Handspring Drops Price of VisorPhone to $0
Just when it looked like the price for the VisorPhone couldn't go any lower, HandSpring has found a way. The company announced today that the wireless Springboard module is now free with the purchase of any Visor.
This offer is available only from Handspring and a service plan must be activated at the same time. It still costs $50 without buying a Visor.
If the Visor is returned later, the purchaser will be charged $50. If the service is cancelled but the VisorPhone isn't returned, the purchaser will be have to pay $225.
In mid-July, Handspring dropped the price of the VisorPhone to just $50 from its previous price of $250. A company spokesperson admitted at the time that the product wasn't selling well.
Handspring has partnered with several wireless service providers—Cingular Wireless, VoiceStream Wireless and Powertel. Each partner serves a specific geographic area and offers a variety of plans. These range from around $30 to $160 per month depending on the amount of access time.
VisorPhone is a GSM world phone (900/1900 MHz) that turns any Visor into a wireless voice and data device. Handspring recently began bundling the Web browsing app Blazer with the VisorPhone as part of its Wireless Internet Access Suite, a group of applications for wireless e-mail, web browsing, and messaging
Thanks to robrecht and Alex for pointing this out.
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RE: Hmm...
RE: Hmm...
Maybe the next step will be HS pays YOU $50 to take one???
I think Hawkins created a brilliant original product and I think he is a very bright guy, but I think he is more or less a "One Hit Wonder". He is not a Thomas Edison...he is more like the guy who invented the TV. It's some guy that most people never heard of before because although he created a great mass-market product used by billions - he did not have the ability to market it and improve and innovate it dramatically enough relative to competitors. We all owe Mr. Hawkins a big thanks for his creation, but I think his days as a significant player in the industry are just about over. Your thoughts are welcome.
RE: Maybe the next step will be HS pays YOU $50 to take one???
RE: Maybe the next step will be HS pays YOU $50 to take one???
I still don't want it
RE: I still don't want it
RE: I still don't want it
Anyhow, not that I would want a Visorphone, but if I did, the only compelling reason would be because it *IS* GSM and not CDMA. And, no I'm not European.
Just look at the competing IMT2000 3G standards, namely, W-CDMA (based on GSM) and CDMA-2000 (based on CDMA). W-CDMA is winning hands down not only because of the royalty issues, but because the technology is clearly superior.
Soccer Mom UNFRIENDLY
- $300 for a phone WITHOUT ACTIVATION when you can get a free phone with activation elsewhere, then
- Change your current provider, when you don't have to do so elsewhere, then
- Carry around a HUGE unit, when you can get something much smaller elsewhere, then
- Hold your PDA to your face all day and get sweat and body oil all over it
By the time you filter through these four barriers, Handspring was left with a small group of customers that were:
1)hard-core gadget freaks that 2)value novelty over convenience, belt holsters to pockets, and have 3)plenty of disposable income. Not a huge market there.
Not to mention LACK OF DURABILITY!
Just Too Big
---
News Editor
class action suit!
thats not right.
[http://www.mediathreat.net]
RE: class action suit!
New Wireless Handsprings
Yahoo just posted an article describing two new wireless handsprings.
Bigfoot and Elvis Replace Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins
Signed, John Logie Baird
RE: New Wireless Handsprings
RE: New Wireless Handsprings
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2295&MODE=FLAT
---
News Editor
hey ! In Europe...
... still costs about 500$ (see handspring.co.uk).
Think i could come to US, buy a Visor+phone, come back (to Italy), sell the visor...
RE: hey ! In Europe...
You are looking at $560 minimum including the Visor.... then you have the flight costs... not worth it I am afraid...
Nick Trevethan
Devon
UK
RE: hey ! In Europe...
ONLY ONLY ONLY 120$ !!!!!!!!!!!
(We have 4 Service providers: TIM, OMNITEL, WIND and BLU, so prices are very low)
I'd like to purchase a Visorphone (I have a Plat!) but with these prices it's simply impossible.
Seems like Handspring doesn't matter about Europe...
Don't you agree?
RE: hey ! In Europe...
you can buy the Visorphone through some friend that is currently living in the US.
Get a BASIC service plan from Voicestream (that's $20 per month, minimum for 4 months)
After 4 months, you can resign your contract and you are free to go
(Visorphone does not include Sim-lock). So, you've payed $80 plus the Visor you choose,
which you can sell for $100 more in Italy, that's even $20 that you're earning, give it to
your US friend for bothering and you're done.
Note that Visorphone SHOULD work in Europe in the 900MHz band (loke older gsm phones do)
but that's not assured by handspring.
This was extracted from the plans page on handspring website, where it says:
"Offer available only at Handspring.com. VisorPhone must be purchased in the same
transaction in which you purchase the Visor-branded handheld computer. Offer requires
purchase of a wireless service plan at time of purchase. If you return your Visor
pursuant to Handspring's return policies but do not return the VisorPhone, you agree
that Handspring may charge your credit card $49. If you (i) do not return your VisorPhone
pursuant to Handspring's return policies, and (ii) you subsequently cancel or suspend
your wireless service within 90 days following activation (120 days if your service provider
is Voicestream) Handspring will charge your credit card an additional $225.00 plus applicable
taxes. Offer is subject to the wireless service provider terms and conditions (Cingular
(Southeast, NY and Indianapolis), Cingular (West, Central, Great Lakes, Northeast) or
Voicestream) and Handspring's VisorPhone Terms and Conditions of Sale which you must
agree to as part of the purchase process. "
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Hmm...