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Thu, 04 Apr 2002
VisorPhone
I recently replaced my cell phone with a VisorPhone module for my HandSpring Visor Prism. HandSpring currently offers the module free with service activation. I opted for the least expensive service plan, $29.95/month for 200 minutes + 500 SMS text messages from VoiceStream, which is better than my previous plan from AT&T Wireless.
The software is excellent. The phone application lets you dial from an onscreen keypad, 5 screens of speed dial buttons, or from the phonebook application. When you receive an incoming call, if the number is in your address book, it will show you their record.
The SMS manager application lets you compose text messages to be sent to any email address or anyone with a compatible GSM phone. You can also receive SMS messages sent to a personal email address at voicestream.net (if you're using VoiceStream; they also support a few other service providers).
A web browser called Blazer, Yahoo Messenger, and One Touch Mail are also included. AvantGo with MobileLink will also work with the VisorPhone and it's my browser of choice, since I can connect quickly to download content and then read it offline at my leisure, which helps keep down airtime cost.
The VisorPhone uses a SIM chip to hold your account information, phone number, and up to 50 speed dial numbers. The same chip can be used in any GSM-compatible phone, and will let you transfer your account to another device by simply moving the chip.
Now the bad news. As a cell phone, the sound quality is abysmal, at least with my Visor Prism. However, the included headset improves it a lot, although the sound does cut out occasionally with the headset.
Summary: the VisorPhone is probably the most flexible & and feature rich cell phone you can buy, and HandSpring's free offer makes it very attractive, if you already own a Visor handheld. However, it's larged than most cell phones and can be uncomfortable to use, plus the sound quality is just barely acceptable. If you buy one, I strongly recommend either Kensington's $60 device which converts it to a stand-alone phone, or getting an extra GSM phone that will accept the SIM chip.