Comments on: Sony Clie NZ90 Review
Article Comments
(83 comments)
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.
Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.
RE: Small Notebook
___________________________
"Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx
Good but definately 1.0 hardware
One thing I see in this product is that it has the potential to becoming a very good field reporter tool. In one product, you can now take the pics, write the article and email everything up to the main office via WiFi.
Even better, this can easily be snuck past supressive third world country border guards by saying it is "only a Palm" and being able to do a full story or interview complete with photos that can show up on the 'net within hours.
My biggest comment is that I wish there was something to cover up the lens fitting totally so it doesn't look like a camera all the time for these purposes.
Thus, I see this as more of a professional tool than a consumer item due to the price and size. I keep on wondering when someone will start to use the line "laptop replacement" for these high end PDAs.
battery life
Also notable is that the backlight is brighter than any previous clie models. At 0 percent, it looks brighter than my NR did at 33.
RE: battery life
With so much valid concern about battery life, why don't the manufacters of PDAs (epecial the most expensive lines) just install TWO or more batteries?
Batteries can be very thin and not too big. It should not be such a staggering challenge for design engineers to do this. We have already send men to the moon :-)
Why should it be so difficult to put multi-batteries in a PDA! One could guarantee application power and the other(s) to support mulit-media features, etc.
TSC
TSC
Nice
Ryan, do you think you could elaborate a bit more on the Bluetooth? Was connecting it to the T68i and TT something easy or was it painstaking and needed tweaking?
-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: Nice
RE: Nice
Thanks
RE: Nice - Clie to Nokia phone
Steve Foister
Something that needs correcting...
I've just noticed; you need to add "nz90/" after the "?f=" in the links to camera pics two and three, because at the moment they don't show up.
Thomas
Check out the Palm Tungsten|T review at www.comp-talk.co.uk
It's a Brick
Origen
RE: It's a Brick
RE: It's a Brick
-has a faster processor
-has a much larger and higher quality screen than the Tungsten (not even close)
-can read MS Office, HTML, and PDF files natively
-has a built-in keyboard
-has built-in mp3 playback
-has built-in MPEG widescreen video playback
-has a magnesium body
-has enchanced IR
-has Macromedia Flash support
-comes with the advanced (and exclusive) Netfront internet browser
-can email any pictures and video taken with the cam in two taps
-can remotely control Sony's new Bluetooth cameras (it can act as a viewfinder, too!)
-supports Memory Stick PRO, which is nearly ten times faster than SD
-has a removable SmartLithium battery
And, of course, the NZ90 has a standalone-quality 2MP digicam w/ flash.
The Tungsten is still pretty much just an organizer. By the time you have bought all of the software and accessories to get functionality similar to the NX70V (much less the NZ90), you've already spent about the same amount while having a much less elegant and seamless solution. At least the public did a great job of forcing Palm and the retailers to bring the price down to where it should have been originally.
People have proven that they're willing to splurge on entertainment. Here in NYC, the NZ is selling out.
RE: It's a Brick
While the NZ90 is the biggest PalmOS device, it also the most advance, intergrated, and convergence device. The Palm Tungsten is not even close to the NZ90, heck it doesn't even have its own MP3 player. You'll have to pay for a third party MP3 player and by many reports does not even sound that good.
You may have noticed that the current trend in portable devices is a convergence of portable technologies, like cellphones and PDA's that can browse to internet, send/receive emails, play games, have organizer fx, reference tool, GPS, and/or take pictures.
The current trend is to have the most features seemlessly intergated into a single unit. The NZ90 has all of that and although it's big, it remained fairly elegant and functional. So while the NZ90 is not a unit for everybody, it is a statement unit. Sony is letting to Palm and PPC world know that they are on the forefront on innovations and intergration.
Hate to tell you, but the days that Palm is just an organizer is rapidly setting and if Palm still believes in their outdated stupid "Zen of Palm" philosophy, then their days are over too.
The NZ90 is something that Palm should have made to show that they are in the game, but as usual Palm elected to warm the bench.
KAY
Thick as a brick.
It's not a PDA, whatever it is. And it's nothing Palm should have made, given their financial status. Sony can better afford it. And do they care if it doesn't sell in the U.S.? Not too much, probably. This thing will be HUGE in the Japanese market. Video is very, very popular there.
As noted, this could be a good journalist's tool. But it's probably got the smallest niche market of any handheld device going.
And for that kind of money, I want 64MB on board, and not be reamed by Memory Stick purchases. 11MB out of 16MB free? Not enough for me.
It's well done,but it's still a brick.
The Tungsten T is still a great shirt pocket PDA. I prefer it to my iPAQ, even though it's screen is a bit smaller.
I give Sony credit for this device, but until they can make it the size of a Tungsten T, comparisions and arguements are moot. They could start by making Wi-Fi optional. That could trim size and weight.
I hope Sony does well with it, but they seem to be marketing as though these were Walkmans. At one time they had over 25 available. One for every possible occasion, I guess.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
RE: It's a Brick
Exhibit A:
posted by mashoutposse @ 3/4/2003 9:38:15 PM
"The NZ90:
-has a faster processor
-has a much larger and higher quality screen than the Tungsten (not even close)
-can read MS Office, HTML, and PDF files natively
-has a built-in keyboard
...yada, yada yada..."
OK, fine. But the title of this thread is "It's a brick," and there's very little point in denying that. So I guess it's quite easy to harp on the initial poster's fondness for the Tungsten.
"The Tungsten is still pretty much just an organizer."
Oh, good lord...not even worth a response.
"By the time you have bought all of the software and accessories to get functionality similar to the NX70V (much less the NZ90), you've already spent about the same amount while having a much less elegant and seamless solution."
OK, where to begin. First, this review is of the NZ90. Why do you bring up the NZ70? Second, your statement about cost simply isn't true. Third, "elegant?" You call the NZ90 "elegant?" Feature-packed, sure. Powerful, no question. But "elegant?"
"Here in NYC, the NZ is selling out."
Wow. You speak for the entire city of New York. You must really be omnipotent.
Point is, mashoutposse, you're perfectly entitled to love your NZ90, just as someone else is perfectly entitled to enjoy their Tungsten, or their T665, or their Treo90, or heck, even their Visor Prism. But this evangelist-style drivel is just downright tiring. It's the spam of message boards.
Exhibit B:
posted by Fat_Man @ 3/5/2003 11:10:03 AM
"You may have noticed that the current trend in portable devices is a convergence of portable technologies, like cellphones and PDA's that can browse to internet, send/receive emails, play games, have organizer fx, reference tool, GPS, and/or take pictures."
You may have noticed that the cellphone industry is currently in the toilet because consumer demand is not really in-step with these kinds of products. Or perhaps you didn't...
"The current trend is to have the most features seemlessly intergated into a single unit."
This is the current trend SPECIFICALLY for companies like Sony--function over size. Palm's tactic has always been size over function.
"The NZ90 has all of that and although it's big, it remained fairly elegant and functional."
Please, please, please stop calling the NZ90 "elegant." That's equivalent to someone saying the m505 has "vibrant color" or the Tungsten|T has "dynamic sound."
"Hate to tell you, but the days that Palm is just an organizer is rapidly setting and if Palm still believes in their outdated stupid "Zen of Palm" philosophy, then their days are over too.
The NZ90 is something that Palm should have made to show that they are in the game, but as usual Palm elected to warm the bench."
I think Palm realizes that the "Zen" ain't what it used to be, which is why they're trying to pack more punch. Sure, they're behind Sony in terms of function, but they don't mind that. And I wish the "Sony-istas" would stop the doom-and-gloom predictions about Palm's days being numbered. People said 2 years ago that Sony would rule and Palm would be defunct. And despite Palm's admission that the T|T hasn't sold as well as they'd hoped, Palm still sees its market share increase.
Now, my own thoughts on the NZ90 are these:
--it's got lots of goodies
--it's big
--the stylus actually sucks worse than the one on my T665...why would you take a poor stylus and actually make it worse?
--it's not for me
RE: It's a Brick
Go read it. All the way to the end, this time.
RE: It's a Brick
Oh, good lord...not even worth a response.
I bought a Tungsten T and an SD card. I have taken it out of the box and have just finished charging it. I have turned it on. Now, I ask you -- What can I do with this thing?
Ask yourself that question, then you'll see the truth in my statement.
With one of the OS5 clamshell CLIEs, right out of the box I can listen to music, take pictures and video, watch widescreen movies, use it as a universal remote, play Macromedia Flash files, create a slideshow photo album w/ background music, and other things. The T|T can't do any of these things without going out and buying lots of software -- it is NOT on the level of an NX or NZ functionality-wise.
At least consumers did a great job making their voices heard: I saw brand new Tungstens going for $308 at one online retailer; a far cry from the outrageous $500 Palm Inc were asking up until they came to their senses a couple of weeks ago.
RE: It's a Brick
That was not my intention, however there's nothing wrong with comparing the business strategies of these two companies.
And speaking of "evangelist-style drivel" who's the fanatic here?
"You may have noticed that the cellphone industry is currently in the toilet because consumer demand is not really in-step with these kinds of products. Or perhaps you didn't..."
Have I mention anything about cellular economy? I said Trend. Well, perphaps YOU didn't understand the point. What does all the TV ads, magazine ads, etc... emphasizing regarding portable electronic?
"Hey, take a picture of a dress, call you best friend, and sent it to her using your cellular phone."
There's that annoying the commerial with Little Richard in a bowling ally.
There are numerous articles that claim that wireless ascess to the internet and wireless communication between electric components is the future.
The TREND... not just Sony.
"Palm's tactic has always been size over function."
Then Palm will remained "just an organizer", but don't you see, that's not enough to survive.
"Please, please, please stop calling the NZ90 "elegant." That's equivalent to someone saying the m505 has "vibrant color" or the Tungsten|T has "dynamic sound."
I think that putting everything that the NZ90 has in a package that is slightly larger than the NX series is "elegant".
"Sure, they're behind Sony in terms of function, but they don't mind that."
"They don't mind that"!?!?!? If you created the OS and one oof your licensee are kicking your butt in terms of function and that does not bother you? You can't be serious.
By the way, you realize that Palm has already split into two. The hardware part is posting less than expected sells, and the OS part has already sold a 6% share to Sony. According to the article above, Sony wants to buy the entire OS division.
Doom and gloom, if it walks like a duck...
KAY
RE: It's a Brick
The Palm Zire is all Zen (and almost nothing else of value). I'll bet it outsells this NZ brick by over 10-to-1 in unit volume.
Upscale bricks are only for a limited market niche. Most people would rather spend a bit more and buy a laptop (iBook or Vaio).
RE: It's a Brick
One other thing - why do people use PDA's as TV remotes? I've never used a TV remote for datebook/contact applications?
RE: It's a Brick
"Did you even read the post to which I was replying, or did you just read the title and call it a day?"
Ah, well, I could ask you the same question. See below for more...
>>posted by mashoutposse @ 3/5/2003 4:00:04 PM
"I bought a Tungsten T and an SD card. I have taken it out of the box and have just finished charging it. I have turned it on. Now, I ask you -- What can I do with this thing?
Ask yourself that question, then you'll see the truth in my statement."
Well, for one thing, you could try installing some of the software bundled with the unit, and I'd bet you could do more.
"The T|T can't do any of these things without going out and buying lots of software -- it is NOT on the level of an NX or NZ functionality-wise."
I don't think anyone's disputed that claim. IF YOU'LL READ MY POST -- "ALL THE WAY THIS TIME" -- you'll see that I didn't, either. What I do dispute is the claim that it'll cost an additional $400 to do it. You said in your earlier post that to give the T|T those capabilities would cost more than the $800 Sony wants for the NZ90, or the extra $200 Sony wants for the NX70. I say no. You can get a decent mp3 player for no more than $16, a decent picture viewer for $30, and that little Veo SD camera for about $100. I assume you know how to add those 3 numbers. Macromedia Flash is another issue where Sony has the clear advantage, but that's subject to change in the future.
I don't dispute that the Sonys pack more function on-board...I own a T665 for that reason, for crying out loud...but please stop insulting people's intelligence with these outrageous claims that a T|T will ultimately cost them $700-$800.
RE: It's a Brick
"And speaking of "evangelist-style drivel" who's the fanatic here?"
I see...since I disagree with you, I must be a fanatic. And in what logic class did you learn this one?
"The TREND... not just Sony."
Well, actually I said "companies like Sony." But that's beside the point.
My point is, trends are not simply what companies offer, they also include what the public wants. Did you never study economics? "If you build it, they will come" doesn't work in the real world. Based on your reasoning, at one time, "the trend" was Beta videotapes. At one time, "the trend" was 100-disc CD changers. At one time, "the trend" was laser discs. But they never caught on because they were replaced by something the public wanted more, or at least because the public didn't want them at all. Face it, the general public doesn't want all that right now, in spite of Madison Ave.'s best attempts to convince them they can't live without it.
"Then Palm will remained "just an organizer", but don't you see, that's not enough to survive."
Size over function doesn't mean "size without function." Palm seeks to add function without compromising size. It's a different tactic.
"I think that putting everything that the NZ90 has in a package that is slightly larger than the NX series is 'elegant.'"
We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. I think it's butt-ugly.
"'They don't mind that!?!?!?' If you created the OS and one of your licensee are kicking your butt in terms of function and that does not bother you? You can't be serious."
Well, again, there's function, and then there's size. You sound like one of those Pocket PC lovers about 2 years ago.
"By the way, you realize that Palm has already split into two. The hardware part is posting less than expected sells, and the OS part has already sold a 6% share to Sony. According to the article above, Sony wants to buy the entire OS division."
Yes, I'm aware of this. I think it was good for Palm to split. I also think it would be horrible for Sony to own the OS, because the power they would pack into it would likely be compromised by their rabid insistence on pushing their own proprietary desires. It's the one thing I hate about my T665 - Memory Stick.
"Doom and gloom, if it walks like a duck..."
Well, you've probably been preaching this one for a couple of years now, reverend (is the proper term "The Church of Sony?"), and I imagine you'll continue preaching it for a couple more. I'm wondering when you'll finally realize that Sony and Palm can coexist with products targeted to different buyers, but perhaps you never will. You'll just continue pissing on the rest of us who admit that your precious NZ90 isn't the "perfect PDA for the entire world." Enjoy your version of reality.
RE: It's a Brick
I don't understand the inability to see that some of these devices are in completely different categories and the main common feature is a screen, and the ability (for the time being) to be held in one hand, and in some cases, be operated with one hand.
There is a trend started by the manufactures to make some all-in-one devices. So far the Treo/Kyocera handhelds are a more typical example. These are meant to be productive business tools, and provide some entertainment. But they are by no means the biggest sellers, so how much of a trend the "entertainment center" handheld becomes, remains to be seen.
When this Sony actually starts selling in big numbers, we may see a real trend. And if it's to be a true EC, let's toss in a DVD player, since size is apparently not allowed to be a consideration.
I think it's pointless to compare two different categories of devices, except to help determine which device is more suitable to a potential customer.
It's the individual customer that determines what device is most suitable for him or her, not someone else's personal preferences.
You get to like what you like; no one else has to agree with you.
But there will always be bashing for the sake of bashing. Some people just can't help themselves.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
RE: It's a Brick
Anyway.
"What I do dispute is the claim that it'll cost an additional $400 to do it. You said in your earlier post that to give the T|T those capabilities would cost more than the $800 Sony wants for the NZ90, or the extra $200 Sony wants for the NX70. I say no. You can get a decent mp3 player for no more than $16, a decent picture viewer for $30, and that little Veo SD camera for about $100. I assume you know how to add those 3 numbers. Macromedia Flash is another issue where Sony has the clear advantage, but that's subject to change in the future.
I don't dispute that the Sonys pack more function on-board...I own a T665 for that reason, for crying out loud...but please stop insulting people's intelligence with these outrageous claims that a T|T will ultimately cost them $700-$800."
How convenient that you bring up the $100 VEO instead of a REAL 2MP digicam ($300 and up at this size). Also, you inadvertently proved my point: Add the $16 mp3 player, the $30 image software, and the $100 VEO, in addition to the $30 movie player software you neglected to mention, and you've spent almost as much as you would have on an NX70V -- and, of course, you still wouldn't have the larger and brighter screen, the Macromedia Flash, or the exclusive NetFront browser.
If it's the NZ90 you're comparing it to, add a standalone 2 Megapixel camera small enough that, when paired with the T|T, creates a combination that doesn't exceed the volume of the NZ90. So we're talking about a camera around 4 ounces light, and even smaller than the T|T. In other words, pretty much the smallest 2MP camera in the world. That's another $300 at the absolute least.
Regarding elegance: Imagine chatting with someone via AOL IM about, say, an exhibit that you're currently viewing at a museum, then taking a 2MP picture of that exhibit and emailing the shot in only two taps (or uploading it to your personal Imagestation webspace in three taps) -- listening to mp3s the whole time. THAT'S an elegant solution. There is no other device, PDA, cellphone, or camera, that can do this out of the box like the NZ90 can.
Elegance doesn't have to be measured solely by cubic inches -- although, based on your comments about the aesthetics of the unit, I'm 110% sure that you have never held one.
RE: It's a Brick
Two questions: Where on earth are you seeing that 2MP standalone digital cameras are $300 and up? Trust me, that's a rip-off. Second, how can you be 110% sure I haven't held an NZ90? Because I disagree with you about the "elegance?" You're gonna have to get over that. I haven't owned one - can't really afford the $800, and I'm not willing to pay the CompUSA 15% charge on an open-box item. I mean, $120 is a bit steep to try out the NZ90. That said, I have checked it out, in person, and LIKE I SAID BEFORE, it's packed with many features. I simply think it's enormous. This is the kind of thing PalmOS users would laugh about at Pocket PC users - packed with functions, but expensive, lousy battery life, and huge.
Now, you're entitled to like your NZ90 all you want. Feel free to use it to your heart's content. I didn't intend to bruise your ego so deeply by suggesting that we shouldn't all go out today and buy this. Personally, I don't really think the original poster ("Origen" - appropriate name) was trying to create said pissing contest with his comments. I think he was merely offering his opinion, which was that the T|T struck him as a better solution. But of course, that hit your "indignance" button, which apparently makes your bladder inadverdantly burst or something.
So go enjoy your NZ90 all you want...all 11MB of it. (Sorry, just had to jam on that button again--spare me the rant about the superiority of the desperately overpriced MSPro and all the add-on memory you'll soon have for premium $$$.) Seriously, though, I simply don't have time to mess with this thread anymore. I have a life. Enjoy yours.
RE: It's a Brick
Isn't that just a *little* hypocritical?
RE: It ain't Felicia
-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: It's petty.
Given the tenor of the original post and it's "response", the "desire for accuracy" is overshadowed by ego. A bit retentive perhaps?
Felicia, FeliCa, Faniculi-Fanicula, it's not worth puckering up and name calling, unless one is wound a bit too tight.
This feature isn't even available in the U.S. I wish Sony would have done something with that space, though. But then that would have made the hardware more market specific, and at an addtional cost, most likely. The U.S. doesn't get a lot of cool stuff from Japan because of the high/higher cost and small/smaller market.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
RE: It ain't Felicia
Can you be any more petty...
Now you're projecting.
And you sound like you're in what... third grade?
You don't like what someone says, and you start name calling?
Schmuck, poindexter,- you really need to grow up and stop sweating the small stuff.
It was a great review, and a very small, non-essential detail was wrong. Big deal. No one is perfect, and not facade or rant will fool anyone.
Have a decaf.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
RE: It ain't Felicia
Really. Seriously.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
great review, but buy a notebook!
Remember our jokes on the pocketpc devices? Now it's the other way, prices dip on the opposite of the scale. I remember when the Tungsten T came out at $800CDN, and I couldn't believe it and stop laughing. A few months later and its $599 now. I really don't know how companies like Palm and Handspring survive. Maybe not too long?
RE: great review, but buy a notebook!
RE: great review, but buy a notebook!
RE: great review, but buy a notebook!
I think that's a mainstream philosophy- start high and make a few extra bucks off the early adopters.
Then, as sales plateau, drop the price. Sony introduces so many new models, that a little patience will see some kind of drop.
______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.
RE: great review, but buy a notebook!
I momentarily own a Handera 330 (after having used a Psion 5 for many years) and I really don't know a reason why I schould carry around a notebook (don't worry, I have one, but not for a million I'd take it with me on a short business trip!). I have installed LapTopHack on my Handera and with my favorite programs I can do most of the things I need.
But I was looking for a color device with a virtual graffiti field (and I think it's really a shame that palm clings to this ridiculous graffiti field, since there are enough people out there that substitute graffiti as soon as they can!) and multimedia possibilities. So I think that I'll have a go at this thing and as I was without any problem able to carry the Psion 5 with me virtually everywhere I went, I'm sure that this baby with it's 300 gram won't make a big difference.
I think and I hope that there is a market out there that doesn' join the chorus of the "smaller, smaller, smaller company".
Smaller isn't always better, it's the sum of what you get that counts. It's the same thing as with the little digital cameras that even I can hardly handle since the buttons are so small and tight together that you need a toothpick to hit the one you want.
Toshiba vs CLIE
-- and it's not a brick! And it has a larger screen. And it has REAL CF...
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
Thanks, Robrecht
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
better loook at the piece.
~Tv~
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
And it doesn't have a built-in keyboard.
And it doesn't have a high-quality magnesium body.
And, if the E740 is any indication, the screen will be horrible.
But it DOES have the PPC OS! Well, whoopdie-do.
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
Yes, the camera is just VGA -- but the point is, look at that form factor. It's less bulky than the NXes.
And if you want to really nitpick -- let's compare the RAM. The NX -- 16? Oh, oops!, only 11MB for the user...
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
"Battery life for both models is listed to be 16 hours, courtesy of the non-exchangeable 1100 mAh lithium ion battery. According to Toshiba, battery life can be increased to 30 hours through an add-on pack."
So InfoSync at:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3185.html
Thanks, Robrecht
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
Thanks, Robrecht
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
On the keyboard: Unless you're a 'read-only' type of person, the keyboard is integral to an enjoyable wireless online experience. Sending emails longer than "got ur message.thx," posting on messageboards, and using instant messaging services demand a better input scheme than any HWR system can provide. I'd love to see you keep with a typical AOL IM conversation using Graffiti without wearing grooves into your screen :)
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
- the screen may be larger, but still has a lower resolution and half the number of pixels
- the camera is not 2MP, but only 640x480 (so it would be rather comparable to a NX70 with flash)
- it has no built-in BT
- it's no PalmOS-device :-)
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
-- ME use IM of ANY sort?! That'll be the day. Like I need idiocies such as are posted here flung at me in real-time...
RE: Toshiba vs CLIE
I'm really happy to be able to go back to palm again (for me color and the virtual graffiti were crucial) and to be able to use the multimedia possibilites of the NZ90. I don't have it yet, but I can't wait to sell my Pocket PC and to do real work on my palm again! I'll keep my Handera too, so for the cases when weight is of importance, I think I can do without multimedia and use my greyscale (virtual graffiti field) Handera.
I think it's really true: Palm was developed and constructed for mobile users and Pocket PC is a meagre copy of a desktop version, and this is to be experienced with almost any software I have tried. I was really highly disappointed by Pocket PC and I'll won't look back for a minute (after my Axim is sold!).
Former Psion-User
No, Palm needs to fix the OS...
To me this is an inherent shortcoming in the OS. There should be ways to navigate through the various form controls and menus AND it should be built into the OS. Then the hardware developer just has to make sure to include the correct keys or key-combinations. OS6 maybe!!??
RE: No, Palm needs to fix the OS...
GB
Macro mode?
Removable Battery
RE: Removable Battery
Scott
RE: Removable Battery
RE: Removable Battery
Price!
RE: Price!
Some Sony nostalgia
http://member.nifty.ne.jp/iidakoji/infocary.htm
... how far Sony has come!
Powerpoint presenter?
I'm an advertising executive, so I make a lot of presentations and have to review and present a lot of multimedia work (TV & print ads, plus radio clips). It's tiresome & risky to lug around a laptop (which is my primary workstation), so if this device can do it, it is worth the price.
Also, one last question. I already have a great digital camera (Sony F717). Am I better off buying the NX60 instead if all I want is the ability to project Powerpoint & multimedia from my PDA?
RE: Powerpoint presenter?
Sony Clié NZ90
However, I have to agree with other posters that the NZ90 is a "brick". It's certainly more PDA than I'll ever need, and at $1299.99CDN (see sonystyle.ca) too expen$ive for my blood.
On the other hand, the NZ90 is interesting. It'd be perfect for insurance adjustors and real estate people. What it really needs is a GSM/GPRS/CDMA wireless capability.
Bluetooth and WiFi are a long way from becoming widespread in Canada because of the huge geographic distances involved, although they might make inroads
in our heavily urbanized areas like southwestern Ontario, southern Quebec, the Calgary-Edmonton corridor, and Vancouver.
The NZ90 also needs much more memory, there's no disputing that. I suspect the 16MB memory limitation
was deliberate - to help sell more new Memory Stick PRO units.
For serious field work, the NZ90 desperately needs
a hot-swappable battery pack. Until then, would-be
NZ90 users should think twice about buying one if they plan to do lots of picture-taking. The camera could also use a decent optical zoom, but I realize that's asking a lot considering how much Sony already has crammed in there.
Kudos to Sony for trying, though. The NZ90 is something you'd normally see coming from 'vertical market' PDA-makers like Symbol and Intermec.
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it... Begin it now."
-- Goethe
Many limitations
1. It's not possible to use other applications while using MP3 player.
2. Only 16mb memory (not all applications can be installed on memory stick. An example is Documents To Go)
2. No built in telephone
3. Does not include a WAP browser
4. WIFi card only supports 802.11b. My home network is 802.11g
5. The 2x times zoom doesn't work when the camera is set to 1600x1200 resolution.
6. Does not inlude the following
a) travel kit
b) memory stick
c) 802.11 card
d) documents to go
e) leather case
You must pay $250 extra to get these nescessary accessories
7. Most of the included software are only trial versions.
8. The processor is only around 200 mhz not 400
9. No microphone jack
Otherwise it's great. The size doesn't bother me.
RE: Many limitations
>1. It's not possible to use other applications while >using MP3 player.
From within Audio Player, click on the menu icon, select Options, then Preferences. Click on "Enable background play" to listen to music while using other applications.
NZ90, music files, memory stick
1) Regular memory sticks (up to 128 MB max) only accomodate mp3 files, and will not work with ATRAC3 files, making the SonicStage software included with the unit useless. Worse, only 96 Kbps mp3 files will work, meaning fewer files that can be stored (compared with my preferred 56 Kbps).
2) I purchased a 512 MB magic gate pro memory stick, for increased storage space and supposed support of ATRAC3 format, which in principle allows 66 Kbps file support.
First disappointment, the price ($264 was the best I could find, at techdepot) is steep.
Second disappointment, of 512 MB, only 460 MB is actually available! Presumably, the overhead is due to copy protection features, but 52 MB is exceptionally poor, especially considering that the entire Palm OS on the unit is 6 or 7 MB...
Third disappointment, although the NZ90 recognizes the memory stick natively and can read/write from/to it, the MS Export software on my desktop (a Dell Windows XP box) is not yet compatible with the memory stick, so I can't write to it yet. SONY tells me it will be several weeks before a software patch is available. Note that the MGMSPTCH.PRC patch SONY lists on their Web site dows nothing to help with this.
Fourth disappointment, SONY lists on their Web site that SonicStage is not yet compatible with the Magic Gate Pro format, so even if they fix the MS Export to allow my desktop to write to the stick, I will still not be able to write ATRAC3 files to it.
Fifth disappointment, the Magic Gate Pro sticks will supposedly never be compatible with the ATRAC3plus format, which could in priciple allow files down to 48 Kbps.
All in all, SONY has done a poor job of ensuring full compatibility before releasing these sticks to the market. Despite extensive searches of reviews and discussion forums, I have not yet seen anyone comment on the above...
RE: NZ90, music files, memory stick
or better yet, get it from the website.
Anyways, it works perfectly if you use the blue memory stick. Just use the export/import software that came with the model and add your files manually in the memory stick.
Let me know if you have encountered any problems.
Bluetooth
SONY CLIE NZ90 as a webcam
1. the ability to play the movies stored in the memory stick in the PC.
Customer support said only QUICKTIME 6 is able to play the movies, but you would need the PDA on the cradle.
Ok, I say to my self, how about if I send it as an attachment?...naaaahh! (she said). According to her, there is no software that has been developed that can play the movies captured by this model to be activated on the PC. GREAT!
If anyone has any bright ideas on how to capture the movies and play it on a regular PC, email me. I would greatly appreciate it.
2. WEBCAM
ok you brainiacs. Get your thinking cap on and develop the software. I betcha you will milk tons of money if you can come up with a way to make this baby work like a webcam. This is serious stuff! I want to be able to make a Video Conference with this gadget, why cant I make like I want it? i WILL PAY YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT! JUST GET IT TO WORK LIKE A WEBCAM!!!
Sony SUCKS!
Pics in Review
wow.......great comments
The only thing I can say is that this product does what it is intended to do, and that is to be a multimedia PDA and guess what! bravo to you sony and and hats off to your whole team of brilliant engineers.
Ok and another thing to all you techno junkies on here, I just spent 30 mins reading every single posted on the "It's a brick" comment and what a ride it has been. I have to admit I am only 17 years old and not up to par with your comments about this product. But the bashing of this product is horrific I mean yes say what you have to say but don't dwell on a certain topic just to prove your point, if you have a point say it but don't say it for the sake of reading your comment and having someone respond. I suggest you read all the comments over again and just look how stupid you sound when you say something. Repeating websters dictionary does not make you any smarter than the other guy.
The point I am trying to make is say what you have to say about the product but don't compare. All PADs have a certain function to do and the old comparisson is "you can't compare an apple to an orange". Come on guys you're all smarter than the average bear, a comment is a comment not a debate.
I have to say that the NZ90 is a PDA to be reckoned with. Good or bad it does what it is intended to do.
cheers
wow.......great comments
The only thing I can say is that this product does what it is intended to do, and that is to be a multimedia PDA and guess what! bravo to you sony and and hats off to your whole team of brilliant engineers.
Ok and another thing to all you techno junkies on here, I just spent 30 mins reading every single comment posted on the "It's a brick" comment and what a ride it has been. I have to admit I am only 17 years old and not up to par with your comments about this product. But the bashing of this product is horrific I mean yes say what you have to say but don't dwell on a certain topic just to prove your point, if you have a point say it but don't say it for the sake of reading your comment and having someone respond. I suggest you read all the comments over again and just look how stupid you sound when you say something. Repeating websters dictionary does not make you any smarter than the other guy.
The point I am trying to make is say what you have to say about the product but don't compare. All PADs have a certain function to do and the old comparisson is "you can't compare an apple to an orange". Come on guys you're all smarter than the average bear, a comment is a comment not a debate.
I have to say that the NZ90 is a PDA to be reckoned with. Good or bad it does what it is intended to do.
cheers
Latest Comments
- I got one -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Don't we have this already? -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -richf
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -dmitrygr
- Palm phone on HDblog -palmato
- Palm PVG100 -hgoldner
- RE: Like Deja Vu -PacManFoo
- Like Deja Vu -T_W
Small Notebook
Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com