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Visor Phone Released
Tihstae writes "Since this hasn't been mentioned yet, I figured I would bring it to everyone's attention. Of course I did ordered mine before the slashdot effect. You can get yours visorphone here " This looks a lot nicer then the clunky Qualcomm/Palm III version that was available for awhile, but I still think its a bit large. I'm still waiting for the handhelp PDA/Phone with a nice built in game system, and enough memory for a few days of MP3s tho. Oh, and 802.11 networking, and the ability to remotely display X11 apps. And it should cook rice perfectly every time.
This thing is $299. You have to buy the Visor PDA seperately, another $150 to $250.
$500 plus somewhere around $30/month for the service to be able to talk on the PHONE?!! Isn't the price/benefit ratio lacking just a little here?
It seems that there are a LOT of people with more dollars than cents out there.
Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
You get a phone, while adding only 2.9 oz to your pocket (and that includes the LIon battery.) And you get the full functionality of dialing straight out of the address book application.
The three reasons I don't have a cell phone on me 24x7 are the weight, size and subsequent wrangling of an additional device. I'm thinking I can even ditch my alphanumeric pager if the SMS thing pans out. (Of course, that won't happen until GSM coverage becomes more widespread around here.) The only drawback I can see is it won't do analog dual-mode (for those times when GSM just ain't gonna happen.)
John
John
Is there any technical information available to facilitate creating 3rd party apps for the VisorPhone?
Specifically, I'm interested in possibilities involving the microphone, speaker and headset. Also, is there any memory available for apps in the module?
Hi xxxxx,
Sorry for the long delay in getting back to you.
We will be making an API for VisorPhone available that will allow you to manipulate the phone. I believe we'll be publishing the APIs later in the month. The microphone is passed up from the handheld to the Springboard slot directly. The speaker and headset are part of the module electronics. I mention this because some developers are interested in manipulating these features with software running on the handheld which isn't possible outside the phone. For example, the APIs will allow you to establish a call from software. They won't include functionality to utilize the mic or speaker directly though.
Data is handled by using the phone just like a circuit switched modem.
The space in the Flash module is likely to be pretty tight. App space on the module memory is a great idea, but I don't think we were able to do that this time around.
Business related inquires can also be directed to DevInfo@Handspring.com if you'd like to discuss the commercial aspects of this product.
Mike, DTS
science is a religion
While GSM may be the standard in Europe, GSM is rare in the US. Even at the maximum possible rollout (All GSM providers support the thing), that still isn't much coverage.
/ coming_soon_6000.htm
CDMA is the way to go. Either in the old 900 MHz cell band or the 1900 MHz band.
The pdQ's main drawbacks were price and the fact that it's single-band, single-mode. I wouldn't be surprised if its successor, the Kyocera QCP-6035, is much better.
Oh, just checked Kyocera's site: http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/showroom/showcase
It IS better. 8M memory, dual-band/trimode. Digital in both bands, and analog fallback for the phone part. This will work with many providers. (Well, actually at this point I think Verizon encompasses all of the non-Sprint CDMA providers. So it'll work with Verizon and Sprint.) Highly unlikely it'll ever work with any provider that uses TDMA anytime soon - Kyocera's wireless division was just bought from Qualcomm, which means CDMA only for a while at least.)
retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
Yes, it does look nicer than the old PQA. Though the new PQA actually looks pretty nice. Very cleverly designed, if naught else. And cooler, form-factor-wise, than the Visor+VisorPhone.
I'm not a huge admirer of the Visor (I fear that's due to loyalty to my Palm IIIxe), but this is a great application of the Springboard. However, read the discusison threads on the Visorphone on any handheld site (like Palmstation) and you'll see the problems. Cost, coverage, compatibility, etc. I won't rehash each of those issues here.
For the disposable-income-laden power user, this looks like The Way To Go. But otherwise... I'm not so sure. This seems partially to be a "because we can" feat that will need time to become perfected.
-J
Karma: T-rexcellent.
I'm still waiting for the handhelD PDA/Phone with a nice built in game system, and enough memory for a few days of MP3s tho ugh . Oh, and 802.11 networking, and the ability to remotely display X11 apps. And it should cook rice perfectly every time
/. - I hope the Handheld industry 'goes the way of the IBM PC' vs the 'Apple way' that it is now... I would much rather have an opportunity to choose the OS independently of the Hardware for my Handheld. If you have a look at your 'Palm' hardware vs your average 'WinCE' hardware I think you'll understand my frustration - I would like a more elegant OS with a more open 'attitude' but Im not willing to hobble myself with under-powered/under-capable hardware.
You can get this with a iPAQ or Casio E1XX and the right array of CF cards. None of this 'springboard' proprietary interface stuff. Ive got a CF 56K modem, 10/100NIC & (2pcs) 96MB CF mem for my E100. Of course the E100 runs WinCE - but with alittle more maturity Pocket Linux will be a nice alternative.
What the HandHeld industry needs is a separation between OS and hardware - Ive said this before on
Does anyone know if someone is developing a CF Phone with WinCE
John
John
Coverage for the service plan is really weak. Although "Georgia" is listed in the quote below from the Visor website, I live 5 miles from downtown Atlanta, and my zipcode isn't covered. What's the point of rolling out a device like this with such weak coverage? So many of the people that need something like this travel extensively.
From the visor website:
Regional Rollout
Handspring will be rolling out service coverage on a regional basis over the next several months, beginning with Pacific Bell Wireless and BellSouth Mobility. We currently have coverage in California, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. We expect to be adding both VoiceStream and Powertel in the new year.
For the first thousand nerds who think this is really cool, Handspring will jack the price up if you dare take advantage of another service provider.
Get the PalmVNC vncviewer to display your X11 stuff.
-- Don't Tase me, bro!