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Some details on Blazer 1.1


Wed May 16, 2001 - 11:25 PM EDT - By James Hromadka

Users of Blazer 1.0 received the following email regarding Blazer 1.1:

We are contacting you to let you know that a new version of Blazer (Blazer 1.1) is now available. Blazer 1.1 includes many improvements over Blazer 1.0 such as:

* Support for secure web sites
* Support for 16-bit color and 8-bit grayscale
* HTTP proxy support
* Improved layout of text and graphics, particularly on handheld-friendly sites

In order to continue using Blazer, you will need to upgrade to the new version by May 22, 2001. Support for Blazer 1.0 will be discontinued at that time and you will no longer be able to use the product. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

How can I get Blazer 1.1?
We are offering the browser free of charge to customers who purchase
Handspring VisorPhone as part of the new Wireless Internet Access
Suite. If you are using a different modem to connect to the Internet, you may purchase Blazer through our distribution partners, Handango and PalmGear for $19.95. Please visit
http://www.handspring.com/software/blazer_purchase.jhtml for additional details on how to get the released version of Blazer.

Will Blazer 1.0 still work?
No, to continue using Blazer, you must get the released version.
Blazer 1.0 will no longer work after May 22, 2001.

Why is Handspring charging for Blazer?
We know that some of you will be disappointed to learn that Blazer
will no longer be free. However, as you may know, Handspring incurs
real costs for each Blazer user, including network infrastructure and server hardware to run the proxy servers that adapt web and WAP
content to your handheld screen. While we wanted to continue to offer this service free of charge, in the long run, we know that we can provide you with a better customer experience if we are able to cover our costs of the service.

Still have questions?
Please visit the Blazer section of the Handspring web site at
http://www.handspring.com/software/blazer_overview.jhtml for additional details. To continue to receive updates about Blazer and other Handspring products, please sign up for our newsletter at https://www.handspring.com/newsletter (you just might win a new Visor Edge in the process!)

Thanks,
The Blazer Product Team

It's disappointing that Handspring is charging for Blazer 1.1 while not having a trial version for people to try the program out. See the General Discussion Forum for readers thoughts on the new version of Blazer.