Sony Announces GPS Module in Japan

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, November 20, 2001 11:23:32 AM

Almost lost in yesterday's hubbub over the T600C was Sony's announcement of a GPS Memory Stick module. In order to save space it has a folding antenna. It will work with the new T series and the N series, not the S series. The PEGA-MSG1 will be available in Japan on December 8 for 20,000 Yen, or $165. According to a Sony spokesperson, the company isn't willing to say when or even if this module will be available in the U.S.

It gets its power from the handheld. The T series can run it for approximately 50 minutes while the N series can keep it running for 75 minutes.

It comes with Navin' You Pocket 2.0, which is mapping software for Japan.

Sony has been showing off prototypes of Memory Stick input/output modules for months. The digital camera Memory Stick is now available for $150 from Sony's webstore. Last summer, they showed off a Bluetooth one but no release date for that is available.

I got this information as best I could with the help of Babelfish. If any of it is incorrect, please let me know. -Ed

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GPS + MS?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 11:46:28 AM #
Now, is this like the camera where you can't use both the gps and the memory stick at the same time? Where will you put maps then?

Any info if it's NMEA compliant?

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:05:33 PM #
notta problem with the 330

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:55:12 PM #
Yes it is the 330 doesn't use a memory stick.

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 1:55:43 PM #
Leave it to one of the three people who actually own a Handera 330 to make a snide remark about Sony.

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 3:25:23 PM #
LoL, saying the 330 doesn't use a memory stick is not a put-down to Sony or its users, it's a simple fact. Geez the trolls on these boards have warped peoples' perceptions.

And from what I've heard there are around 35,000 330 users, (another simple fact, don't freak out).



RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 3:30:38 PM #
/nods, lots-o-330 users from the SanFran area. I use the Transplant GPS (CF) with my 330. Used it for an hour the other day and it barely made a dent in my Li-Ion battery. Great maps too with the high-res. Mapopolis.


RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 3:43:20 PM #
Where you buy this Transplant GPS?

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 3:46:10 PM #
Just go to:

http://www.transplantcomputing.com/

Talk to Steve Emery, very cool guy.



Will the three HandEra 330 trolls ever go away?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 3:10:42 AM #
It is becoming tiresome reading post after post from these HandEra losers trying to convince everyone that we should care about the HandEra. Please just accept the fact that most people don't like the 330 and don't want to read any more of your posts trying to make it appear as if this is a popular PDA.

35,000 330s sold? I don't think so. Perhaps if you include the thousands of defective models that have been returned and all of the 330s being dumped by Sam's Club for less than $200, you might end up with a number approximately half that size. Please stop posting this nonsense.

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 7:11:53 AM #
Amen, Brother!!!!

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 9:56:38 AM #
I'm just glad my M505 doesn't have the problems that Sony and HandEra users have, has worked perfectly since I got it!

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 11:47:23 AM #
Ok, well you buy your little GPS stick here that will suck the life outta your batteries in less than an hour, I'll stick with my POS handera. Its been a terrible device, on my 14th replacement, but I like the ugly case. I actually wish I woulda bought a REX! They rock, my friend has had one and its the best handheld I've seen as far as reliability!

RE: GPS + MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 11:54:42 AM #
Didn't I tell you to go away???

You people are pests. Leave the Sony forums to us, our units are better and so are we. Shoo Fly!

Fantastic!

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 11:47:35 AM #
I'm going to Japan tomorrow. Hope it's available!

RE: Fantastic!
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 11:53:30 AM #
I hope you can stay until Dec 8 since it wont be released til then.

Why not the S-Series???

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 11:47:08 AM #
Any particular reason why this and other MS devices (camera) don't/won't work with the S320? I know it's cheap and maybe the thought is that people who buy it aren't interested in accessories, but is there a real physical/internal reason why it won't work with the S-series?

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:59:06 PM #
Maybe there is software built into whatever memory that the MS GPS unit contains. If the program only supports the high res displays it wouldn't work on the low res S series models...

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 1:06:42 PM #
Because Sony will only support whatever users it feels like. This probably means they're already done supporting the S series. Of course, those looking for an OS upgrade should have already figured that one out.

If your model is past in their opinion (which could only be a few months old), they'll leave you hanging. I can't imagine why anyone would buy a PDA from Sony no matter what the feature set is. They are not a PDA company, they are a consumer electronics company. If you don't like it, throw it out and buy a new one is their philosophy.

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 4:13:48 PM #
I see. Sony has been throwing out new handhelds (with very little differences between them) and making the older versions obsolete in a matter of months...that's great. Suddenly I don't feel so bad about the handheld company I buy from taking their time on development and also supporting their other handhelds.

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 5:40:50 PM #
Only one reply actually addresses the original question of whether or not there's any technical problem with making the GPS work on the 320. And all of you guys bashing Sony for obsoleting their products neglected to answer the question of why Sony's Mylo wireless service is available ONLY for the "unsupported" S320 and none of the other Clies.

There are probably only 1 or 2 people posting these trolls
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 3:29:34 AM #
ever notice how the anti-Sony trolls messages sound so similar. Probably because most of them are made by the same person. Like how the troll above probably replied to their own post with the phony post:

******************************************************
[RE: Why not the S-Series???
Posted by: I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 4:13:48 PM

I see. Sony has been throwing out new handhelds (with very little differences between them) and making the older versions obsolete in a matter of months...that's great. Suddenly I don't feel so bad about the handheld company I buy from taking their time on development and also supporting their other handhelds.]

****************************************************

It would be nice to see the trolls leave us alone and spend their time at the site below instead:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CLIE_Complaining_Club

RE: Why not the S-Series??? - Original Poster
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 9:32:52 AM #
I was the original poster for this thread, wanting a serious answer to a serious question since I just dropped $250 for two S320's on Dell's website. Although I got a good price on the two and I ain't gonna return 'em, I wished the camera stick worked (or could be made to work) with the S320, which may have been a great way to add quick pics to the address book. Thanks IMA 12:59:06 for attempting to answer my question.

In the past, PIC was a good place to get quick info. Unfortunately a lot of other posters are doing their best to make this site the new PalmStation, with the anti and pro-Clie groups leading the charge.

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 11:00:26 AM #
To the original poster,
IMA 12:59:06 is correct. I recently saw the camera module at COMDEX, and the Sony rep told me that it doesn't work with the S320 units because of they do not support high res.

Hope this helps.

RE: Why not the S-Series???
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 11:05:37 AM #
Call me a troll if you like, but I'll stand by my statement that this means Sony is done supporting the S-series. I certainly did not "reply to [my] own post".

Sorry Original Poster, but I'm not sure what you expect. Someone had already replied to your post and said it was a software issue, and I agree. Either Sony's map software doesn't work on the S-series or the driver doesn't work on the S-series. In either case, it sounds like Sony isn't willing to make it compatible for the S-series. In my opinion, that means they aren't supporting the S-series. I suppose there is some remote possibility that the S-series MS hardware can't handle certain types of IO cards, but I find that hard to believe. It is also possible that the S-series can't provide enough power to run the GPS. If it is a hardware thing, that is poor product planning on Sony's part. I've looked at the S320 and certainly expected it to be compatible with these types of MS devices. I also didn't buy one, because this is exactly how I figrued Sony would handle things.

This might not be available outside of Japan anyhow, so don't get so wound up about it. These forums are for discussing news, not technical support forums.

RE: Why not the S-Series??? - OP
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 12:36:49 PM #
Thanks for the answers/thoughts. Unfortunately the Dell deal expired Monday. Looks like I shoulda skipped going cheap and got the 610, but the wife wanted a new PDA to replace her P-III so I had to split the deal with her. No biggie given the good price/value, but hopefully other mfg are able/will make modules compatible with ALL Clies. Peace.

Where are the Palm SD/MMC accessories?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 11:56:32 AM #
SD/MMC are supposed to be standards right?

RE: Where are the Palm SD/MMC accessories?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:01:42 PM #
Well, I think the difference is, Palm lets other companies develop accessories for them. Sony in the other hand, creates accessories to support their products.

RE: Where are the Palm SD/MMC accessories?
Ed @ 11/20/2001 12:06:39 PM #
The SD Input/Output standard was finally approved by the SD Association just a few weeks ago. Until this happened, no SDIO devices could be released. That's why Palm's Bluetooth SD module had to be delayed.

www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2572

---
News Editor

RE: Where are the Palm SD/MMC accessories?
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 1:49:46 AM #
Actually no, Sony do make memory stick products, but many other comapnies also make memory stick products, go search on the net, you'll be surprise.. I think Philips got a SD/MS adapter, so probably clie will be able to use all SD stuff as soon as they are released...

talk about expendability ....

looks fragile to me

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:00:21 PM #
I'd be afraid of breaking it off. It sticks out awfully far (even folded down) for the very narrow and thin memory stick profile. I'd feel better about it if it had a clip type connector that attached to the MS slot and the back of the unit.

RE: looks fragile to me
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 6:16:30 PM #
Also, what about the integrity of the slots. What if these devices get bumped or pulled out. Is the slot toast? This goes double for SD.

RE: looks fragile to me
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 10:25:40 PM #
The Springboard module is looking better and better everyday. Thin come at a price. thin and expandability don't work well together unless the unit use a form os sled.

RE: looks fragile to me
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2001 1:47:41 AM #
Yeah Thin comes at a price, have you seen a memory stick yet ??

AM/FM Raido memory stick

BlackMax @ 11/20/2001 12:16:49 PM #
If someone at Sony see this message, I suggest you manufacturer and AM/FM Radio stick for Clies, with downloadable tuner software.

I'd like to have one and I bet a bunch of other owners would like one also.

Message me via ICQ and join our nightly game of Soldier of Fortune happening at my IP address.

RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 12:51:08 PM #
What would be the benefit of an AM/FM radio stick as opposed to an AM/FM radio? Use your Clie as a tuner? You can get an AM/FM radio with a tuner for $20. If anyone from Sony is reading this, don't do it. It's a lame idea.

RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 1:18:23 PM #
What would be the benefit of a Clie PDA as opposed to a notebook? Use your Clie as an organizer? You can get an notebook with a pen for $3. If anyone from Sony is reading this, don't do it. It's a lame idea.


RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 2:22:02 PM #
Not a lame idea. I would buy one in a minute. Maybe even an XM Stick? That would be better than MP3!

RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 2:24:54 PM #
By the way, XM is the new satellite radio. Some stations are commercial free and there are news stations as well. Its coast to coast!

RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 2:28:34 PM #
Update - I did not know this when I posted previously but Sony already sells portable XM radios. It could be in the works!

http://www.xmradio.com/servlet/buyers_guide/bg?cat=Tuner&attr=Portable



RE: AM/FM Raido memory stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 11/20/2001 3:00:16 PM #
Again, why do you need a PDA to operate a radio? It sounds to me like this device would be an expensive radio with an antenna and headphone jack except that you need to hook it up to a PDA to make it work. Tell me this, how much would you pay for it? $25? Why would anyone make a memory stick device to sell for that much?

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