Comments on: Rumor: New Handhelds from Sony and Nextel

Or, a robust gaming palm, with big easy to use buttons.

For me that would be the ideal machine and Sony are surely the people in the PalmOs world to see
and realize the potential for a mobile computer that is also a games machine. Put standard gamepad
buttons on the machine (unlike the existing very limited buttons on all Palms), and it would be
the dream machine for mobile gaming). A 200Mhz Arm would leave the GBA standing and I'm sure
there's loads of PalmOs games developers who would love to support such a machine from day
one. (And for once, a gaming machine that is an open programming platform (PalmOs), so it gets
and can allow support from independent smaller shareware developers supporting it as well as the
usual big developers).

.. if only it were true :( ... Sony's new machine could possibly (hopefully?!) maybe the
first of the PalmOs Arm machines, but I guess its most likely to be another PDA instead of
a true PDA+Games machine.

Still, its good to dream :)

Alan Barton
info@3dagames.com
http://www.3dagames.com

I can assure you that people at Sony read these boards. Both in the U.S. and the developers in Japan. When we got swamped right after the NR series was announced and had to turn off the comments to cut down on bandwidth use, I got a call from Sony asking us to turn them back on as soon as possible so they could read them.

I know that people from Palm and Handspring read them, too. So people are hearing what you are saying.

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News Editor

Since Nextel offers a combo network today that is always-on, this would be a fantastic coup. The Blackberry device is not supposed to be ready for release until late Q4. A Treo-esque device that is data and voice-enabled today, via Nextel's network, would make a lot of people very happy.

Where did this rumor spring from? Any more info?

Did you use this phone on the Nextel network?

I would be interested to hear how it worked, since buying those would allow me to eliminate two devices for my team to haul around.

-mrhockey

Here's my wish list:

802.11b MS
Virtual graffiti
Dual MS slots
Telephony software, so you could use the bluetooth MS to connect to a cellular phone
and use a headset w/microphone in the same headphone port that you use for the mp3 player.

If you could do all that in a T615 form factor (with better buttons), great...but I'd settle for the N760 form factor to have all that.

I doubt Sony will be making anything new for the 760 though. It is now the step child in reference to they NR series. I so loved swapping my mem sticks around. The 760 was like a mini PC to view my photos. ugh!

Anyhow, I like the color screens on the Sonys, but I don't wan't memstick. I want both CF and SD/MMC on one device, with Handera's virtual graffiti scheme. Give me those on a T615 with useable scroll buttons, and I'm sold.

_________________
Sean

It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity.
-Somerset Maugham-

Not. The HandEra 330 can use many 802.11b CF cards. It will easily continuously ping for 6 hours or more.

With the Symbol 802.11b card set at maximum power saving, combined current is about 50-60mA. That's about the maximum drain a CF memory card will draw in write mode. When the Symbol card is set to minimum power saving, the total combined draw is about 165mA. I'm told that's about the amount of current draw of backlight on a Sony clie's color screen -)

I'm patient however, so please continue about your business and manufacture and ship enough to the US so that I won't have a problem getting it when it first comes out.

Sony PEG-NR60 coming soon

- B

If you really compare the two, for what the Handera has onboard, it makes more effecient use of the space than the T615 does. I like a lot of aspects of the T615 (color, form factor), but I want the powerful options of the Handera (dual slots that are industry standards, virtual graffiti that I can control, power options like being able to plug it directly to the wall socket in a pinch, or change the LiIon battery for AAA's).

My dream machine (for now).

_________________
Sean

It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity.
-Somerset Maugham-

Please check you HandEra inferiority complex at the door.

Ha ha, lol! Anyone with the ability to read a few spec sheet numbers can assess for themselves which unit is larger and heavier. You ought to try it some time it's really not that hard.
Re: the "same old outdated form-factor", some of us are very happy that there are a significant number of peripherals available for our HE330 _because_ it used a "standard" form factor. And because it makes use of a few other standard features (i.e. CF and SD), expansion is not a problem. The HE330 has peripherals available right now that you will never see available for a particular Clie model simply because at about the time someone decides to make it, Sony will have already discontinued that model.
I'm really happy that Sony is innovating. I get excited too when I see the specs on their latest hot device, but I'm not willing to buy a device that will be "obsolete" in less than a year because they have moved on to some other form factor and there wasn't time for third-party manufacturers to make anything for it.
"Old" is not always bad, youngster.

REALLY? Then why did you jump right on in to the argument by also comparing the NR-70 with the HandEra 330? If it was you I quoted, then you were making the comparison as well.

Ok brilliant one, settle this argument once and for all. Please, give us all those specs on the "NEW Sony model" if you want to stick with your "original" statement. Then we can add the weight of a brick and see for ourselves.

What? You don't have those specs? Too bad.

Check your facts on that. There *is* a world beyond the US border. Telus Mike in Canada also has a national iDen network with Nextel as its roaming partner. Further, Nextel has already annouced it's migration plan to CDMA (maintaining it's 2-way radio functionality at the same time).

Can you read? He said "Nextel uses has a proprietary network that no one else uses." That's incorrect, as I pointed out (Telus runs an iDEN network).

What has that got to do with "North America"? He said, "The Treo is much better because it runs on the GSM network which everywhere in the world use except North America. "

Which is also a bit of a silly satement. There's plenty of GSM coverage in the US and Canada. Canada alone has two national GSM networks, AT&T and Microcell (and various resellers of those two networks, aka Fido, Cityphone...).

Origin: If you had a large pile of money in front of you free for the taking, you would use one hand to grab a wad of money and then transfer that wad to your other hand to hold the money. The first hand is then free to grab some more money.
The hand holding the money would of course be clenched in a fist to hang on to it.

Hmmm, looks like I have too much free time on my hands too.

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What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

There's a ton of humor and wisdomin that point.

At least thats my opinion,

Phil

Yeah, someday I'll be able to tell folks that "I.M. Anonymous" dude is a freakin' GENIUS!

It's also possible that both came up with it independently. I know that seems unlikely but take a look at the history of inventions. On the same day that Alexander Graham Bell filed his patent application for the telephone, a preliminary patent document was filed by Elisha Gray for almost the exact same device.

I would much rather focus on state of the art, smaller specialized units, provided they have good options for connectivity.

Thanks, Robrecht

Albeit a very pretty, versatile brick, but a brick none-the-less. Just don't fall into a pool with that thing in your pocket.

Get a grip, troll.

Honestly, this is one market that is likely to be shared between the two, but likely lopsided a bit towards Palm. MS has conditioned us to believe that somebody has to dominate every market. Not so.

_________________
Sean

It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity.
-Somerset Maugham-

I wouldn't bet too much money on a company that lost 50% revenue compare to last year, half market share and no clear winning future product.

But than again maybe Palm can get another mysterious $50 million gift. who knows.

I don't agree. The problem with linux based handheld devices is that they are all running different versions of Linux and diferrent GUI's. This is a headache for software developers, if they are going to develop a new program they have to choose wich platform.

Also Linux devices (like the Zaurus) are running on PPC hardware with the same problems as PPC.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?X351418B

SONY also needs to work on their connectivity options.

Thanks, Robrecht

I'd also like a folding keyboard that locks flat better and attaches by a wire (or Bluetooth) to the pda so that I could use both together more easily in nonconventional, non-desktop environments. I'd like to put my feet up and keep the keyboard in my lap. Compaq used to make laptops that allowed for this kind of flexible use (SLT, Concerto, DuoWorlds concept), but for past decade we've all been molded into clamshell models that ruin our posture and take all the fun out of computing--until PDAs began to liberate us from laptops.

Thanks, Robrecht

1. you cannot post anything unflattering on Palm Inc. sales. Any post related to Palm unit sale statistic, studies and projections will be removed. (I wonder if this relate to Palm stock ownership of the cencor guy)

2. don't say anything about pocket PC even if the context of discussion permit or the subject heading is "general handheld discussion or future speculation"

well.....(this post will be erased in about 3 hrs from now.

enjoy.

-steady diet of speculation and rumor.
-tired wish list, repost from last year.
-The longest thread in the site is about rumor and editorial opinion, but never about actual product customer can get a hand on.
-not a single interesting hack (hardward or software). The real geek has moved somewhere else. Only bored office worker and balding boomer geek wannabe are still on.

Hey, don't get personal about it. I'm just trying to have a little fun. Sheesh, what do you want me to do at my age anyway? When you get to be my age, just wait and see what kind of lunacy you are spouting about the latest tech device.

So, anyone that doesn't agree with your opinion is immature?

Um, no. Anyone who is quick to throw the term "troll" around just becuase they feel hurt by a negative comment against a Palm OS.

Look, I hate to burst your bubble, but Palm is not perfect. Neither is M$ or Linux. If you disagree with me, great, post it. Don't call me a troll. Debates are wonderful when they are filled with factual and true to life information. One word answers are not a debate, neither is name calling.

Like I said, focus on putting pressure on Palm and Sony to make great products. I have done my part, I have emailed both Palm and Sony and sent them a wish list. What they do with it, who knows, but at least I have done my part. Have you?

My opinion on people that throw the label "troll" is that the LABEL THROWING POSTER is actually trying to stir up the Palm crowd and pit them against someone, therefore they themselves have become "the troll".

If I were to jump out and SCREAM - "PALM SUX & M$ RULES!" (True troll statement). Then, "I refuse to buy a newer Palm because currently my needs are not fully met." (Not a troll)

See the difference?

Cheapo Net Admin
BTW - I love my M105 (change batteries once a week!)

I agree that there is a general tendency on this site to drop a T-bomb ("troll") on anyone who even remotely disagrees, and woe unto that unfortunate soul who tries, however rationally, to point out that there are some benefits to the PocketPC OS. At the same time, there are plenty of real trolls who come here talking about all the apparent gains PPC has made on PalmOS and how PPC will be the dominant OS by September--these claims simply can't be supported. However, it's not trolling to admit that PPC does some really useful things that Palm can't, and we're talking about more than just play mpegs and Quake.

>> Do I blind myself and say that the Zaurus or PPC are horrible and can't do anything expect hold a door open? No. They are tools, just like the Palm OS products. <<

Well...maybe the Zaurus is a $500 doorstop. The current unit is pretty lame as a consumer device, especially compared to Palm and PPC. The Linux die-hards will swear by it, but it's nothing special.

The first Power Zaurus that came out alost five years ago had colour QVGA and the new model are still QVGA :(

P.S - I deliberately did not mention brands because it is not relevant to this comment.

I'd like to see a poll of the age distribution of constributers to this site because most of you behave like kids.
As an adult I don't feel the need to justify my product selections to anyone.
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The first poster is suggesting Sony to include support for standards other than their propietary M$ card. It is a suggestion not a childish "mine is better than yours" comment.

Form Factor: I've used both types of cards, and a Memory Stick is more durable than an SD card. If you've physically compared them, you'll know what I mean.

Hardware Expansion: While the options for SD/MS hardware are still limited on both sides (SD only has a BT card, MS only has a BT card, camera, and GPS), SD is too small for decent hardware expansion. This is shown quite well by the BT card (protruding from a Palm device signifigantly).

Device Interoperability: Most all Sony products use the Memory Stick standard, and other companies like Samsung and Acer have adopted it as well. SD doesn't have the same range of products it can function with. Also, most photo-specific printers now come with slots for CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and Memory Stick, but not an option for SD cards.

Price: Memory Sticks are cheaper than SD cards, any price comparison search will show this. Also, this holds true for both retail and street prices.

Also, I agree with you completely about accessing data universally. Palm and Sony are defeating each other in this aspect. While this will never happen, it'd be wonderful for new Palm's and Clie's to have SD and MS slots. Unfortunately, Palm didn't adopt Memory Stick from the start, which would have simplified the PalmOS platform tremendously.

Form Factor: I've used both types of cards, and a Memory Stick is more durable than an SD card. If you've physically compared them, you'll know what I mean.

Hardware Expansion: While the options for SD/MS hardware are still limited on both sides (SD only has a BT card, MS only has a BT card, camera, and GPS), SD is too small for decent hardware expansion. This is shown quite well by the BT card (protruding from a Palm device signifigantly). <<

So you say you're going to present "facts," and then the first two items you address are OPINIONS, not facts. Your idea of the durability of MS is strictly based on YOUR PERCEPTION, not on any factual data. Your assessment of the BT card for Palm's SD slot is ALSO based solely on YOUR PERCEPTION of the card as well as YOUR PERCEPTION of "decent hardware expansion." Also some of your later points are actually based on "real" facts, opening with a defense of your opinion based on your own opinions (otherwise known as "Circular Reasononing," i.e., "It must be true because that's the way I see it") shows clearly that you've NEVER studied any type of logic, or at least that you slept through that class.

Sorry, but you've cut your own throat here, and THAT'S a fact.

Fact: I don't understand how you can't see the shoddy design in the BT SDIO card. Its like the Motorola V120C phone, great overall package, but completely unpocketable because the antenna snaps off with little to no effort. Same holds true for the BT SDIO card.

I wouldn't keep defending myself if I knew I wasn't right, and I have plenty of logic to back me up. Please try to disprove me, this is rather entertaining...

I think Sony's moto is this: "If they buy a Clie, then they will have to buy cammeras and other accessories from us in order to share info"

Just my .02

Rebecca

See for yourself :)