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To: Binx Bolling who wrote (6966)	9/15/1999 2:55:00 AM
From: Binx Bolling	Respond to of 60323

SmartMedia mentioned multiple times: MMC mentioned also: techweb.com

To: Binx Bolling who wrote (6966)	9/15/1999 6:47:00 AM
From: Ausdauer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

Binx, I got excited when I saw your post and link. The last issue of Red Herring was dedicated to some of the most ingenious entrepreneurs of the digital age. redherring.com The couple (Jeff Hawkins and Donna Dubinsky) that created Palm Computing (which was later sold of to US Robotics and 3COM) were included in the line-up. redherring.com As you know, in a strategic move 3COM will be spinning off the Palm Pilot into a new company with an upcoming IPO. Some feel the Palm OS has hampered 3COM's relationship with Microsoft due to the competition with Windows CE. 3COM owns the Palm OS and will be making money by selling software licenses to manufacturers which will adopt this infrastructure. They wish to popularize Palm OS and go head-to-head with Win CE and the proprietary OS produced by Psion and a consortium of European handheld electronics vendors (The Symbian Venture). Handspring is the follow-up to Palm Computing. The company lives by the motto that simplicity and functionality are key. It is nice to see that there will be a slot included for hardware and software upgrades, but the website suggests that this expansion slot is "proprietary". Based on the photos on the website it does not resemble a CF slot. Interestingly, the slot will expand the options available. Just... ...imagine the possibilities when you add modules like these: - Pager - Modem - MP3 Music Player - Universal Remote - GPS Receiver - Memory Card - Game Pack It would seem to be short-sighted to create a new plug 'n' play standard just for Handspring. It rather reminds me of the modules that Franklin & Covey use in their handheld language dictionaries/translators. Who knows, maybe the module is a CF adaptor??? 216.35.16.11 Maybe someone should call the company. Ausdauer

To: Binx Bolling who wrote (6966)	9/15/1999 6:13:00 PM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

Binx, Because you seem interested (as I am) I called Switzer Communications and got this reply via e-mail regarding the new palmtop by Handspring called Visor... Just following up on the question you sent to Switzer Communication... Q: Will this product accept compact/memory cards similar to those used in digital cameras? A: Visor is designed for hardware expansion through a new architecture called the Springboard platform. While the Springboard slot uses a standard 68-pin connector found in PCMCIA cards, it has an unique specification that is different from PCMCIA, compact flash and memory cards. As such, it does not "directly" accept compact/memory cards used in digital cameras. For full details on the Springboard slot, please see the comprehensive developer kit available in the Developer section at www.handspring.com. There are two interesting related issues to the question you raise. First, a module built for the Springboard slot may choose to utilize a memory card. For example, a MP3 music module "may" have its own slot to accomodate memory cards to hold large quantities of digital music. And second, if you have specific memory needs, an 8MB flash module is available from our website. This is an additional 8MB on top of what is available in the Visor RAM. Hope this helps. Ausdauer