Discussion: Visor's 3.1 OS vs. Palm 3.x OS
Tuesday, March 7, 2000 9:11:13 AM
I would like to know how are the thoughts on the fact that the Visor has a static non-upgradeable 3.1 Palm OS. I realize 3.3 is not that far beyond 3.1; but what about the possibility of being stagnate at 3.1 when other Palm OS upgrades may take it farther and farther out? Does this create a severe limitation in your eyes? I have already ordered a Visor a few days ago as my Palm III has seemed to become unstable - that’s another story.. Anyway, the Visor looks promising, but my biggest concern is not being able to upgrade.
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Me too
mikecane@wildmail.com @ 3/7/2000 12:25:45 PM #
I don't like the frozen 3.1 in the Visor, either, but I am going to go to a VD instead of a Palm. The redeeming feature of the VD that will make it easier to pass off to a friend is that SB slot. But I'm not kidding myself that the current Visor is nothing more than a "disposable" PDA. mc [PS: My P3 has begun to act erratic too. Synchronicity!]
RE: Me too
Well I have a IIIx cos it can be upgraded which I think is cool.... I'm not a huge fan of the Visor cos I think its too "locked". If you realy want some expansion TRG's Pro is the way to go, basical a IIIx with a CF type I/II slot & better sound. (Buy the same people that bring u the Palm mem upgrades)
Riqi
I don't like it either!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/7/2000 2:03:25 PM #
A non-flash-upgradable ROM is the ONLY reason that I didn't buy a Visor!
RE: I don't like it either!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/7/2000 2:08:42 PM #
same for me bought the TRGPRO instead!
I just ordered my Blue VDX....
I think that if there's anything that important about an OS upgrade, Handspring will release a patch. The end result in day to day operation is the same as an upgrade. Just use backup buddy and you're set.
If there is a big enough feature jump in the OS (maybe OS 4.0?) then its probably going to necessitate a hardware change to take advantage of the new functionality, be it in the form of a faster processor or a different screen type. It seems to me that the Visor would benefit from Flash memory, but it's not a big deal to me. I bought that thing knowing I'd only use it for 3 years tops. By that time, something way better should be available at around the same price as I paid for my VDX.
If there is a big enough feature jump in the OS (maybe OS 4.0?) then its probably going to necessitate a hardware change to take advantage of the new functionality, be it in the form of a faster processor or a different screen type. It seems to me that the Visor would benefit from Flash memory, but it's not a big deal to me. I bought that thing knowing I'd only use it for 3 years tops. By that time, something way better should be available at around the same price as I paid for my VDX.
RE: I just ordered my Blue VDX....
The point is that handspring cannot release a patch, because the VDX is NOT software upgradeable. This is because it has ROM memory anstead of Flash ROM memory.
RE: I just ordered my Blue VDX....
Patches can be applied, but they will consume volatile memory. Palm has issued soft patches in the past in order to not issue flash upgrades. In fact, 3.3 is the first flash upgrade that I can recall. The soft patches rely on the fact that the Palm OS is "maskable". It is theoretically possible to replace virtually all of the OS with a patch in volatile RAM. I find myself asking "who wants to do that?"
I am very happy with my VDx
I love the Visor. I have been looking very carefully at all PalmOS upgrades, and I have not seen anything that makes me wish I had upgradable ROM. I may eventually, but right now there is not anything Palm has added to 3.5 that isn't easily taken care of by free hacks and third party applications with the possible exception of the toolbar for the command prompt. That I don't worry about too much because I use the command characters anyway. The agenda view looks cheesy compared to HotDate and WhatzUp (both free). I am not looking at a color device anyway. USB is faster than serial. I have the Euro.
By the time I Palm puts something in the OS that I really feel I need, I will want to upgrade anyway. For right now, my Visor fits the bill very well.
RE: I am very happy with my VDx
I guess the big issue is that it is impossible to predict the need for new features and functionality. I still have a Palm Pro. It has gone through over three years of wear and a Palm III upgrade (when they were cheap). It was a big upgrade to go from the Palm Pro's OS to that of the Palm III, and it's nice to continue the upgrade process. I attribute its longevity to the various upgrades I have installed. The Palm is a work in progress, and it is very nice to have the latest software if not the flashiest hardware.
RE: I am very happy with my VDx
mikecane@wildmail.com @ 3/8/2000 9:39:05 AM #
You still have a Palm Pro? I have a P3 that is a little over 18 months old and its been acting like it is near death's door. You must do much more reading from than writing to yours. mc
Death's door?
Actually, the Graffiti area is shot, so I have to use a hack to let me enter info elsewhere on the screen. Otherwise, it's in tip-top condition.
Festus
Graffiti
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/9/2000 12:44:23 PM #
Ah, that makes me feel better, knowing that *your* Graffiti area is the first thing to go too. I've tried ScreenWrite, but didn't like it (is there something else? Puhleeze, not Jot!). Time for me to upgrade! mc
Visors are very well designed
I currently own a VDx and I like it. I don't see anything wrong with the non-upgradable 3.1 version. If palms makes a big jump from 3.5 to 4.0, I think that Handspring should make a springboard module that will come with an update. If you want Palm OS 3.1 to look similar to Palm OS 3.5 then download the application: Silverscreen. VERY NICE PROGRAM! Just because we can't upgrade is not important. Normal Palms don't have the springboard. The springboard list at Handspring.com has been getting larger and larger and larger. I think we will see upgrades on There website soon. Oh well, that is my opinion and im sticking to it!!!!
I have a Palm IIIe without a flash memor
Kiel Oleson @ 3/8/2000 7:04:09 PM #
so when I went to get the 3.3 update, I was quite dissapointed to find out I couldn't upgrade. I plan on getting a TRG superpalm board to solve this problem. Besides, 2MB is'nt enough anyways :)
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