Handspring Visor Edge -
The Handspring Visor Edge proves what Palm V owners have known for some time: bulk is bad. Although we used to be overjoyed at the prospect of using any handheld organizer that was smaller than an attaché case, the Visor Edge has completely spoiled us on the superiority of slimness.
At 0.44 inches thick and weighing only 4.8 ounces, the Edge feels more like a futuristic data pad (which it should) than a deck of cards containing electrical circuitry. It's far more comfortable to slide into a purse or shirt pocket, and its anodized aluminum case is likely to withstand more bumps and jostles than earlier plastic cases.
Further, its superior aluminum cover is the best available screen protector we've seen that ships with a PDA. Its hinge is spring loaded so that it snaps into place at a 145-degree angle. You can push it back farther, to about a 260-degree angle, but unfortunately you can't rest it flat against the back of the Visor. Our only other minor complaint is that it takes a bit of practice to quickly release the cover's tab from the bottom of the device.
Another joy is the weighted metal stylus that comes with the Visor Edge. Earlier styluses were plastic afterthoughts that cheapened the experience of using a Visor. This one is the exact opposite: the barrel is slightly swollen where you rest your fingers, giving the stylus more heft that translates into a better feel for writing.
The stylus attaches onto the outside of the Edge's edge by clipping a retractable post into a small groove at the top; the writing tip sits snugly in a holder at the bottom. Releasing the stylus is a matter of pushing a rocker switch to disengage the latch at the top--a motion that will take some practice. But although the stylus is clipped to the side of the Edge, it's remarkably sturdy and never came close to falling out during our testing.
Of course, slimness isn't the Edge's only advantage, even if it's the most notable. The Visor Edge packs in features common to Handspring's line of handhelds: it comes with 8 MB of memory, runs the Palm OS (version 3.5.2H, which unfortunately can't be upgraded due to the type of memory it uses), has a crisp gray scale screen, and includes Handspring-only software like Date Book+, City Time, and an advanced Calculator application. The Edge runs on an internal battery that's quickly recharged when you put it into the included docking cradle (which is a minimalist piece of art by itself).
A new software addition is Fast Lookup, a slick feat of engineering within the Address Book application. Press the Visor's scroll-up button to enter Fast Lookup mode, then use the other application buttons to tap out the name you're looking for. For example, the Date Book button represents letters A-L of a person's last name, while the Address Book button counts for letters M-Z. After a few presses, the name you want appears in the contact list. It's also worth noting that the Edge can perform a HotSync operation out of the box via infrared to your computer (earlier Visors couldn't).
The most noteworthy Visor feature is the Springboard expansion slot, which on the Edge turns out to be both an advantage and a detractor. To achieve the Edge's thin profile, the Springboard slot is no longer a part of the handheld itself. To add Springboard functionality, you must connect a rather bulky adapter onto the back of the Visor Edge, then slide Springboard modules into the adapter. On the plus side, you can use any Springboard module you like just as you would with any other Visor; the downside is that it ruins the thinness factor of the Edge.
However, if you think you'll use Springboard modules only occasionally and want the advantages of a slim and lightweight handheld organizer, you'll want to head for the Edge. --Jeff Carlson
Pros:
-Thin and light
-Best screen protection on any handheld
-New Fast Lookup feature in Address Book
-Rechargeable battery
Cons:
-Springboard adapter ruins thinness advantage
-Sometimes hard to release stylus and cover
-Operating system not upgradeable
Description:
The Handspring Visor Edge is a thin, lightweight Palm OS organizer that combines cutting-edge design with all the expansion capabilities you've come to expect in a Visor handheld. It's all metal--from the stylus to the protective flip cover--and features a rechargeable battery that charges in the included USB docking cradle.
In addition to such standard Palm OS applications as an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, Handspring adds extra features such as an enhanced datebook, advanced calculator, and a world clock. Plus, the Visor Edge has new usability features like Fast Lookup, silent alarms, wireless synchronization, address duplication, improved security, and enhanced navigation. And since it uses the Palm OS, you can download thousands of Palm-compatible applications and beam information to other Palm users.
Using its unique detachable Springboard expansion slot, you can add a wide variety of Springboard modules whenever you want--from digital cameras and MP3 players to wireless modems and modem connectors to cellular phones.
With a fast USB connection, synchronizing the Visor Edge handheld to your PC or Mac is simple and faster than a normal serial connection. (An optional serial cradle also is available.) HotSync technology ensures all your data is backed up to your desktop PC.
The Handspring Visor Edge comes with a metal stylus, metal flip cover, USB recharging cradle, AC power adapter, and detachable Springboard expansion slot. It also includes Palm Desktop software (for Windows and Macintosh) and a link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).
Blue Silver
Important note to customers: Your Visor comes with a free USB cradle, but not all computers and operating system are USB compatible. If your computer uses Windows 95 or NT or Mac OS 8.0 or below, or if your computer is not equipped with USB ports, you'll need to purchase a serial recharging cradle to synchronize your computer with your new Visor.
Features:
-Available in 3 colors: Metallic Silver, Blue and Red
-Ultra thin, light handheld with cutting-edge design
-8 MB RAM stores thousands of addresses, appointments, to-do items, and more
-Features address book, to-do list, memo pad, date book, advanced calculator, and world clock
-Includes rechargeable battery and recharging USB docking cradle
-Supports optional expansion modules for MP3 player, pager, modem, GPS, video games, and more; synchronize handheld data with PC or Mac via USB docking cradle; serial recharging cradle available separately
Technical data:
-Standard memory: 8 MB version
-Maximum memory: 16 MB (with Springboard 8 MB flash memory module)
-Expansion slot: Springboard module
-Display type: 4-bit grayscale LCD, monochrome
-Display colors: 16 shades of gray
-Display size: 2.375 by 2.375 inches
-Resolution: 160 x 160 pixels
-Display backlight: Yes
-Processor: Motorola 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor
-Operating system: Palm OS 3.5.2H
-PC compatible: Yes
-Mac compatible: Yes
-PC system requirements: 486 MHz processor or higher; Windows 98, 2000, or Me with USB port, or Windows 95 or NT with serial port (serial recharging cradle sold separately); CD-ROM drive
-Mac system requirements: Apple Macintosh or compatible computer with PowerPC processor; Mac OS System 8.1 or later with USB port, or Mac OS System 8.0 or earlier with serial port (serial recharging cradle sold separately); CD-ROM drive
-Handwriting recognition: Graffiti
-Keyboard: Onscreen keyboard
-User controls: Power on/off, backlight control, up/down scroll buttons, calendar, address book, to do list, memo pad buttons
-Memo pad: Yes
-Address book: Yes, also includes Date Book Plus
-Scheduler: Yes
-E-mail: Yes, Mail application includes support for Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Outlook/Outlook Express/Exchange, and Qualcomm Eudora
-Web browser: Third-party solutions available
-Security: Password-protect entries
-Stereo: Third-party solutions available
-Built-in speaker: Yes, includes both a built-in speaker and microphone
-Voice recorder: Third-party solutions available
-MP3 playback: Third-party solutions available
-Audible content playback: Third-party solutions available
-AC adapter included: Yes, for recharging cradle
-Battery type: Internal rechargeable lithium ion battery
-Batteries included: Yes
-Average battery life: Approximately 2 months
-Desktop import/export formats: Microsoft Outlook/Outlook Express/Exchange, Qualcomm Eudora, Lotus cc: Mail. Links to AOL, Lotus Notes, Netscape Communicator, and POP3 mail sold separately. Microsoft Word, Excel, Project solutions sold separately.
-Serial port: Yes, but serial cradle sold separately
-USB: Yes, USB cradle included in package
-Infrared: Yes
-Wireless: Third-party solutions available
-Docking cradle: USB cradle included; serial cradle sold separately
-PC cable: USB cable sold separately
-Other hardware: Metal stylus and flip cover included. Detachable Springboard expansion slot expands with modules like a digital camera, music player, modem, and more.
-Software: Compatible with thousands of Palm OS-based software applications
-Height: 4.7 inches
-Width: 3.1 inches
-Depth: 0.44 inches
-Weight: 4.8 ounces
-Warranty, parts: 1 year
-Warranty, labor: 1 year
Released: March 2001
