Comments on: Sony to Unveil New Clie on Friday?

New Sony Clie PDA Concept ~ Click For Larger

The Investors Business Daily has published a report that a new Clie will be unviled at a press conference on Friday. The new handheld could likely be the prototype shown off recently in Japan. The prototype has a clamshell like design, a camera and some form of built in wireless.

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Ulitmate Clie?

lshanepowers @ 7/15/2003 2:05:24 PM #

Been waiting for a Clie like this. I always though that the camshell Clies were a little akward to use witht the keyboard. Hopefully they'll do it right by including 802.11b and bluetooth. A collapsable compact flash slot would be nice to. This would be great for watching movies. Hopefully Landscape mode we'll be included with builtin apps. Apps that don't support it could just display in the middle of the screen in landscape. We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully Sony won't disappoint.

-Shane

Cool?

abosco @ 7/15/2003 2:32:14 PM #

I think this is going to be another NZ replacement at $800 that'll draw little more than ooos and aaas. I'm guessing $800 for 400 MHz, 128 MB, 320x480 flip and rotate landscape with touch-type keyboard, 2 MP camera, Bluetooth, and Wifi. Then, I'm expecting a TG replacement with 320x480 in a thin design with 200 MHz and 32 MB (16 heap) and Bluetooth at $400. Maybe some low-end replacements if Sony gets bored. And that should end up being the product line before OS 6. Since the top of the line NZ now has 400 MHz and 128 MB, the NX series can finally be everything people have asked the NX73v and NX80v to be with 400 MHz, 64/128 MB, Bluetooth, full CF slot that is actually USEFUL when retracted, plus OS 6. Shower, change, repeat the cycle. That's my take on it.

-Bosco

RE: Cool?

Foo Fighter @ 7/15/2003 4:03:08 PM #

Sony is really starting to piss me off big time. They're mid-range handhelds are a joke compared to Palm and Pocket PC offerings. And for some bizarre reason, they believe we are still living in the halcyon days of high-priced handhelds. I hope HP steals more marketshare away from them. They deserve it.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Cool?

Tungsten @ 7/15/2003 4:27:50 PM #

"They're mid-range handhelds are a joke compared to Palm and Pocket PC offerings."
You mean the $249 SJ33 and the $349 TG50? They are reasonably priced, but they're about the phased out soon. It's unfair to compare near end-of-life products to just-released.

"I hope HP steals more marketshare away from them."
The new HPs are good but not great. Bluetooth on the sub-$300 1945 is as good as it gets - for now.

"They deserve it."
Let the market sort it out.

RE: Cool?

RhinoSteve @ 7/15/2003 4:41:01 PM #

Sounds like someone needs to get a job to buy more of their toys intead of complaining a lot.

RE: Cool?

abosco @ 7/15/2003 4:49:17 PM #

Who, me? No, I've got cash. Cash isn't the problem. Sony's innovation has drawn them away from some basic concepts. The nit-pickiest of which is the stylus. For years, people have complained about the coffee stirring stylus Sony made. So what do they do on the new NX line? Make them smaller! Maybe since it retracts, we won't notice? I mean hey, a retracting stylus is nice and all, but let me grip the thing first. There are other things like a faster processor. 2 MP cameras and dual wireless is nice, but not when you have less than 16 MB RAM to work with, same goes with the 200 MHz. Thank you FlashSeeker and PXA Clocker.

Sony IS pissing me off, too. The SJ33 was released around the same time as the Zire 71 at $299. Difference? Zire was smaller, faster processor with OS 5, G2, .3 MP camera, and expansion >128 MB. SJ33? An edge on battery life, but it better have that since it runs a Dragonball and is .8 inches thick. And the TG50? Don't get me started!

I'm relaxing. I'll just sit here and watch the orange light on my NX80v as it charges up... ;)

-Bosco

RE: Cool?

Foo Fighter @ 7/15/2003 5:02:06 PM #

Exactly my point as well. Sony should take the SJ33 out back and use it for target practice. Zire 71 walks all over it.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Cool?

gfunkmagic @ 7/15/2003 6:01:31 PM #

Quote:
"Sony IS pissing me off, too. The SJ33 was released around the same time as the Zire 71 at $299. Difference? Zire was smaller, faster processor with OS 5, G2, .3 MP camera, and expansion >128 MB. SJ33? An edge on battery life, but it better have that since it runs a Dragonball and is .8 inches thick. And the TG50? Don't get me started"

Bosco, that's not true. Sony released the SJ33 in late January and PSG released the Z71 in late April! That's a long time between the introduction of the two models. However, I agree the Z71 is a much better pda and bargain when compared to the Z71. The SJ33 definitey needs an update in comparison. I just think its unfair to blame Sony for not matching the Z71 when their model was released some time before PalmSG's...

Visit http://goodthatway.com/
-better living through better technology.

RE: Cool?

jjsoh @ 7/15/2003 6:21:26 PM #

abosco

I agree 110% on the stylus. Why can't they get it right? Not only are they too thin even for small hands, but they keep falling out of the poorly designed stylus holders.

I've recommended Sony CLIE's to my brother and brother-in-law (because they don't care for brands and were purchased at sale prices), and both have been complaining to me about the stylus falling out ALL the time. Whenever I see them taking it out, there goes the stylus towards the floor. I even got them different types of styluses over the years to try and see if they'd work better. Same story.

It drives me crazy, and I feel bad because even though I recommended Sony, I am, and always was, a Palm user/owner. Unless they resolve this problem, on top of other issues like battery life, I don't know if I can ever recommend, in good conscience, a CLIE again.

Jim

SJ33 a good strategy

rmhurdman @ 7/15/2003 6:41:27 PM #

Not only did the SJ33 come out 3 months before the Zire71, it was not a new device. Sony merely repackaged a previous device, added some fancy colour, lowered the price and continued to squeeze every last dollar of revenue they could get out of that portion of the market. It was probably never meant to compete.
And Sony will continue to repackage old models while lowering the price. And most of you technophiles will continue to pay top dollars for the new models, switching back and forth between Palm and Sony, depending on who has the flavour of the month.

RE: Cool?

mikecane @ 7/15/2003 8:01:39 PM #

Cheap stylus fix: wrap some high-end Scotch tape (the green plaid kind) around it to fatten it up so it will stay in its silo.

But, geez, those styli otherwise stink! TungT has the best damned stylus around. Sony should start with *that* stylus and design a PDA *around* it.

RE: Cool?

Marshall Flinkman @ 7/15/2003 10:37:00 PM #

Abosco:

The Zire 71 has OS 5.2, so it definitely isn't running on a DragonBall...

RE: Cool?

jjsoh @ 7/15/2003 11:06:59 PM #

mikecane

Agreed. The Tungsten|T stylus is by far the BEST designed stylus I've ever used. Sony should definitely take some notes.

Also, judging from the image of the new Sony prototype in question, maybe a redesign has already been implemented? It doesn't seem like the conventional Sony stylus design would fit in such a small form factor. That would be interesting to see.

Jim

RE: Cool?

Tungstenman @ 7/15/2003 11:30:44 PM #

Actualy mike, some former sony disigners were hired by palm to disign the Tungsten T, so realy, sony already has this stylus, or at least has no excuse not to have it.

Steve, Tungsten owner

RE: Cool?

cbulock @ 7/16/2003 3:29:01 AM #

"Abosco:

The Zire 71 has OS 5.2, so it definitely isn't running on a DragonBall..."

Actually, Abosco said that the SJ33 was running a Dragonball, which is the only reason it has an edge on battery life.

________________
-Cameron
http://nx.cbulock.com

RE: Cool?

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 6:24:30 PM #

>>>Also, judging from the image of the new Sony prototype in question, maybe a redesign has already been implemented? It doesn't seem like the conventional Sony stylus design would fit in such a small form factor. That would be interesting to see.

I fear it will use that new, AWFUL "mini-stylus" that comes with the new NXes, 73 & 80.

It's unbelievable, but Sony actually managed to take a *bad* stylus and make it *worse*!

Look closely at the lcd display...

mtnbrfl @ 7/15/2003 5:03:41 PM #

It appears to be square, 320x320, instead of the nx/nz 320x480. It also looks much smaller in length than nx/nz models. I'm interested in replacing my T615C, but I want it to be less bulky than the nx/nz's.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

volcanopele @ 7/15/2003 6:57:26 PM #

actually, it appears square-ish due to the oblique angle from which it is being seeing. Since it does appear to be slightly rectangular in that shot, I am sure that it has the same hi-res+ screen as seen on the NR/NX/NZ series Clies.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

mikecane @ 7/15/2003 8:03:36 PM #

Keep dreaming. Remember to wake up on Friday when it's revealed to be a SQUARE screen.

What is this mass hallucination everyone is having about a landscape screen?!

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

ray00pal @ 7/15/2003 8:50:20 PM #

Cut it out! We have been through this before and the conclusion is that it has a SQUARE screen. You have to remember that it was tilted.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

Recce @ 7/15/2003 8:55:45 PM #

The screen is definitely not square, no point arguing, you'll see it in few days' time.

"The only easy day was yesterday"

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

mikecane @ 7/15/2003 9:12:17 PM #

Let's make sure everyone comes back here Friday after the announcement.

Crow will be served.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

nemo13 @ 7/15/2003 10:55:59 PM #

How can you guys think that this screen is square?
Pretty simple: if it is square at an oblique angle it must be a rectangle.

It bet it will have a feature built in to let you view the display in portrait mode or flip it to landscape.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

eichiwawa @ 7/16/2003 1:58:56 AM #

"The shape and form factor of the device loosely resembles the design of the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP."

Why else would it be described in this manner if it were not square? Have any of you seen the Gameboy SP? It is square..... just like the new clie will be.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

hotpaw4 @ 7/16/2003 4:22:37 AM #

someone wrote:
> if it is square at an oblique angle it must be a rectangle

But it's clearly not square.

If you actually measure the display in the photo with a ruler, you'll find that the image width is around 65% of the height, which is about right for the projection of a square tilted away from you at an angle of about 50 degrees.

(Aren't optical illusions fun... :)

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

cbulock @ 7/16/2003 4:52:36 AM #

How can anyone think that is hi-res+??? It is possible it has a slightly rectangular shape to the screen, but a hi-res+ screen is 50% taller than it is wide. Do the people that think it is hi-res+ even own a hi-res+ device? That picture defiantly does not show one.

________________
-Cameron
http://nx.cbulock.com

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

Clorox @ 7/16/2003 9:10:47 AM #

I have to chime in with my opinion as well.

The screen is rectangular. no doubt in my mind. If I'm wrong, I'll be first to admit.

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

dokall @ 7/16/2003 11:38:38 AM #

For the doubters of the rectangle theories - take a close look at the "hinges" and the center section and you will clearly see that these would not fit on the bottom of the unit - he is holding the unit in landscape mode - but the unit intself acutlly is generally oriented in the traditional portrait mode

Take it easy - Al from Canada

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

Edward Green @ 7/16/2003 2:18:34 PM #

The screen is actually round. The way he is holding it makes the edges look straight but in fact the screen is a circle.

Or is it an oval?

Edward Green
--
http://www.khite.co.uk

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 6:26:39 PM #

Edward wins the prize for best Comment.

That was *hilarious*!

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

jjsoh @ 7/16/2003 7:44:56 PM #

eichiwawa

You're right in that the casing of the GameBoy Advance SP is square, but also keep in mind that when opened, the LCD screen itself is not:

http://gameboy.com/sp/home.jsp

Just wanted to point that out. I don't really care if the Sony prototype is square or not.

Jim

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

Recce @ 7/16/2003 8:34:39 PM #

LOL!! This is funny.

We have so many people arguing whether it's a square, rectangle or even round screen.

Actually I've saw a couple of screen shots that has the pic taken more to the front of the device and it is definitely not square (can't remember the link though, if not, I'll just let the pic do the talking).

If people are arguing based on just the single pic posted here, I can understand why since it's very difficult to judge from this pic alone.

"The only easy day was yesterday"

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

AzureGuy @ 7/17/2003 12:35:54 AM #

just to back up a point here... The GameBoy Advance SP has a WIDESCREEN format. Just like the prior GBA, you can play old GB games on it, but they don't fill up the whole screen unless you press the L-shoulder button. Old GB had a square screen.

Now why can't we all just wait till Friday huh?

------
BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!!!!!

RE: Look closely at the lcd display...

AzureGuy @ 7/17/2003 12:38:48 AM #

OH, just figured I may as well chime in... It looks like it's taller than it is wide, and even with the angle it looks like it's going to be Hi-Res+. How can you see a square out of that pic..... Unless of course your screen isn't calibrated properly to display pictures? LOL j/k.... LOL

------
BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!!!!!

The New Clie UX50 is out!

Recce @ 7/17/2003 4:08:25 AM #

Ok the new Clie UX50 is out!

http://www.sony.jp/CLIE/index_pc.html

http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200307/03-0717/img/pj.jpg

Tentative Specs:
PalmOS 5.2
Handheld Engine(TM) CXD2230GA (a graphics accelerator?)
480x320 transflective display
Graffiti2
Landscape orientation
Built-in 802.11b and Bluetooth
Infrared
Dimensions: 103 (L) × 86.5 (W) × 17.9mm (D)
Weight: 175g
Backlit keyboard
Expansion Batteries
MS, MSPro, MSDuo
WiFi: 2.5hrs continuous with BackLight at Max
4.5hrs continuous with BackLight at Min
Music playback: 16hrs
35hrs with expansion batteries

"The only easy day was yesterday"

CROW IS BEING SERVED!!!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:29:29 AM #

Dammit, you beat me to the post!

It's a TRUE LANDSCAPE SCREEN!!

I will have a VERY LARGE helping of crow, thank you very much. Can I have mustard or even -- fittingly! -- some soy sauce on mine!!

I've not yet dug into the specs, but right off the bat this looks like something that would prevent me from buying a Pocket PC. I hope this sentiment holds as I read more about it.

CROW IS STILL BEING SERVED

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:34:09 AM #

Damn! They've improved CLIE Viewer! You can now collect images into albums and view albums, then each picture. Collecting things into albums should speed things up considerably!

Man, this unit is as big a breakthrough as the *original* 320x320 CLIE was!

Back to reading specs...

Sony takes the limelight

Chankla @ 7/15/2003 5:02:23 PM #

Regardless of what the Sony device is or isn't; or its price, you have to admire the timing of this chess move.

At just the moment when HP's 1940 ($250) has put the pricing squeeze on the yet to be introduced T2, Sony comes in for the kill by taking away the spotlight from Palm's upcoming Tungsten T2 release.

Market forces are just as predatory as Darwinian forces. Unfortunately it is Palm that is going to be the "meal" this time.

RE: Sony takes the limelight

navomaal @ 7/15/2003 5:47:53 PM #

Palm always does this - they REALLY missed the window of oppurtunity to release T2....suddenly T2 is not that attractive anymore......

but that is not unexpected -. palm goes out of its way to ensure they get a chance to file bankruptcy.....

RE: Sony takes the limelight

WileyCoyote @ 7/15/2003 6:13:23 PM #

Yes Palm had a chance for some good advertising and PR with the T2 deployment but they dragged their heels on it. Geese there are stores that have the T2 in stock right now and can't sell it till Palm gives them permission. Meanwhile Sony is going to steal their lunch again with this new device even if it will not be available for several weeks just the announcement is going to cast a shadow on anything Palm can bring out. I don't know what this is going to be and I want to refrain from speculating but it sure looks interesting! Marketing is all about timming and Palm just can't get that.

RE: Sony takes the limelight

NewtonDKC @ 7/15/2003 8:01:49 PM #

If I remember correctly, someone had a pic from a slightly different angle (maybe directly front on) and the new clie (or whatever this little gadget is) was definitely square. I think everyone was hoping for a 320x480 landscape mode with keyboard in that mode, but I guess we'll keep waiting...
Heck, if they'd just come out with an NX/2 which was basically just the screen half, I'd seriously look at it over my 2215 (' get my clever naming convention NX/2?). :-)
Sorry, too many gadgets have warped my brain.

RE: Sony takes the limelight

mikecane @ 7/15/2003 8:05:23 PM #

"Geese there are stores that have the T2 in stock right now and can't sell it till Palm gives them permission."

-- say what?!

RE: Sony takes the limelight

Palm101 @ 7/15/2003 8:29:23 PM #

Here's the problem: It takes about a year for a product to go through the devlopment cycle. Palm just didn't space their cycle out right. Something to do with upper management...

RE: Sony takes the limelight

mikecane @ 7/15/2003 8:56:17 PM #

NX/2?!

Like, uh, PS/2?

OS/2?

OK/2....

RE: Sony takes the limelight

Foo Fighter @ 7/15/2003 10:40:58 PM #

Mike, it's true. Several retailers across North America have TT2 in stock but can't sell them until Palm makes the announcement. Same thing happened with the Zire 71, but the blue shirts at my local Best Buy was too dumb to know they weren't supposed to sell me mine. SUCKERZ!!!

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Sony takes the limelight

jjsoh @ 7/15/2003 11:10:14 PM #

mikecane: "Geese there are stores that have the T2 in stock right now and can't sell it till Palm gives them permission."

-- say what?!

LOL. I think he meant: "Geez, here are stores..." Not the type that swim in gaggles. Unless you were thinking of something else, but your reaction was the same as mine until I started reading it over again. :^)

Jim

RE: Sony takes the limelight

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 6:27:41 PM #

No, I understood the geese = geez. What I don't understand is that if TT2s are somewhere, WHY hasn't there been leaks to the degree there were with the Z71?! (Oh have I somehow missed where the leaks are?)

RE: Sony takes the limelight

NewtonDKC @ 7/17/2003 9:07:14 AM #

Okay, it's landscape, grooviness!!! It's like a baby laptop. And the "overbite" is a clever way to have the app buttons available no matter what. I wonder how long before some raotation software comes out to allow to run in the Portrait mode.

And by the way, my NX/2 "formula" was meant to convey that I wanted the screen half only (NX divided by 2 = half of the old device). Nevermind, it wasn't that funny to begin with, but at least the screen is landscape. Yeahhh! :-)

RE: Sony takes the limelight

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:25:07 AM #

>>>I wonder how long before some raotation software comes out to allow to run in the Portrait mode.

It damn well better come TOMORROW! Americans will not put up with this landscape-only BS. (Well, *this* American won't!)

And NO Decuma?!

Hey, Sony! You got less than 24 hours to tell us the unit you will be shipping HERE will have BOTH portrait mode as well as Decuma!

RE: Sony takes the limelight

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:32:10 PM #

-- oopsie. It *has* Decuma. So, it's just portrait mode, Sony. Got that?! *One* item on your To Do List!

Sony Bites......

Stockholm not Oslo @ 7/15/2003 9:38:39 PM #

I just bought a PDA for my iBook. I had 2 in mind.. the Treo 90 and the TG50. I bought the treo 90.. why? Because there is no built in support for sony on mac. I wont Buy a clie untill there is built in mac support.

-Joey

Its been a year, I'M BACK!!!!

RE: Sony Bites......

gfunkmagic @ 7/15/2003 9:55:48 PM #

So you rather get the discontinued Treo 90?!!

Visit http://goodthatway.com/
-better living through better technology.

RE: Sony Bites......

Stockholm not Oslo @ 7/15/2003 10:51:17 PM #

What can i say im a High School student on a budget. I just got my new iBook on a loan. (ehh my old powerbook 3400c was way past its days)

RE: Sony Bites......

Tungstenman @ 7/15/2003 11:40:30 PM #

I agree, and disagree.

Yes, it's tru, I wont buy a sony clie until they are mac compatible, built in from the box.

BUT atleast buy a tungsten handheld, not a treo 90, that is discontinued. Palm is a great top brand for pda's and has plenty of Mac compatible low end and High end handhelds.

Steve, Tungsten owner

RE: Sony Bites......

twalk @ 7/16/2003 1:27:32 PM #

What's wrong with a 90? Sure it's not as fast and doesn't have nearly as good of a screen.

OTOH, it's got a great KB, can last 10 hours on a charge, and it's smaller and lighter (ie, unlike a TT, I can put a 90 in my jeans pocket).

Unlike many of the older PDAs, there really is a tradeoff here, and not a clear cut winner.
(When is PalmSpring going to bring out a 90 upgrade...? :-()

I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

renurb @ 7/15/2003 10:05:22 PM #

I've been watching for this release since PIC did the first report on it. I wonder if it uses the new smaller memory sticks? I'm curious to see if it uses the tiny keyboard or graphiti. I would prefer graphite, and maybe the keyboard as an option. I'm also interested in what type of battery it uses and hoping that it's a replaceabe one. I've never been big on "buit-in" batteries. I like the idea that I can replace a battery at a convenience store if I'm on the road. The camera would be interesting, but not esential to me. The form factor is great. Looks like it would fit nicely into one's front pants pocket.

I hope there's a low end model as well. Beleive it or not, I'm perfectly happy with my SL10. Not all of us need (or can afford) all the bells and whistles.

Just a few thoughts...

Blessed are they who don't,
For they shall not,
Nor will they.

RE: I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

AzureGuy @ 7/15/2003 11:39:13 PM #

If the pic is actually the handheld they're going to release, and if it has:

-a 320x320 screen (at least, 320x480 would be nice, but not necessary)
-200 MHz Xscale is tolerable (250 MHz or 300 MHz would be better)
-32 MB RAM (I'd like 64 MB, but hey, I'll settle for 32 MB)
-Wifi (MUST HAVE)
-a good battery (rechargeable, but replaceable with regular batteries would be nice, but I'll settle for Li-Ion non-removable)
-Multimedia capability is a must-have (MP3, Video)
-standard connector like on the NX/NZ/whatever
-a touch typing pad would be awesome (but not necessary)
-microphone would be nice, but is probably un-likely....

------
BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!!!!!

RE: I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

AzureGuy @ 7/15/2003 11:46:47 PM #

I forgot to say, if it has what I listed, I'll get it :)

------
BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!!!!!

Dear Lord it's ugly

IanJD @ 7/16/2003 5:17:46 AM #

I can't see what everyone's getting so excited about. Yeah, if it's 320x320 then Sony have finally managed to release a Clie that will fit into a pocket without the use of a steam press, but there's nothing radically new even in the wildest of the predictions for this. Indeed, the size is going to make life a lot more difficult for folk...

Unless they have discovered a fabulous new battery chemistry, the WiFi will either drain it in a couple of hours tops, or have a bluetooth-type range.

The cradle connector will undoubtedly be different again, get ready to sell all your old peripherals and wait 6 months for them to release new ones.

Chuck out those memory sticks, it's an ideal opportunity for Sony to hawk some Duos.

And throw out your toothpicks, too, the size of stylus they can fit into this will make them redundant.

And am I the only person who thinks it just looks ugly? Where are the smooth lines of previous Clies?

RE: I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 6:30:56 PM #

>>>The cradle connector will undoubtedly be different again, get ready to sell all your old peripherals and wait 6 months for them to release new ones.

-- I think that is highly unlikely. But we'll see.

RE: I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:36:15 AM #

>>>Unless they have discovered a fabulous new battery chemistry, the WiFi will either drain it in a couple of hours tops, or have a bluetooth-type range.

Go look at their claims. How about some ketchup on your crow?

Really, I've had mine with soy sauce. It's not bad!

RE: I'm excited... It' looks like a great design.

Kaitou @ 7/17/2003 11:19:48 AM #

Well Sony has only ever had two connectors, and considering the amount of Clie models out there, I'd say thats impressive. Certanly nothing like Palm, who had a new connector for every different model, up to a short time ago, and the Universal connector isn't very universal either really.

I am sick of sony

iNOMAD @ 7/15/2003 10:55:13 PM #

I waited for a couple weeks in may for a clie with 640x480, 2 ms slots etc... it never came. I bought a zire 71 and sony announces the new nx. 2 days too late. I then saw the price for these clies with OLD technology, and said no. So i ended up with an ipaq 2215 after not liking the zire. Sony had their chance to get a repeat customer. (i had an nr70v for a month and didnt like it.)

RE: I am sick of sony

Tungstenman @ 7/15/2003 11:45:00 PM #

I couldn't agree with you more

Sony comes out with too many new products to fast

Steve, Tungsten owner

RE: I am sick of sony

renurb @ 7/16/2003 12:02:15 AM #

Not to edge anyone on, but...

They do say "Variety is the spice of life" ;)

Well, to be fair, they also say "Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the soup.

But then... "You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket"...

Blessed are they who don't,
For they shall not,
Nor will they.

Sony Blah

tthiel @ 7/16/2003 3:03:17 AM #

I haven't seen a Sony Clie that I would buy in awhile now. Their new keybaords are unusable to me, way too small. The clamshell design is a hassle and bulky. If I didn't use a Mac I would prolly buy of the the new HP Ipaqs. Instead I'll stick with my Tungsten T and maybe buy the next version of that.

RE: Sony Blah

RhinoSteve @ 7/16/2003 3:31:34 AM #

Get smaller fingers.

RE: Sony Blah

Tungsten @ 7/17/2003 12:48:40 AM #

Uh, the new iPaqs are pretty boring.
If you went that route, you have two Mac solutions:

http://www.markspace.com/pocketpc.html

http://www.pocketmac.net/

They said it'll be "a new chapter for Clie"

Shogmaster @ 7/16/2003 5:04:30 AM #

That can only mean a Clie smartphone. Just another improved Clie PDA couldn't justify the "new chapter" moniker.

Look at the size of the thing! Perfect for a phone.

Previous chapters in Clié history

Guinfs @ 7/16/2003 11:14:23 AM #

My first PDA was a T615c bought in the time it came to the stores. I loved it for being slim, having a color screen and the design (it looked a lot better than the plastic models). Ever since I´ve been waiting for two improvements tha would make it perfect for me: wireless capabilities and longer battery life - it never happened. Sony came with many new features placed in something that has the size of a brick. I´m still waiting.

Guinfs

RE: Previous chapters in Clié history

Edward Green @ 7/16/2003 2:28:43 PM #

I am still sitting here with my n770c. All I want is a h1910 type device with Memory stick and maybe a 320x480 screen, but I could live with 320x320.

The TG50 is the closest to this, but although I now live in 7Mb of RAM I am not sure that i can live in 11Mb.

Edward Green
--
http://www.khite.co.uk

RE: Previous chapters in Clié history

jamesgood72 @ 7/16/2003 8:54:15 PM #

Hey Edward,

That's exactly what I wanted... I had a N710C which served me well until it was stolen. I would probably prefer it without the keyboard, but otherwise the TG50 has been really good for me. A great step up from the 710.

Still - this new thingy sounds very interesting...

-James.

Looks rectangular to me based on his fingers-

madmaxmedia @ 7/16/2003 1:07:52 PM #

It's hard to tell by looking at the unit itself, the angle is sorta weird and makes it hard to guess.

But then I was looking at his fingers. Unless he has really small fingers, it looks like it make be rectangular. It looks like his 3 fingers take up about half the unit. If I hold my TG50 the same way, the TG50 is longer but my 3 fingers take up almost half the length too.

As far as specs and stuff go, this is what I would really like-
320 x 480 screen
Bigger keyboard (still thumb-type, but faster and less error prone)
200 MhZ or faster
32 MB RAM or more (prefer 64 MB)
Wi-Fi, optional BT
Sony audio quality (of course)
Microphone

In a rectangular configuration, there should be more room for the battery. Maybe not as big as the Tungsten C battery, but hopefully close. From what I've read, the TC battery life with Wi-Fi is actually pretty good (compared to others).

Ultimately price is going to be the thing. If Sony wants this to be a boutique type model, they will charge a lot and try to get fat on the margins. But I hope this is more of a mid-range, designed for volume.

I think the closet price point would be the TC if it has Wi-Fi. The TC came out a couple of months ago at $500, and is now available at Amazon for $430. This new Sony model would have a bigger screen, but is also a later model. So I'd like to see it at $500 TOPS. Otherwise I'll stick with my TG50 which I recently bought for $240 after rebate.

But if they also add a camera and CF slot, then it will go for at least $600 unfortunately. They should save those features for the NX line.

RE: Looks rectangular to me based on his fingers-

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:37:36 AM #

>>As far as specs and stuff go, this is what I would really like-
320 x 480 screen

YOU GOT IT!

Xmas came early for you this year!

soooo cooool

drewdiggs @ 7/16/2003 2:37:42 PM #

Damn, I must be the only one who thinks this thing is gonna be cool. Of course I had high hopes for the NX73 and 80 also and they were just minor upgrades w/ major hype.

Bluetooth, keep it, I'm good. Wifi, can't wait. More than 14MB accessible on the handheld, schweeet. keyboard... does anyone actually use it ?

The stylus is kinda scaring me, I can't imagine it being more than the length of a toothpick if it's housed w/in the unit. we'll see i guess.

______________________________________
"people who think they know it all are especially annoying to those of us who do." - anonymous

RE: soooo cooool

madmaxmedia @ 7/16/2003 5:15:04 PM #

I own a TG50, and find the keyboard invaluable. I originally didn't like it, but then tried it out when the TG50 became so cheap (with the $50 rebate). I now use it to launch apps and control the audio player, its very useful and also much faster than Graffiti (for me.)

If it is rectangular with a Hi-Res+ screen, I think the stylus will fit fine and be long enough. If it is a square shape then it will have to be a collapsible stylus.

RE: soooo cooool

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 6:33:03 PM #

>>>If it is a square shape then it will have to be a collapsible stylus.

DINGDINGDING! You win the No Prize!

Indeed, it will be that horrendous Mini-Stylus Sony has inflicted on the NXes, 73 & 80.

Go see the future of arthritis and RSI causation...

http://tinyurl.com/h5uq

Shape again-

madmaxmedia @ 7/16/2003 7:40:14 PM #

Hey Mike,

Are you THAT sure it's gonna be a square shape and screen? Read my post above about why it looks like a rectangle (based on the hand holding the unit).

To be honest, the only reason I would think about this new unit is if it is 480x320 and uses the new orientation for a bigger keyboard. I really like my TG50, otherwise I'll stick with that.

Thanks,
Steve

RE: soooo cooool

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 10:04:46 PM #

I am basing my square screen assertion on the pictures I have seen. Otherwise, I have no insider knowledge (and given all of Sony's missteps, who'd want that knowledge? -- "No! You *can't* make that the stylus!" "It is too late. We have manufactured three million units!" "AIE!!!!").

YUM! YUM! CROW!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:40:32 AM #

OK, OK. I've eaten my share of crow already. See above.

Sony has surprised the hell out of me. After the disappointing NXes, 73 and 80, they pull *this* out of their hat!

Exclusive Picture of new Sony

Bioco @ 7/16/2003 9:33:19 PM #

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/maido/img100127163.jpeg

With a little search I found a pic of the new CLIE !!!

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/maido/img100127163.jpeg

RE: Exclusive Picture of new Sony

mikecane @ 7/16/2003 10:06:54 PM #

I don't think so.

That looks like an ebook reader, not a CLIE.

And there is no CLIE name on it. Just Sony.

RE: Exclusive Picture of new Sony

k1w1 @ 7/16/2003 11:41:17 PM #

Sorry, that thing is an e-book reader as Mike says. They have been available for at least 5 years and the one I have reads data from something similar to a Minidisc. If we all hang on just one more day all will be revealed.

Huge chalk-stick like/size hinges?

Gekko @ 7/16/2003 10:28:04 PM #

what's up with the huge chalk-stick like/size hinges? why are the hinges so big? did they sneak two AA-size rechargable batteries in there?

RE: Huge chalk-stick like/size hinges?

AzureGuy @ 7/17/2003 12:47:30 AM #

I like those hinges... Makes it look DURABLE.... DURABILITY....*drools*

------
BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!!!!!

RELEASED

fulmer @ 7/17/2003 1:15:36 AM #

It's been released in Japan...
480x320 screen for all you doubters....

http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200307/03-0717/

RE: RELEASED

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 1:35:47 AM #

Very interesting! What's that in the bottom left corner of the keyboard part? Looks like a cylinder. Could it be a new type of jog dial? That's cylinder shaped, instead of wheel shaped? There seems to be a back button next to it. And on the other side, there's a curious hole in the corner. I wonder what that's for?

And in the bottom right corner, there's something round protruding. Could it be the stylus? If so, it seems to be bigger than those of previous Clié models.

I hope you'll be able to switch between landscape mode and "A4" mode (that is, between 480x320 and 320x480). Man, software developers will have a tough time supporting all the screen orientations :-) Especially all word processor type applications, they'll want landscape mode support for keyboard input, and perhaps A4 mode for reading documents (and for older Cliés that doesn't have landscape mode).

I'm looking forward to this one. I'm going to become a father in November, so I hope this unit's camera is good enough to motivate the replacement of my Clie NR70V. :-)

-Enfors-

RE: RELEASED

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 2:05:42 AM #

After looking at the Japanese website, I've figured out that the cylinder must indeed be a new type of jog dial. I hope there's another one too, for use in A4 or "tablet" mode.

The round protruding thing I mentioned above is *not* the stylus. The stylus is still thin, it seems.

And the hole in the corner is apparently for attaching a wrist band, to keep yourself from dropping the unit.

-Enfors-

RE: RELEASED

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:42:41 AM #

That ribbed cylinder is what is on the Picturebook, I think. Eek! Not sure how that'll work with PalmOS... still poring throughs specs and drooooooling over pictures.

(And, yes, I've already had my crow!!)

New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

lak @ 7/17/2003 1:40:09 AM #

New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Highlights:
- 320x480 65,536 color TFT screen
- WiFi, BlueTooth
- CPU: Sony's own CXD2230GA "Handheld Engine" (no other specs available)
- Memory 16MB + 22MB for multimedia files
- Palm OS 5.2
- Expansion Batteries
- Automatic backup during low batteries
- MS, MSPro, MSDuo
- VGA camera
- Battery duration: 14days normal use
WiFi: 2.5hrs continuous with BackLight at Max
4.5hrs continuous with BackLight at Min
Music playback: 16hrs
35hrs with expansion batteries
- 103 x 86.5 x 17.9mm; 175g

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PEG/PEG-UX50/index.html

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 1:46:10 AM #

Bluetooth and Wifi? Great!

VGA camera? Isn't that 640x480? Damn, I was hoping for atleast 1600x1200 :-(

And less than 64MB of memory? I'm really surprised by that one.

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 2:13:50 AM #

The Japanese site seems to say it includes voice recorder software, so I guess it has a microphone.

But video capture still seems to be 160x112, which is waaay to small to be useful. Being an OS 5+ unit, with a non-dragonball processor, you'd think it would atleast be able to record 320x240 at 30 fps to RAM, even if memory sticks seem too slow to save to at that speed. Oh well.

It also lists an "Image upload utility" as being included. There's a picture of a website where they mention it. This leads be to believe that you can wirelessly (wifi or bluetooth + cell phone) upload pictures you've taken with the camera to a web site. A blogger's wet dream :-)

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

bchiu @ 7/17/2003 2:23:23 AM #

Also USB Port!

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PEG/PEG-UX50/Images/parts_5.jpg

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 2:28:36 AM #

Yes, I wonder what that USB port is for. Didn't some of the later Clié models (NZ90?) have some sort of USB connector on the cradle, to connect it to a printer or screen, for printing / displaying images? Could this be something similar?

I wonder what else you could connect to a PDA with USB... hmm...

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

IndyDave @ 7/17/2003 2:37:52 AM #

Interesting conflict about the onboard memory. Brighthand says ARM-type processor (300 MHz) with 64 MB DRAM.

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Sony_Announcing_Wireless_Handheld_on_Friday

Makes more sense than the purported 16 MB (+ 22 for multimedia). Guess we'll see.

I haven't seen a Sony PDA worth adopting MS and its various iteration for my needs. CF slot might seal the deal but no. Will definitely check it out whenever it reaches the cornfields of Indiana.

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

lak @ 7/17/2003 3:21:04 AM #

Well, there is no doubt about the RAM size, brighthand is wrong. You can't argue with Sony's own specification at its web site, can you?

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 3:22:32 AM #

On the Japanese web site, the text "104 MB", "16 MB" and "22 MB" appear after one another, mixed-in with Japanese signs which I have no clue what they mean:

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PEG/PEG-UX50/spec.html

Could it be that it actually has 104 MB RAM (that is, 128 MB, all of which isn't available), and that "16 MB" and "22 MB" refers to dynamic RAM or somesuch? I am tempted to think so, since "104 MB" shows up first.

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 3:29:23 AM #

> Well, there is no doubt about the RAM size, brighthand is wrong. You can't argue with Sony's own specification at its web site, can you?

How can you be sure? Like I said in my previous post, Sony's own specs say "104 MB", "16 MB" and "22 MB". I don't know what to make of that, but I'm guessing it has 104 MB. If you understand Japanese writing, you're welcome to translate it for us.

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 3:39:42 AM #

I can read it but I don't understand it that well. It says 104MB (of which 16MB + 22MB internal media - whatever that is, is available to the user. So does that mean 66MB (104-16-22=66) is taken up by all those fancy applications (3D launcher, photo editing, browser etc etc)? I guess must be the usual ploy to get everyone buying 1GB memory sticks - no thanks!

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 3:46:28 AM #

...by the way fulmer's post above gave a link that showed the street price of 70,000 yen so that would mean the US price will be somewhere between $599 and $699.

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 3:53:21 AM #

OK, my favorite local electronics stores list it as 69,799 yen available on August 9th.

Enfors, you wanted to know about the mic? Mono speaker, mono mic but stereo headphone output.

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 4:00:35 AM #

Thanks, stereo headphones output is good news. :-) But I've seen no mention of it including an MP3 remote controller on the (included?) headphones, like older Clié models (such as my NR70V) has. Also, it doesn't seem to use the same two-point headphones connector as my NR70V uses, only a standard one-point headphones connector, which further strengthens the theory that no MP3 remote is included or even supported.

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 4:09:27 AM #

Headphones are not listed in the accessories included. Just the usual cradle, ac adapter/cord, usb cable, extendable stylus, handstrap and installation CDROM. Guess you can't have everything.

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 4:20:16 AM #

Thanks for the info, k1w1. Could you check another thing for us, please? On the specs page, I think it says the Movie Recorder still only records at 160x112, which is a disapointment. Could you verify that please?

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PEG/PEG-UX50/spec.html

-Enfors-

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 4:28:03 AM #

For recording, yes, for playback 426~320, 320~240 or 160~112. But for a .31 million pixels camera you wouldn't want it to be any bigger anyway. Nice to know it has effects like Black&White, Sepia etc (if you're into that kinda stuff) and a self timer for taking still pics. Plus 3X digital zoom - not bad. Most mobile phones over here have built in cameras and are starting to go from about .3 million pixels to 1-1.3 million so I think Sony should have done the same for this. Makes a big difference between an add-on toy and something which starts to look like a reasonable camera.

RE: New Sony Clie Announced PEG-UX50!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 5:21:44 AM #

Thanks again for the info. I wish the camera had a better resolution though, 1600x1200, like NZ90, would be nice. And a flash would be even better, then the camera is no longer a toy - it's a "real" digital camera that you can actually use as your everyday camera.

Oh well, I guess you can't have everything. Atleast it's better than the 320x240 camera I have on my NR70V. :-)

And digital zoom isn't very interesting, IMO. But optical zoom isn't feasible on a PDA, so I guess digital zoom is better than no zoom at all.

-Enfors-

UX50 has 104MB RAM!!

doctor__no @ 7/17/2003 5:20:47 AM #

There has been some confusion about the RAM size, according to Sony's own homepage (which is kinda confusing) as well as WatchImpress there is a total of 104MB of RAM. It breaks down like this, there is 16MD of SD RAM and 22MB of Flash RAM, and around 64MB for memory.

Here is the link for those of you who can read Japanese or use Babel Fish:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/14886.html

Also seems the CPU will be ARM926 based and has 3D graphics capabilities and has 64Mb DRAM cache and be around 8-123MHz. Sony claims the CPU will perform faster than higher Mhz xScale CPUs and have Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Management which allows processor to have a variable clockspeed depending on the needs of the application to save battery life.

RE: UX50 has 104MB RAM!!

k1w1 @ 7/17/2003 5:43:19 AM #

So that gives us 38MB of usable memory. Better than previous models...

RE: UX50 has 104MB RAM!!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 6:00:58 AM #

> So that gives us 38MB of usable memory. Better than previous models...

38MB? How did you come up with that number? The way I interpret the post above is that it has 64MB "ordinary" RAM, and 16 MB SD + 22 MB Flash, both of which I guess is used to store the OS, or something like that, leaving us with the 64MB "ordinary" RAM for storing our applications , documents and for dynamic RAM.

-Enfors-

RE: UX50 has 104MB RAM!!

Recce @ 7/17/2003 6:33:33 AM #

I think it could be that out of 104MB,

22BM is Flash ROM
16MB is free
the rest is occupied by the build-in applications.

If that's the case, it is still good as you can delete some build-in applications, e.g. Clie demo, and free up more RAM.

"The only easy day was yesterday"

RE: UX50 has 104MB RAM!!

Enfors @ 7/17/2003 7:24:21 AM #

> I think it could be that out of 104MB, 22BM is Flash ROM, 16MB is free, the rest is occupied by the build-in applications.

That sounds unlikely to me. First of all, devices with memory almost always have 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 or 128 (etc) MB memory. Second, if your theory is correct, that would mean that there's 104-22-16=66 MB of built-in applications. That sounds way too much to me. But I could be wrong, ofcourse.

-Enfors-

Here are the ROM/RAM specs

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:18:54 AM #

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3837.html

In addition to the new design, Sony is including most of their familiar extras, including an integrated 0,3 megapixel digital camera, MP3 playback, video playback software and more. Not surprisingly, the PEG-UX50 is powered by Palm OS 5.2 on an all-new ARM926-based CXD2230GA processor. The CXD2230GA appears to have been developed by Sony exclusively for mobile devices, and includes an on-board DSP and 8 MB of RAM on-chip. That lets the handheld play MPEG video at up to 30 frames per second, faster than almost any other handheld in existance. The device includes 32 MB of system RAM, of which only 16 MB is available to the user. The included applications, of which there are many, are stored in 22 MB of ROM.

Handheld Engine?!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:48:33 AM #

Did Sony create their own CPU based on an ARM license and design?

Given they created their own CPU for PlayStation...

RE: Handheld Engine?!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:05:47 AM #

Yep! Sony did their own CPU!!

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/0717/sony2.htm

Man, they are really tugging at what we think a PalmOS is "supposed" to be...

RE: Handheld Engine?!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 10:21:05 AM #

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/0717/sony206.jpg

-- Handheld Engine picture. Mother Of All PDA CPUs?

New CLIE: HUGE Gotcha!!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 8:52:38 AM #

This seems to be LANDSCAPE ONLY!

The unit CANNOT do portrait?! This is what I gather from all the images on the Sony jp site!

That sucks! That REALLY REALLY sucks! Man, does that SUCK! I can't believe how much that SUCKS!

I hope I'm wrong -- but I don't see *ANY* image that shows portrait display.

I'll have a SECOND portion of crow if you can show me a PORTRAIT image on their site!

RE: New CLIE: HUGE Gotcha!!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:01:27 AM #

And NO Decuma?!!?

RE: New CLIE: HUGE Gotcha!!

Guinfs @ 7/17/2003 9:21:23 AM #

The portrait design is particularly bad for left handed users, since one has to write with the hand over the screen.
However its quite a tiny device, at least it fits in a pocket (becomes a brick when you place the extra battery).

Guinfs

RE: New CLIE: HUGE Gotcha!!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:36:47 AM #

>>The portrait design is particularly bad for left handed users

-- you mean landscape, don't you? More screen to put the hand over.

Aside from portrait mode, we also need lefty mode! You hear that, Sony?!!?

(**WHEN** will Sony release something that I can say, "They've thought of everything!" Not so far...)

RE: New CLIE: HUGE Gotcha!!

Guinfs @ 7/17/2003 1:59:35 PM #

Sorry, my fault, landscape it is.

Guinfs

Good straight-on picture

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:07:49 AM #

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/0717/sony203.jpg

LOTS of new pictures!

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:12:58 AM #

http://palmoslove.com/work/feature/news20030717.html

-- it is SMALLER than the C7xx clamshell Zaurus!

RE: Good straight-on picture

Fly-By-Night @ 7/17/2003 9:28:03 AM #

Hmm, that parrot picture lends weight to that rumour about a HiRes+ slate Clie. The screenshot of that had the same parrots as Mike's straight on shot of the UX50.

By accident I spotted a Thai PUG site calling this thing the TW-20. Here's a link:

http://www.tpug.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=632

(Sorry, couldn't be bothered to Makeashorterlink).

If this is true, I'm not sure which Clie to buy to match my shiney new Vaio Z1!

FBN

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Ceci n'est pas une signature.

RE: Good straight-on picture

mikecane @ 7/17/2003 9:38:58 AM #

The TW-20 was a Photoshopped fake.

I'd rather have *that* design, however...

RE: Good straight-on picture

Fly-By-Night @ 7/17/2003 10:52:46 AM #

Just coincidence that both our Photoshopper and Sony chose to stick parrots on their devices then? Or do Sony always put parrots on their screens? No doubt time will tell. Sony have a habit of giving us two or three devices at a time.

FBN

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Ceci n'est pas une signature.