Don't
you love how the Springboard module allows Visor users unlimited expandability?
The only problem is that as more and more Springboard modules are introduced,
there are going to be times where you want to use more than one module
at a time. Enter the combo modules. InnoGear
uses a form of "all-in-one" functionality in each of its new line of InnoPak
Sprinboard modules. The first InnoGear
product: the InnoPak/2V (IP/2V), gives you 2MB of flash memory and a silent
vibrating alarm in one Springboard module.
Physical Specifications
The
IP/2V is a standard sized Springboard module that will fit inside all carrying
cases. (See below for how well the vibrating alarm works in specific
carrying cases.) You will know when the IP/2V is inside your Visor
because it weighs 0.6 oz, but the weight doesn't make the Visor too heavy.
I like the label on the IP/2V, as it is classy and doesn't have too many
colors.
The IP/2V comes in two colors --
Graphite and a special Ice model that has a blue circuitboard, giving the
Ice IP/2V a bluish color. This is a great idea, considering that
Blue is the most popular color for the Visor Deluxe model.
Usability
When you insert the IP/2V, three
new applications are accessable. Use File Mover
to move/copy data from your Visor's RAM to the IP/2V's 2MB of Flash ROM.
This is a great way to keep a backup of crucial information or some large
files that you don't access very often. See the review of the 8MB
Flash Module for details on File Mover,
as the FM in the IP/2V is the same one that's
in the 8MB
Flash Module.
As
for the vibrating alarm, enabling it is easy. Run the IP
Conf application, tap Vibrating, then
OK. All alarms will sound for 2-11 seconds
(depending on your audible alarm) before you can acknowledge them.
In the Palm OS, the alarm sounds before you can tap the Ok button,
and some of the default alarms take longer than others, so the vibrating
alarm time length will vary. Below is a table of the approximate
length of time that the alarm will vibrate for each of the audible alarms
on the Visor. Adjust as necessary to suit your preference.
|
Alarm name
|
Vibrating time (sec.)
|
| Alarm |
6 |
| Alert |
6 |
| Bird |
3.5 |
| Concerto |
8.5 |
| Phone |
11 |
| Sci-fi |
2 |
| Wake up |
8.5 |
There
is also an IP Test application
you can use to make sure that the vibrating alarm is working -- or to pretend
that your Visor is a razor and amaze your friends. Maybe one day
McRazor
will work with the IP/2V. 
So how well does the IP/2V work when
inside the various cases for the Visor? The IP/2V vibrates well enough
that it should work in almost any case, but just to be sure, I tested it
inside some of the cases that I have. The Rhodiana
Visor case, RhinoSkin
RhinoSuit, any Handspring case, the E&B
Slipper Visor, and the Ti
Slider all work great with the IP/2V. The only cases that I saw
that didn't work too well with the IP/2V were the Otter Box cases, although
I could still hear the IP/2V vibrating inside those cases.
One thing I should mention is that
although the IP/2V has a vibrating alarm, the alarm is not completely silent,
and is louder than a vibrating pager. If you keep your Visor in a
case the noise is muffled, so that it is slightly louder than the average
vibrating pager and shouldn't disturb others in a meeting. It would
have been nice if this hardware worked in other applications, as I can
never get too much solitaire or Tetris in a meeting!
As I said earlier, the IP/2V is the
first in a line of Springboard modules that, according to InnoGear, will
include "enhanced beaming, Internet connectivity, voice recording, and
more." The idea of a combo module is a great one, as many power
users wish they could use more than one Springboard module at a time.
The IP/2V is priced competitively price for a hardware device, and hopefully
we will see more and more Springboard modules that come in at less than
$50.
Conclusion >>
