MemPlug SmartMedia and CompactFlash Springboard modules

MemPlug SmartMedia and CompactFlash Springboard modules

Do you ever wish you could add a lot more memory to your Handspring Visor easily and cheaply? You can with the MemPlug SmartMedia and CompactFlash Springboards.

The MemPlugs add the much-needed ability to read and write data to SmartMedia or CompactFlash cards in any Handspring Visor handheld device. There are two models of the MemPlug, one for reading SmartMedia flash memory and the other for reading CompactFlash memory, but they essentially work the same. You must purchase the removable memory card separately. I went with a 64MB SmartMedia card and put it to the test.

The relatively large storage capacity of SmartMedia and CompactFlash allows you to bring along numerous files, such as eBooks, legal research, word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, digital photos, movie clips and more. You are only limited by the storage capacity of the separate cards. At press time, the MemPlug supported SmartMedia up to 128MB and CompactFlash up to 256MB.

The MemPlug comes with several utilities for moving or using data between the Visor and the removable memory: PiPrefs, PiBackup, PiMover, PiViewer and gMovie Player. These plug and play programs are built into the MemPlug, so they are available automatically when you insert the MemPlug into the Visor. A gMovie Maker CD is included for installation on your PC.

PiPrefs enables quick or full formatting of the memory card and controls other preferences. The PiBackup program allows you to easily backup and restore your Visor directly from the MemPlug, which is perfect for when you are mobile without your laptop. Note however, the first backup takes a chunk of time and battery life to copy all of the Visor’s files. However, all subsequent backups run much more quickly, as they only need to add or replace the modified files in the existing backup set. When choosing between the two MemPlugs, consider that CompactFlash has faster write speeds over SmartMedia but might use more battery power. The restore worked adequately, but can easily take more than 10 minutes with a full Visor.

The included PiMover program lets you easily copy, move or delete files between the storage card and the Visor. Both memory card types use the familiar FAT (PC-based) file structure, so you can organize files in various folders. In many cases, you must use PiMover to copy the stored file(s) into the Visor’s active memory before you can use them. The exceptions are mainly MemPlug’s included programs, which can read data directly from the memory card.

Case in point: With PiViewer you can view graphics (e.g., JPEG) on your Visor right from the same media used in the camera. Depending on the photo’s file size and the Visor’s processor, be prepared to wait — it typically took 20 to 60 seconds to render a single photo on my Visor Deluxe. Not too bad, but don’t expect to quickly flip through your pictures.

Perhaps one of the most fun, and impressive, features is using the bundled gMovie Player and Maker software. Combined with Apple’s QuickTime player on your PC, you easily can convert short movie clips for playback on your Visor. Finding a legitimate business reason for this feature may be daunting, but all work and no play makes for a dull PDA.

The MemPlug Springboards themselves are flash upgradeable, and Portable Innovation already has updates on its Web site. I flashed the MemPlug and discovered it added two new programs: PiDirect and CSpotRun.

PiDirect is a trial version of their $19.95 program. If you have a Visor running Palm OS 3.5 or higher, PiDirect ingeniously enables you to run Palm programs directly from the MemPlug. Visors running Palm OS 3.1 (Visor and Visor Deluxe) can’t utilize PiDirect due to limitations of that operating system.

CSpotRun is a Palm “Doc” document reader that is supposed to read documents directly from the removable memory card. I had nothing but problems with it, as it only displayed a blank screen for any opened Palm “Doc.” Therefore I highly recommend using the latest version of other leading Doc readers, some of which can read files directly from the memory card.

I found the MemPlug to be the perfect complement to the Margi Presenter-to-Go Springboard (reviewed on Page 45). Since one graphics-heavy presentation easily can take up 4MB or more in my Visor, the MemPlug allows me to carry many presentations and swap them back and forth as needed. No laptop required.

Despite some read and write speed issues and impact on battery life, I liked this combination of large storage, backup and restore, graphic viewer and movie player features. For less than $100 (including the cost of the memory card), this makes the MemPlug a very compelling and indispensable extension of my Visor. As a result, I lug my laptop around much less.

Portable Innovation
Technology Ltd.
www.memplug.com

Price: $49.95 (Springboard only, memory card purchased separately) for use with the Handspring Visor family of handheld
computers
(SmartMedia version reviewed)

Reviewed by Jeffrey J. Beard, Legal Technologist with Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee.

Dec/Jan '02 Issue

PROS
Affordable; easy-to-use backup and restore, and copy and move programs; portable Visor backup that is always with you; virtually unlimited storage solution via multiple memory cards.

CONS
Heavy use impacts battery life significantly. Relatively slow data access speeds on SmartMedia version as tested.

VERDICT
One of the most affordable and versatile large memory storage solutions for the Visor line. Perfect for bringing along a lot more without the laptop.