First, we have made it extremely easy for software developers to publish content on application-only Springboard modules through our close relationship with Smart Modular. A developer who wants to publish their content simply needs to deliver the content to Smart, and Smart will produce the products for them. In this case, we've essentially offloaded the cost of tooling and manufacturing and kept the cost to the developer very low.

Another thing we're doing is making four different versions of our modem casing plastics available to developers so they can easily fit their hardware into the Springboard slot without bearing extra tooling costs. We also provide them with an approved vendors list for sourcing commonly-used components like the Springboard connector and standard casings. For example, the Springboard connector is a standard PCMCIA connector, albeit keyed differently for the Springboard platform -- that's already produced in mass quantities and is easily affordable even to small developers. In addition to all of this, we impose no licensing fees and do not charge royalties for the development of Springboard modules.

"We impose no licensing fees and do not charge royalties for the development of Springboard modules."

PalmPower: Can Handspring make any changes to the Palm OS at all? If so, will you? What do you expect to do?

GS: We feel we've already made some big improvements to the Palm OS -- we've added support for the Springboard slot, enhanced several software applications, revved up the OS speed, and adapted it for USB. The Palm OS is a very powerful and flexible platform, and going forward, Handspring will continue to help evolve the platform and to push the OS limits.

PalmPower: What are your biggest challenges going forward? Do you expect to be doing retail distribution any time soon?

GS: We feel that the future of personal computing is handheld computing. Handspring is very interested in broadening the adoption of handheld devices in the consumer market. We hope to achieve this by reaching aggressive price points, developing new form factors, and proliferating the Springboard platform--particularly in the development of consumer-oriented modules such as audio players, pagers, digital cameras, etc.

With regard to retail distribution, shipments through the end of 1999 will be direct to customers via our e-commerce site at http://www.handspring.com. After the first of the year, we intend to select a few distribution partners to give us a physical presence in retail stores.

PalmPower: We always like to end interviews with an interesting anecdote. What's the most interesting you've seen for Springboard modules?

GS: Someone has contacted us about making a fish finder module.