Sony to Unveil New Clie on Friday?

Posted By: Ryan Tuesday, July 15, 2003 1:45:41 PM

New Sony Clie PDA Concept ~ Click For LargerThe 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.

The newspaper reports that Masanobu Yoshida, president of Sony's handheld unit, will unveil "the latest chapter of the Clie handheld" on Friday at a press conference in San Francisco.

The prototype Clie model was briefly displayed by a Sony Executive at a management press briefing in Japan in late May. Sony gave very little specific information about the device other than it will include some form of integrated wireless. It is also reported to have an integrated camera on the hinge. The shape and form factor of the device loosely resembles the design of the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.

Longtime readers will remember that Sony first showed off a prototype of what later became the NR70 in a similar manner at PalmSource 2002. That prototype was later released less than two months following the sneak peak.

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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.
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