Visor Offers Shades of Palm Handhelds -- Handspring, Inc. last week announced Visor, a handheld organizer based on the Palm operating system that promises to run faster, store more information, and be more expandable than current Palm devices. Visor also comes with Macintosh software and a USB-based docking cradle; Palm Computing's current offerings require the purchase of a cable adapter for Mac serial or USB connections and a separate purchase (or free download) of the Mac Palm Desktop software. (See "Palm Desktop Marks Return of a Familiar Organizer" in TidBITS-469.) When it ships in October, Visor will be available in three configurations ranging from $150 to $250 and will offer between 2 MB and 8 MB of RAM. Visor Deluxe models will be available in five colors, including, of course, several translucent options. The Visor is based on the Palm OS, which means it is software-compatible with existing Palm applications, but it also features updated Date Book (actually a licensed, modified version of Pimlico Software's excellent DateBk3) and Calculator applications, plus a new World Clock utility. The Visor's biggest departure from the Palm Computing line of organizers is Springboard, a slot on the back of the unit that accepts expansion modules for add-ons such as extra memory, a modem, backup data storage, software applications, and future possibilities like cellular phone modules or MP3 music players. [JLC]

<http://www.handspring.com/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/article/05300>
<http://www.gorilla-haven.org/pimlico/ datebk3.htm>