Comments on: Quickies: Missing Sync, Treo Cradle, MobileFocus

Mark/Space has released The Missing Sync 2.2, which allows USB equipped Macs to use Sony Clié handhelds. The new version adds support for the S360.

Handspring is now offering a Treo USB Charging Cradle for $50. It allows the Treo to HotSync and includes an AC power adapter.

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What a bunch of BS

fleegle @ 3/20/2002 10:00:43 AM #
Check out excerpt from Palm's press announcement regarding this award:

"The award affirms Palm's continuing leadership in the handheld industry," said Kevin Hell, senior vice president of Product Management, Solutions Group, Palm, Inc. "We deliver products that give mobile professionals more control over their personal and professional lives. With 16MB of memory, Palm's dual-expansion technology, and new business applications, the m515 is a great handheld that grows with a user's needs."
Palm's dual-expansion technology comprises the Palm Expansion Card Slot (for use with SD Card and MultiMediaCard media), which allows people to carry
and share office-productivity and education software, eBooks, photos, short videos, extensive reference materials, back-up capabilities and extra memory,
and the Palm Universal Connector for attaching add-on modules, such as a collapsible keyboard or a wireless modem.

The T615c has the same capabilites as the m515: 16MB memory and "dual-expansion". It also has a high-resolution screen.

The "dual-expansion" comment is a bunch of BS. HandSpring and Sony also have the "dual expansion technology". If this is what is considered "dual-expansion" then HandEra should change the specs on the 330 to "tri-expansion" technology.

What exactly makes the m515 a winner here? I think the m515 is a good PDA, but I don't believe it is a clear winner over the others.

RE: What a bunch of BS
big_raji @ 3/20/2002 10:45:52 AM #
What are you mad about exactly? The fact that the m515 got the award?

You know that most of these awards are just a push for extra advertising anyways. What's the point of pushing the T615c or Handera if it has such limited availability? I mean, if Sony or Handspring aren't pushing enough to have their product more available, why should an award committee push to advertise?

Are you mad about Palm gloating about the award? Did you expect them to say "Hey, we know the m515 is good, but the Sony T615c is much better!"


---
If you sing in french while hopping on one foot, the evil birds won't come out of your bathroom mirror.

RE: What a bunch of BS
ssummer @ 3/20/2002 10:54:37 AM #
I agree with most of what fleegle said that the T615C should have won the award. Issues like the company's distribution network and efforts to "push it" should not come into play for an award named "best handheld". Thats like saying a Ford Focus should get the "best car" award over a BMW M3 because Ford was "pushing enough to have their product more available".

However, Sony lost points in my book for not standardizing on a connector between the S, N, and T series. In that arena I would have to say Palm is the clear winner. Even though I am an N-series owner, right now I would prefer if Sony just settled on the T-series as the standard connector (looks like they are starting to do it) and publicly announce it the world so we can start seeing a lot more peripheral manufacturers embrace Sony PDAs...

RE: What a bunch of BS
ColonelKlink @ 3/20/2002 11:08:00 AM #
Dual-expansion refers to, what many percieve to be, two standards; SD/MMC and Universal Connector.

SD/MMC is a storage medium of MP3 players, digital cameras, other PDAs (Handera, Pocket PC), and is a standard backed by several companies (Toshiba, Sandisk, Panasonic, et. al.)

The Universal Connector is Palm only, but they are consistent with including it on all their new devices, making more of a market for peripheral manufacturers, and it is electrically similar to previous Palm connectors, making existing peripherals modifiable should a company choose to.

You can argue that Sony has the same thing...but it's only similar.

Memory Stick is a standard, but almost entirely Sony products, Sony cameras, Sony Mp3 players, etc... It does support I/O, but Sony themselves hold the standard. Besides, what will happen to the old chewing gum MS's when the new MS duo comes out?

As for the serial connection on the bottom...Sony should be given credit for maintaining a standard connection between the S- and N- series. And it looks like there's a commonality between the T- and NR- series. But abruptly dropping the S series connector does not help third party peripherals... Surely a Stowaway keyboard may be developed for the new T series, but I can't see much else except what sony deems useful.

The Sony is in many ways more useful than any of the Palms save for the i705. Any necessary peripherals are on the market (digital camera, GPS) or on their way (Bluetooth). Plus the Sonys have MP3, High res, and now the NR-series, keyboards and Virtual Graffiti.

But with Palm's "dual-expansion" strategy, one is promised many future upgrades and additions, making the Palm ultimately more useful in the long run.



RE: What a bunch of BS
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/20/2002 12:12:31 PM #
"But with Palm's "dual-expansion" strategy, one is promised many future upgrades and additions, making the Palm ultimately more useful in the long run."

I wonder how that would make palm more useful in the long run, it's not like other companies doesnt have dual-expension. Sony has MS/serial, Handera has CF/SD/serial. if they are evaluating the PDA according to the expension it'll certainly be Handera 330.

But just face it doesnt really mean anything, it's just a bunch of businessman kissing each other's rear behind.

RE: What a bunch of BS
Altema @ 3/20/2002 1:00:59 PM #
The awards may have been influenced by the corporate business community not taking Sony handhelds seriously yet due to their recent entry into the field. I agree that the T615 is on par with the M515 in many ways and better in some, but a hi res screen does not mean much to a business user. I like the hi res better (even if you need a hack to make it more readable).

RE: What a bunch of BS
fkclo @ 3/21/2002 12:33:02 AM #
The award also takes into account service provided to the product, which Palm excels compared to Sony. Try to toast your handheld and get some support, the difference in level and quality of service will be obvious. At least this should be the case in North America, though I rank Handspring service the best in Hong Kong.

Also, I felt that Palm products are more robust, and they always survived the less lucky work days of mine. Handspring is also pretty good. I just did a drop test for my Treo accidentally on hard concrete surface, from over 3 feet, and everything still works fine, despite very minor sratches on the plastic flip.

I am not quite convince Sony is as rugged, although I did not try.

Francis Lo, HKG

RE: What a bunch of BS
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/21/2002 12:54:07 AM #
"Also, I felt that Palm products are more robust, and they always survived the less lucky work days of mine."

..are you kidding??

I have had 3 (THREE) m505 that failed to Hotsync at the worst posible moment..one cost me very valuable data and hours of work (see Murphy's Law) so don't tell me BS about Palm being more robust!!!
so **** Palm.

What about MissingSync X?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/20/2002 3:26:21 PM #
Earth to Mark/Space: The world has moved on from OS 9 to OS X.

Hopefully someday they'll get their act together and release an OS X version.

On the other hand, maybe not, since they've probably realized they're on a sinking ship, now that newer Clie models 'just work' with regular Palm USB connection, without their driver. (My 760 works great).

Without hope of new purchases, they might just fold up and go home with the project...

RE: What about MissingSync X?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/20/2002 4:57:49 PM #
Yes, new Sony Clies (such as the T415 and T615) work perfectly with Palm Desktop for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X (the beta). There's no reason to buy Missing Sync.

in Mac OS 9, you can use any of the third party conduits. I use AvantGo and Vindigo with no problems.

In OS X, you can use GraphicConverter 4.3 to convert pictures to the Clie format (PGPF) and just install them with a hotsnync.

Horrible Support

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/21/2002 5:28:48 PM #
Wow, the stock is too pricey... Anyone try calling palm support and have to wait through ENDLESS ads, menu's and crap that just makes you want to yell and scream? Then check the website to find the manual for the 130 series says take of the battery cover. How the HELL do you do that with an m130?

Super excited to continue my palm tradition V/m500/m130 but man, I've really had it with this rediculous junk. I know about their god damn website, they don't need to tell me about it every 6 seconds.

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