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User Review of OmniSky Wireless service for Palm V
mcc::reba writes "Here is my experience using the new wireless Palm V service from OmniSky.
It is a Very Cool Thing."
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I have tried to figure out how the Palm VII works for a while now, since I got one for Christmas and I can't return/exchange the thing for a Vx (would be nicer).
Apparently, it's a cellular modem, probably 9600 baud. That's what people are saying anyway. It's definatly not a full TCP/IP implementation, it uses some propriatary things. This, however, is a GOOD thing here. Although you are limited to using only Palm.Net applications, since they charge you by the kB (ugh), it keeps bandwidth down. Otherwise, loading Slashdot once would consume ALL of your monthly bandwidth (and then some).
There's also a lot of debate over OmniSky vs. Palm VII. Apparently it boils down to either spending a lot up front (it will be = $50/month) for OmniSky, or spending $10/month + kB usage for Palm.Net.
Jeff
So a back of an envelope calculation gives us:
Assuming OmniSky is downloading constantly at 1KB a second (given 19.2Kbit modem) and there are 2.6 million seconds in a month, we could download about 2.5GB of information for your $50. The same amount of bandwidth would cost you (roughly) $520,000 using the Palm VII.
I know this all ridiculous but it does highlight the potentially huge cost of per/KB metering.
Now all I want is for OmniSky to make a Springboard module for my Visor :-))
openSoar
The current program is a beta: you pay $299, you get the modem and free service through the end of March (and now, according to this web page, through the end of April -- cool!), and a 15% discount on their normal service.
I've never actually used a Palm VII, but as far as I can tell this really does work like one, except with unlimited service for the next couple of months. Certainly I've downloaded a bunch of web clipping apps from palm.net (the service provider for the PVII) and they mostly work. OmniSky doesn't know yet how much the permanent fees will be (they said a max of $50/month).
I honestly don't know if I'm going to keep this. It's really cool, but so was the Ricochet I had a couple of years ago, until I realized that I hadn't used it in four months and I was paying $40/month for the service. Fortunately OmniSky is also offering a full refund within 30 days, and a $199 refund within 60 days. Or, I suppose, I could just sell it in March or something.
Definitely a fun toy for now, though!
Adam
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
As someone that received my OmniSky yesterday, I want to note a few more details. First, this is in BETA until May, so please keep that in mind.
My experiences have been different from the reviewer in several aspects. I have had very good luck with the included applications. On the other hand, the installation was absolutely terrible. It requires a Windows machine to install (ODD! everything else can be installed from Linux!). The installation requires Palm Desktop, which itself didn't get along well with my Palm (linux had no problems). Having fixed that, got to install, which takes FOREVER. It backs up the entire 6MB of data in my Palm at what must be a very slow speed, then proceeds to restore this data at the same snail's pace, and then for some odd reason, back it all up again.
What else... oh right, apps. ProxiWeb works great, has its advantages (supports SSL! and bookmarks) over AvantGo. OTOH,AvantGo has some more options for tweaking display. All in all, impressive and surprisingly useful.
The biggest benefit: it still fits in your pocket. I do not know of any other device that offers wireless unmetered full Internet access and still manages to do that. This is a tremendous asset. It gives you a lot more freedom that you may not have thought about before.
I got mine right before Christmas - I think around the 22nd.
To start with, I have to say that unlike everyone else my install did NOT go well. I have a 2MB Palm V and used to have a fair number of notes, phone numbers, and apps loaded...
That is, USED to. The installation claims it needs 1MB free memory on the Palm to install all of its apps, which would be fine except somehow it got confused during the install and thought it needed 1MB free AFTER the install of all its many compments!! How very frustrating, in that after deleting every app on my Palm it was 9k short of the space it needed and the install would abort every time.
Luckly, I determined that at the point the install quit the Palm really had everything loaded that was nessicary, and I was able to go ahead. I will summaraize the install with two notes:
* The install wants to update your ROM first (which is why it backs up all your files), this takes some time.
* The install has no way to select which pieces you would like to install - so you ARE ging to make room for the install to drop a 38k ESPN.com app in your Palm even if you don't care to lookup sports scores.
But, as others have said it is a beta program so hopefully my feedback will fix the installation up a bit.
As for actual use of the thing, so far I have used it for some phone number lookup, stock quote lookup, and most importantly Etak traffic reports for Denver - which hasn't actually helped me yet but looks like it could be useful at some point.
The mail server (I've just hooked it up to OmniSky's for the moment) has had some problems so far s I haven't been able to use it much, though it has a number of canned messages you can send quickly if you want to just send someone a note that you're running late or want someone to call Another nice feature is that the mail app knows all of the e-mail addresses you have stored in your Address book...
Another thing that I'm not sure others mentioned was that as part of being in the beta program, you got a 15% discount on the monthly service for as long as you subscribe.
I'll try and get some pictures up tomorrow if no-one else has.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley