Rumor: New Sony Clie SJ33 with mp3 Audio

An anonymous source has shared with us that the Sony Clie SJ20 and SJ30 have reached the end of their production and are being replaced by new models with color screens. Apparently the new models are already listed in major US retail databases. Read more for details and pictures.

Our source claims the new SJ22G will be thinner and lighter than current SJ20G and have a color screen. It will not have mp3 audio support built in. It may be likely this will be the new low-end color clie.

Sony Clie SJ33 ~ Click for largerThe SJ33G will have an enhanced speaker and mp3 audio features similar to T665 but is thinner and lighter than the current SJ30. According to ClieSource, it is already in the BestBuy Database w/ a SKU of 5331795 and a UPC of 027242620773. Also from the database, it mentions a "In-Stock" date of 2/28/2003, the same date as the NZ90. It also quotes a $299 price tag and 16MB of internal RAM.

A leaked picture of the supposed SJ33, shows a new plastic flip cover. The cover appears to be transparent, allowing one to check the screen without lifting up the cover. Other details such as processor speed and OS version are not known at this time.

The T665 will also be replaced by a new model by end February. This coincides with a just announced $50 price drop on the t665, bringing that down to $300.

Credit and thanks goes to ClieSource for the images and rumor confirmations.

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Palm OS 5.2

epotter @ 1/21/2003 1:19:23 PM #
Will this thing have Graffiti 2 on it?
RE: Palm OS 5.2
Bartman007 @ 1/22/2003 2:16:25 PM #
This is not an ARM device. It will not run Palm OS 5 or above. It may thought have Graffiti 2, but I doubt that Sony would include that with a model before 4.1.2 is released.

Peace,
-Bartman007

RE: Palm OS 5.2
JKingGrim @ 1/23/2003 9:26:28 AM #
I thought it was released. When will it be?

RE: Palm OS 5.2
katunka89 @ 1/25/2003 1:08:39 AM #
Bartman, It didn't say whether it was ARM or not... so that isn't true. It probably won't use graffiti 2, but it might be an ARM device

Katunka----also known as slim devil
RE: Palm OS 4.1
Palm_Otaku @ 1/27/2003 3:21:43 AM #
Well, the specs are up on the Japanese and Hong Kong Clie sites 66MHz processor running OS4.1 (not 4.1.2 so it should still have Graffiti)

The super-stamina battery sounds good -- hmm, overall it looks like quite a nice unit!

- Dan

Looks good

spike @ 1/21/2003 1:19:54 PM #
Wonder if they will update SL10 with SJ20 backlight =)
RE: Looks good
Palm_Otaku @ 1/21/2003 2:16:01 PM #
No rumors of an SJ11, huh?

I wonder if Sony is moving to a color-only lineup this year...

RE: Looks good
bobes @ 1/24/2003 9:54:00 PM #
sorry I may be mistaken but isn't the new SJ22 the same specs as the old SJ30?

new t665c

graph @ 1/21/2003 1:21:23 PM #
the new t665c replacement will most likely have bluetooth or something new, maybe a virtual grafitti since the new sj is exactly like the t665c....

RE: new t665c
Foo Fighter @ 1/21/2003 2:28:32 PM #
I'm hoping we'll see a T-series replacement based on OS5/xScale with Virtual Graffiti for under $350.

Geez, I've written that so many times my fingers are getting tired! :-)



"it's better to be a pirate than join the navy." - Steve Jobs

RE: new t665c
robrecht @ 1/21/2003 2:40:05 PM #
Can't imagine that a replacement for the t665 would come in under $400. If bluetooth is built in and there is a virtual graffit (ie, larger) screen, I would suspect that they would price competitively with Tungsten T ($500). Sorry.

Thanks, Robrecht
RE: new t665c
bobes @ 1/21/2003 2:40:34 PM #
So there will be four new models coming out at the end of Feb? This would be a first for Sony.

NZ90
SJ22
SJ33
T665 replacement

RE: new t665c
Foo Fighter @ 1/21/2003 2:46:01 PM #
> "I would suspect that they would price competitively with Tungsten T ($500). Sorry."

Actually my bet is that Sony will beat Palm. Probably $399.


"it's better to be a pirate than join the navy." - Steve Jobs

RE: new t665c
Foo Fighter @ 1/21/2003 2:49:05 PM #
If that happens, this thing is going to mop the floor with Tungsten. Palm can kiss those fat cushy margins goodbye.

"it's better to be a pirate than join the navy." - Steve Jobs
RE: new t665c
tthiel @ 1/21/2003 4:37:37 PM #
hey Foo, I was just wondering if I should be a pirate or should I join the navy?
RE: new t665c
liangedward @ 1/21/2003 5:03:00 PM #
I'm betting on:

16M ram (15M useful)
Virtual Graffiti area
66 Mhz CPU
MP3
Palm OS 4.1.2
$400

RE: new t665c
Lucky Bob @ 1/22/2003 3:08:44 PM #
Quote: "So there will be four new models coming out at the end of Feb? This would be a first for Sony.

NZ90
SJ22
SJ33
T665 replacement"

The end of February? Hmm.....isn't that when PALM usually releases new handhelds? Uh-oh...

(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)

RE: new t665c
hotpaw4 @ 1/23/2003 2:24:48 AM #
It will be interesting to see who will bring out the first "thin and light" OS 5 handheld (less than 0.51" and less than 5.1 oz.), PalmSG or Sony. If Sony sticks with the XScale, they could be at a slight disadvantage, since the current XScale system implementation requires an extra "bridge" chip which takes a little more space/volume.

Even though the Motorola MX1 ARM processor was the first one certified as "PalmOS Ready", we haven't seen the MX1 in a PalmOS product yet. The MX1 (plus a larger ROM) could be a drop in processor replacement in any of the current PalmOS units; and it looks to only cost a few bucks more than a 68k Dragonball. What would that be? An m525? Or ???

RE: new t665c
orol @ 1/23/2003 8:30:31 AM #
and what about garmin ique 3600 with motorola cpu and 32mb! with virtual graffity ;)

RE: new t665c
elbert27 @ 1/23/2003 11:59:36 PM #
Didn't you know this?? A new Sony T is coming out soon.. It is called the PEG-TX65, running on OS 5.2, with virtual graffiti, MP3, 64mb RAM, ??recorder. You can check out this convincing picture here..

http://www.clieuk.co.uk/index.shtml

RE: new t665c
abosco @ 1/24/2003 3:40:43 PM #
Yeah, keep reading. It's a contest entry. Sorry.

-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: new t665c
twizza @ 1/27/2003 2:49:35 AM #
http://www.sonystyle.com.hk/clie/app/sj33/index.jsp

Here is some candy for the Sony lovers ;)

specs

EdH @ 1/21/2003 2:18:57 PM #
>Other details such as processor speed and OS version are not known at this time.

According to http://www.clieuk.co.uk/index.shtml in the Jan 20 entries:
Introducing the new CLie SJ33.
Palm OS 4.1
Dragonball 33MHz
16MB RAM (4MB Flash)
Monoaural Speaker
JogDial + Back Button
Built-in Audio (with supplied earphones).
These are the specs I have been given- almost 100% sure they are correct.

OS 4.1? That is G1, right, not G2?

RE: specs
heov @ 1/21/2003 2:34:38 PM #
palm is still marketing os 4 for low end devices. Not everyone needs an ARM processor. This is just for the poeple who want a color organizer that plays mp3s...

I think it was pretty smart to keep both OS4 and OS5 devices around... that way they support both ends of the market- those who want the speed, video, games, etc, they get OS5, for those that want organizer features, get OS4. (currently all os5 devices are highend)- palms still making the transition.

This thing is going to be tough selling it against the iPaq 1910, but this will probably be around 200 bucks.

RE: specs
timewaster77 @ 1/21/2003 3:21:43 PM #
Is there any word on whether this Clie will be compatible with MS Pro?

Happy Sony Clie User
RE: specs
ska @ 1/21/2003 3:51:03 PM #
It can compete if:
-$250
-comes with that NZ90 software that let user see office file without conversion.
-assorted multimedia goodies. (probably free kinoma or skinable MP3 player)
-support new MS?

otherwise for more than $250 it's going to be a slow sell.

Finally! a real flip cover

mr_yellow @ 1/21/2003 2:19:55 PM #
Ever since the death of the visor edge, i've been waiting for a thin formfactor handheld with a nice thin hard cover built in. No flimsy leather flips, aftermarket velcro attachments, or loose non-springloaded covers.

I'm kinda disapointed someone in the Palm camp came out with this first... Been itching to jump ship to PPC... =)

Let's just hope that flip cover is springloaded. =)

Anyone else drooling over this just cause of the flip cover? =)

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
KyleC @ 1/21/2003 6:54:29 PM #
"Been itching to jump ship to PPC"
By all means, please do. There's plenty of room over here. ;)

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
Lucky Bob @ 1/22/2003 3:12:39 PM #
"By all means, please do. There's plenty of room over here. ;)"

Yes, LOTS of room. LOTS and LOTS...

(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
Timothy Rapson @ 1/22/2003 9:07:17 PM #
Don't you miss the old days when I.M. Anonymous would jump in at this point and say that he was so excited about the flip cover he wet himself?

And that anyone who would jump to the PPC was an idiot.

And that you guys who all sit all day drooling over Sony's are pathetic.

And like that.....I miss that. This place seems so dull since I.M. left.

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
Fzara2000 @ 1/23/2003 1:20:54 AM #
For that price, just buy a low-end Dell PPC.

I dont see ANY justification in buying this device.

"Now thats just PRIME!"

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
Foo Fighter @ 1/23/2003 11:16:45 AM #
> "For that price, just buy a low-end Dell PPC. I dont see ANY justification in buying this device."

Ooh! That hurt! ;-)

Yeah, well this is a sore spot with me. Dell really hit the PDA market like a wrecking back, knocking over price expectations. Before the low-cost PPCs arrived, a $299 Sony Clie with built-in MP3 would have been an absolute BARGAIN! Now....it doesn't look all that competitive any longer. :-(



"it's better to be a pirate than join the navy." - Steve Jobs

RE: Finally! a real flip cover
Lucky Bob @ 1/23/2003 8:39:09 PM #
"For that price, just buy a low-end Dell PPC.

I dont see ANY justification in buying this device."

Well, I would almost agree with you...except that the Dell handhelds run PPC. I can't wait until they make PDA's with the Palm OS...

(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)

where are the rumors about the t665 replacement?

yOyOYoo @ 1/21/2003 2:37:17 PM #
I did see rumors around about the sj33, but nothing about the t665 replacement also rumored to come out by the end of February.

I don't think sony would release 3 models at once, more likely the sj33 at the end of february, sj22 end of march, and new t-series by the end of april.

RE: where are the rumors about the t665 replacement?
Palm_Otaku @ 1/23/2003 1:55:15 AM #
If the new SJ33 is $300, and the T665C has just been marked down to $300, you can bet that a replacement in the $400-class is right around the corner.

Keep in mind that although pictures of the SJ33 have been leaked, the specs and price are still unconfirmed. The rumored specs sound right though.

- Dan

Memory Stick Pro

TrafficGeek @ 1/21/2003 3:55:31 PM #
So what are the odds that this thing will accept the Memory Stick Pro?

...I wouldn't hold your breath from what I've seen at CES. But prove me wrong!...

great

lancelot @ 1/21/2003 4:18:16 PM #
great thing about sony is that they turn over so many new products that if you sit and wait for a half a year, you can get a good deal.

RE: great
Admin @ 1/21/2003 4:41:53 PM #
...on the other hand there are thoose among us that have to pay the early adopter tax ;)

T665 Replacement Confirmed?

sonicxracer @ 1/21/2003 8:43:02 PM #
Can anyone give me some more info on this? Or is this just pure speculation?

I would not mind selling my T665 right now since I need the money, but only if I knew I could get the brand new OS5 replacement by next month.

Anyone with more info please share!

T replacement is COMING!!!!
elbert27 @ 1/24/2003 12:02:50 AM #
I think the wait is finally over. Sony TX65, the new sony T series PDA, running on Palm OS 5.2, with virtual graffiti, MP3, 64mb RAM!! You can see the proof of this picture yourself!!

http://www.clieuk.co.uk/index.shtml

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