Hypothetical WP 35S

[Joseph_21sv]

(01-16-2016 11:25 AM)walter b Wrote:  Hi all,

Following some recent threads, we think just copying the WP 34S or 31S on another platform may be not worthwile. Instead, we look for a platform offering some progress. Scanning the market, there are only a few possibly repurposable pocket (!) calculators found in the target area. Looking for such calcs with a reasonable display further reduces the population. After all, a full dot matrix display is an almost inevitable requirement for any calc needing more than mere numeric output. And a big key at a location where we'd expect or at least accept an ENTER is another mandatory requirement. What we know of so far (sorted following their date of appearance on this forum):

1. The HP-17bii Silver.
2. The Reptiles (aka DIYx) which triggered the design of the 43S.
3. SwissMicros' DMxxL relaunching the Voyagers.
   

There may be more products or projects in the target range but nothing we're aware of right now. All platforms mentioned have their pros and cons. The first would be only repurposable if its electronic would be removed completely (except the display), the second lacks availability beyond one or two prototypes and hasn't got a proper mechanical case yet, the third falls short in memory thus inevitably requiring an electronic upgrade. In the years that passed, the UI and SW specs for the 43S have reached quite some detail and stability. Although its opportunities promised remain unsurpassed, it's nothing more than that so far (reminds me of OpenRPN), so it may be wise moving the focus to an alternative.

Right now, it seems SM offers the highest odds for a 35S. If that would materialize, it could feature a single row of four softkeys and a longer alphanumeric display window, being a clear advantage over the 34S. Though both alphanumeric display and softkeys can't be shown simultaneously. Anyway, a 35S will run with two prefix keys (f and g) only. And it will not include more arcane math unless there are very (!) good reasons.

Questions to the forum members:

1. Do you share our view of the situation?
2. Which other target platforms do you know of?
3. Which features did you miss on the WP 34S?
4. What else is important and wasn't mentioned above?
   

Thanks in advance for your responses.

d:-)

1. Completely
2. Perhaps Casio may license the Classwiz design
3. • Better alphanumeric display
   • Softkeys
   • Easy access to external connection port
   • Memory
   • Colored display segments/Graphical display (technically not missed but interesting to have since the WP 34s emulator has an emulated red LED display mode)
     
4. The HP-17bii, silver or otherwise, if used as the machinery for a new true RPN scientific calculator has the problem that there is already a true RPN scientific calculator which uses (almost) this exact calculator as its machinery and it is well known and well respected in communities such as this forum in addition to itself being keystroke programmable. However, any variant of the HP-17bii has the advantage that it can show softkeys and alphanumeric display simultaneously and the full two-line display of that calculator fully advances over that of the WP 34s. Moreover, a DM-35L, if it is to be programmable, just makes no earthly sense to me as a one-line calculator because the programmable HP 35s has a two-line display. But the question there is: Will Swiss Micros ever produce a two-line calculator?
   Also, what exactly is the meaning of "more arcane math"?