Free BeOS, runs from a Linux partition

It broke within three weeks! The plastic the tips are made out of is really weak. Crumbles right to bits after a couple weeks. Never again!
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A proud user of Junkbuster--no more banner ads!

wish
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My other car is a cdr.

I dunno, I personally dig the ridges, they've probably kept me from dropping the damn thing several times, heh.

DietCrack - Mind-altering and addictive, at half the calories!

Talk about apples and oranges... there is no wireless 'net for the Handspring yet. Also, people failed to note (*cough* *cough* I did, but got rejected) the new M100, which is supposed to be colourful, $149, 8mb, and maybe even handwriting recognition. And, there's a new Claudia Schaffer Palm 5x (insert palm joke here).

Free BeOS, runs from a Linux partition

You want to talk about apples and oranges, quit using the company name as the product name. It is the Handspring Visor. The name of the product is not the "Handspring." And although it's not due until later this month, the Glenayre @ctiveLink will be the first 2-way Springboard module (and also the first to be usable outside the Visor).
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James Hromadka
VisorCentral: News/Info on the Handspring Visor

Actually, according to their grid they do have a few different wireless modules, including an 802.11 compatible module. And it still should come out cheaper than a palm VII, which requires you to use their expensive Palm.net dialup service.

nosilA

This page has more details on the hardware.

Not to mention the Visor's memory tweaking that makes it run significantly faster than a palm III. 35% faster, according to my benchmarks, anyway.

DietCrack - Mind-altering and addictive, at half the calories!

• There are very few things that Springboard modules can do that software can't. And if you want removable storage, nothing can beat a TRGpro, which is like a Palm IIIxe with a CF slot. A camera is also available for Palm devices.
• The speedup of the HotSync time by using USB instead of serial is negligible. My serial sync takes about 1.5 minutes, downloading of four fairly large AvantGo channels over dialup included. On the other hand, USB synchronizing is not supported under Windows 2000, and may be flakey elsewhere. The serial cradles are extra.
• The case is pretty, but also a bit thicker and bulkier. The cover isn't attached to the unit, which isn't very convenient at all.

I just fail to see any advantage to buying a Visor for the same price as a similar Palm.

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GeekIssues.org: Technology, Politics, Sarcasm

Um, There's been Win2K USB support for the Visor since March 31. And the difference in syncing time between USB and serial is anything but negligible.
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James Hromadka
VisorCentral: News/Info on the Handspring Visor

The speedup of the HotSync time by using USB instead of serial is negligible. My serial sync takes about 1.5 minutes, downloading of four fairly large AvantGo channels over dialup included. On the other hand, USB synchronizing is not supported under Windows 2000, and may be flakey elsewhere. The serial cradles are extra.

Ok, let me rephrase that. There are very few useful things that Springboard modules can do that software can't.

USB is MUCH faster, I've compared both. If your syncs are held back by your dialup thing, then how can you comment on the USB speed increase?

What I meant to say is that although the sync time is much faster with USB, it isn't that long to begin with. I really don't mind waiting an extra minute.

And how about Mac support out of the box, eh?

Point taken.

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GeekIssues.org: Technology, Politics, Sarcasm

The Visor Deluxe (which I have) is an even better value, as for only $60 more you quadruple your RAM usage. By the fact that you are reading this on Slashdot you should get the VDX for the extra memory, as you're sure to load it with AvantGo channels and the like.

Call it a shameless plug, but if you want to read more on the Visor and the Springboard modules/accessories available for it, check out www.visorcentral.com.
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James Hromadka
VisorCentral: News/Info on the Handspring Visor

I have a Visor Deluxe (8MB) in blue. I love the thing, to be honest. Here's a breakdown of the good and bad about it:

Good:

Inexpensive

USB-native hotsynch utilizing the entire throughput for very fast synch operations

Datebook+ is superior to Datebook

Springboard expansion slot already has modules for modems, barcode scanners, books, games, remote controls, digital cameras and (I think) ethernet, with others on the way.

Macintosh ready out-of-the-box

Bad:

No flash ROM (but the OS can be upgraded under certain circumstances)

Runs on AAA batteries rather than rechargeable ones

Certain units have a memory problem. Handspring has released a patch.

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I don't need large brains to have a good time.

http://www.hand spring.com/support/ts_handspring_update_download.asp

My roommate and I have visors and we both were lucky enough to have good dram in ours. However, some of our friends at work weren't so lucky with their Palm IIIxe's.

-- Wolfpup

Remove nospam from email to mail "A man whose circumstances went beyond his control." --

I have a Visor Deluxe I got last week and frankly, I'm wondering why it took me so long to get one. I'm extremely pleased with it. I'm waiting for some more Springboard modules to come out so that I can get something I really want (like the Geode or the MP3 player or, perhaps, the TV Remote Control).

I've already updated the OS - nice feature, that, contrary to some reports you CAN do that. It's not a Flash Upgrade, it's kept in the RAM, but it does run as an upgrade to the PalmOS.

My sole problem with it was the initial timezone setting - it was set for Pacific and I'm in the Eastern, but Handspring support answered that question for me quickly. I checked web pages and their internal help and couldn't find anything (James Hromadka, that should go in the FAQ). (In case you're interested, go into CityTime, click the pulldown and go to Select Home City.)

Downsides overall: The battery life is not as long as it's claimed to be, and the cradle doesn't recharge it. The case they provide isn't the greatest, and the hard cover isn't a flip-type, you have to remove it and put it on the back. (I bought a separate case for it when I got the Visor.)

All told, I'm very pleased with my Visor Deluxe, and as soon as I see the Killer Springboard Module, I think I'll be even more pleased.
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What, you expected something meaningful?

If Handspring doesn't get to my support inquiry soon, I'll just go Pilot. At least 3com has color PDAs.

Weird. I mailed them a question at 11 PM and had an answer the next evening, around 7. Which is faster than when I mailed my ISP for assistance...
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What, you expected something meaningful?

WriteRight's

The link I put here is for the color palm but there are others available. Actually, they started making them for other palms first. Anyway, it provides a nice resitance to the default stylus and other pens and such. Plus, it is pretty protective. I love 'em.

I think this loop is infinite - gads.

If you only count normal wear and tear, the first thing that stopped working on my palms was the silk screen writing area. It seems like putting pixels under there would make it even weaker.
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Last thing I need today is a freaking eholster !!!!

LinuxLover

First there was the same page as yesterday.
Then there was a list of palm products.
Then there was a little flash (?) thingy with the previous page moved off to palm.com/products

Wassup with that?

When I hit the 'buy now' button, I got a 404 error. A few hours later, I was able to put it in my shopping cart, but the pages loaded so slowly that I couldn't finish an order. Now, I get a Http/1.1: Server too busy. Icky icky icky.

I guess Palm wasn't ready for the /. effect.

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Abstain from wine, women, and song; mostly song.

Not pricey at all, given its utility.

Dear God...

I have a hard time dealing with all the Mac/Linux/Unix/Windows flame wars that occur all the time. Are we now going to have Palm/Visor/iPaq flame wars.

To be honest, I think this post is OK because it is actually comparing the two products in a meaningful way. I can see, however, it leading to "The Palm is buggy and totally useless" posts or "Who wants colors in a PDA, I just want it to work well" posts. Seems like everything turns into a me vs. them flame war...

If you're one that trusts press releases and the like, it would be important to note that Handspring has three wireless modems/modules coming its way:

• The Minstrel
• Something from JP Systems
• AvantGo

So, if one is holding out specifically because of a "lack of wireless" on a Visor, then, perhaps, these will come out soon enough. Personally, I use the Thincom modem, which does its job just fine.

Now, if one is holding out for which product is "superior" to the other, I can't help -- I only have experience with the Visor, which I purchased 'cause it was the best, IMO, available at the time.

pt
Will the real Richard Stallman please stand up?

The AvantGo module is going to be a wireless modem, with the AvantGo software wired into its ROM. You'll be able to pull things down directly, just like... oh... say... the Palm VII WebClipping? Hmmm?
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What, you expected something meaningful?

I believe that the PalmOS 3.5 is either out on the "x" models of the Palms or is due out soon.

As for why the Palm retains marketshare for the overall handheld market, I think that has to do (partially) with the fact of it's earlier stable releases (I don't know: is CE stable yet?) but mostly I think it's due to the fact that the Palms attemt to go for an different part of the market. They don't try to replicate a PC, rather they're just designed to be pda's. You can see this in the fact that the Palm file system is optimized for dealing with pda type info, Palm's are much lighter and smaller than WinCE machines, and their battery life is much longer.

You're not going to play mp3's on a Palm (I've coded for it's processor and believe me it's pretty slow), but at the same time it's got handwriting recognition (of a sort), it's pda functions are great, and with the Palm VII or a V with OmniSky you can use the Internet from any city that has BellSouth (or affiliated) towers. For now at least I think Palm's are going to retain their market share for pda types while WinCE makes gains among people who want their to take computer with them in their pocket. Within a few years though they'll probably do pretty mcuh the same amount of stuff even if slightly differently...

3.5 was released earlier this year.

There have been indications on palm-dev-forum that OS4.0 will be dramatically different. No clue on when it will arrive, but it will presumably be associated with new hardware (possibly the rumored switch to the StrongARM processor; more likely some sort of expansion interface and higher display resolution/larger screens)

They aren't owned by by ms or Aol.

The rest of this document assumes management has stopped reading

I've been using the 'deluxe' aka 8MB version of Handspring's Visor now for about three months, and it has been great. It does what I want, since it runs the PalmOS it has plenty of apps available for it, etc. And I do happen to like the springboard module idea - I think of it as a way to customize my handheld (I want to turn it into a GPS unit). My Visor cost $250, direct from the retailer. A GPS unit would run about $150-$-200. Modems for the Visor run $120-$150.

The new Palm VIIx is probably nice (I'm still looking at the stats and I'm not too impressed), but I want to know what makes it cost $150 more.

Exocet of Exocet Industries - Taking over the world, one computer at a time.

Sleep: A completely inadequate substitute for caffeine.

If I don't happen to be in front of a computer, I've got my visor with me and I can wait to send that email or whatnot. My job/responsibilites/life don't require that much connectivity.

Thus, the Visor does fit my needs more appropriately. When and if I want to have a modem, I can get one. I don't have to be saddled with it all the time, same with any module with the Visor.

Exocet of Exocet Industries - Taking over the world, one computer at a time.

The new Palm VIIx is probably nice (I'm still looking at the stats and I'm not too impressed), but I want to know what makes it cost $150 more.

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Abstain from wine, women, and song; mostly song.

You're right, I did overlook that. Thanks for pointing it out.

On a side note, I wonder how many people need the whole wireless clipped web thingy? I might conceivably use it on my bus ride in the morning/evening (45 min. each way), but that's when I usually sleep. The rest of the time, there's a computer within spitting distance (unless I take lunch out, but that's because I want to get away for awhile).

I work at an ISP, so... There's always computers around. I'm sure some people will like the wireless clipped web stuff, but I don't need it - I will be happy to customize my Visor with a GPS and (maybe) someday with something better than the current EyeModule (the pictures are technically pictures, but they are pretty poor).

Exocet of Exocet Industries - Taking over the world, one computer at a time.

I, however, need to sit in english class listening to a professor go on and on about the symbolism of milk IN the glass. Wireless web connectivity sounds great to me.

Also, I want to put this thing in the middle of an in-vehicle GPS navigation system. Some Mapping software I've found + a marine GPS receiver I mount in my car + Palm VII with MapQuest route control software sounds great to me.

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Abstain from wine, women, and song; mostly song.

Are you kidding? Internet access mediated by Palm.net, with support only for websites that support it? No thanks, I'll go with real wireless -- which is available for the Visor. Take a look at http://www.novatelwireless.co m/palmtop/minstrelS.html.

If you're comparing the III series to the Visor, they have roughly the same BF - e.g. how stupid you look wearing them on your belt. So, all other things equal, I'd have to say hands down the visor whoops the pants off the IIIseries, especially since you can get nifties like modules to do I/O, hopefully bluetooth, maybe even 802.11 someday.

Now, the Palm V series are the pinnacle of handheld engineering right now IMHO due to the incredibly low batman factor. The belt clip-on case doesn't make you look like a tool, and it's actually light enough that you can just put it in your pocket. The WinCE devices and other's just can't win due to the high BF: You can't carry them EVERYWHERE. Which, I think is the point of a handheld device..

Batman factor is especially important if you've already got one or two things on your belt; I usually have my startac and a leatherman, so my BF is pretty high. :)

For the record; I own a Palm Pro, 1 Meg, use it every day, and don't wear it on my belt. I can't decide between a visor and a Palm V, but since I have a vaio already for I/O, I'll probably end up with a V. They're sweeeet. I can't seem to kill my old US Robotics Pro though, despite not bothering to put it in a case, not bothering with screen protectors, etc etc, it won't die. Damnit. :)

...don't panic

I work in an business wear office and wear a blazer most days. My PalmVx slips into the inside pocket with nary a bulge. If I don't have a blazer, it will fit comfortably in the pocket of most dress pants. If you get to wear jeans to work, I cannot pity you the Batman Factor.

-Kahuna Burger

I need to get my Batman Factor up to three. I only have my Leatherman and my Nokia 5120 on my belt right now...
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When in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. --Robert A. Heinlein

I use the ShockSuit SportCase from RhinoSkin. I love it! The clip is great, and it provides a great mixture of protection and geekiness. Check out the reviews here.

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous...