Rumor: Additional FCC Sony TG50 Information

Posted By: PIC Monday, February 17, 2003 1:16:04 PM

Rumor: Sony Clie PEG TG50The FCC has posted additional documents and pictures of the rumored Sony Clie TG50. Just last month the FCC posted preliminary details of the device. The Sony Clie PEG-TG50 likey runs Palm OS 5 and features an integrated keyboard, bluetooth and a built in flip cover.

The TG50 received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Jan 28th. Because the device has a Bluetooth radio, Sony is required to obtain FCC approval before it can put the product on sale in the U.S. It is unknown what OS version and RAM/Processor the device uses.

Sony TG50It looks like the handheld has the Sony's typical high-res 320x320 screen. There is a row of application buttons below the screen and a thumb-sized keyboard, similar to the keyboards found on the NR, NZ and NX clies. Like the SJ33, the TG50 has an integrated flip lid with a row of activity LED's on the hinge.

The picture of the side of the device shows a REC button, which most likely indicated a voice memo function. There is also a headhone port confirming the ability to play mp3 audio.

The voice memo ability along with the included software is almost a positive giveaway that the TG50 runs Palm OS 5. Palm OS 5 has built in support for voice recording and none of Sony's previous OS 4 models have had that function.

A leaked draft of the product manual also shows screen shots of Sony's new software previously found on the OS 5 NX and NZ models.

Availability and pricing are still unknown.

Sony TG50 Sony TG50
Sony TG50 Sony TG50 Sony TG50 Sony TG50

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WOW!

mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 2:11:09 PM #
That is THIN! Looks absolutely beautiful, too.

RE: WOW!
abosco @ 2/17/2003 2:14:15 PM #
DEFINITELY! Looks like a real good device! I'm still praying there's that infamous VG dual-release, though. If it had VG, it'd be undoubtedly the ultimate and a smash hit.

-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: WOW!
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 2:31:24 PM #
Holy shi... Just compared that shot of the Hotsync jack to the bottom of my NX70V -- the TG50 is as thin as ONE OF THE HALVES of the NR/NX!!! That's AMAZING. That's thinner than a Palm V.

RE: WOW!
graph @ 2/17/2003 2:32:08 PM #
What is the dimensions? how much longer is it compared to t665c? i hope ed can post comparison shots.

RE: WOW!
graph @ 2/17/2003 2:33:16 PM #
by the way the enlarge front picture doesnt show up.

size estimates
hotpaw4 @ 2/17/2003 2:46:20 PM #
From the pictures, the TG50 looks to be about 70% taller than it's display bezel diagonal. The T615C flip cover is 49% taller than the bezel diagonal. So either the TG50 screen is smaller, the bezel is tighter, or the TG50 is longer than a T615C.

A T615C is around 0.65 inches thick including the closed flip cover, or 0.5 inches thick with no cover. If the scroll wheel cutout on the TG50 pictures is the same size as on the T615C, then it's looks to be about same length as the T615C, but only about 0.55 inches thick including the closed flip cover.

What software icons makes you think it runs OS 5?

RE: WOW!
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 2:53:17 PM #
graph: Check the following link for all of the pics:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D15124183

RE: WOW!
Foo Fighter @ 2/17/2003 2:53:49 PM #
I definitely want one!!!!!! :-)

"it's better to be a pirate than join the navy." - Steve Jobs
RE: WOW!
graph @ 2/17/2003 2:57:25 PM #
thanks mashoutposse. i had to rename the extention from cgi - pdf. looks amazing.. the only question now is whats the battery life?

RE: WOW!
graph @ 2/17/2003 3:20:55 PM #
The shot from the back looks like it has 2 holes left and right which means you can hook up your old Leather cover that can with t615 and t665c.

RE: WOW!
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 3:27:12 PM #
I think Sony's really gonna clean up with this model. The RIM Blackberry crowd will absolutely eat this one up.

RE: WOW!
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 3:30:47 PM #
BTW, check page 15 of the leaked draft -- the cover can be flipped all the way over, notepad-style.

Who needs a Tungsten? ;)

RE: WOW!
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 3:45:12 PM #
Actually, it appears that the cover is REMOVEABLE, but doesn't flip all the way back. My mistake.

RE: WOW!
i2oadi2unnei2 @ 2/17/2003 9:55:15 PM #
Hmmm, looks like I have to buy one for my wife because she really really really wants one, but this may be too overkill for her....maybe I should buy one for myself instead heehee.


...|3eep |3eep!!...

new specs

bobes @ 2/17/2003 2:44:09 PM #
http://www.pcrichard.com/cgi-bin/lansaweb?procfun+homeproc01+pghome+pcr+eng
search for clie

Manufacturer Sony
Product Handheld Organizer
P.C. Richard Model PEGTG50
P.C. Richard Price $399.95
Operating System Palm OS
Screen Type Color Screen
Built-In Memory 16MB Built-In Memory
Built-in MP3 Player Built-in MP3 Player
Input Method Touch Screen
Memory Expandable Memory Expandable
Wireless Internet Access Built-In Internet Access
PC Synchronization Synchronizes with PC
Other Features High Res TFT color display (320x320 pixels), Voice Recorder , Bluetooth Interface, Jog Dial Navigator, 200mhz CPU, Internal Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, Backlit display, USB hotsync cradle, B/I Speaker, Headphones, Cover, Palm OS v5.0 with organizer software, CLIE Audio Player, PictureGear 4.6lite & pocket, Sonic Stage LE, Vidigo, AV Remote control feature, Presenter to go, ContactsPro , Documents to go, gMovie, Mobipocket reader. & more
Height 4 3 / 4 "
Width 2 7 / 8 "

RE: new specs
graph @ 2/17/2003 2:55:59 PM #
are those subwoofers at the back? =) hope it will be as loud as the TT.

RE: new specs
maddie @ 2/17/2003 2:58:48 PM #
yeah, but that is not the only one he is advertising. He has the following

tg50, sj33 and sj22.

A new low range clie, not mentioned in Palminfocenter yet.

RE: new specs
gfunkmagic @ 2/17/2003 7:34:28 PM #
Quote:
"Wireless Internet Access Built-In Internet Access"

I assume they're referring to integrated BT?

Anyway this is a fine device, although the perpetual 16 MB Ram limit is very annoying. Happily, though, the TG50 should support MSpro which should assuage reservations about this...

Look like Virtual Graffiti

scoT1753 @ 2/17/2003 3:21:01 PM #
Look at the leaked draft of the manual. On Page 18 of 22 - Step 15 says:
You can enter data on your hardware in the following ways:
1. Use Graffiti ® writing.
2. Using your computer keyboard
3. Using other methods. (model dependent)
Refer to the documentation for more details.


RE: Look like Virtual Graffiti
RSC @ 2/17/2003 5:46:50 PM #
It's possible that this section was left in accidentally when cutting and pasting from earlier models' manuals.

RE: Look like Virtual Graffiti
gfunkmagic @ 2/17/2003 7:37:09 PM #
Well even if it doesn't have VG, if Sony bundles something like RecoEcho+ like HS, then that should be a problem.

RE: Look like Virtual Graffiti
RSC @ 2/17/2003 9:11:40 PM #
Now that I think about it, that list is missing:

"4. Enter data with the built-in thumbpad"

This makes me even more convinced this is a mistake.

I still believe it'll have VG
scoT1753 @ 2/18/2003 8:06:25 AM #
Look at page 14 of 22.

Step 2 says:
"Take out stylus. You can use the stylus to enter data or to select applications" The diagram of the handheld clear shows the TG50 form factor.

Time will tell.............

Looks like it does include VG.
scoT1753 @ 3/4/2003 7:39:29 AM #
3/5/2003
Looks like it does include VG.

tiny screen

awdr @ 2/17/2003 3:28:12 PM #
Who needs this keyboard? It even takes away space for the normal sized sony pda screen,it is tiny!!

Hopefully the used this model to get the approval and suprise everyone with a VG version!!!

RE: tiny screen
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 3:38:11 PM #
Anyone who has had to write emails on a PDA can see the benefit of the keyboard. I wouldn't dare think of posting on messageboards or sending emails through my NX70V if not for the keyboard. I'm betting the screen is the same size as previous models, anyway (Sony would likely rather make the whole thing bigger than make an already small screen even smaller).

RE: tiny screen
hotpaw4 @ 2/17/2003 3:57:43 PM #
If the 4.75 inch height spec is correct, then either the display is a bit smaller or the bezel is a lot tighter. I'd prefer the latter.

Stylus hole on bottom

bcombee @ 2/17/2003 4:03:53 PM #
Another thing to note... like the NX60/NX70V, this device has the stylus hole on the bottom of the unit, not the top. Not a huge issue, but some people may not like that.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Stylus hole on bottom
guoleke @ 2/19/2003 6:52:13 AM #
stylus at bottom may be counter-intuitive but is actually smart. I have a Clie T625 and I keep loosing the stylus.
Think about it, you hold it in your (say left) hand, playing the knob with the thumb. When done, you flick the lid back on, and put it in your pocket, TOP DOWN.
This is what comes most naturally, with the result that the stylus is upside down and will fall...
Yv

Yv

Up down rocker

johnsoax @ 2/17/2003 4:20:27 PM #
I hate to bring this up due to the fact that non of us has actually seen this device, but the up/down button seems to be the one that was so terrible on the T-6XX devices. What do you think?

Alex Johnson
<><
RE: Up down rocker
mashoutposse @ 2/17/2003 4:35:48 PM #
There's always the handy Jog Dial.

For gaming, purchase the Game Controller. A quality accessory if I've ever seen one.

RE: Up down rocker
kevdo @ 2/17/2003 7:28:04 PM #
>For gaming, purchase the Game Controller.
>A quality accessory if I've ever seen one.

That may be true but as an answer to the gripe I'd say this is extremely lacking.

I see no reason why Sony cannot build reasonable buttons into their Clies. All the other vendors, even on the PPC side, seem to do a reasonable job...

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Up down rocker
UZI4U182 @ 2/17/2003 9:21:34 PM #
>I see no reason why Sony cannot build reasonable >buttons into their Clies. All the other vendors, even >on the PPC side, seem to do a reasonable job...

Maybe Sony is more interested in the looks of the device rather than the buttons being bad. After all, like mashoutposse said, there's always the Jog Dial, and Sony could have figured that the Jog Dial is even more useful than the up/down scroll buttons.

--Devan-- | Email me:
UZI4U182@suscom.net
www.devanstavern.tk
www.devandeshong.tk
Current PDA: Sony CLIÉ PEG-SJ30

RE: Up down rocker
JKingGrim @ 2/18/2003 11:50:16 AM #
>>the Jog Dial is even more useful than the up/down scroll buttons<<

Not for gamming.

RE: Up down rocker
mashoutposse @ 2/18/2003 2:14:20 PM #
So, go get a CLIE Game Controller, then. You'll wonder how you played games on a PDA without it! It is really excellent.

Sony Confidential - LOL

timewaster77 @ 2/17/2003 5:10:48 PM #
This PDF has Sony Confidential written all over it - I wonder how people got hold of it. Looks like a nice device, just hope there is a VG version of it.

Happy Sony Clie User
VG version?
hotpaw4 @ 2/17/2003 5:17:57 PM #
A backlit color hires+ display eats 50% more power; and there seems to be very little room inside the TG50 for a bigger battery. So I wouldn't hold your breath for a hires+ VG version. Sony is smart enough not to sell a handheld with only an hour of battery life (Garmin manages by making the iQue 60% thicker than the Clie T-series).

But there probably is a VG feature to use the existing 320x320 size display of the TG50 for Graffiti.

RE: Sony Confidential - LOL
mj6798 @ 2/17/2003 5:27:55 PM #
"I wonder how people got hold of it."

It's an FCC filing (hence the fcc.gov URL). Such filings are public, except in rare circumstances.

RE: Sony Confidential - LOL
Palminator @ 2/17/2003 5:53:34 PM #
Personally, with all the legal notices and "Sony Confidential" splattered all over this document, I would not risk posting a reference to this on a public website. There are implications to publicly posting confidential documents.

RE: Sony Confidential - LOL
sralmas @ 2/17/2003 7:24:50 PM #
Once submitted to the FCC, they become public records. What authority are you relying upon in holding your concerns about posting them on a public site once they have been filed with the FCC and posted on the FCC's public site?

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