By Mark Hachman,
Handspring Inc. has implemented a compatibility testing program to ensure that modules designed for the Springboard connector don't take a header.
Handspring (stock: HAND) has signed up Product Quality Partners to test and approve plug-in modules for the Springboard connector, the upgrade slot used by the company's Visor PDA.
With more than 6,000 companies signed up to develop products for the Visor, it's not much of a stretch to expect the current crop of 20 modules to grow dramatically.
And while the program seems similar in nature to the Windows Hardware Quality Laboratory (WHQL) testing regulated by Microsoft Corp. (stock: MSFT), the tests aren't mandatory, according to Lee Epting, director of developer relations.
Epting said the program is being adopted by some of the company's older premier developers, as well startups focusing on the Springboard platform.
"Even large companies are requesting these services," she said. "They can't do it all, and they'd love for us to do it."
Modules approved by the testing firm will receive a special mark of distinction, called "Springboard Gold." As a further incentive, Handspring will foot the testing bill for the first module submitted by each company.
If approved, the developer will receive some co-marketing funds for packaging and marketing collateral, Epting said.
About 20 employees at Handspring, Mountain View, Calif., are committed to working with the Springboard slot within Handspring, Epting said.
The new compatibility program is responsible for hardware only, as the Palm Computing Inc. (stock: PALM) Platinum program handles software testing.
The Handspring Visor uses the Palm OS.
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