Xircom Modem 56 Springport

Although it uses the same operating system as Palm's handhelds, the Handspring Visor has enough unique features of its own to make it a worthwhile alternative. Most notable of these is its 'Springboard' expansion slot, which can take all manner of modules, of which the Xircom Modem 56 GlobalAccess module is one, adding a 56K modem to the Visor.

Although Springboard modules need be no bigger than an After Eight mint, the Modem 56 is much larger and juts quite considerably from the back of the Visor. This isn't because it's stuffed with electronics, but rather because it contains three AAA batteries to power the modem, so you don't drain your Visor when you're online. It also rather usefully props up the Visor when it's placed on a desktop.

If you thought PC hardware was plug-and-play, the Modem 56 will open your eyes. Plug it into the Visor's Springboard slot and, providing the network and modem settings are configured properly, that's it. A lead is included to connect to a telephone point or you could buy an extra lead to plug it into your mobile phone.

The applications supplied occupy half of the Modem 56's integral 829Kb of flash memory and the rest can be used for your own data. The MultiMail Pro v2.24 email client is one version behind the latest one from Actual Software, but is still usable and supports multiple accounts.

The AvantGo Web browser works fantastically well with custom offline content (see http://www.avantgo.com for more about this) but won't display images when browsing online. This doesn't matter because the free ProxiWeb browser, available at http://www.proxinet.com, works and is impressively quick, even over a GSM connection.

Contact Xircom 01256 332552

See also:

Handspring unveils expandable PDA

Handspring has launched a high-end 'thin and light' version of its Visor personal digital assistant that features a new removable expansion slot.  14 Mar 2001

Intel buys comms card vendor Xircom

Intel will acquire mobile computing equipment maker Xircom in an all-cash transaction valued at $748m as part of a move to bolster its wireless communications offerings.  16 Jan 2001

Glitz and gadgets go hand in hand at Comdex

Microsoft used this year's Comdex to unveil its TabletPC, but it was Sony and Handspring that stole the show at the Las Vegas gadget extravaganza.  24 Nov 2000

PDA phones set for European launch

The battle to integrate voice capabilities into personal digital assistants is hotting up, with Sagem being the latest company to promise a European roll out of the technology.  22 Nov 2000

Handspring should back Linux to beat Palm

Handspring, the developer of Palm OS-based Visor devices, would present an even greater threat to Palm Pilots if it decided to create Linux-based, Palm-compatible appliances.  17 Oct 2000

Xircom files patent lawsuit against 3Com

PC connectivity tools vendor Xircom has served a patent infringement lawsuit against 3Com in the latest in a long-running dispute between the two networking companies.  25 Sep 2000

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