Understanding the Handspring

The History of the Handspring

Handspring was a company founded by Jeff Hawkins, Donna Dubinsky, and Ed Colligan in 1998. The company's mission was to develop innovative handheld computing devices that were smaller, more affordable, and user-friendly. One of their most successful products was the Handspring Visor, which was introduced in 1999.

Key Features of the Handspring Visor

The Handspring Visor was a groundbreaking device that offered several unique features.

Expansion Slots: One of the most significant differences between the Handspring Visor and its competitors at the time was its expansion slots. The Visor came with a Springboard Expansion slot, which allowed users to add various modules to enhance the functionality of the device. These modules included memory cards, wireless connectivity options, and even GPS receivers.

Compatibility: The Handspring Visor was designed to be compatible with Palm OS, which was the dominant operating system for handheld devices at the time. This compatibility allowed users to take advantage of the vast library of Palm applications and ensured ease of use for existing Palm users who were considering a switch to Handspring.

Design: The Handspring Visor was praised for its sleek and ergonomic design. It featured a monochrome display, a physical QWERTY keyboard, and a stylus for input. The device also came in various colors, allowing users to express their individuality.

The Success and Legacy of Handspring

Handspring enjoyed considerable success with the Handspring Visor and other handheld computing devices. The company quickly gained a loyal customer base and even surpassed Palm in sales for a brief period. However, as the handheld computing market evolved, Handspring faced increasing competition from companies like Sony and Hewlett-Packard.

In 2003, Handspring merged with Palm, forming palmOne, Inc. The merger allowed the combined company to leverage the strengths of both brands. PalmOne continued to release devices under both the Palm and Handspring names for some time before eventually phasing out the Handspring brand.

Although the Handspring brand may no longer exist, its contributions to the handheld computing industry cannot be understated. The company's innovative approach to expandability and its commitment to user-friendly design laid the foundation for the modern smartphone era. The Handspring Visor remains an important milestone in the history of handheld computing devices.

In conclusion, the Handspring Visor was a revolutionary handheld computing device that introduced several groundbreaking features to the market. Its expansion slots, compatibility with Palm OS, and sleek design set it apart from its competitors. While the Handspring brand is no longer in existence, the company's impact on the industry is undeniable. The Handspring Visor will always be remembered as a significant milestone in the evolution of handheld computing devices.