Sony Announces PEG-T650C in Japan
Sony Japan has announced the Clie PEG-T650C. The T650C is essentially an updated version of the T600C and includes an MP3/ATRAC3 player. It uses a slightly improved screen but does not have virtual Graffiti and sports the 66 Mhz Dragonball SuperVZ processor.
T650C is quite similar to the T600C/T615C/T625C. Its casing is the same size, it uses the same buttons, has the same HotSync connector, etc.
The T650C uses the same screen type as the NR series, though it isn't the same size. This means it is better at displaying colors than the T615C is.
According to sources, this handheld will be available in Japan around June 8. There is no word yet on when or if it will be available anywhere else. This isn't unusual as Sony almost always introduces its handhelds in its home country first. We can reasonably assume that it will replace the T615C/T625C models available in other countries.
It costs about 39,800 Yen, which is about $320 US. However, this probably won't be the cost when it is introduced in the United States. For example, the NR70 sells for 49,800 Yen, or $385. In the U.S. it costs $500.
A new accessory (PEGA-KB20), a QWERTY T-Series mini keyboard was also announced. More pictures and a review in Japanese can be found here.
Thanks to the many people that sent in tips, of which Eugene was the first -Ryan
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RE: Wireless
802.11b.
I think when OS5 device shipped, some companies will
have BT built in.
ted
RE: Wireless
802.11b."
Matter of opinion....I have 802.11b at home and would prefer this over Bluetooth......
RE: Wireless
until battery life drops by at least 20-30% (my guess based on power needed for 802.11b vs. BT)
RE: wireless
until your clie is out of range by 100-200% (my guess based on range limitations of BT vs 802.11b)
RE: Wireless
802.11b is for wireless Local Area networks... and it works great... its higher power, but faster and longer ranged. If your connecting to an existing wireless network 802.11b is probably the way to go.
Bluetooth is for wireless personal networks... linking your phone to a headset, or your pda to your phone... its limited to 30ft range but its cheap to make (once it gets going) low power and designed to not only link to a network but link to alot of non computing devices like headsets and such.
So if your at home or work and need access to your network... then 802.11 fits the bill... if your on the road and need connectivity to the internet then bluetooths the tool for the job.
Virtual Graffiti?
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
do your ipaq sporting friends tease palms?
to run the massive amounts of applications (10?) that support it?
get real.
a 320x320 screen, integrated memory card reader and MP3 in such a small package walks on basically every other competing device, with possible exception to the casios.
if grafiti goes, put a keyboard in. the screen's fine.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
The rumors about this one really intrigued me. MP3 is cool, but I know I wouldn't use it beyond it's gadget function. I am really impressed though by ActionNames and WordSmith with the NR70's Virtual Graffiti. I was really hoping this one would have that. (I'm not terribly fond of the clamshell design.)
Well... maybe the next one... (Though by that time I will probably have broken down and bought this one...)
-Biff K
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Sorry for the multiple posts, but me and the last guy must have posted at just about the same time (wasn't there when I first looked.)
Kind of a harsh reaction to dashed hopes! Yes there are few (but growing) number of applications that use it but:
You get a keyboard that does not have to be taped on (IE Fitaly Stamp) and does not take up space on the screen.
You get a (small but handy) feature where a shadow of your line is drawn when you write graffiti (makes your graffiti more accurate.)
Have you actually SEEN WordSmith, ActionNames or any other of the "10 applications" that support it actually on the NR70 screen? I don't have one, but I spent an hour annoying sales folk at CompUSA while I loaded WordSmith and ActionNames to see how much more scree real-estate you get... you get ALOT of screen real-estate. You can just about fit a whole page of a book in the WordSmith doc reader page, this is far better for e-book viewing.
You can see the graffiti area at NIGHT. I got the lighted stylus for this on my good old S320 and would much rather it were backlit.
You can add a skin to it to make your palm look "cooler."
It looks really "cool!" And if all you wanted was function, you could get by with a M100.
Cheers!
-Biff K
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
C'mon. You have to admit that what Sony is doing is a little crazy these days. They have introduced two non-standard video formats, and are not favoring one over the other. That's great for innovation, but the problem is that there is now a slight problem developing software for these new formats -- and software is the chief advantage of the Palm OS. With Sony's new formats, the already existing formats of 240x320 and 160x160, and the upcoming OS5 format, whatever that is, there is bound to be a lot of 1) market confusion and 2) lack of compatibility. Niether is good for Palm, nor good for Sony in the long run. I won't buy a Sony if there's not going to be software that takes advantage of the new screens, and if the existing software has problems running on it.
Ultimately, I agree that a soft graffiti area is better. Let's face it more display is better whenever you have an application running I wish Sony would stand firmly behind that hi-res standard and push it with all their corporate might, so that it becomes the de facto standard for OS5 units.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Astraware, StandAlone, Datebk5 (as long as he doesn't run into any unforeseen problems), SplashData (they all use SONY's!), DDH Software, MobiPocket, HandsHigh... not to mention excellent apps that already support it like McFile, AcidImage, and iSilo.
I wouldn't worry too much about NR series support. From the responses I got when I inquired with the developers of my favorite apps, many of them are switching to the SONY platform anyway! I think SONY support is only going to continue to grow... I could be biased though -)
Josh
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
They should have followed through on this. Now I may just decide to wait and not buy this.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
This is true before Sony.
But it is not true anymore.
Sony's screen is the best. And its form factor and
its features is the best too.
Don't worry about the software, they will come.
Sony is doing all the right things so far for Palm
platform.
ted
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
M505 had a lit graffiti area (non-virtual of course) but no one seemed to notice.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Well, the backlight was so dim it was hard to tell it even WAS lit.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Actually, I did. That was my only regret about going from the m505 to the T615C. I noticed it right away. In total darkness, I could used my m505, I don't have that option with the Sony T615C. Oh well. I'm holding out for the OS5 units anway.
FWIW
DLM
RE: Virtual Graffiti? going separate ways =band for palm OS
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Honestly. Do any of the people who post stuff like this actually READ what sites like PIC have said on this subject? These are not two seperate and incompatible formats - they use the same API!! In other words - 320 x 320 Sony compatible software will work fine in 320 x 320 on the NR series - it just leaves the grafitti area in place. They use the same API, it's just that virtual graffiti is a seperate API issue. If i am writting software that can take advantage of virtual grafitti, i have my code check to see if the device it is running on supports this feature, and if it does then i can use the above mentioned API (or any of the native Palm OS UI APIs) to make use of the extra space, by extending the 'y' values beyond 320. It is a bit of a pain in the ass to have to do extra code to support the new feature - but the great thing about Palm OS is that if i decide its not worth it - then it will still run fine on the device (in this case sony) but without the feature. Whats the problem? Why are you b*tching? If you don't want one - don't get one. Its not as if developers headaches about supporting this feature are going to effect applications on devices that don't have this feature. So don't get one. Why troll around complaining loudly about how "Sony is evil cause they hack the OS! Blah, blah blah....."? Dont you have anything better to do?
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
"The T615 does not even with the brightness turned to highest. I own both, I prefer the m515 for extendad
day usage because I can use it under the sunlight"
Alan
----
Read your manuals before you ask!!
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Did you people notice this ?.
when you guys check out the pics of the t650 on the site, did you notice the "smaller" graffiti box on the clie compared to that of the t615, might b due to the new button functions allocated on the left side of the graffiti box.
RE: Did you people notice this ?.
RE: Did you people notice this ?.
''Slightly Improved Screen''?
I've heard all the stories about how the T615 screen washes out the color, has a yellow vertical band, etc, etc.
I've then heard all the stories about how the NR70 screen has the best screen since the n610/n760 screen, and is greatly improved over the T615.
Then, I've heard the story that the T650 will have the same screen type as the NR70. If this is true, why is it only described as a "Slightly Improved Screen"?
---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html
RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
The NR screen is great and is better than the T615.
I think people would give the T650 screen better grades if it was also larger, but people are confusing the issue of screen size and the issue color quality into the same disucssion.
RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
email me at cndamann@hotmail.com if you have any questions about ordering the NR70 into Canada (the only model available in Canada is the 70v for some unknown reason).
RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
needs thumboard
RE: needs thumboard
Idiot
Worst Battery Life Ever?
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
Even the m515 suffers from average battery life. And an NR70 in a T615C shell will set records for poor battery life, since Sony will have to go with an even smaller battery.
Battery technology is moving pretty slowly compared to the technology of the devices that they are supposed to power -- you can rest assured that what's in your NR is the best battery solution that Sony could feasibly implement. They want to make the ultimate PDA as much as you want to buy one, maybe even moreso.
Future Palms will have even worse battery life - that much is certain. Just look at PPCs. Or do you think that the battery makers aren't supplying PPCs with their best technology because they hate Microsoft? Or maybe the PPC OS somehow makes the hardware draw 50% more power?
There is no magic battery solution that will make your 3.8" color screen, 66Mhz PDA last as long as your old 2.2" monochrome 16Mhz Palm V. Sorry to say.
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
Actually, because of all the bloat and overhead of the PPC OS, that is exactly the case.
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