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Handspring Introduces Visor Pro and Visor Neo for the Professional and Entry Level Markets
URL(s): Handspring
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Sept. 17, 2001--
Handspring, Inc. (Nasdaq:HAND) today introduced two additions to its Visor family of
handheld computers, Visor Pro and Visor Neo. Visor Pro is a rechargeable, expandable
handheld with 16MB of memory -- twice the storage capacity of other Palm OS handhelds,
and is available for U.S. $299. Fifty percent faster than Visor Deluxe, Visor Neo is
Handspring's new entry-level, high performance Visor in bright, colorful casings at a great
value price of U.S. $199. Both of the new models feature the Springboard expansion slot, to
take advantage of the many additional capabilities offered by Springboard modules. In a
separate announcement today, Handspring disclosed that the company is adding the popular
eyemodule2 digital camera to its Springboard module product line.
"We designed Visor Pro to deliver the capacity and performance power users and
business professionals need. Visor Neo is a great introductory product for students, young
professionals and first-time handheld owners, yet is fully expandable and runs as fast as our
high-end products," said Joe Sipher, vice president of product marketing for Handspring.
"With more than 60 Springboard modules now available, people can easily customize Visor
Pro and Visor Neo for applications such as voice and data communications with
Handspring's VisorPhone, wireless Ethernet connectivity with Xircom's SpringPort module, or
digital imaging with Handspring's eyemodule2 digital camera."
Visor Pro and Visor Neo
With 16MB of memory and a Dragonball VZ processor, Visor Pro is a fast and powerful
handheld computer with incredible storage capacity for business and personal applications,
such as large multimedia files, databases, company documents, and digital images.
Available in silver for a conservative yet stylish look, Visor Pro has a rechargeable lithium ion
battery that charges right in the cradle. Certain Springboard modules may also be recharged
by the cradle when inserted into Visor Pro's Springboard expansion slot. The Silent Alarm
features a blinking LED, which is helpful for settings where an audible alarm might disturb
others.
Visor Neo is Handspring's new entry-level, high performance Visor that is 50 percent faster
than Visor Deluxe. It comes in a choice of three distinctive new colors: smoke, red and blue. It
has the same Dragonball VZ processor as the high-end Visors and 8MB of memory and runs
on two AAA alkaline batteries. Visor Neo is ideal for first time buyers and those looking to
upgrade from a 2MB or older handheld computer. Both Visor Pro and Visor Neo are
immediately available in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Colors, models,
pricing and availability may vary in each country.
Handspring Visor Pro and Visor Neo use the fastest Palm OS processor, the Motorola
Dragonball VZ, providing instant access to information. It is ideal for memory-intensive
applications, such as searching large databases and playing games. Visor Pro and Visor
Neo have backlit monochrome screens, supporting 4-bit grayscale (16 shades of gray) with
sharp, crisp graphics. Both also offer the Fast Lookup feature, first introduced with Visor
Edge, so that people can access contact information more quickly and with one hand using
the application buttons instead of the stylus. Visor Pro and Visor Neo include all the basic
features of the Visor line of products, such as enhanced applications, USB support, and Mac
OS compatibility out of the box.
Visor Pro and Visor Neo feature the Springboard plug-and-play expansion slot. Unlike most
other handheld expansion technologies, there are many Springboard solutions already
available that bring a wide variety of capabilities to the Visor family. A few examples of the
more than 60 Springboard modules include the Xircom SpringPort Wireless Ethernet module,
the Audible Advisor that offers spoken content from newspapers, books and many other
sources, the Magellan GPS Companion, Margi System's Presenter-to-Go that brings
presentation capabilities to Visor handhelds, and the Innogear MiniJam MP3 player. Two
Springboard modules enable Compact Flash and SmartMedia cards to be used in the
Springboard slot, and similar modules for Secure Digital and Memory Stick will be introduced
later this year. All Springboard modules are truly plug-and-play and immediately work without
installing external drivers or software.
Handspring eyemodule2 and 16MB Backup Module
The eyemodule2 digital camera and the 16MB Backup module are the latest additions to Handspring's line of
Springboard modules. Available for U.S. $199, eyemodule2 provides full VGA resolution imaging capabilities and even
mini-movies. Handspring is distributing and branding eyemodule2, designed by IDEO. Handspring also introduced today
a new 16MB Backup module for Visor Pro, which allows people to backup all of the data on a Visor with one touch. If
data in a Visor is lost, the Backup module will restore the entire memory of the handheld. This module is especially
convenient for mobile users with limited access to their desktop computers to synchronize. It is available for U.S. $59.99.
New Accessories
New accessories introduced today include a Visor belt clip holster, a stylus three-pack, and a number of new cases
from InCase Designs that hold Visors and Springboard modules. The new Reversible case provides padded protection
inside and out and is available in gray or gray on the outside and orange on the inside. A Visor and a few Springboard
modules fit into the Mesh module case, which is available in two color choices, gray or gray on the outside and orange on
the inside. The Flex module case, offered in gray, can carry and organize both small and larger-sized Springboard
modules. A flexible center pocket provides room for a Visor and smaller Springboard modules or a few larger
Springboard modules, and it also has space for other items too, such as earphones, extra styli, and batteries. The Folio
module case, also available in gray, accommodates a Visor, a folding keyboard, and a few Springboard modules, with
extra pockets for credit cards, cash, and other essentials. It features a case grip that holds the Visor securely in place
while keeping the Springboard expansion slot accessible. All of the new accessories can be purchased at
www.handspring.com.
About Handspring
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,
Handspring's flagship technology is the Springboard platform, which provides a simple and easy method for hardware
and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Visor line of handheld computers, along with a line of Springboard
expansion modules and accessories, at Handspring.com and through select Internet and retail partners in the United
States, Asia, Canada, the Middle East and Europe.
CONTACT: Handspring, Inc.
Holly McDermott, 650/230-5000
hmcdermott@handspring.com
or
Switzer Communications, Inc.
Erin Davis, 415/945-7070
erin@switz.com
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