I've always envied the users of the Palm V series, because they had a handheld that was smaller and lighter than my Visor, albeit without the expansion capabilities offered by the Springboard modules. Now, however, Handspring has released their newest product, the Visor Edge, pictured in Figure A.

FIGURE A

The Visor Edge will make style junkies drool. Click picture for a larger image.

This is a unit that will make style junkies drool. It looks very, very cool, from the hinged metal lid to the curvaceous stylus docked on the side. Simply put, the Visor Edge is what we all expected a PDA to look like in the 21st century.

The Visor Edge is extremely thin, measuring 4.7" x 3.1" x 0.44". Its side view is pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B

The Visor Edge is appropriately named. Click picture for a larger image.

Aesthetics aside, though, the real question is, how is it to use?

The Edge has all the features that we've come to expect from the Visor, but it also has a few extras. In order to slim the unit down, Handspring made two changes that, while I understand the need for them, I don't necessarily agree with them.

Rechargeable
First, Handspring did away with the need to change batteries or to carry around any extra AAA batteries with you while you travel. The Visor Edge now has a built in Lithium ion battery that's supposed to last for several weeks. As I've only had the unit a week, I haven't been able to fully test this area. I will say that after a week of using and not recharging the Visor Edge, the battery icon is indicating the battery is still far from empty.

However, I'm not a fan of rechargeable batteries in my PDA. I travel a lot and always try to pack as light as possible. I bring my back-up modules and leave the cradle at home. With the Visor Edge, this isn't possible, because the cradle also serves as the charger for the built-in battery. The Visor Edge is pictured in its cradle in Figure C.

FIGURE C

The Visor Edge charges in its freshly redesigned cradle. Click picture for a larger image.

If I get stuck without a way of charging my batteries, I can say goodbye to my data. This is not a good thing, in my opinion.

The Edge connector
The other item that Handspring eliminated in the quest for thinness was the built-in Springboard port. They have replaced it with a new "Edge connector" that allows you to use Springboards through the use of a detachable Springboard slot that slides onto the back of the Edge, as shown in Figure D.