I know the m100 thread has been dead for a while -- thank goodness! But today, I
finally picked up an m100 at Fry's and started to
pass it around for feedback. The response was surprising from the dozen or so folks
that I showed it too. Here are my results
listed in no significant order. It definitely shows that a new public and ground is
bring broken that if we developers cater to
their demands, there are some very hefty rewards here.
* The affinity for the size and shape of the unit was very high. The more someone
didn't code or regularly use a computer, the more
they liked it.
* They spent and incredible amount of time holding and exploring the device than
previous times I gave them a Palm III or Palm V
series unit.
* When asked how much they though it cost, the response was around $250 to $350. They
were totally floored when I told them it
retails for $145.
* All of the ones that didn't own a Palm device already (the high school and college
crowd mostly) originated they can finally
afford a Palm device now.
* 75% like the idea of the HotSync cable since it took up less space on the desktop.
A few with laptops commented they it will take
up less space on their laptop case.
* Those who used Palms before commented that the buttons were better placed and easier
to used. They were also perceived to be
larger.
* No one noticed that the Memo Pad button was switched to the Note Pad button.
* Most (80%) thought that the functionality of the Note Pad was always there in
previous Palm devices.
* Of those that were regular Palm users, ALL of them didn't notice the screen was
smaller nor the unit was lighter 'til I mentioned
it to them. This was the most surprising of all.
* The flip cover was also a hit since it fell off less than the Palm III.
* No one could tell that you could have different color shells. When I showed them
how to take off the shell, they all originated
different colors and patterns.
Overall, I'm very surprised and impressed how well this device hits non technical
folks. Yes most of it is fashion and not tech but
then, look at the bottom lines of Levi, Gucci and other fashion houses. I now see
where a lot of this handheld business is going.
I think we are in a very rare space where style and substance are equally weighted.
This isn't your developer's Palm! Comments are welcome.
Steve
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