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If you look at the showcase of new products from Palm, Handera and Sony, in them the main emphasis is on the new screens and expansion slots. The changes are aimed at improving functionality and customer value products as compared to previous models. When advertising a new Edge, on the contrary, indicate a compact, metal body, Li-Ion-battery and hinged lid. These features, though useful and attractive, but they are likely to enhance the user experience than are any fundamentally new features. Rumors that Handspring is preparing "PalmV-killer", appeared long ago, but the design has been hidden in mystery. In contrast, new models of Palm, details of which appeared long before they arrive in stores, the first (and probably sanctioned by Handspring) leak occurred just days before the official presentation and launch. It turned out absolutely no resemblance to previous models of the firm. Many refused to believe the first photographer, taking them for fakes. And, although the design has undergone revolutionary changes. But, most importantly, the case has become so flat that at first glance it was unclear where the same now embed modules Springboard. According to the form factor much closer to the Edge Sony CLIE, than to the Palm III.
Housing
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Offers everyone a game: grab a Visor Edge, inspect, roll it in your hands, and after 15-20 seconds, set aside. Now try a few words to convey my feelings. Pretty sure have something like: "a stylish, lightweight, thin, metal." Note that this is all the characteristics of the body, rather than the screen. In general, it appears that the development of Edge first rigidly specified dimensions: in any case, no thicker than PalmV, and then later came up with the design and began to fill all available space. Finally got to the following: a rigid frame formed by two plates of anodized aluminum. Sides, push button, the cradle and the slot is made of smoky translucent plastic. The housing may be red, silver and blue colors (red Edge can be purchased only on site Handspring). Buttons on the metal, engraved with their application icons (those just do not wear out), with a pleasant "click". Unfortunately, they are convex rather than concave - click on them the stylus is not convenient enough. Few save the situation that they are recessed into the shell of 1-2 mm, so that if you press the button on the edge, just get in the groove. It is evident that the need to minimize the size of forced developers to go on a series of compromises.
Cession number 1
The first thing that catches your eye is the transfer of IR-port. At all "classical" Visor `ah, he is on the right side on top. At the Edge to move it much lower, so that the palm is now fully closes the window port. If you want to share with someone contacts, Visor have to take as a completely bird-like. I note, however, that this is valid only for righties. If you shift the Visor in my right hand, it is enough to slightly move his fingers up to the body and can be easily "bimkat.
Cession number 2
The second assignment is intended as an original design solution. This refers to the stylus, which is now mounted outside the enclosure. To get him comfortable right thumb holding Visor. In this case, it is conveniently leaves on the tracks.If you pull it differently, then there are distortions and stylus, and strives to slip and fall. One gets the impression that all these innovations devised a lefty (Lefty?) And left-handers.
Concession № 3
External SpringBoard-slot is no longer a designer, but rather an engineering discovery. He tacked on to Edge from behind and kept sufficiently tight. Its advantage is low weight - not heavy lid. But how ugly it looks with the Edge! It is twice as thick (almost like Prism). By the same slot is not suitable Visor'u color. As a result, it looks like a foreign body.
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Can not say that everything is so bad and uncomfortable. Bringing to market a product that differs from the Visor Platinum, roughly speaking, only flat-hull specialists Handspring everything was left to chance. And, at least, the case was a success. It is very durable. Its design is like the vast majority of visitors to forums on the Visor Edge, and even on the street, he always attracts the attention of others. To scratch coating, you need much effort. Rounded edges cap prevents dust and small debris, often available in their pockets, get on the screen. If we put on the table Edge fastened with SB-slot, the screen will be located at an angle, which is much easier to read.
Springboard
As already described above, connector SpringBoard is designed as a separate entity which is fastened to the hull rear. But in order to attach it there, you must first remove the lid, leaving the screen unprotected. In the sidewalls are special runners, which enters the slot into place and locked. It connects to the Visor `y through a series of contacts that were previously hidden under the hood. Otherwise, it's all the same slot, nothing new. Here you can give some advice: if the module sits very tightly, it is best to remove it along with the slot, and then pull out.
Cover
As for the cover, it is also made of anodized aluminum and weighs quite a bit. Two fixed positions - about 120 and 270 degrees - quite convenient. If you liked the cover on the third model, Palm, then enjoy this one. If you do not like it .... anyway enjoy. She simply does not have flaws. It is very durable, so Edge can be worn in the back pocket without fear of crushing the screen.
Selling it can probably only a very fat man. If, however, cover all the same you do not like, it can easily remove and insert a special cap that covers the contacts. In such a case to protect the screen on the Handspring website can be purchased special aluminum carrying case. Yes, and well-known manufacturer of covers, the company Rhinoskin, already offers an original model for the Visor Edge.
Stylus
Stylus Visor Edge is different from the "toothpicks" that complement the rest Visor `s. Full metal (except for the plastic tip), oblong shape, this stylus is a very good-looking, even though it has quite a few negative reviews, because it requires getting used to. But the Visor Edge and so far from the traditional ...Method of mounting a stylus is very unusual to allow outside companies without problems to create their own models of Stylus for Edge. The system is as follows: the stylus is the projection T-shaped, and the right sidewall of the plastic housing with a groove. The tip rests in a special slot, and at the opposite end is a latch that holds the stylus in place, and a button that opens the latch. It's simple, but some room for creative producers of accessories. By the way, wishes to them: the stylus with a needle to reset `Yes. Surprisingly, stylus Edge no such provision. Just like old times, will have to find a clip or pin to restart.
Screen
Surprisingly, this is the only representative of the latest wave of PalmOS-novelties of the screen is absolutely nothing to say. Competitors to increase resolution, using new technologies, and Handspring actually offers the same screen as on the Platinum. Yes, I must admit, the picture became clearer, brighter. And at the same time, less green. Illumination is also improved, but it still does not compare with an inverted illumination on Palm III.
Credle
On the Edge uses a new 12-pin connector synchronization, so the cradle and the keyboard on the previous models are incompatible with it. His cradle is more compact and elegant. For the stability of the base was made of metal. The battery in the Edge uses a lithium-yonnaya as in Prism, but charge much faster. When I conducted measurements, from 5% to 100% he charge in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Knacks
The most fashionable "chip" of the season - a flashing warning light, which can be activated instead of the usual call. Not that it was very comfortable (I always wear my Visor in your pocket), just that she has almost all the new products: Handera 330, Palm m500/505, here and Edge too. "Hide" button under the light included. As I noted above, the button is made of the same translucent plastic as the sidewall, so flashing lights can be seen, even if the lid is closed. Incidentally, this light is also used during charging Edge. It flashes during the process and just lit when the battery is fully charged. Another addition of a series of "detail, but nice" - is an updated AddressBook. In the settings you can now switch on the Fast Lookup (Quick Search). To activate this mode, you need to press the up button. Have you ever used a system of T9 text input on cell phones? Meaning the same, but sold more competently. Button still not nine, but four: Datebook - letter names A through L;
AddressBook - letter names from M to Z;
ToDo - letters of the name from A to L;
Memo - letters of the name M to Z; example, to find the phone a man named John, you need to press ToDo, Memo, ToDo, Memo. As you type, the program will select the names corresponding to the mask and the list will be narrowed. When you see on the screen that the contact you want, press the down button until you select it. Then click the Addressbook. Russian version of "A to P" and "from P to Z" for some reason do not. There is a suspicion that will not happen. So you have to get acquainted with hundreds of foreigners, or to recruit Russian names translit. Or disable this feature and put something better than the built-Addressbook.
Problems
Unfortunately, since the Platinum, the percentage of defective Visor `s new models the first few months after the start of production exceeds all acceptable norms. Perhaps this is due to the fact that companies constantly have to catch up with competitors. In fact, buyers are not absolutely essential.After the start of sales of new products and forums VisorCentral VisorVillage overflowing with messages from indignant clients about the problems that they have arisen. I will list only the most frequently voiced complaints about the Visor Edge:
- From time to time "flies" digitizer and the screen takes just clicking in the upper left corner;
- Stylus mercilessly scratch the screen (do Handspring and does not reform, because it has already become a tradition - the stylus all the models, starting with Visor / Visor Deluxe, suffer from the same ailment);
- Plastic stylus tip may fall. If it wobbles, it is better to take it out and glue again;
- Screws, which tie the different parts (eg, socket, hold the stylus) tend to fall out;
- Visor Edge "continues to work, work, work" will not sit down until the batteries and does not react to the power button;
- Because of reduced footprint cradle when you install it with the Visor Edge prikleplennym SpringBoard-slot in which the module is installed large (OmniSky-modem, GPS-module), can be mislaid ago;
- Another drawback novelty - it's more delicate screen than other models, even though a solid body with him to be careful.
Conclusion
Visor Edge can be called a representative of an intermediate stage of development "has more features than the Palm Vx, but not so much as a Palm m505". This model has no significant systemic differences compared with the five on it running the same version of the PalmOS. Supports USB and non-standard expansion slot (Memory Stick, and SpringBoard) complete the resemblance. "Justify" a much later date of the Edge as compared with similar models from Sony can be considered more powerful processor and large size of the expansion modules. But the situation with Edge is interesting because it appeared not much earlier than the Palm m500, which even costs the same $ 400, but has support for SD / MMC-Card, PalmOS v.4.0 and 4Mb Flash. In addition, Handspring continues to produce a model of Platinum, which was probably once a much more revolutionary by using the latest version at the time PalmOS v.3.5.2 and 33MHz processor. Until now, faster than him no one else. Also not the best way to affect sales of constantly emerging rumors of color Edge, details of which are expected in late summer. Do not buy it to replace an existing Palm-device, but as the first PDA is possible. With the new Visor Edge, you can enjoy all the advantages provided by the slot SpringBoard. But if the possibility of extension you're not interested, purely for aesthetic reasons, you get one of the most graceful handheld computers. Specifications are authors, translation:
Oleg Kurapov
