TI isn't supporting programming for the calculator this time around anyway, so games are impractical, unless they release a new version of the calculator with "Assembly Programming Support" (ie. TI-92 --> TI-92+)

It wasn't supported for the ti-85 either. ;)

It has been done before -- 82, 83, 85, 92. It will most likely be done again.

Sounds like a fun challenge ;)

Yeah, it'll be fun having something to hack again.

Agreed, they're making it too easy. :)

Some pf you guys should go and try to hack the new 3.00, 3.01, 3.02, and 3.03 PSP updates beause nobody has found a way to run homebrew on those yet and i want to be able to run homebrew >.<

Someone will shell this thing to run ASM eventually, but I don't know exactly what market Ti is going for with the Nspire.

Functional wise, it has the same command structure as the Ti-89, but without any major programming, input fuctions or draw support. This basicially dooms it basic wise. ASM wise, it may support flashapps but It's not looking too good so far. It also does not use Ti-connect for it's connectivity and has it's own different connection suite for its file formats. It's connect software doesn't appear to be backwards compatible with any previous calculator, and there is no reference to anything involving programming. The only thing the link software seems to support is files for it's spreadsheets, saved screenshots and workspaces (basicially the text editor)

From all of the specs and details I've seen, (see link) it's seems to me like Ti is turning this thing into some kind of portable math oriented PowerPoint presenter for teachers instead of a new calculator. The Documentation tends to focus more on the Derive Geometry and text displays functions instead of the overall calculator features. (or lack thereof) I'm hoping that most of the functional issues will be added in a later beta releas, but it's not looking good so far.

better go to this link instead. It didn't copy the URL completely.

Just look in the Ti-Nspire forum. it's the only post in there.

You've got a good point, it probably *will* be better as a tool for teachers than as a graphing calculator.

Why are you sure it won't have the Asm( function in catalog like all of TI's new calcs have (all 68k except TI 92, and TI 86, 83+ series)? That single function has made them incredibly attractive devices for programmers. (I'm planning on getting an 86 solely for the reason that you don't need a #$@^ing shell) Other than palms, which are more expensive, TI calculators are the only devices on which you can experiment with low-level code. I believe assembly is an art, and it is a shame that computing power has gone so far as to outmode Assembly. This new 100 mhz processor will completely decimate ASM. I'm afraid basic on something like this will run as fast as the most optimized assembley games on a previous calc. I'm waiting for someone to make a controller emulator for the mini USB. Anyway, I'm just rambling npw. My point is that TI DEFINITELY won't take out Asm(. I for one refuse to purchase an Nspire if it doesn't have this functionality. I also have more questions: will TASM have a new TAB file for this new processor, and will the calculator include basic? This SOB better be able to graph some wacky $41T.

I wouldn't use TASM for it. Heck, I don't use it even for the TI-86! It's just too limited and buggy for my taste (I use tpasm for the TI-86; see link).

If the Nspire has a 68k processor, we'll just use TIGCC once it's updated to work with the Nspire.

The NSpire has a CPU with the ARM instruction set (possibly a TI OMAP, we don't know for sure, but it's definitely an ARM), not a 68k.

If it's in ARM, then I'm very pleased. I just looked up the ARM instruction set, and it appears to be a combination of C, TI-Basic, and z80 assembly. It includes if-then statements, as well as pushing and popping, and many other instructions found in these languages. I think the best way to get this thing off the ground in programming would be a porting frenzy, just so there is a good base of assembly games for the calc.

Your point is well taken, but I still stick with TASM through and through. All it takes is a batch file. With a little dos knowledge (dos is so easy you don't even need a tutorial), you can have much more control over the compilation properties of the file. You can even use tasm for 68k calcs using the MOTO tab file. TIGCC is much easier to use, but you get much less control. I will give them credit for C compiling, but I just don't think it's practical for assembly

TIGCC compiles C and assembly files (in both A68k and GAS syntax) and links them together automatically. It has a lot of options to control optimization and other stuff too. Also, TASM's macro facility pales in comparison to GAS's macros. Plus, TASM doesn't even support local labels! The closest thing to local labels in TASM are modules, which limit the scope of labels to a limited section of code.

One thing is for sure: once it's out in Wal-Mart, TI's stock is going to go way up. Im going to buy a couple of shares as soon as I can...

Unlikely. Calculators are a very small part of TI's business.

Yeah, that to. It's also a fact that the calculator might not do so well.... If your expecting great released earnings your going to be dissapointed. Take a look at MSFT (Microsoft), when it released the zune, not much happened, and I think the earnings were actually bad(?)

Regarding the Zune, I'm not surprised. It's incompatible with a lot of online music stores, and it has more Digital Restrictions Management than most previous music players. Of course it won't sell well; I wouldn't touch it with a 26.666-cubit pole.

Does that happen to be 39 1/2 ft converted to cubits?

Indeed it is.

I think you'd do better with walmart...expecially if it flops...but then again, I don't know much anything about stocks...

You're much better going with something like ExxonMobile. They do rather well. Or if you're 'feeling lucky' you could get some Google stock, that's showing a relatively good trend, will be around for awhile, and the dividends must be nice.

Or you could buy another calculator on eBay for $15. THAT is a good investment!

I would get some google stock, but its too bad that it cost like, 488 a share...

I'd rather get some calculators and computer stuff

and sell them for $50 upgraded OS and games...

I got my TI-89 on eBay for $54 including s+h, and thats still a good deal. It was only used for one calc clas for one day, and even came with batteries!