Comments on: PalmSource Day 1: Sony Prototype Pics

At PalmSource, the president of Sony's handheld division just gave a sneak peak of a prototype handheld his company is working on. He only showed it for a few seconds, but that was enough to see that it is a clamshell device with a built-in keyboard on one side and a screen on the other.

Aside from showing it off, Mr. Yoshida gave no details on the device, including price, availability, or whether it will run Palm OS 5 or 4.

Update: Sony has officially announced two versions of this handheld. Read more about them here.

Read the Full Article Text Here

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It flips!

mtg101 @ 2/5/2002 8:27:49 PM #

The screen on the new Sony shown can rotate 180 degrees, and then be closed. Thus the device is closed but the screen is visible on the exterior of the device. Looked really cool. However, the device was never turned on, and no more details were given. People I've spoken to think it's just a form-factor prototype, not a device that's about to ship.

Cheers
Russell

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk
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Diga ao Falante pelos Mortos
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link

blind505user @ 2/5/2002 8:29:35 PM #

Ed, there is a space in the hyperlink that allows you to see the larger image.

users, if you click on the image to see it, remove the space from the url on your browser and try it again, you should be able to see it.

the space is before the image name.

RE: link

Ed @ 2/5/2002 8:31:33 PM #

Fixed. Sorry about the rush. I'm uploading this between sessions. I'm already late for the next one.

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News Editor

SWEET...the flip makes sense

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:32:55 PM #

Super thin folding clamshell means more screen with and more keyboard without sacrificing portability. The Japanese are still the best at personal electronics!

looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:36:52 PM #

just a comment, the new sony looks a lot like the new yopy, a linux based pda with strong arm etc.

http://www.gmate.com/english/overview.htm

is this the future?

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:40:26 PM #

It seems to make sense. WHY waste the Screen "Cover" space with just useless leather? Why not make it a folding screen. BRILLIANT!!!

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:42:23 PM #

Except that the keyboard part is thicker on the Yopy, while the screen part is thicker on the Sony.

RE: looks like a yopy

BBC @ 2/5/2002 8:55:55 PM #

THe keyboard also appears to be oriented horizontally, posibly a qwerty layout. THe Yopy is a nonstandard layout and takes much more of the keyboard side than this pic

RE: looks like a yopy

davespda @ 2/5/2002 8:56:42 PM #

It is funny you refer to this as brilliant, since many have said the Yopy's design is stupid!

Dave
www.davespda.com

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 9:59:57 PM #

"...many have said the Yopy's design is stupid!"

says who? you?

you should learn some manners, more if you are promoting your site.

RE: looks like a yopy

davespda @ 2/6/2002 12:02:41 AM #

I have seen many posts on other message boards (like PDABuzz) of people who didn't like the look of the revised Yopu. I didn't say it was my opinion. For me it all depends what kind of keyboard is under there. If it is decent then all the better.

Dave

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 3:19:15 AM #

http://www.davespda.com/rumors.htm#sony

I like how you crop out the "palminfocenter" and give no credit

RE: looks like a yopy

markpmc @ 2/6/2002 8:11:26 AM #

The Yopy has a thinner screen and NO backlight. I'm glad to see the Sony has a thicker screen...

Mark

RE: looks like a yopy

davespda @ 2/6/2002 1:28:08 PM #

The small image doesn't say PalmInfoCenter on it, so there was nothing to crop out. I am sorry if you have a problem with me posting, I was simply trying to make a point that some people had said they didn't like the Yopy because of its desgin, and that design is very similar to the future Sony.

Dave

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/7/2002 1:44:27 AM #

Yeah well post all you want.. your site sucks anyway.

RE: looks like a yopy

swinginjonny @ 2/7/2002 3:50:28 PM #

I remember back in 3rd grade when the combacks were things like "Yeah well post all you want.. your site sucks anyway." It's nice to know we're all grown up now, isn't it?
;)

RE: looks like a yopy

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/9/2002 2:58:42 AM #

I've been looking at a few of these pictures but I really don't understand the ergonomics of this prototype.

It looks like it is designed so that it can be held in one hand. But hitting the small keys with the free hand doesn't seem very efficient. I suppose it could be held in both hands so that you can type with both thumbs, like the RIM, but the screen makes it look top heavy, so thumb-typing may not be feasible. If this thing is supposed to be put on a flat surface, then thumb-typing is out, so we are back to two fingered hunting & pecking, because the keyboard looks far too small for touch typing.

Can any of the eye-witnesses comment?

Looks like the new Q-pad keyboard/case from tdevice...

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:42:56 PM #

http://www.tdevice.com/

I'm not sure how usable either the Q-pad or this Sony prototype is...do you hold the keyboard with both hands and type with your thumbs like on a RIM device? If so, is the screen hinge rigid enough to keep it in place? Won't it feel awkward and unbalanced?

RE: Looks like the new Q-pad keyboard/case from tdevice...

Scott @ 2/5/2002 10:28:18 PM #

I agree. These things _look_ cool, but how usable will they be? It seems to me that the thumbboard will be too narrow and it will be top-heavy as a result of the display.

Scott

RE: Looks like the new Q-pad keyboard/case from tdevice...

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 10:42:19 PM #

"I agree. These things _look_ cool, but how usable will they be? It seems to me that the thumbboard will be too narrow and it will be top-heavy as a result of the display."

..don''t underestimate the japanese, their market
(electronic gadgets) is much much more demanding and competitive than this one, so expect a really cool pda..
In Tokyo's electronic district (Akibahara) I've seen AMAZING gadgets (cell phones, laptops, MDplayers, pdas..) from Sharp, Sanyo, Toshiba, Sony, Panasonic, etc) that they don't even bother to release in the States becouse "they're too advanced" i was told!

RE: Looks like the new Q-pad keyboard/case from tdevice...

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:29:00 AM #

they don't sell to europe either. so that is not a thing of idiocy I guess.

cyrus

It HAD to happen!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:51:36 PM #

It was just a matter of time. PC's used to be so bulky they would take up a whole room. Then the went to desktop pc'c & on to laptops. The PDA was just a futher evolution of that form factor.
Now the new sony is a mini laptop! WOW! I'm sure it will be packed with all the goodies we need & that sony proved to deliver. Can't wait to see the final product!

RE: It HAD to happen!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 9:40:15 PM #

uhhh....how many Toshiba Libretto's do you see around today? PDA's are complimentary to PC's/Notebooks, they will never substitute them. What's the biggest button that comes in your PDA package? The button that "Syncs" you to your PC!

- MD

RE: It HAD to happen!

digilaw @ 2/5/2002 11:17:45 PM #

Never say never

RE: It HAD to happen!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:30:53 AM #

<<<<>>>>>

You need to check your history. PC = Personal computers. The ones you are refering to in this sentence are Mainframes computers used by large comporations.

<<<<<>>>>>

The Personal Digital ASSISTANCE evolved from Data Organizers where people just stored Addresses and telephone numbers. Like Sharp Wizard series

<<<<<>>>>

I think the way we look at PC will change with time. Will our PDA's replaces it? That remains to be seen! For once, the screen will kill you (on the pda that is)

cool

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 8:55:25 PM #

looks like a device I am waiting for :)

since the screen is so slim and long ...... seems the supported resolution of palm OS 5 won't be only 160X160 or 320X320, or maybe Sony will just hack the **** out of Palm OS

RE: cool

mtg101 @ 2/5/2002 9:35:15 PM #

OS5 has 'high density' screen support. They're talking alot about 320x320, and even 640x640 - they haven't made clear how other ratios will work, I think they're covering it tomorrow.

Sony have agreed to use the high density screen manager.

Cheers
Russell

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk
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Diga ao Falante pelos Mortos
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The Killer PDA

SaxonMan @ 2/5/2002 9:07:16 PM #

respect SONY. nice ideas
very nice form factor and i could imagine that there's a bulit-in camera.
yup i agree that screen doesnt look like 320*320 at all.
way to go sony and make us happy.

regards,
SaxonMan

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may the holy palmostles be with you

RE: The Killer PDA

SaxonMan @ 2/5/2002 9:16:44 PM #

i think it's gonna be more like 320*640.

regards,
SaxonMan

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may the holy palmostles be with you

screenshots?

ijablokov @ 2/5/2002 9:24:08 PM #

any pics of the os 5 user interface available?

RE: screenshots?

mtg101 @ 2/5/2002 9:32:05 PM #

It's no different to the PalmOS 4.1 interface.

Basically OS5 is just OS4 running on ARM chips - the 'big changes' will come in 'the next major OS release'. They're refusing to say what that will be (5.5, 6??) or give any sense of timescale for it.

Cheers
Russell

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk
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Diga ao Falante pelos Mortos
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RE: screenshots?

popko @ 2/5/2002 10:13:37 PM #

"It's no different to the PalmOS 4.1 interface."

WTF? Is what you said for real?

RE: screenshots?

popko @ 2/5/2002 10:18:43 PM #

Oh well. When giving it a second thought, it's not that big of a deal. You can always count on 3rd parties to do the shell replacements.

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 10:48:37 PM #

They worked on this for 2+ years and we still have the exact same GUI as in OS 1.

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:10:09 PM #

Yeah, well - it may be the same GUI as OS1, but if it ain't broke... Besides, it's what's under the hood that counts.

- Satoribomb

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:11:19 PM #

I am getting the sinking feeling that OS 5 is basically OS 4.1 ported to ARM with additional security and support in the OS for 320x320. I simply can not accept that there is no GUI change (NO I AM NOT asking for PocketPC clutter, but classy looking modern GUIs on a 320x320 color screen should be possible) and no change to the built in apps from what I hear. Can it really be possible that the big OS 5 will arrive with a contact and scheduling app that still won't allow you to assign multiple categories nor have options for multiple emails, home phones etc.?

Dave

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:18:52 PM #

You are demanding PPC... If someone "needs" a more "classy" interface, he or she has SilverScreen, MegaLauncher, LauncherIII, etc. If you want a more powerful DateBook, you have Action Names or DateBook 4 (or 5 I don´t remember as I use AN). Don´t make everyone have a HEAVY and EXPENSIVE user interface or OS, go and get the additionals. That is not what it counts; economy, low battery comsumption, low amounts of memory demanding, connectivity, and STABILITY are far more important...

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:28:04 PM #

ah come on, I am not demanding PPC 2002. the reality is Palm has some well know weaknesses in the OS and native apps that have been around for years. we can name a few that come to mind and are not "power user" or "multimedia" oriented, nor do they sacrifice simplicity.

1. assigning contacts to multiple categories.
2. adding more fields to contact data, ie. 2 addresses, 2 emails, etc.
3. using color effectively in the GUI which right now uses next to non.

these are just some of the problems and it seems clear non are addressed by OS 5. i use actionnames 5 but even that can't overcome some of the native problems with the structuring of the contact and scheduling facilities built into Palm. we are talking core PIM functions here NOT MP3s or video etc. also why we can't have a GUI that uses carefully themed shading of buttons, menus, hi-res icons, etc. ALL NATIVE is amazing. while i love the 16,000 apps for the Palm some things we deserve native after all these years. the reality... i love my Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Pro, Palm V, Palm IIIc, and now Palm m505... and yes I will buy the ARM 320x320 res Palm m505 replacement whenever it comes out but I am stunned that the much touted OS 5 will look and feel no different than the OS I had back on my Pilot 5000 and the same frustrating "easy fixes" to native apps will continue to burn me on basic PIM functions.

'nuff said.

RE: screenshots?

mtg101 @ 2/5/2002 11:30:15 PM #

From what's been said at PalmSource it looks like the look of OS5 will be no different from OS4. The built-in apps will also remain basically unchanged. There will be minor changes, but no more than between OS3 and OS4.

Cheers
Russell

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 12:26:34 AM #

When you think about it, it makes sense for Palm to put all their effort into getting the migration to ARM right first. The 'staged' development allows them to bring the new OS online faster so that the new ARM models can be produced more quickly. Don't forget, with flash ROM we can upgrade later, even if it means that we have to fork out an extra say $20 to get the enhanced UI (when that comes out). I think this staged development is much better than putting off the release of the new OS.

Thanks to Ed and all the others who are giving us the 'live' coverage.

Question: I read somewhere once that there is a US law which prohibits the export of certain encryption software. Does anyone know if the 128 bit encryption (mentioned in Ed's first report) complies with that law? Is there a lawyer in the house?

RE: screenshots?

popko @ 2/6/2002 1:28:36 AM #

"Question: I read somewhere once that there is a US law which prohibits the export of certain encryption software. Does anyone know if the 128 bit encryption (mentioned in Ed's first report) complies with that law? Is there a lawyer in the house?"

To the best of my limited knowledge, there was such a law. But the same law was taken down (or at least some of it). Windows 2000 Server and IE 6.0 are examples of software that ships with 128bit encryption already build in to them.

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 8:48:11 AM #

Oh one more point... if they don't enhance the built in apps (for more categories, more fields etc.) and they don't enhance the GUI (for better more effective use of color and elegance on a 320x320 screen) then what IS the point of the ARM processor? Sure MP3s and video but if I wanted that I would buy a PPC!

RE: screenshots?

Scott @ 2/6/2002 9:59:36 AM #

You don't need an ARM processor to support multiple categories and more fields. There are apps out there for the Palm that already do this. There are a couple of enhancements I would like to the built in Address Book (multiple categories being one), but I don't think they *need* more fields. With the use of the multi-choice fields (i.e. - the drop-down list of Work, Home, etc.) as well as the Custom fields, you actually have *more* flexibility than the PPC allows for, without the disadvantages of having to scroll past tons of useless fields (e.g. - "Radio Tel") just to get to find the ones you do want.

Scott

RE: screenshots?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 6:30:56 PM #

Palm OS 5 does NOT have the same look like os4.1 because :
> Developers are saying it looks like BeOS somewhat (handheld version)
> Palm says OS5 will support themes like ppc2002 does

Not to burst any bubbles, that's what I heard. I think the message about themes support was mentioned in PalmSource.

http://pdan.has.it

What about the actual hinge?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 9:46:30 PM #

Will this hinge last? Or will it be as relialbe as the hinges on the HP95, HP100LX, HP200LX, or the "Star Trek" phone by motorola. Hinges fail and repairs are expensive or short term.

RE: What about the actual hinge?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:53:22 AM #

With all due respect, and not to sound condescending, but I think we've come quite a long ways in hinge technology. I've had a Motorola StarTAC 7767 going on four years. I've put over 30,000 minutes on the phone, and I travel constantly. I've yet to have the hinge break, nor has it really come loose. We've been building hinges on things for an awfully long time, and in this design in partcular, I think most engineers have already worked out the kinks. I really wouldn't worry about it.

And for those who are going to cite all the StarTAC horror stories of hinges breaking... well, you always hear the stories of them breaking, but you never hear the stories of them *not* breaking. I think you'll find that well over 70% of owners never had hinge problems.

RE: What about the actual hinge?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:36:44 AM #

The prototype looks really cool, but the hinge brings up an interesting point: Which part of the device do you hold?
If you hold the keyboard part, using the touchscreen will be awkward because of the leverage. (Try writing at the top of a pad of paper while holding the bottom of it). The hinge will have to be really stiff not to give a little each time you tap.
If you hold it by the screen part (or at the hinge), then your thumb doesn't have easy access to the keyboard anymore, which kind of reduces the advantage of having it. (The keyboard, not your thumb.)
Are there any other vertically hinged devices that have buttons or other controls at both ends of the hinge?

RE: What about the actual hinge?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:21:07 PM #

You were not condescending just giving an opinion to a question I posed. I can be more abusive then I mean to be with equipment and you are correct that many do not have that problem with some hinges. Just a thought and wanting others opinions. I am so thankful that the Palm OS is being offered in so many different peices of hardware. Nice to Have the choice among vendors.

DAMMIT SONY!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 9:51:18 PM #

Work on the things we want now!

INFOSTICK!

Right?

Hrrrm.

RE: DAMMIT SONY!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 9:57:02 PM #

The infostick will be out soon.

http://216.194.92.114/cgi-bin/news.cgi?thread=000039

RE: DAMMIT SONY!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 10:07:55 PM #

Very cool...

I looked at the specs there, and from what little I could see, it looks like it's going to be in the "Duo" format (I think that's right)

In other words, it looks like it's going to be a half-sized memorystick, and you'll need the duo adapter to use it.

I could just be talkin outta my arse though.

I really really want more details about this. I'd kill for an Infostick with 128mb of RAM. That would be sweet.

RE: DAMMIT SONY!!!

mtg101 @ 2/5/2002 11:37:28 PM #

The pics I've seen of the InfoStick have shown a full-sized MemoryStick form-factor.

I asked at the Sony booth here at PalmSource about a release date, but they wouldn't give me one, or even a timeframe. :-(

Cheers
Russell

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk

Brighter picture

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 10:33:56 PM #

slot brightened the picture up for us.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?P2DF4216

RE: Brighter picture

popko @ 2/5/2002 10:41:01 PM #

Looks like I'm a bit late on this one. Anyway, here's my photoshop re-touched pic at our forum:

http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3351&FORUM_ID=35&CAT_ID=2

RE: Brighter picture

popko @ 2/5/2002 10:42:07 PM #

btw, mine is the bigger version of the pic.

RE: Brighter picture

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:04:11 PM #

Best pictures I've seen yet...

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M6CF3316

RE: Brighter picture

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:11:07 PM #

check this one out. much better pic:

http://ascii24.com/news/i/topi/article/2002/02/06/633400-001.html?

go to the bottom of the page...

RE: Brighter picture

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 3:50:21 PM #

holy f@rking sh1@t! Igottahavit

check out os 5

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:17:23 PM #

click here, www.cnet.com/video/synd/mail_redir.html?asset=t020502_1630

RE: check out os 5

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:31:16 PM #

If the screen's rectangular, it won't run OS5 without modifications!

(Course, it won't need to run OS5 if it has a Dragonball.)

Looks like developers, who currently have to choose between Handera's 240x320 and Sony's 320x320 in OS3/OS4 may now get another kludgy implementation of high-res to deal with.

I love my Handera -- but the buggy implementation of 240x240 for legacy apps is getting on my nerves.

Multimedia

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/5/2002 11:24:29 PM #

Looks as though it features a camara in the middle, like the PictureBook. And, where the two halves meet, there is a hole. Looks like it will play MP3's too. This is good to hear.

Hinge

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 12:22:43 AM #

The hinge is something which is nice initially but may be a problem later on. Don't like mobile phones with hinges as they may give trouble.. likewise a PDA....

Phone Capabilities.

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 12:25:32 AM #

What are the chances that this thing is also a cell phone...talk about your all in one..mlg.I would be sold.

When I first started typing this it was kinda a joke...but with Sony, you never know.

jmlg

RE: Phone Capabilities.

popko @ 2/6/2002 1:33:17 AM #

wazup jmlg? nice to see you again :)

Anyway, if they do build it like that. It'd be a killer! Think of Tero with 50x the computing power, a good quility color + hi-res screen, half the thinckness, and the ability to expand (ms camera, gps etc).

IS THAT A CAMERA?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 12:28:09 AM #

I see a dark colored square shape with circle in the middle on the hinge of the PDA.

its pretty impressive... hope itll be out soon

graph

Camera on hinge

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 9:35:02 AM #

is that a camera lense on the hinge?

cool. :)

RE: IS THAT A CAMERA?

Ed @ 2/6/2002 9:43:20 AM #

It could be. That was debated here between me and Steve Bush from Brighthand but I wasn't certain enough to say it in the article. I asked the Sony Reps about it and they refused to comment.

Keep on mind, this is a non-working prototype. You might even call it a mock-up. There's no way to know if it will bear any resemblence to the final handheld.

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News Editor

RE: IS THAT A CAMERA?

Scott @ 2/6/2002 10:06:23 AM #

"Keep on mind, this is a non-working prototype. You might even call it a mock-up. There's no way to know if it will bear any resemblence to the final handheld."

This is an important point. I'm surprised how excited people are getting over a non-working mock-up.

Scott

RE: IS THAT A CAMERA?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 11:48:45 AM #

Another important point is that it's only speculation that it's non-working. It still could be working or partially working.

RE: IS THAT A CAMERA?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:23:05 PM #

Hinge works! it flips..

graphs

RE: IS THAT A CAMERA?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/7/2002 8:41:44 PM #

It's definitely a camera. click on the link to see the pic. looks very nice.

http://ascii24.com/news/i/topi/article/2002/02/06/633400-001.html

Sony Rulz the Earth???

TDS @ 2/6/2002 12:24:21 AM #

Am I on the right website here? Where is the "Sony Rulz" I.M. Anonyomous guy? The one that posts 12 times on every news story about how great sony is and how they are going to takeover palm, microsoft, enron, etc??? What is this blissful peace of intelligent discussion I am reading?

I love it. And I don't miss him.

I guess it would not make sense for that long screen to represent a "virtual graffiti" area, as the unit has a built in keyboard. I suppose it is just due to the fact that it is a prototype that the screen is that long. Probably just there to take up space.

Doug

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

jeremyf @ 2/6/2002 1:39:08 AM #

Anyone here agree with me that graffiti blowz? =(

Obsolete IMO, I wouldn't mind if there was a good keyboard on this or the treo and no graffiti of any kind. Graffiti really sux. :(

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:43:28 AM #

Well at least we have one Palm loyalist (the dude above) trying to sound important.

Face it, Sony DELIVERS, what has Palm done?

New OS? Well it looks like the same OS made to work for an ARM processor. Multimedia support? Didn't Sony have that first? High resolution? (or high density screen...whatever) Didn't Sony have that first also?

New i750(or whatever)? still monochrome, still low resolution, and still not as many functions as the TREO(voice support).

So before you try to call out the Sony people, look at who has got your back...Palm?

RE: Graffiti

mikeliu @ 2/6/2002 3:29:45 AM #

Yeap, I couldn't agree more with the fact that Graffiti sucks. A lot of people who use Palm's seem to like it for its input speed, but I would love to see on the new devices Graffiti being reduced to an option for old timers like us. I refused to buy a Palm for the longest time with Graffiti being one of the big reasons. There's no way in hell I was going to learn an entirely new way of writing just for a little mini computer was my thinking.

And still, I meet people who think the same way that I did everyday. I show my PDA off to people (Joe 6packers if you will) and they all are amazed these days at how much it can do. Wow, it shows all your email? that's cool! Wow, it can play mp3s? Sweet! Wow, you've got a digital photo album on it? That's so amazing!! And then they wanna try using it, and try writing on it, only to have me explain to them that it kinda takes some practice to learn to use it, since some of the writing characters aren't exactly the same as in English, and instantly I can see the change in their eyes. It goes straight from, cool, maybe I really do need one of these things to Oh, it's one of those geek gadgets.

With the new CPU and screen support, Virtual Writing (not Virtual Graffiti) would be a godsend for helping these things become a little more mainstream.......

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

Scott @ 2/6/2002 10:04:15 AM #

"There's no way in hell I was going to learn an entirely new way of writing just for a little mini computer was my thinking."

Why not? Did you ever try to learn to touch-type on a keyboard? Learning Graffiti has a much smaller learning curve than that but the benefits are similar: improved input speed. It takes longer to write the "real" letter "A" than it does to write the Graffiti equivalent "^".

Scott

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:59:01 AM #

"There's no way in hell I was going to learn an entirely new way of writing just for a little mini computer was my thinking."

dude, u must be very stupid..

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 2:38:15 PM #

No, it would make sense to have a virtual grafitti area, because the screen folds around and allows you to cover the keyboard. If the keyboard was the only way to enter data, such a feature wouldn't make any sense.

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 3:52:08 PM #

just use the fitaly keyboard like most serious writers out there and be quiet =)

RE: Sony Rulz the Earth???

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/9/2002 9:57:48 PM #

OK, to the guy who tried to use the touch-typing argument above, get real. How many luzers have you seen that CAN'T touchtype? There is a market for idiocy.

The issue with 'real' handwriting recognition has been its complexity. Would you like to write software that is capable of recognizing a word, regardless of stroke order and even if it's written in cursive? On a 16MHz Motorola DinosaurBall processor? I'd give Palm a pretty good likelihood of providing normal writing recognition in the new OS, and maybe even (depending on the results of the Xerox suit) making Graffiti an option...

New Sony PDA and the Yopy - side by side

rsuplido @ 2/6/2002 12:44:01 AM #

I posted a picture of the new Sony PDA and the Yopy. It's here:

http://216.194.92.114/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?number=22&thread=000123

Reggie
http://www.cliesource.com

RE: New Sony PDA and the Yopy - side by side

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:26:16 PM #

Oh, my lord! Someone REALLY needs something to do. Get a job. Read a book. Jeez.

RE: New Sony PDA and the Yopy - side by side

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:47:18 PM #

get a life!

RE: New Sony PDA and the Yopy - side by side

rsuplido @ 2/6/2002 3:13:39 PM #

Here's more:

http://www.cliesource.com/images/newclie.jpg

:) :) :)

*Image edited from:
http://ascii24.com/news/i/topi/article/2002/02/06/633400-001.html?

Reggie
http://www.cliesource.com

Could it be a Symbian phone from Ericsson Sony

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 8:50:15 AM #

Was there any specific mention of it running PalmOS? It looks suspiciously like a mobile (thin screen) and coul be a Symbian OS powered phone... (using Hurricane or Pearl). Just some speculation which is probably rather controversial...

RE: Could it be a Symbian phone from Ericsson Sony

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 10:13:43 AM #

RTFS

Are you too dumb or just too damned lazy to read the story before posting ?

"Aside from showing it off, Mr. Yoshida gave no details on the device, including price, availability, or whether it will run Palm OS 5 or 4."

RE: Could it be a Symbian phone from Ericsson Sony

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:08:59 PM #

The device was shown during a PalmSource keynote address. This device certainly isn't going to run anything but the Palm OS or he'd have shown it off somewhere else.

SDK - when?!

palmcoder @ 2/6/2002 10:04:52 AM #

Have they announced when developers will be able to download the OS5 SDKs????

/me wants it NOW!! :)

Sony Palm Phone

leadingexpert @ 2/6/2002 11:23:59 AM #

If you lived in Japan you would notice the resemblance to Sony's current DoCoMo phones immediately. Whoever made the comment about hinges has never seen a DoCoMo phone nor used one. Phones in Japan are typically replaced yearly as technology improves. It is possible that this is a G3 DoCoMo phone that uses the Palm OS for the PIM functions. Currently I can backup and modify the databases on my docomo phone and import my Palm address database, but it isn't a sync. This could be something much hotter that the Treo and certianly will leave the i750 whatever in the dust. Palm Hardware better wake up and put out a high res device, the 505 just doesn't compete.

RE: Sony Palm Phone

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 12:05:10 PM #

As long as the Palm OS subsidary survives, it won't matter if the hardware unit survives. Could be why Palmsource was setup anyway, just to ensure the OS lives.

DoCoMo

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:01:50 PM #

I used a DoCoMo phone for a few months in Japan last year (Panasonic) and it was really amazing!! (Internet, Chat, E-mail, you name it), theyre really years ahead of us in mobile communications.
The current palm i705, RIM.. are just pathetic!

?reo Killer anyone !?

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 5:22:40 PM #

if this is really a PDA Communicator device, then I am really worried about the future of ?and?pring.

more pictures

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:06:17 PM #

http://ascii24.com/news/i/topi/article/2002/02/06/633400-001.html?
Japanese newssite has more pictures.

RE: more pictures

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/6/2002 1:56:58 PM #

That does it !!! I am getting one of those Clie .. it's the PDA I was dreaming for ..............

O well probably need to wait for another year or 2 ~~

RE: more pictures

davespda @ 2/6/2002 3:30:55 PM #

Hopefully if they are a little futher along then just the prototype stage, then we will see it sooner then in 2 years. Sony seems to be pretty good about getting devices out, so this definatly could be one of the first devices from Sony running Palm OS 5.

Dave

RE: more pictures

leadingexpert @ 2/6/2002 8:12:22 PM #

I looked at the Japaneses website and it clearly shows a camera built into the unit. There are 3million users of J-Phone, DoCoMo's main competitor with camera's built into their mobile phones. Sony is clearly going after this. I would say this is targeted for a 2002 release.