Handspring Press Release Archive
HANDSPRING TO SELL VISOR™ IN U.S. RETAIL STORES
Mountain View, Calif. (March 27, 2000) --
Handspring, Inc. will begin selling its popular line of Visor™ handheld computers and Springboard™ expansion modules in retail stores nationwide next week. The company has already shipped products to three select retail outlets: Best Buy, CompUSA and Staples. Handspring entered into distribution agreements with each of these vendors, which were chosen because of their extensive nationwide presence and strength in the respective categories of consumer electronics, computing products and office supplies.
Handspring's expanded sales strategy gives customers a range of choices for purchasing Visor and Springboard modules. People who prefer touching and trying the product before purchasing and want the instant gratification of taking the product home immediately can visit any of Handspring's retail partners. All are equipped with comprehensive point-of-purchase displays so people can see the plug-and-play functionality of the Springboard expansion modules by having the products in hand. People wanting to choose from the widest possible selection of Visor products and Springboard modules in addition to the convenience of anytime, anywhere shopping and home delivery can continue to shop at Handspring.com.
While Handspring will continue to sell products at Handspring.com and grow its range of Springboard offerings sold there, the retail rollout is the next phase of the company's plan to bring the benefits of expandability to more handheld computing customers. It is also an important step in establishing a strong position in the handheld computing market in the U.S. The company expects to introduce a similar dual Web and retail strategy overseas and recently announced plans to sell Visor in Europe later this spring. Handspring expects Japanese versions of Visor to be available in Japan shortly thereafter.
"Fast- growing industries require new and innovative approaches to distribution to provide the best experience for customers, especially in the consumer market where we see the most potential to make an impact," said Greg Woock, vice president of North American sales for Handspring. "Our customers will ultimately benefit by having the flexibility to purchase either through the web or at a retail store. Best Buy, CompUSA and Staples have the expertise, talent and reputation we need to help customers make the best buying decisions, and to help make Visor even more of a mainstream product."
All three U.S. retail partners will carry the standard and deluxe editions of Visor as well as Handspring's Springboard modules. Each will also carry select third-party Springboard modules as they become available. Suggested retail prices for Visor and Visor deluxe edition are U.S. $179 and $249 respectively. Pricing for all modules is expected to be in line with current pricing available through the Handspring Web store, where the company will continue to sell all Visor products and Springboard modules directly to customers. Visor Solo edition will continue to be sold exclusively by Handspring.
About Handspring
Handspring is a leading innovator in the handheld computing industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets a family of expandable handheld computers for a broad range of markets and customers. Founded in 1998 by the creators of the world-leading 3Com Palm Computing platform, Handspring's flagship technology is the Springboard platform that provides a simple and easy method for hardware and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Visor line of handhelds at handspring.com, along with a line of Springboard expansion modules and accessories.
Handspring, the Handspring logo, Visor and Springboard are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.
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