Rumor: Palm Zire Revealed

Palm's new dual brand architecture, which was introduced yesterday, divides the company's products into two sub-categories: Consumers and Professionals. The first get the Zire family, the second the Tungsten family. The Zire family is intended be easy to use, simple, fun, empowering, and intuitive.

On October 7, Palm will announce its first Zire sub-brand handheld, which doesn't have a model name of it's own yet. Palm Zire will have 2MB of RAM and use Palm OS 4.1. It won't have the Universal Connector nor a cradle, and it will only come with two hardware buttons instead of four, plus the Up/Down separated buttons.

Palm Zire will come with two rechargeable batteries (included) and an external charging adapter which will be separate from the mini-USB HotSync cable. Both the power adapter connection and the USB HotSync connection will be located on the top of the unit. An internal IRDA port is there too. Palm Zire is 4.4 by 2.9 by .6 inches (112 by 74 by 16 mm) and it will be the lightest Palm PDA ever, only 3.8 ounces (109 g). A protective flip-lid is included.

Palm Zire will arrive with Palm Desktop 4.1 for Windows with Chapura Outlook plug-in and Palm Desktop 4.0 for Macintosh.

The "Calc" icon was finally replaced by a new "favorite" icon, which will be used for HotSync on default (There is no HotSync button since there is no cradle). Palm has left only two buttons, which are used for the DateBook and AddresssBook programs. Bad news for serious gamers; however, they aren't intended to buy the new Zire.

The price will range from $100-$130, depending on when and where the Zire is purchased. It will be sold in a plastic transparent blister packaging.

Adam Zeit is an Israeli journalist (PcMediaPlus, Information Week) and also the Editor in-chief of Palmi, the leading Israeli site handling PDA's, Gadgets and Cellular Phones.

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remote control

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:14:19 PM #
if should come with software to use it as a remote control. Would make perfect sense as a consumer product.
RE: remote control
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:33:22 PM #
It doesn't have an IR port
RE: remote control
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:45:33 PM #
it does have an IR port as stated above.
RE: remote control
abischof @ 9/24/2002 1:46:44 PM #
It sure does have an IR port :). "An internal IRDA port is there too."

RE: remote control
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:49:34 PM #
Yes it does!
Look!
RE: remote control
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 3:35:18 PM #
Doesn't matter, then it wouldn't be an entry level, bargain handheld.
RE: remote control
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 8:31:26 PM #
I am soooo gay (Happy)
RE: remote control for children
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 9:12:48 PM #
this would be a good remote control for children.
you could probably drool all over the thing and not hurt it

Why?!?!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:15:33 PM #
Why couldn't palm add the extra two hardware buttons or put in more RAm. 2mb?!?! that's taking a step back don't you think? Well, this unit still looks pretty good and as long as it is under $50 maybe people will buy it.
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:18:04 PM #
I agree. This product is (IMHO) DOA. New users are us a few years ago. We all went through the decision tree of buying the limited PDA (Visor vs VDX) or the larger model. I bought the larger model because I knew I would need more than 2 MB.

I am in medical education, to use the free PDR, you need 3 megs, Epocrates is 1.5 megs, Kidcompanion is 2 megs. See where I am getting at. A new user impressed by his/her colleague's ability to call up drug info is going to walk right past this one and into the waiting arms of Sony or HandEra.

A budget PDA needs atleast 8 megs to be functional and needs SD/IO or Memory Stick for add on memory. This one can't even function as a RAM scratch pad backing up to the SD card.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:19:48 PM #
Could Palm of created a Crappier Model? This goes beyond a step backwards. With what technology has to offer in the way of advancements in PDAs, you would think a 4 meg device or even an 8 meg device would of been enough as a "consumer device". You dont have to be Geeks to want this either. Think about it, it's the add on software that makes the Palm really cool to use. NOT THE BUILT IN LAME FUNCTIONS. With 2 megs you wouldn't have enough room to load anything worth while.And the 2 hardware buttons is just a joke. You couldn't use this to play many games even if you wanted too. WHAT WILL BE PALMS NEXT LOW END DEVICE? A pad of paper with an unsharpened pencil with the Palm Logo on the fron ot it?
After confirming all these specs,
peter167 @ 9/24/2002 12:24:56 PM #
I am sure Palm will flop big time.

The management team always hope for a mass market appeal, but that's not the case here. Palm will be ready for the mass market, when:

1)The price is acceptable for entry level users
2)The contents of the hardware is decent.

The price of the Zire, is certainly acceptable. However, its hardware, is almost unuseable. The hardware itself reminds us of going back to the Pilot era, not even the Vx. If any of you recall, PCs become popular in the 90s because the price goes down yet the performance/level of the hardware and software goes up. But that's not the case for the Zire.

The only difference from the aged m105 is the sheer look. But yet the RAM goes down to 2 MB. Anyone who wished to buy Palm as an organizer have purchased the m105 for the use. So where are the new comers for the Zire? And to wrap it under a transparent package (like a Casio calculator)?

Palm is doomed (at least on the hardware company). The top management team did not improve the content of its handhelds and keep the price unchanged. Instead, they cut the hardware and keep the price unchanged. Consumers are not stupid, anyone who has a brain will switch to the low-end Sony SL-10s for a mere $50 difference because they could get some useable amount of RAM and at least 4 standard buttons plus a jog dial.

Palm is still thinking about how to attract the public to pay $100 for a grocery shopping list organizer. What a shame!!!

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

$100 is too much!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:25:02 PM #
I sure hope they can sell it in the US for WAY under $100. $75 or less would be much more reasonable considering that this thing isn't even on par with the previous low-end leader the m100. Take away two app buttons, a connection with a dedicated HotSync button (cable had one), and the fun of the changeable face plates, and you have the Zire. I wouldn't buy one of these as a gift unless it was closer to $60. At that price, one might as well go find a used m100 or m105, or an m105 on clearance somewhere. Sheesh.
RE: $100 is too much!
Scott R @ 9/24/2002 12:29:06 PM #
This definitely calls into question to me whether or not they were making any (or enough) money off of the m10x series. Creating a brand new product requires R&D money. Continuing on with a product which they've had inventory of and worked the bugs out for a couple of years _should_ be cheaper. As you said, I don't see how this is much/any more "fun" than an m100 with a stylish cover. My only guess is that they were indeed losing money (or only making a few bucks) on the m100 and there's a much bigger profit margin here, but I don't see how that would be.

Scott

MS school of interface design
Scott R @ 9/24/2002 12:32:42 PM #
What I see here scares me. Does Palm think that removing two buttons and a hotsync cradle makes this Palm _easier_ to use than the m100? It reminds me of how MS thought that by removing features from the Palm-sized PC (in creating the Pocket PC) made it easier to use. It doesn't. It just makes trying to do the necessary things harder and more frustrating.

Now with this device if you want to hotsync, you need to go through a few steps to get to the HotSync program. Or, if you want to access your to-do list, you have to go through a similar exercise. Fewer buttons does not equal easier to use.

Scott

Sure, and while they were at it...
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:42:58 PM #
...they should have thrown in an SD slot, wireless capability, Bluetooth, onboard GPS, and a much faster processor.

They might be able to sell this if it's not over $39.95.

This modlel is DOA? Get real.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:44:44 PM #
> This product is (IMHO) DOA.
...
> I am in medical education, to use the free PDR, you need 3 megs

Stupid doctor. Haven't you heard of market segmentation. This model isn't for people who know what a PDR is; it's for the 10% to 25% of new buyers who may never install any 3rd party applications on their Palmtop, but are in a market segment that is very cost and style conscious (that's several million potential buyers!)

The high end Sony NR and Palm Tungsten series are for geek high-income doctors types, and have bigger profit margins to match.

RE: After confirming all these specs,
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:47:44 PM #
"The management team always hope for a mass market appeal, but that's not the case
here. Palm will be ready for the mass market, when:

1)The price is acceptable for entry level users
2)The contents of the hardware is decent."
---------------------

This is only part of the story. Making a complete "product" is more than just its price and stats. I just don't think that Palm's marketing understands that at all.

Who is this device going to be sold to? "People looking for a cheap PDA" isn't a really a market. Why? Because you don't know what they are going to do with it, so you don't know why'd they buy it.

There's a phrase that I heard a few years ago that fits: "sell the need, push the want". If there isn't a need, then you have the harder task of pushing the product.

Palm needs to start customer focus groups and hard targeting them for sales by customizing the product for them.

Todd.


RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:00:05 PM #
>Stupid doctor. Haven't you heard of market
>segmentation. This model isn't for people who know
>what a PDR is...

Duh... What type of retart school of marketing did you come from? I see what Palm is trying to do. They are trying to create a market for a LOW END device, with a PDA that has less to offer hardware wise than any PDA Palm current has ever sold sells for roughly the same or near the same price that m105 sold for which offered more to new users than this PDA has. Palm is trying to pool an Apple here, by recapping as much of their profits with what could be looked at as lame hardware.

The downside to doing business like this, is one it looks bad to those who know the company. And two, Palm could have a better chance in retaining NEW Customers with a workable product, or a product that provide real function. No company has ever lost their user base because their customers had options, which is how I see the m105 at least. An M105 can still function like every other Palm with the exception of the lack of memory. But this... this doesn't even come in the same ball park to call it's self a Palm.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:07:38 PM #
Agreed. This is one reason why the state of health care in the USA is in dire straits. Doctors like this are lucky if they can differentiate a kidney from a liver.

Get a PPC if you need more memory, Dr. Troll.

RE: Why?!?!
jjsoh @ 9/24/2002 1:19:41 PM #
: I agree. This product is (IMHO) DOA. New users are
: us a few years ago.

Hmm.. so I guess there are no more 'new' users. "We" were the last of them and Palm has no choice but to just continue with high end models.

What about people who have never owned one but want to try out an organizer without spending an arm and a leg? Students perhaps? Parents on a budget? I know there are other Palms out there that have more features and are just barely more expensive than this one, but $50 is a lot to many people.

: We all went through the decision tree of buying the
: limited PDA (Visor vs VDX) or the larger model.
: I bought the larger model because I knew I would
: need more than 2 MB.
: I am in medical education, to use the free PDR, you
: need 3 megs, Epocrates is 1.5 megs, Kidcompanion is
: 2 megs. See where I am getting at.

Actually, no. "We" are not all medical students. And if we were, then surely this isn't the market that Palm is trying to aim for. It's an entry level PDA, not one geared towards a professional who may need the extra memory/expansion.

: A budget PDA needs atleast 8 megs to be functional
: and needs SD/IO or Memory Stick for add on memory.
: This one can't even function as a RAM scratch pad
: backing up to the SD card.

I'm sorry, but a budget PDA needs to be cheap, and it will at the cost of hardware. However, for YOUR needs, yes, it's not enough. For someone who just wants an organizer/phonebook/misc, 2MB is more than reasonable. remember the PalmPilot Personal? Even at 512K it was more than enough for me when all I needed was a place to store contacts and numbers (with the card game here and there). It's only when I wanted more that I upgraded years later. But then again, that was me.. the newbie, way back when.

How it will do in the market? Who knows? We'll have to see how many people eat this up. Even I have my doubts, but I've lost touch with reality so don't ask me.

I don't know who is on your list of "we" when you're defining PDA necessities, but it surely is not everyone.

Jim

RE: Why?!?! flames
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:26:29 PM #
Listen, obviously they are trying to find a market for PDA-lite products. In the section of the market I live in, most of us don't buy the big bells and whistles PDA's because of lack of need. PPC's are a near-miss because most medical software is written for Palm OS, thus not a good option.

Palm is going to hurt itself because they will lose the repeat buyer. No one will buy their entry product and say "gee this is useful, but I wish I had feature X also". They will say, "gee my friend bought X and he can do a lot more with his, therefore I will replace my POC PDA with one like his."

Palm loses for the same reason that Nissan lost to Toyota. The entry level Corolla was a better car than the entry level Nissan. People were happy with their Toyota and stayed put when they upgraded to the Camry. Palm will lose on this one, especially if this is the only entry level product they sell.

BTW: Flames are ridiculous. Try some other form of discussion, you might actually like it.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 1:55:27 PM #
>> "New users are us a few years ago. We all went through the decision tree of buying the limited PDA (Visor vs VDX) or the larger model. I bought the larger model because I knew I would need more than 2 MB." <<

You were talking about spending $200-$250, NOT $100. That's a significant difference.

>> "I am in medical education, to use the free PDR, you need 3 megs, Epocrates is 1.5 megs, Kidcompanion is 2 megs. See where I am getting at. A new user impressed by his/her colleague's ability to call up drug info is going to walk right past this one and into the waiting arms of Sony or HandEra." <<

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you are a TINY segment of the market. So tiny, in fact, that ePocrates decided it wasn't worth their money to market a Palm directly to you. If you need more memory, buy it, but don't go bitching because Palm's entry-level model doesn't suit you. And don't go assuming that because you wouldn't buy it, no one would. That's a combination of arrogance and stupidity--not exactly what I would want in my physician.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 2:03:13 PM #
>> "The only difference from the aged m105 is the sheer look. But yet the RAM goes down to 2 MB." <<

Well, yes. But remember, the m105 was introduced at a price of $250, then fell in price as it aged. This unit will introduce at $100, and I'd bet it'll drop to $75-80 in time for Christmas. In a year, it might be as cheap as $50. Imagine what you would've said 5 years ago if you could've bought a Palm III for $50--you'd have been in heaven. This is what Palm is hoping for from new users. They may not get it, but that's what they seek.

>> "Anyone who wished to buy Palm as an organizer have purchased the m105 for the use. So where are the new comers for the Zire?" <<

Wow. Earth to I.M. Anonymous! Clearly, you're living on another planet, where EVERYONE carries a Palm with their cellphone. Here on Earth, everyone has a cellphone, but only a relatively small proportion carries a Palm. And the 1/16% of the world's population that reads PIC probably accounts for about 30% of the Palms sold, since we just can't help ourselves from dropping $400 every so often to try something new.

>> "And to wrap it under a transparent package (like a Casio calculator)?" <<

What's wrong with that? Last time I checked, Casio (and TI, as well) was still doing VERY well in the calculator business. Blister packaging is cheap and easy to display. Get off the high horse.

You don't have to agree with Palm's tactics. But the prima-donna-esque, "I'm a genius and Palm is a bunch of terd-head idiots" routine is arrogant, it's ignorant, and it's a waste of time.


RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 2:40:14 PM #
>> "Does Palm think that removing two buttons and a hotsync cradle makes this Palm _easier_ to use than the m100?" <<

Yes.

Palm found that, based on researching of *average* users (not PIC geeks), most people use the Datebook and To Do buttons most. So they included these on the new...say it with me...ENTRY-LEVEL model.

You know, designed for people who've never picked up a PDA before...
...people who probably won't sync very often, and therefore won't care about a cradle...
...people who primarily want to keep phone numbers, addresses, a calendar, and a to-do list in something other than a giant notebook that costs them something like $75 per year in updated pages...
...people who don't feel the need to play Zap! at the airport...
...people who don't care if their info's not in color...
...people who want a low cost, regardless of the bells and whistles...
...people who don't frequent PalmInfocenter...

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 3:03:31 PM #
>This is one reason why the state of health care in >the USA is in dire straits. Doctors like this are >lucky if they can differentiate a kidney from a >liver.

Makes you wonder why our hospitals here in the U.S. have patients from all over the globe. Also, makes you wonder why our medical schools are attended by students from all over the globe. But mainly, it makes me wonder about people that make assinine, ignorant, and ill-informed statements.

RE: Why?!?!
Scott R @ 9/24/2002 3:35:23 PM #
>> "Does Palm think that removing two buttons and a hotsync cradle makes this Palm _easier_ to use than the m100?" <<

"Yes."

Actually, no. It _doesn't_ make it easier to use. An entry level device is a great idea. The Palm m100 was a pretty good entry level device. Of the entry-level people I've spoken with, the reason why they didn't buy it wasn't because it was too complicated, it was because they had a hard time justifying spending $100. This device solves nothing but, perhaps, increasing the profit margins for Palm. If, in fact, there's more profit to be made on this device, I hope they smarten up and decide to sell it for less (i.e. - keep the same profit margin they made on the m100 with a lower price point). This device could sell great at $49. At $99, it's just a bad value.

Scott

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 3:38:24 PM #
Provided Palm has another model in this product line (or from an existing product line) available, then this is what I would call a strategic marketing plan. One look at this unit (through the blister pack) and all you are thinking about is "upgrade". Great concept!

Really, if a previous poster's comment about starting this unit out at $100 and dropping the price as time goes on is even partly accurate, then why not do it right from the start and keep the price reasonable.

Use the same form, but add;
-Simple 8 bit color...just for a bit of pizzzzazzzz... (I threw my green on black monitors away years ago).
-4 megs of RAM. 2 MB is just not enough.
-Virtual graffiti. I know, what are you crazy! But think of this.

The biggest problem most novice users have with a PDA is data entry. It has certainly been debated enough on this site. A virtual graffiti area with a pop up keyboard (like the one on the Sony NR70) would be a perfect alternative. The ability to set either graffiti or keyboard as a default would be a must!

Don't expect a novice user to go out and look for overlays and forget about add-on keyboards (ports are on top, not bottom of device). Although this unit may be priced right, if a potential purchaser is concerned about data input, they will look elsewhere.

You know, not all novice users have jobs making $100 a week. Some novices may be doctors or other kind of professional. An entry level device should be able to attract all segments of the population. You don't buy a Harley if you want to learn how to ride a motorcycle, even if you can afford it.

Sorry, but I am betting that the only people buying this device are going to be misinformed grandmothers making gift purchases for a niece or nephew.

Back to the drawing board Palm.

RE: Why?!?!
abosco @ 9/24/2002 4:22:15 PM #
"Sorry, but I am betting that the only people buying this device are going to be misinformed grandmothers making gift purchases for a niece or nephew."

And guess who half of the entire pda market is?

Exactly... those grandmothers and people who don't want to spend a fortune on things they don't need.

-Bosco

RE: Why?!?!
useybird @ 9/24/2002 4:30:50 PM #
This is unacceptable. Why is Palm still using the old philosophy, If it's priced low, it should be low featured. This is no longer true. It used to be that the less you pay for a car, the less powerful and less features you will get. Today you can get some pretty fast cars for less than you expect. But back on the subject, this is a poor excuse for a Palm. It tarnishes Palm's image. The first Palms had about 512K of Ram when they first came out, right? Why, you ask? This had nothing to do with cutting prices. That was what technology we had then. But when I see a Palm that resembles an iPod, 2MB of memory, no expansion, no UC, I think this is a disaster. And all this stuff about it being a base model and that it's for first time users of Palm, get real, I mean we were all once first time Palm users, right? Now, Don't tell me that when you had your first palm, you only used it for basic organizer functions. No one that I know who is a first time user only used it for its built-in functions. Palm is capable of a lot more than this. Where are all the OS5 Palms? Come on Palm. PPC is whooping our butts in features, and then Palm comes out with the Zire.

----------------------------------------
Crack-smash! Splatter: The sound of the MLB using Pocket PC's instead of Baseballs.
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 4:47:17 PM #
Makes me wonder what side of the bed folks got out of this morning ...
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 4:49:20 PM #
You really got the heart of the matter..

If you paid attention to Palms rhetoric about 6 months ago you'd know that this device exists in order to create up-sell opportunities.

That means that it is intentionally under-featured. The idea is to entice users with the low price and get them comfortable with a PDA, and at the same time become brand loyal to Palm. Then, with the crop of OS 5 devices that will be on the market the user will begin to crave those features that have been left out and go out and buy a new, better Palm. Because the price is fairly low, they don't feel like they have invested in their Palm. The packaging is even geared towards this... this type of throw-away packaging helps to reinforce the idea that this is a entry-level product that is designed to get people familiar with the segment.

Its interesting you mentioned cars, because this is a tactic car companies have used for years.

2mb, don't get a friggin dictionary
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 4:52:26 PM #
If you want to use this for a dictionary, its not for you. I went with a 2mb model for a year before I upgraded, and it really wasn't that limiting. I still wouldn't want to go back, but new users really wouldn't care. Another target of this would be the education system, where the cheaper and crappier, the better.
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 5:00:49 PM #
I agree with the poster using the car analogy. 15 years ago, you had to pay top dollar ($50,000+) for a Mercedes just to get features like an Airbag, ABS brakes, sunroof, genuine wood trim etc.

Now you can get _all_ of that in a VW that costs $25,000 or so, or 80% of the gadgets and "features" (if not the build quality) in a Hyundai that costs below 20,000.

It's almost impossible to buy a car without power windows and mirrors anymore, for example. Why can't a cradle and 4 buttons be included? Companies like VW learned a long time ago that it's actually cheaper in the long run to make a "hot" item standard (CD player, keyless entry, power windows etc) across the board (so they can squeeze their suppliers) instead of try to appease their customers with so many different options packages.

Palm should take a lesson and simplify their lineup, which would mean using a *UNIVERSAL* standard connector and button count, for one.

Now they will confuse the masses even further in 6 months by selling a Zire with a cradle and 4 buttons and the current one without.

User: (to Astraware tech support): I cannot play the Zap 2000 demo my friend beamed over to me

Astraware: What Palm model do you have?

User: Uhhh, a Zire, I think

Astraware: Which one, sir? Some of our games require a patch to operate on the base Zire model.

User: Uhhh, the ugly white one I guess

Astraware: Well, do you know the exact model?

User: Nope, it was a gift

Astrware: How many buttons does it have on the front?

User: I'm not sure. Is this green plastic one the fire button?

etc etc ad infinitum....

RE: Why?!?!
peter167 @ 9/24/2002 6:04:05 PM #
The car analogy is exactly what I mean.

Palm is just cutting hardware and keeping the same price.

And why does someone always assume PDA will be as popular as cellphones? Is there a direct relationship or is that just a dream?

At least we know that Palm is standing on its ground, with the lanuch of the Zire. Perhaps the Tungsten's could really surprise us.

P.S. I never saw a calculator wrapped in transparent package and yet sell @ $100. Transparent-wrapped electronics usually means cheap (to cut costs). Perhaps Palm is breaking new ground on the record of the most expensive item using transparent wrapping. The left-over Palm 10xs will just overshadow the Zire, compared with their package, their contents, and of course, their price.

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

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 9:20:56 PM #
I do not see why palm will not issue the next products with Pilot 5000's configuration, as palm had claimed that "you'll never need more than 512k memory'.

Now it looks like palm is on the right track and 512k RAM is a logical next step.

Bravo!

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 9:35:07 PM #
Yeah 512K seems logical,
how many people sync their Calculator with their PC anyway, take away the hotsync port too, the scrren should be much smaller, or the next generation, use morse code in/output method so you only need one light bulb the represent all the combination of words, and one button for input and output. Hay seems we got a winner here. it's so Zire for the blind people. well not really blind, but really close to blind people.
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 10:02:36 PM #
" Yeah 512K seems logical,
how many people sync their Calculator with their PC anyway, take away the hotsync port too, the scrren should be much smaller, or the next generation, use morse code in/output method so you only need one light bulb the represent all the combination of words, and one button for input and output. Hay seems we got a winner here. it's so Zire for the blind people. well not really blind, but really close to blind people."

Don't laugh. Toy'R'Us stocks a bunch of different cheap ($10 ?) PDA's fo rkids. I bet they aren't losing money on them.

RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 10:04:18 PM #
Is that a joke?
RE: Why?!?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 10:23:19 PM #
Don't you guys get it? 512K will save battery!

The 2M RAM actually already puts extra 300uA constant drain on the battery than 512k.

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