My concern with the NR70

[Exppcguy]

As much as I love the NR70V, I am concerned that because it is only Palm OS 4.1, that in the future, most new Hi Res+ apps will be for both Hi Res+ and Palm OS 5.0 at the same time. Then we won't see too many apps in Hi Res plus that will run on the NR.

I am debating trading up to the NX, but I will have the wrath of my wife on me for spending $200 more.

Is my concern legitimate?

Exppcguy

[NR...NR]

Now, I am by no means in the tech business, but I would think your safe from that scenario for AT LEAST another year...

[exppcguy]

I guess what I am really worried about with the NR70, is that we'll see all these really cool apps on Palmgear and Handango, and they'll be available in OS4 low res, or OS5 hi res+, but not OS4 hi res+, because the market for that version will be relatively small.

[GeekGod]

I wouldn't worry about that 'til it happens, and I don't see that happening for quite a while.

[Griff]

As the old saying goes, I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

There is no indication that developers are dropping support for OS 4.1. You have to realize OS5 is in very few hands right now compared to all of the OS4, and even OS3 devices still being used.

[pigburger]

You come to the wrong place to get an acurate sampling of the PDAs that people are using. Cliesource is mostly populated by PDA entusiasts who got to have the lastest and greatest. It only seems like everyone has an OS 5 PDA, but if you look at the sales figures, you will see that the NX and TT are only now showing up on the radar screen. Heck, every palm OS manufacturer still makes a 4.1 device. I'm with Griff on this one, Don't worry about it until it happens.

[RichInKC]

I have to agree with the teeming masses. I haven't had any problem finding apps for my NR70V. As much as I love the Clie, it doesn't dominate the market (yet) so Hi-Res applications and OS5 applications seem to be the exception rather than the norm.

[Tedlick]

From a software development standpoint, you're correct to be concerned over the ongoing availability of hires+ apps for the NR series.

Future development efforts are likely to focus on Sony hi-res (320x320) and OS5 hi-res (multi-resolution/aspect ratio). The NR series is the odd-man-out, being the only hires+ 320x480 screen that won't run OS5 apps.

That said, I think the NR unit is a safe bet for the next 1-2 years at least. Most companies that are actively developing software have already addressed the hires+ screen of the NR series-- it's highly doubtful that they would turn away from supporting the NR series since they've already gone through the effort. OS4 devices aren't going away anytime soon, so companies are going to continue to come out with versions of their software that work with it.

When I bought a Visor Prism way back when (2 years and some months ago), I did so against the advice of folks from the PDA forums who decried Handspring's lack of flashROM to upgrade the OS (the prism ran OS 3.5). The fact of the matter is that after my first 2 months of ownership, I settled on the programs I wanted to use regularly, and hadn't looked further until I was ready to buy a new unit. The lack of an upgradeable OS was a moot point.

Yes, it's unlikely that this fall you're going to see any NEW software come out that's hires+ AND works with the NR series. But to be honest, I don't think you'll notice too much-- the NR series isn't going to become any LESS functional as time goes on.

[RJH MUSIC]

OK, I am a bit confused. It is my understanding that the my NR70 does support HI + Res applications. There are certainly enough applications out there written for OS 4 that include OS 5 Support. I think the key word here is "Support" I have downloaded dozens of applications and filled a 64 MB MS with these. The write-up will usually say "Supports OS3.5 or better" or "OS 4.x + HI Res and supports OS 5". I guess the only thing I would like is to be able to collapse the graffiti area with all applications to get full use of the 320 x 480 screen. Am I correct in assuming that unless the application was written with OS5 support than the screen collapse will not work?? I am also assuming that since some of the NX apps will work on the NR70 (Address, MEMO, ToDO, Datebook) then others might work also??

RJ

[Willber-Force]

Remember the old principle of supply and demand. Most of the Palm market runs OS 4 and under. There are not gonna be many developers who will solely focus on OS without making an effort to support the large OS 4- market.... That's like someone making an app for PPC. Few are gonna buy it because M$ has a stranglehold on the PPC software market and therefore there is no demand.

I just had to throw a little jab at M$ in there... :D