MB on the SM Card, it's slow in the PiMover application refresh, but the Backup is fairly decent. PiDirect is marginally useful and should be included (Full version mind you), in the base product considering all the problems I've had to put up with.

I believe PI will improve the product and it's going to be awsome in a few months! You might want to wait until these ugly bugs are worked out though, unless you love challenges. IMHO...

RE: Update it to 1.61++++

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2001 7:23:08 AM #

Everything he says here is true. I have one too and I love it, but I've had my share of issues with it. The MemPlug form at Yahoo! Groups has been indispensable. You should be able to find it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/memplug

Works great

Yo Man @ 7/29/2001 10:27:22 PM #

I purchased PiDirect about 2 weeks ago. Initially there seems to be some problem with the subdirectories could not run the 21st and beyond program or display the 21st and beyond photo for Splashphoto. After a little while, it works great. The problem seems to be sorted out by itself.

I am using a 16Mb SM card and had not encounter the crash even though I had saved up to 15Mb. Maybe it is because I am using the 1.6 version. I would advice anyone to download the 1.6 version even if you just want to try out PiDiect first. But I feel that this program really made Visor expandable. Pity the deluxe couldnot use this program. Handspring should have some special deal to trade-in a deluxe for some other models at discounted price. This will boost up their sales.

RE: Works great

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2001 9:11:58 AM #

Just FYI - The 16MB cards, from what I understand, do not get corrupted like the 64MB Cards. There's a specific bug for 64MB SM Card (Not sure about CF Cards) that if you store more than 44MB, it will corrupt the card. I've done this and it's not fun. Other card sizes may not have the same issue. I'd be curious to know if the 128MB SD/CF card users have had luck storing 64+MB on those devices.

PiDirect Issues

Timinator @ 7/30/2001 11:53:57 AM #

Overall, I love the MemPlug module. I use PiDirect and it works as advertised. However, I too agree that it should be bundled with the MemPlug instead of being an additional cost. My only other gripe is that it does NOT keep track of what category your apps are stored in. Anytime the device is reset or hot sync'ed, the app icons all move back to the Unfiled category. This is a major pain if you have a lot of apps stored on the MemPlug.

Timinator
www.timinator.com