Handspring Introduces Breakthrough Class of Expandable Handheld Computers
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — September 14, 1999 — In a move to transform ordinary organizers into customizable handheld computers, Handspring(TM), Inc. today introduced Visor(TM), the first in a new family of expandable handheld computers. Visor is the first pocket-sized computing product that people can easily customize using an innovative Handspring technology called the Springboard(TM) expansion slot.
With the Springboard slot, people can simply plug in Springboard expansion modules that will range from MP3 audio players and digital cameras to pagers and wireless modems for Internet access. The Visor family also introduces breakthrough pricing for the handheld market, with models starting at U.S. $ 149. Visor will be available in a variety of colors and can be ordered today at handspring.com for delivery in October.
Designed to expand the way people think about and use handheld computers, the Visor family is based on the industry-leading 3Com Palm Computing(TM) platform originally created by Handspring's founders. The products are compatible with the thousands of software applications designed for the Palm Computing platform, as well as with all data created by users of Palm Computing platform products.
With Springboard expansion modules – hardware components that slide easily in and out of the Springboard slot on the back of the Visor products – people can easily tailor their handhelds to suit their specific needs, with the flexibility to interchange modules as desired.
"Visor represents the next step in the evolution of the handheld computer," said Handspring co-founder, chairman and chief product officer Jeff Hawkins. "Everywhere I turn people want to do more with their Palm computers. They want to have more software, add a GPS, take digital pictures, and especially add wireless communications. There was no easy way to do this with existing handhelds, so we created the Springboard expansion platform. With the Springboard expansion slot developers can create hundreds of easy to use, solidly integrated expansion options."
"Handspring's innovative new products underscore the vitality and adaptability of the Palm Computing platform. The Visor family and Springboard platform are exciting both for Palm customers and developers, and will ultimately help drive the growth of the overall Palm economy," said Mark Bercow, vice president of strategic alliances and platform development for Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company. "3Com's commitment to a strong Handspring alliance shows our determination to expand the reach of our platform as the world-leading standard for handheld computing."
Handspring and many developers are creating and selling Springboard modules. Examples of Springboard modules available or under development include phones, pagers, global positioning systems, remote Internet access products, MP3 audio players, voice recorders, digital cameras, smart card readers, bar code scanners, field data collection probes and content modules containing applications, reference materials and games.
All Springboard-enabled handhelds contain a suitably located microphone that connects internally to the Springboard slot. Today Handspring sells an EA Sports(TM) Tiger Woods PGA(TM) Tour Golf module, a Quick Backup module that serves as removable storage for the entire contents of a Visor and an 8MB Flash module intended primarily for developers and power-users. Handspring will deliver a modem module later this year.
Other companies creating or providing content for Springboard modules and accessories include Concept Kitchen, DataStick, EA Sports, Franklin Covey, Glenayre's Wireless Access Group, Imagiworks, Innogear, JP Systems, Karrier Communications, Landware, MarcoSoft, Navicom, Pacific Neo-Tek, Peanut Press, the RioPort subsidiary of Diamond Multimedia, Revolv Design, Shinei, Sycom, Think Outside and Widcomm.
Handspring offers a full line of accessories for the Visor family. At handspring.com, customers can choose from three different lines of stylish Visor carrying cases, some of which are designed to match the various colors of the Visor Deluxe. In keeping with the customization theme of Visor, people can also design their own custom carrying case at handspring.com using a simple four-step process to choose from a variety of styles, colors and materials, and imprints.
The company also launched handspring.com today, a Web destination for Handspring product sales, support and services. Handspring will continue to develop the site to provide a vibrant and interactive resource for handheld industry information, including reviews, freeware and software applications.
About Visor
Visor is available in three models: Visor, Visor Solo edition and Visor Deluxe edition. Built from the ground up for expansion, all three feature the Springboard slot for plug-and-play integration of Springboard modules that are sold separately. Both the U.S. $ 179 Visor and the $ 249 Visor Deluxe come with the latest version of the Palm OS(TM) software, a synchronization cradle and HotSync(TM) software for desktop synchronization and a conduit to Microsoft Outlook(TM).
The Visor Solo edition – the price leader in the handheld market at U.S. $ 149, ships without a synchronization cradle, and is ideal for people wanting additional units for a single household or office environment where a single cradle can be used for synchronizing multiple devices.
It also provides a cost-effective option for people who choose not to synchronize with a PC, or wish to use the Handspring Quick Backup module as their primary means of backing up their data. Visor Solo will be available in November 1999. Handspring sells synchronization cradles and cables separately for Visor Solo customers wishing to upgrade.
Universal Serial Bus Support
The Visor products are the first handheld computing products to directly support universal serial bus (USB) technology. Synchronization via USB technology is faster and easier than synchronization with a standard serial port. Visor can synchronize with desktop computers running the Windows 98 and Macintosh(TM) operating systems. For customers using desktop systems not equipped with USB ports, Handspring is selling separately a low-cost synchronization cradle that will connect directly with a serial port.
Enhanced Applications
Visor ships with the core Palm Computing platform applications for organizing personal and business information: Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, and software for expense tracking and managing email. Visor also includes an Advanced Date Book application featuring expanded views of weekly, monthly and yearly schedules. The Advanced Date Book integrates the To Do application, so important To Do items appear in the calendar views.
Advanced Date Book will automatically move any unchecked To Do items to the next day so they are not ignored or forgotten. Other Visor features include an advanced calculator with financial and scientific modes, a world clock and a built-in microphone for use with voice recording and communications modules expected soon.
Visor Handheld Computer Features
— Springboard expansion slot
— Address Book, Date Book, To Do list, Memo Pad, expense tracking and e-mail applications
— Advanced Date Book application
— Advanced scientific and business calculator
— World Clock
— Trim design (4.8" x 3.0" by 0.7")
— Light weight (5.4 oz.)
— Built-in USB support
— Native support for the Macintosh OS
— USB Synchronization cradle (Visor and Visor Deluxe only)
— Infrared transceiver
— Backlight
— Built-in microphone
— Compatibility with thousands of Palm Computing platform applications
— Synchronizes with Microsoft Outlook or Palm Desktop
Visor is graphite in color, comes with 2MB of RAM and sells for U.S. $ 179. Visor Deluxe features 8MB of RAM, a leather slip case, a choice of five different colors (graphite, green, orange, blue and ice) and sells for U.S. $ 249. Customers can place orders for both products on the Web at handspring.com for delivery in October. Visor and Visor Deluxe will be available in the retail channel in 2000. Visor Solo edition is available in graphite color only, ships without a synchronization cradle, sells for $ 149, and will remain available for sale exclusively on the Internet beginning in November.
About Springboard
The Springboard slot is a true plug-and-play hardware expansion slot that ships as an integrated part of every Visor product. Modules can be plugged in and removed quickly and easily without having to load drivers or turn off the Visor. In a separate release today Handspring announced a free development kit allowing anyone to create Springboard modules. Information regarding the development kit and related support programs is available at handspring.com.
About Handspring, Inc.
Handspring is a leading innovator in the handheld computing industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets a family of expandable handheld computers for a broad range of markets and customers.
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the world-leading 3Com Palm Computing platform, Handspring's flagship technology is the Springboard platform that provides a simple and easy method for hardware and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Visor line of handhelds at handspring.com, along with a full line of Springboard expansion modules and accessories. For more information, visit http://www.handspring.com.
Note to Editors: Handspring, the Handspring logo, Visor and Springboard are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.
CONTACT:
Handspring, Inc., Mountain View
Allen Bush, 650/230-5000
[email protected]
or
Switzer Communications, Inc.
Erin Davis, 415/945-7070
[email protected]