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Palm/Motorola to Develop Combo handheld/phone
dannyp writes "The
New York Times
reports that Palm and Motorola are going to jointly develop a phone with embedded Palm functionality. The
story
requires free registration, as always." I've seen a PalmPilot III/combo phone before - just looked clunky and heavy. And some of the non-US phones do a better job, but I'd still like the ultimate combo phone.
I've usually found that products with a combo of major functions always lack something... (I can't think of any examples at this time other than a terrible fax+phone+scanner+copier combo that never did any task very well - but they're out there. The wonder machines that are mediocre at everything)
I guess we'll see. But with Motorola and Palm together on this one, it could happen.
The Nokia 9000 and 9110 phones (the 9000i is the only one that works witht he US GSM 1900 technology, but the 9110i for GSM 1900 is coming out eventually) are really nice. I used a 9000i for two years, and couldn't be happier. There's a lot of applications for them, too. Try http://www.communicator.org/ and http://www.nokia.com/phones/9110/.
It's available in the east - Japan/Hong Kong/China (nowhere else) at the moment.
i f
i .html
It's called the "Tai Chi" and here's some pictures/links:
http://www.battery-direct.com/images/motpda.jpg
http://www.138139.com/exhibit/motorola/taichi.g
http://www.popmobile.com/emuseum/MOTOROLA/taich
All Japanese/Chinese I'm afraid.
Anybody who wants one, talk to your local Motorola salesman and convince them to release in the west.
Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
Mod trinition up, I wish folk would make the phones that way.
I have a Nokia 7110 and its just dumb: it has all these functions which would be useful while you're on the phone, but which can't be used because its on yer ear. I would say, don't even build an earpiece and mphone on the damn things, if you're not meant to use it that way.
Why not combine a PDA with the Ericsson bluetooth earclip phone headset, for the latest in geek gear. And lastly, even though I think my Pilot is fab, I need a bigger, colour screen. Oh, yes, I do. For streetmaps, and eBooks. When something like that comes out, I'll buy (again)...
RealVision will be releasing an add-on for the Palm V so you can use it as a phone on GSM cell networks.
"The communications snap-on product will provide dual-band GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) connectivity to Palm V series handhelds, and an earphone jack to enable voice communications through a headset. The product is expected to be available in early 2001 for less than U.S. $299 when purchased in conjunction with a 1-year wireless service plan."
The 'sled' will also send and receive data which they say "will allow those users to access a wide range of Internet content..." Nothing on whether it will support WAP or i-mode, though there is an inference that it may support the Palm VII "web-clipping" applications.
Work for Change & GET PAID!
If Motorola and Palm were doing just a cellphone/PDA combo they could have done that years ago. No, this is a tri-band GSM/GPRS combo. The GPRS - General Radio Packet Service technology is a genuine digital wide area packet radio system that's being rolled out now throughout the world. The tri-band part would mean that it would operate in N.America, Europe and ROW. In the US, VoiceStream, the pure GSM player, has already trialed GPRS. However, expect the whole of 2001 to get over the chicken-and-egg problem for terminal and network availablity.
So what does GPRS give you? Well, like all good things it gets better with time. Initially you'll see fairly high speed (for wide-area wireless) IP access, comparable to a modem but it'll be "always-on" and charged irrespective of time. I expect we'll see bucket plans of megabits/month, i.e, sort of flat rate but not unlimited. Most of the terminals will support quite high data rates (64kbps), especially for reception (transmission kills your battery!) but it'll be up to the network to have the capacity and capability to support it. In real life it's probably going to be about 50kbps or so peak with maybe 28kbps operational.Again, this is just the starting point and two radio technologies - EDGE (Enhanced Datarates for GSM/Global Evolution) and the infamous 3rd Gen radio system both offer increased data speeds. EDGE is my favorite as it overlays GSM and the data speeds almost come for free. The only problem is that the operators have spent so much on the 3rd Generation licenses that they might skip EDGE in favor of just getting down and dirty with 3G. GPRS should also give you seemless international roaming.
There'll be a number of ways to get access to the GPRS net. First, you could use your GPRS mobile phone and connect it to your laptop or PDA via a cable, IrDA or Bluetooth. The second way is to use a dedicated PC Card in your laptop or a module in your PDA - afterall whose to say you don't want to use AT&T for your phone service and VoiceStream for your wirless IP? The third and final way is what this Motorola/Palm news is about - an embedded device. Incidentally, the VisorPhone is GSM only, i.e., voice and circuit-switched data.
Interestingly enough, in addition to the usual terminal manufacturers (Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson) for GPRS there's going to be a few new faces. Mitsubishi is rumored to have one of the more developed GPRS phones and Xircom has recently entered the fray focusing on GPRS cards and modules.
Links Story: http://www.a llnetdevices.com/wireless/news/2000/09/25/palm_moGPRS Technology: http://www.gprsworld.com/ - Check out the Links page
Perhaps people could do something like the eCase product to be able to make something which was the size of a cellular phone, but still had the display capacity of a PDA?
eCase URL:
http://inviso.com/ecase.html
I am thinking of going that route myself (have the Palm, *want* the 8890 :-)... Any tips/pitfalls you'd like to share?
I guess my biggest concern is: can you sync the Nokia with the Palm?
...Then lets just start blending existing products together. PDA's and phones serve 2 very different purposes, and thus have 2 very different sets of design guidelines. A phone should be small(ish) and a PDA should have a large, hi-rez, readable screen. Furthermore, you should be able to take notes on your PDA while talking on your phone, and I _don't_ want yet another wire/cable/dongle to carry around, or lose, or break, or forget, etc, so don't recommend the "hands-free" solution :)
-This sig intentionally left blank
http://partners.nytim es.com/2000/09/25/technology/25PALM.html
The Qualcomm phone with the Palm OS hasn't gone anywhere. Handspring will be introducing a phone peripheral to plug into the Springboard slot, but it's going to be $300 and the service isn't cheap. Let's see if Motorola can get it right
I use to have a Palm Pilot and loved it. But now I have the Sprint PCS wireless web and its awesome. 90% of what I use the Palm for I can use by just accessing myYahoo!. I'm sure the remaining 10% will be here very soon.
- kk
but as some of the other posters pointed out, it's going to be a hard sell for some people. However, the integration possibilities are really kind of cool.
:-))
Instead of looking up a phone number on your PDA and dialing it by hand, you hit a button.
Instead of having your PDA beep (and too damned softly!) at you when you have an appointment, your phone can vibrate, ring, or glow. (The LCD.
I admit it might not be for everyone; but for those who use the Palm as a simple address book, phone book, and appointment calendar, it might be extremely handy. I'd personally like it, just because it's one less gadget to carry. Right now the laptop, cell phone, pager, and Palm KILL me when I'm in an airport.
What'd be extremely cool would be if the phone/Palm combo could sync up with a PC or other Palm, and transfer data back and forth.
-- Talonius
My reality check bounced.
- - - - - - - -
"Never apply a Star Trek solution to a Babylon 5 problem."
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
Think that is sweet. I wonder how intergrated will the Palm/OS will be in the funtion of the phone? Will you be write a program that will make a phone call or accept calls? Could I dial up into my phone and have the palm pick up send info to my computer or the other way around. If they are not careful they might have another hacker tool in the making.
Handspring is also doing the same thing with their
HANDSPRING BRINGS VOICE COMMUNICATIONS TO HANDHELD COMPUTING WITH VISORPHONE(TM) <BR>
Bell South DCS, Pacific Bell Wireless, Powertel and VoiceStream to provide services for breakthrough Springboard(TM) module that makes wireless phone experience simpler than ever
<P>
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. (September 25, 2000) - Handspring, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAND) today introduced the VisorPhone Springboard expansion module, combining the power of voice communications with the simplicity and versatility of the Visor handheld computer. VisorPhone is a compact expansion module that snaps into the Springboard expansion slot on any Visor handheld computer so people can use Visor to make and receive phone calls. VisorPhone combines two mobile products into one, creating a single integrated product for all voice and handheld computing needs.
<P>
"The fundamental idea behind the development of VisorPhone was to re-invent the user experience for voice calling. The last major milestone in phone design was in the late 1960s when touchtone phones replaced rotary dial phones. We felt it was time to make it easier for people to use all the new features and services available," said Ed Colligan, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Handspring. "With VisorPhone, we've leveraged the robust PIM functionality and larger screen of Visor to make things like speed dialing, caller ID, and conference calling more accessible to the average user."
<P>
Handspring plans to deliver a U.S. version of VisorPhone by the end of the year for U.S. $299, with simultaneous purchase of a service plan. Initially, Handspring.com will be the exclusive channel for VisorPhone sales, providing one-stop shopping for people who want to purchase a Visor, VisorPhone and a nationwide service plan in a single transaction. Current Visor owners will also be able to purchase the VisorPhone module (sold separately) and a service plan at Handspring.com. Handspring expects to sell VisorPhone through physical distribution channels in the U.S., and to deliver a European version of VisorPhone, in the first half of 2001. Four leading GSM (global system for mobile communications) carriers in the U.S., Bell South DCS, Pacific Bell Wireless, Powertel and VoiceStream plan to provide comprehensive service plans for VisorPhone that can be purchased directly through Handspring.com.
<P>
"We believe offering VisorPhone provides our customers with another simple solution for their wireless service needs," said Steve Sitton, president and general manager of Pacific Bell Wireless South Region. "Customers can now enjoy Pacific Bell Wireless services such as wireless Internet access and Handspring's handheld computing capabilities in one combined, easy-to-use tool."
<P>
more info at the link above
Although it's not integrated, I'm surprised no one mentioned that most modern Nokia GSM phones (including those in the US) can be used as GSM modems.
No, the two aren't integrated like the bulky Palm/Moto combination. However, a Nokia 8890 combined with a Palm V is smaller and more stylish. (Come on, they even have the same matte Al finish.) I don't even look geeky (well, at least not a geek who can't match) when I put the two together side by side at a coffee bar. I can dial-in, telnet, ftp, ssh, nnrp as I please w/o the bulk of a laptop/ricochet or the clip-on Palm solutions.
In case no one has noticed, the trend towards cell phones is smaller (Those Nokia 8290's are just tiny!) handsets. Fighting this is (well one of many) one of the reasons why Iridium failed miserably.
Don't think Nokia won't fight to preserve its market share by mentioning that a 88xx or an 82xx will work w/ your Palm III/V out of the box.
--Al
Now if they'd build an integrated system that used a standard cellular headphone, and move the battery life from current MS-Palmtop levels (less than a day) to Palm levels (multiple weeks) or even just vanilla cellphone levels (4-7 days for Nokia), that'd rock.
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
your point, caller??
j.
Absit Invidia
Info can be found here
Features:
Smart Phone Digital phone and electronic organizer in one package.
- 3COM-based (Palm III platform) Personal digital assistant (PDA) is built-in.
- Address book keeps track of names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail and website addresses, as well as other information about your personal and business contacts.
- You can make a call, send an e-mail or open Internet sites directly from your address book. - Date book records appointments quickly and easily.
- To-Do list allows you to make a list of things to do and assign a priority level and due date for each task.
- Calculator lets you perform basic operations.
- HotSync Technology: Synchronize data between your phone and your PC.
Wireless Web Message Capable
This phone is MiniBrowser ready, includes all necessary items (software and cable) for wireless connectivity and can receive wireless web messages. Access the Internet to browse text-only versions of popular web sites. Check weather reports, sports scores, stock reports and more.
Stylus Navigation
Large Display offers touch-screen capabilities and stylus-based navigation. Hold the stylus like a pen, and you can write directly on the screen.
Funny thing is that this phone doesn't sell well. When will people learn that taking two things they like, like ice cream and tuna fish, and combining them simply does not always work. This is a perfect example.
People, especially americans, want smaller phones. Hell, people that WANT a Palm will get a Palm. The majority just want a cell phone and don't need that additional functionality. Plus, putting a huge block of a phone against your ear simply is not "new yorker-ish" (ie stylish)
Jakob Nielsen took on mobile devices and phone combos in his latest alertbox article. He says a numeric keypad is Bad(tm) whereas the Palm interface is Good(tm).
icqqm [ICQ:11952102]
Have you ever tried the Qualcomm/PDA phone? I tried one of my friends and it was super clunky. I was hard to talk and use the PDA at the same time. We need those things from the tv show Earth: Final Conflict.
- kk
You beat me to it! The interface and purpose of a PDA is totally different than those of a cell phone. Not to say you shouldn't tie them together tightly, but you might as well have the Palm 9 that Motley Fool 'announced' a few months ago. I'm too lazy to look it up, but they were joking about a Palm that had every conceivable feature-- and weighed 30 pounds.
Frankly, most of the weight of a portable anything is its battery. So you should put that on a 'utility belt'-- it can charge by induction in a charger embedded in your chair at work. All your electrical stuff could have a short duration battery-- say about a half hour of use. Then, they charge as needed while they are clipped to your belt.
Then, you put the PDA's processor, memory, and your cell phone's antenna onto the utility belt-- they'll all talk to one another over Bluetooth. Not only are you putting weight where your body is designed to hold it, but you are saving weight by consolidating your power needs and limiting the handheld portion of the device to the interface only.
This way, you have a belt which is about as bulky as it is now (or less, since it doesn't have to be designed to make everything easily in reach, since much of the bulk and weight will not be accessed by the user while the belt is worn). Your 'cell phone' would be a microphone, an earpiece, and (maybe) a keypad (or maybe just a Secret Service-style earpiece with a bluetooth transmitter and a hearing aid battery). Your PDA would be a touch sensitive screen, a stylus, and maybe some buttons. Your digital camera would be a wand with maybe a viewfinder, a lense and a button.
The problem with combos is that they tend to try to do everything and fail. The nice thing about Bluetooth is that it encourages a better distribution of labor between devices.
Of course, the downside is that you move the EMF's from next to your brain to your genitalia, but hey, that's progress. ;)
The way they should do this is to take the Palm VII design and add phone support. They could call it the Palm VII.V
After all which is more difficult (I imagine) adding phone support to a working (and proven, powerful, popular, and a few more P-words) PDA, or to add PDA support to a working phone? I would believe that the first is easier, all it needs is a microphone and speaker.
Devil Ducky
Devil Ducky
MY peers would get out of jury duty.
It may run Windows CE, but the Trium Mondo looks like a very cool piece of kit - have a look here
It can do GSM with GPRS, so when that goes mainstream in the next few months (in the UK at least) we'll have always-on, mobile internet. Can't wait! Of course there's always the Ericsson R380 in the mean time...
j.
Absit Invidia
Personally, I would prefer a separate PDA and phone, but they should be tightly integrated (using Bluetooth or similar). The possibilities are essentially the same as with a combined device (browse the web, caller ID, call from PDA, etc.), but to me having two separate devices with specific functions seems a lot more convenient.
--
bgphints - internet routing news, hints and ti
I just want the Saint's cell phone/palmtop combo. It was some Nokia that wasn't avaialble in the US.