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."

Comments

Re:ooooh I like

[twilight]

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

Re:Is it really commercially viable?

[openSoar]

If you compare the service plans, it's obvious which one to go for:

• OmniSky - esitmated $50 a month for unlimited bandwidth.

• Palm VII - $10 a month for 50KB plus $0.20 per extra K

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

Just got mine too...

[adam]

Mine arrived via UPS just this morning, just in time for my trip down to LA this weekend.

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