posted on January 5, 2000 03:11:56 PM new
Phillips Nino PDA's Screws the Consumer
Subject: Philips Support about Phillips Nino & Other PDA's
Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000
From: PMCG Technical Support
Dear Consumer,
Philips Electronics has made the decision to revise its Mobile Computing Strategy. Philips will discontinue selling and supporting the Nino Palm- size PC at this time, and does not plan to bring new products in the stand alone Palm Size PC category in the future. Philips Electronics decision to investigate a new direction for their mobile computing products relieves us from any obligation to provide technical support and product assistance to our present and future Velo and Nino customers.
Thank you for contacting us about your Philips Nino. Your feedback is important to us!
Philips Mobile Computing Technical Support
http://www.nino.philips.com
posted on January 5, 2000 11:58:02 PM new
Alchemycht:
I checked it out as best I could. There was a news.com article about philips discontinuing the line last month. Apparently a part of the issue has to do with the Window CE operating system.
The letter, which I can only assume is legit, is a hoot and a model of how to irritate your customer.
I'm a bit suprised that philips is taking that attitude and, I'm sure the attorneys generals of the various states may be called upon to get warranty work done -- particularly the 2-year extended warranty on the Velo's folding case. (They extended the warranty for the case hinges because of a perceived weakness.)
I feel for you if you were personally burned by this one. Again, assuming this letter is legit, buyers should consider it a warning -- particularly on the auctions as I suspect, like any "discontinued" product, that these items will begin to appear here and there at quite attractive prices.
Of course, with no manufacturer support, there is an extra incentive to "bid low."
I should mention, if you're one of those brave souls who rarely has problems that can't be addressed with the manual or a visit to an online site (they've got a knowledge base, etc. on the nino/velo site) you might risk it.
Be aware though, that the leader in this market space has been the Palm and the velo/nino struggled, according to reports, to gain a less than 5 percent share. I wonder if a used one of these might ultimately be a better buy anyway.
Finally, I pretty much get the idea that while the number of customers is small, those who bought and used the Nino (and Velo) are probably not going to be "regular Philips customers" from now on.
