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Handspring Press Release Archive
HANDSPRING INTRODUCES SPRINGBOARD™ PLATFORM
TO FUEL GROWTH OF HANDHELD COMPUTER INDUSTRY
Breakthrough Technology Brings Ultimate Simplicity to Software and Hardware Expansion
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. (Sept. 14, 1999) — Handspring™, Inc. today introduced its Springboard™ platform to help drive growth of the burgeoning handheld industry. Built from the ground up to simplify hardware and software expansion, the Springboard platform provides a simple and elegant method for adding plug-and-play capabilities such as wireless Internet access, two-way communications, and audio playback to handhelds. A primary component of the Springboard platform, the Springboard expansion slot, shipped today on Handspring's new Visor expandable handhelds, announced today in a separate release. With the Springboard slot, people can simply plug in Springboard expansion modules that will range from digital cameras and global positioning systems to pagers and wireless modems.
"For the industry to continue to flourish, the process of adding capabilities like wireless communications and Internet access to handhelds had to become simple, fast, and affordable," said Handspring co-founder, chairman, and chief product officer Jeff Hawkins. "To enable this, we designed our Springboard technology from a user's perspective rather than an engineer's perspective. This helped us to create a platform that brings simplicity and a range of options to the otherwise cumbersome and limited task of customization."
Based on the best-selling 3Com® Palm Computing® platform created by Handspring's founders, Springboard technology is a flexible and highly robust platform that will provide reliable handheld expansion options for many years to come. Unlike other expansion methods, Springboard technology is intended specifically to augment the capabilities of handheld computers and eliminates the hassles, tools, switches, disks, drivers, and time consumption generally associated with hardware expansion. Handspring intends to license other manufacturers to build Springboard-compatible handheld products.
Comprehensive Development Kit
Handspring today released a comprehensive development kit for the creation of Springboard modules — hardware components that slide easily in and out of the Springboard slot. The kit is free at www.handspring.com. Handspring imposes no license or royalty fees for the kit, which contains all necessary documentation for developing Springboard modules. Contents include electrical specifications for the Springboard slot; a software application programming interface (API) for modules; mechanical and electrical design guidelines for the slot; mechanical drawings for the Visor products; an approved vendors list for sourcing components; Visor cradle connector API and specifications; and associated marketing and compatibility guidelines.
Handspring and many developers are creating and selling Springboard modules. Examples of Springboard modules available or under development include phones, pagers, global positioning systems, remote Internet access products, MP3 audio players, voice recorders, digital cameras, smart card readers, bar code scanners, field data collection probes, and content modules containing applications, reference materials, and games. All Springboard-enabled handhelds contain a suitably located microphone that connects internally to the Springboard slot. Today Handspring sells an EA Sports™ Tiger Woods PGA Tour® Golf module, a Quick Backup module that serves as removable storage for the entire contents of a Visor, and an 8MB Flash module intended primarily for developers and power-users. Handspring will deliver a modem module later this year.
Other companies creating or providing content for Springboard modules and accessories include Concept Kitchen, DataStick, EA Sports, Franklin Covey, Glenayre's Wireless Access Group, Imagiworks, Innogear, JP Systems, Karrier Communications, Landware, MarcoSoft, Navicom, Pacific Neo-Tek, Peanut Press, the RioPort subsidiary of Diamond Multimedia, Revolv Design, Shinei, Sycom, Think Outside, and Widcomm.
Inclusive Developer Support
Handspring also offers free technical and marketing support for developers. Services include email tech support, information on co-marketing, and industry tradeshow opportunities, guidelines for working with Handspring to launch and market products, and access to the Handspring Knowledgebase including technical notes, FAQs, and related data. Handspring offers additional low-cost programs for developers requiring a higher level of support and technical assistance. Information on all programs is available at handspring.com.
A technical white paper and other details regarding Springboard technology are available at handspring.com. The many developer benefits of the Springboard platform include the open-faced communication-ready Springboard slot, built-in set-up, install and de-install applications on every module, flexible power management, low-cost components for hardware implementation and a built-in microphone in every Spring-board compatible product to support voice recording, voice recognition and communication modules.
Open-Faced Slot
The Springboard slot is open-faced, so Springboard modules are not constrained to a particular size or shape. With this breakthrough design feature the slot can accommodate the widest range of peripherals now and in the future. For instance, modules can extend out the back or over the top of the Visor, and can contain their own function buttons, unlike any other expansion technology.
Built-in Setup, Install and De-Install System Software
All software needed for a Springboard module to operate is included in the module itself, so modules never come with extra floppy disks or CD-ROMs. Springboard modules are always self-installing and self-de-installing. The process is automatic, fast and invisible to the user. To install a Springboard module, the user simply inserts the module into the Springboard slot. When the module is removed, the handheld automatically de-installs the module's software, leaving the handheld in a clean state. The Visor need not be turned on or off, or applications closed.
Flexible Power Management
Springboard modules can draw power from the Visor itself — even if the Visor is turned off — or if needed can contain their own batteries. The Springboard slot even provides a standard way of charging batteries on Springboard modules that have rechargeable batteries. This flexibility makes modules worry-free for the user and simplifies the hardware implementation process for the developer.
Low Cost Components
Springboard modules will range from very low-cost game cartridges to more expensive cellular radios. To maintain the lowest possible cost for developers and the customers, Handspring developed Springboard modules based on inexpensive components that are readily available from multiple vendors.
About Handspring, Inc.
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. Handspring sells its Visor line of handhelds at handspring.com, along with a full line of Springboard expansion modules and accessories. For more information, visit http://www.handspring.com.
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