Comments on: Sony Clie UX-50 Begins Shipping

Reports have come in that Sony's latest, the Clie UX-50, has started to ship in limited quantities. The UX series has a mini laptop like design with a swivel screen, digital camera and built in keyboard. The PEG-UX50 has both integrated in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, while the UX40 just includes Bluetooth.
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Cool!

jonecool @ 9/9/2003 2:30:34 PM #
Looks sweet, can't wait to try one out! Put a CDMA phone in there with more AVAILABLE RAM ,Sony, and I'll consider buying a future model. Until then, I'll be sticking with my Kyocera 7135.

RE: Cool!
Fammy @ 9/9/2003 4:01:45 PM #
A phone? I hope that's a joke. This thing would be more clunky than the NGage with a phone. =)

-- Fammy
RE: Cool!
TTrules @ 9/9/2003 4:33:17 PM #
Must...Have!

One Palm to rule them all!

-Sniffer

RE: Cool!
treo007 @ 9/10/2003 1:35:50 AM #
>>A phone? I hope that's a joke.

Last time I checked, CDMA does more than voice.

RE: Cool!
pstreck @ 9/10/2003 5:15:11 PM #
Clunkier than the n-gage? You're just not thinking. Add a bluetooth headset and a bluetooth keypad and your set. The keypad wouldn't be neccessary of course.

I'll get to play with one...

GregGaub @ 9/9/2003 2:31:32 PM #
at my PUG meeting tonight. If anyone is in the Puget Sound area, come to the SeaPUG/PSHUG combined meeting tonight. PalmSource and MS will both be strutting their technological stuff, so it will be a very interesting meeting. I can't wait to fiddle with one of these new Clies.

-Greg

PS. Woot! first post! ;-P

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --

RE: I'll get to play with one...
GregGaub @ 9/9/2003 2:33:25 PM #
DOH!

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
RE: I'll get to play with one...
GregGaub @ 9/10/2003 3:29:03 PM #
Well, it's a neat little unit, I'll give it that. The one I saw had a great screen, though small. Disappointed that there's no portrait mode, and the launcher UI *does* suck. I also tried the keyboard, and hated it. Completely flat, tactile-feeback-lacking keys are NOT what should be used on a PDA. To each his own, I guess, since *some* people seem to like it. Don't buy one without trying it, though, as I'm sure it's a love/hate thing. the main thing is how TINY it is. "Eets waffer theen!"
-Greg

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --

USB Support

BlackMax @ 9/9/2003 3:33:01 PM #
Does anyone know how functional the USB port will be.
I would think you could use a portable USB-DVD drive to watch full-length movies.
Delorme's tiny USB GPS should also work.
A USB drive could be used for extra storage and playing more media.
And last, a small USB printer.

Anyone know if Palm drivers are being created for these devices?

RE: USB Support
rened @ 9/9/2003 4:37:26 PM #
It just for hotsyncing.

RE: USB Support
Gar @ 9/9/2003 7:02:54 PM #
The USB doesn't even allow for charging through it. This unit was really designed with it being a stand alone device. The cradle is built so you can continue using the unit while it's sitting in getting charged. Sure you can do that with the others, but not like this.
Basically, you have a sync only usb connection on the left and four charging connections on the bottom.
Now... with it's built in bluetooth and 802.11b you can always run outside devices feeding the unit that way. I already (took me less than a minute, the 'connections' prefs are way better!) have it on the home and work networks moving files around in a flash!

-----------------
My wife has to sell a lot of candles (www.ccandles.com) to buy her new Palm.

Portrait?

digilaw @ 9/9/2003 5:04:03 PM #
I am sure this has been answered somewhere but I couldn't find it. Can these Clie's do portrait mode as well as landscape or is it stuck in portrait?
RE: Portrait?
digilaw @ 9/9/2003 5:05:56 PM #
oops. I meant stuck in landscape? The article only mentions the landscape. Sorry.

RE: Portrait?
Gar @ 9/9/2003 7:07:14 PM #
Landscape is it. It's version of the OS wont let it rotate the views. Newer versions such as that on the T3 does allow for rotation. Maybe a software upgrade patch in the future from Sony... not likely.

-----------------
My wife has to sell a lot of candles (www.ccandles.com) to buy her new Palm.
RE: Portrait?
electroport @ 9/11/2003 4:33:02 PM #
You should note that apps like the Flash Player and Picsel (sic?) Viewer have menu settings allowing you to rotate the display thus providing portrait mode support. I imagine other apps, going forward, could be updated with this feature.

So while not a feature of the OS, running your applications in portrait mode does seem possible given those few that already possess this feature.

CLUX SUX!

mikecane @ 9/9/2003 7:12:15 PM #
Sorry, but it's so.

I just plyed with one at CompUSA in NYC (5th Ave & 37th St).

The screen is not only too fekkin small, it is DIM DIM DIM!!

Really, the NX80 is at least 2-3x brighter.

The dimness of the CLUX is about the same as their lowest-end color unit. It is really sad!

In addition, I found their new Launcher to be very confusing and not intuitive at all.

The good part is this thing is easily shirt-pocketable and the keyboard is nice. I think it's perhaps the best included keyboard I've tried (including that of the Linux Zaurus clamshell).

If you've been drooling for this one, you'll really have to overlook that DIM DIM DIM DIM DIM screen (and yes, I *did* have it on full brightness!).

RE: CLUX SUX!
rcartwright @ 9/9/2003 7:35:57 PM #
So Mike, I take it you didn't like it.

Life is a great adventure or nothing.
RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/9/2003 7:40:22 PM #
I was hugely disappointed.

Decision list is now:

1) NX80 with CF WiFi
2) TT3 (3, not 2) with SD WiFi or Enfora WiFi portfolio
3) wait for mythical "T770" from Sony -- although if that has WiFi included, the scren will probably be as miserably DIM DIM DIM as the CLUX...

RE: CLUX SUX!
Gar @ 9/9/2003 8:09:55 PM #
The launcher: you can choose to have the 3D effect or the original launcher. As well, there is a slider for the amount of 3D effect and a button to go from large to small icons.
The Screen: may vary a bit from unit to unit... used to be the way on older palm devices. It is not as bright as the 80 for sure, but appears brighter than the NX70. At least the couple we have here look that way. While the screen is small, that isn't an issue for some folks... it's very clean and crisp.
The size: is very nice... it's getting old hauling these big units around... I want to power and need it handy so I have to carry a device in my pocket all the time. The UX is about the size of a small wallet so all of a suden it just blends right in. No external wireless cards sticking out... it just works! Hard to read for me, but it works, and I need new glasses anyways.

-----------------
My wife has to sell a lot of candles (www.ccandles.com) to buy her new Palm.
RE: CLUX SUX!
blue9 @ 9/10/2003 1:38:59 AM #
Or it could just be a bad egg out of the bunch.

RE: CLUX SUX!
treo007 @ 9/10/2003 1:39:09 AM #
Sorry, Mike Cane is the last guy I'm going to look to for an honest assesment about anything. I'll trust my own reviews thank you.

RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/10/2003 9:23:38 AM #
As usual, some idiot gets up on his hind legs to display his congenital brain damage...

Now The Moron Set are taking my *Comments* as reviews.

Wow, I'm really going to take seriously some imbecile whose handle is a fekkin BRAND NAME. No *two* brand names: Treo *and* 007.

I don't think I saw a bad unit. I think Sony dimmed the screen to eke more out of the battery. That was a mistake.

What people here forget is that you would *never* see this kind of discussion on one of the PPC Thought Nazi sites. Over there, *every* PPC is out of Lake Woebegon: "above average."

Sony got the size and keyboard right. Next version I hope they get the screen -- and portrait option -- right. As well as boost the speaker volume.

Oh, and did I forget to mention it was also slow? Calling up CLIE Viewer to display thumbnails was significantly slower than on the NX80. YMMV, as they say... hie to your local CompUSA to play around with it.

RE: CLUX SUX!
helf @ 9/10/2003 10:04:57 AM #
well for one thing the ux50 runs at a max of 123mhz... And you don't have to have a blindingly bright screen :) I was perfectly happy with my m505 which I could easily read in any kind of light. And the brighter the sunlight, the brighter its screen was. I'd muh rather have that than a new pda with a realyl bright screen... indoors..

RE: CLUX SUX!
helf @ 9/10/2003 10:04:57 AM #
well for one thing the ux50 runs at a max of 123mhz... And you don't have to have a blindingly bright screen :) I was perfectly happy with my m505 which I could easily read in any kind of light. And the brighter the sunlight, the brighter its screen was. I'd muh rather have that than a new pda with a realyl bright screen... indoors..

RE: CLUX SUX!
treo007 @ 9/10/2003 10:52:06 AM #
Cane: You typically make outrageous comments that have that rare and unfortunate mix of arrogance and ignorance. Why should this time be any different?

The Clie may suck, but you probably couldn't wait to way in and tell us so.

RE: CLUX SUX!
guitarchick @ 9/10/2003 2:08:08 PM #
Sorry Treo but I think you are the one with the arrogance. Mike Cane's comments are usually on the money and welcomed by those who want an unbiased opinion. Your opinion, however, doesn't seem to be doing anyone any good.

BTW, "way in" ??? Don't you mean "weigh in" ?



RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 10:51:54 AM #
You know, I'm just going to ignore idiots who have handles that are brand names. That alone tells everyone the person behind that handle is stupid and gauche and tasteless.

RE: CLUX SUX!
electroport @ 9/11/2003 4:46:10 PM #
Regardless of whose comments are more "on the money," I know from my personal experience in real world situations using the UX50 (getting mine 1.5 days ago) that I have to at least disagree with the "DIM DIM DIM" comment.

I find that the brightness of the UX50 screen is just fine. Perhaps there is some difference between the UX and some of the larger clies but definitely not enough to write home about, IMHO. Also, I have found that playing with these devices in computer / electronics stores, while helpful for overall feel, is the last thing you want to do to get a good sense of screen clarity / brightness.

These devices are pawed and prodded all day long - the very bright flourescent lights too not helping matters - and I find that the reality can often be significantly different from the scratched, smudged demo model on display.

Just my .02

RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 7:04:24 PM #
>>Perhaps there is some difference between the UX and some of the larger clies but definitely not enough to write home about, IMHO.

What nonsense. I held the NX80 up to the CLUX today and had to move the 80's brightness slider *past* the halfway point before it even began to match the CLUX.

Go hold the CLUX up to the lowest-end color CLIE. That's the "brightness" Sony is giving people on a $700 machine.

No doubt they did it to lengthen battery life. Bugger that. Brighter is always better and let the *user* decide how how down the brightness scale they'll go to lengthen their bettery's life.

Ah, and enjoy the performance that is slower than a Platinum Visor too...

RE: CLUX SUX!
electroport @ 9/11/2003 7:20:51 PM #
Couldn't really care less about how it compares with the platimum visor. All I know is that I have had the NX 70V and NZ 90 and I actually sold my NZ 90 to move up to the UX 50.

And from my extensive experience with this line of Clie's, I can still confortably say that the screen brightness on the UX 50 is on par with the Clies I have used before which is just fine with me. As for performance, the UX 50 is just as snappy if not faster on many tasks than the NZ 90, such as the Clie Viewer, etc.

Don't think so? Well, it doesn't really matter since in my use of these pdas, it is so and to me, that is all that matters. Perhaps you should let others make up their own minds too and not think you are here to save others from their "mistakes."

RE: CLUX SUX!
helf @ 9/11/2003 8:14:47 PM #
I wouldnt compare a m505 to a nz90.. That thing was a real POS.

RE: CLUX SUX!
Palmary @ 9/12/2003 12:01:13 AM #
For what it's worth, Palmsolo wrote of his first impressions on PDAGeek and his comments strongly support Mike with regards screen brightness.



RE: UX50 Screen Brightness just fine!
JPVann @ 9/12/2003 10:56:13 AM #
I don't know where the "dim" screen comments come from either - my screen is bright enough that I turned down the level to 2/3 and it is more than bright enough - even in daylight.

However, it is almost impossible to use without backlighting on.

Jer 23:29

RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/12/2003 3:01:09 PM #
>>Perhaps you should let others make up their own minds too and not think you are here to save others from their "mistakes."


Yet another nitwit who needs "In my opinion" stated somewhere so he can parse reality...

RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/12/2003 5:07:30 PM #
>>I don't know where the "dim" screen comments come from either - my screen is bright enough that I turned down the level to 2/3 and it is more than bright enough - even in daylight.

I just saw a *second* CLUX. The one at CUSA must be defective. This second one had a much brighter screen. I could not compare it to a nearby NX80, however, because aside from the CLUX, all of the other demos PDAs were uncharged.

This kind of ^%$# happened to me when I first saw the hp 221x. The first one had a *very* bad screen -- subsequent looksees in other stores revealed that the first one was clearly defective.

Yet another quirk: You can use Pg Up/Dwn in Netfront (blue key plus PgUp/Dwn) -- but you cannot use the left/right arrow keys similarly. You have to reach for the stylus! Doesn't anyone actually *try* these things before sending them to final production?!

RE: CLUX SUX!
Timothy Rapson @ 9/12/2003 7:16:12 PM #
Say, that is a nervey of you (admitting you were basing the screen dimness comments on a single bad one). It is nice to see someone can have the guts to state his opinions and also have the guts to back down from them when the facts show they were premature.


Anyway, I think screen brightness is way over emphasized. Of course, I would like every screen to be as bright and vibrant as the HP 1910. But, in the real world as long as it is as bright as a Clie SJ 30 or so, all the rest is gravy.

I think the manufacturers could stop wasting much effort on brighter and concentrate most on battery life, resolution, standards for the widest variety of good software (something the UX just tosses into the toilet again!) and other things.

Overall, I agree the CLIFTY ain't so nifty.

RE: CLUX SUX!
abosco @ 9/12/2003 9:28:57 PM #
I apologize in advance, but I feel the need to defend Mike on behalf of a few statements against him.

>>Decision list is now:
>>1) NX80 with CF WiFi
2) TT3 (3, not 2) with SD WiFi or Enfora WiFi portfolio
>>3) wait for mythical "T770" from Sony -- although
>>if that has WiFi included, the scren will probably
>>be as miserably DIM DIM DIM as the CLUX...

Honestly, I'd say wait for #2. The NX80v is only good if you want the 1.3 MP camera and few features only the 80 provides. Otherwise, it is severely overpriced. Take it from a user (me). #2 seems small, compact, good screen and specs, and Wifi will be a month later. #3 won't happen. Ever. I called this a year ago.

>>Sorry, Mike Cane is the last guy I'm going to look
>>to for an honest assesment about anything. I'll
>>trust my own reviews thank you.

Sorry, Mike Cane is the FIRST guy you should look to for an honest assessment of (especially) this device. I see him as a guy who has a stat sheet of stuff he wants with little room for compensation. Probably the reason his current Palm is two years old (am I right?). From what I've seen, he wants a good processor/RAM, good HVGA screen, and Wifi. If they can't do this, it fails. He's even surprised me as being one of the first people admitting the H2215 screen is sub-par after anticipating it for so long - a thing people are STILL too afraid to do in fear of excessive crow ingestion.

>>Wow, I'm really going to take seriously some
>>imbecile whose handle is a fekkin BRAND NAME.

Mike, do me ONE favor? Next time an 'imbecile' smacks you in the face, respond in a half-decent way? I'm not asking for decent, I'm asking for half-decent. Might make people not hate you as much. Try it?

>>What people here forget is that you would *never*
>>see this kind of discussion on one of the PPC
>>Thought Nazi sites. Over there, *every* PPC is out
>>of Lake Woebegon: "above average."

ALL PPC sites rate every PPC as 'above average'. Find me one that doesn't and I will seriously consider becoming a regular there.

>>Cane: You typically make outrageous comments that
>>have that rare and unfortunate mix of arrogance and ignorance.

What some call arrogance, others call humor.

>>These devices are pawed and prodded all day long -
>>the very bright flourescent lights too not helping
>>matters - and I find that the reality can often be
>>significantly different from the scratched, smudged
>>demo model on display.

Very true! I know my NX80v takes on a hideous blue tint while in excessive flourescent lighting. Without that, it's perfectly crisp.

>>Yet another quirk: You can use Pg Up/Dwn in
>>Netfront (blue key plus PgUp/Dwn) -- but you cannot
>>use the left/right arrow keys similarly. You have
>>to reach for the stylus! Doesn't anyone actually
>>*try* these things before sending them to final production?!

Bingo. #2 problem with my NX. #1 being the lack of Bluetooth, and this being the lack of an integrated D-Pad. SIDE SCROLLING IS THE WORST.

Alright, I'm done. I'll post my quick judgement of the UX in a day or two when I get around to driving to BB.

-Bosco

RE: CLUX SUX!
mikecane @ 9/13/2003 11:48:59 AM #
>>Say, that is a nervey of you (admitting you were basing the screen dimness comments on a single bad one).

Why shouldn't I admit it?!

I would have seen a *third* one yesterday as well, but the place (Circuit City!) didn't have it charged.

I hate these screen variations. I'm used to seeing them in the PPC world (along with variations in functional bugs!), but I haven't come across it in the PalmOS world til the CLUX...

I still can't see why people hate the keyboard.

RE: CLUX SUX!
Timothy Rapson @ 9/13/2003 9:03:00 PM #
So, if there is so much room left over around the edge of that 3.2 inch screen why did they do it that way?

What if they are getting ready for that T770 and want to use the same screen (to save money and get the T770 price down to Zire 71 level) and still leave room for the camera at the top and buttons at the bottom.

All less than the size of an HP1910....

...


...

...

Yeah, I know. I'm dreaming.

Voice Recorder...

sford @ 9/9/2003 8:42:57 PM #
...does it have one?

Thanks in advance!

_____________________________________
http://www.EscapeTheGrind.com

RE: Voice Recorder...
Admin @ 9/10/2003 1:44:10 AM #
yes, it does. it records movies, pictures and sounds
RE: Voice Recorder...
runestone @ 9/10/2003 4:59:29 AM #
Yep it does, as well as a video recorder...

memory

painted_dog @ 9/10/2003 7:34:14 AM #
So, what is the final concensus of the breakdown of the 104MB of memory that this unit is supposed to have?

Thanks in advance.

Benchmark?

Edward Green @ 9/10/2003 7:51:05 AM #
Anyone?

Edward Green
--
http://www.khite.co.uk
RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/10/2003 9:31:19 AM #
Dammit, Ed! I'm usually good at beaming that over. I did with the Garmin: got 296% there. I forgot this time. Too busy beaming over LCD Analyzer and McColors. If I stop by again I'll try Benchmark... (someone will probably beat me to it).

RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 10:53:15 AM #
Couldn't do it yesterday. Will make it a point to do so today (Friday). I'm interested in the result too.

Although I must say that there were two video clips that were made *by* the CLUX on it (in RAM, no MStick needed, hooray!) and even enlarging them to full screen (or nearly so), they played very smoothly -- but there were very low-res.

RE: Benchmark?
helf @ 9/11/2003 11:02:31 AM #
It records in 160x120 doesnt it? if so, That is really pathetic for a 700buck pda ;)

RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 11:24:08 AM #
It's even more pathetic when you see how *tiny* the unenlarged video is! It's about the size of a small postage stamp!

RE: Benchmark?
helf @ 9/11/2003 12:15:56 PM #
For that cam on the clies to be useful for video, it HAS to be able to record in atleast 320x240. Otherwise, its useless.

RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 4:04:40 PM #
Ok, Ed, here it is, via Benchmark 2.0 (the only version I have): 162% !!! That's *less* than a Visor Platinum! And far below the Garmin. The NX80 comes in at 271! (Which, shockingly, is also below the Garmin -- but the 80 feels faster than the Garmin to me! Go figure.)

I played with the CLUX some more. That new Launcher is still just very confusing. You can go back to standard view, however (I wish Palm would offer Small Icon view!).

I still like the keyboard. Still hate the screen.

RE: Benchmark?
helf @ 9/11/2003 6:00:38 PM #
You gotta remember tho, that the ux's cpu speed varies depending on the load.. Unlike the other palms that have a more or less fixed cpu speed. So the currecnt bm programs might not be giving an accurate reading. They probably need to be updated for it :) Have you tried the otehr benchmark programs?

RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 7:07:30 PM #
Don't have them. And no time to get then run them. I will leave the rest up to others.

And how exactly does the CPU "know" at which speed to run? No doubt some added code devs must add...

... and someone mentioned the glacial speed of the CLIE Flash demo earlier. I looked that that too -- and he's right!

RE: Benchmark?
helf @ 9/11/2003 8:15:58 PM #
no, It shouldn't need any extra coding by devs. The cpu adjusts its speed depending on how hard its being used.

RE: Benchmark?
mikecane @ 9/12/2003 3:02:18 PM #
Did you see that Flash CLIE Demo?! Why is it so damned s-l-o-w?!

Too late!

AquaLung99 @ 9/10/2003 11:26:21 AM #
Well, I was going to buy the UX 50 but I got tired of waiting for it and the price was soooo high. So I bought a T|C instead. I hope I don't regret that -- so far I love my T|C.
But dang it took Sony forever to get these machines over to this country...

More overpriced suckerware from Sony

Foo Fighter @ 9/10/2003 11:24:44 AM #
Sony must be targeting suckers with these products. They have launched wave after wave of overpriced niche handhelds and continued to ignore the meat of the market (mid and low range). I thought the NZ90 was bad enough...but this one takes the prize. These products cost as much as a cheap laptop, which is a hell of a lot more useful than a PDA.

DemoMobile is next week. If they don't come to their senses and announce new, more sensible (and affordable) products like a T3 and Zire 71 (non slider/non flip screen) competitors, we can write off Sony for good. HP and Palm will consume their 11% marketshare, and Sony can go back to doing what it does best; making expensive televisions.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: More overpriced suckerware from Sony
jbarr @ 9/11/2003 3:39:22 PM #
"These products cost as much as a cheap laptop, which is a hell of a lot more useful than a PDA."

While this is very true, don't forget that you can't "pocket" ANY of the current laptops--let alone laptops in the price range of a UX-50.

Yes, it's VERY expensive, but the form factor and feature set is almost EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

Now, to find a way to sell my NX70V and find enough cash to make up the difference!

Form Factor Test

fool faughter @ 9/10/2003 3:36:15 PM #

Sony spits out new products so fast, I am beginning to believe that they do it to use sales figures to hone in on finding the best form factor.

RE: Form Factor Test
guesswho @ 9/10/2003 3:45:00 PM #
uhm, isn't that what market research and focus groups are for?
RE: Form Factor Test
Foo Fighter @ 9/10/2003 5:32:42 PM #
quote: "I am beginning to believe that they do it to use sales figures to hone in on finding the best form factor."

By releasing only high-end (high priced) products that appeal to niche buyers? Seems to defeat the purpose doesn't it?


-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Form Factor Test
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 7:09:13 PM #
>>By releasing only high-end (high priced) products that appeal to niche buyers? Seems to defeat the purpose doesn't it?

Oh stop. They still have cheeep CLIEs.

I just wish they'd give us a "T770"!

RE: Form Factor Test
Foo Fighter @ 9/12/2003 10:59:21 AM #
Quote: "Oh stop. They still have cheeep CLIEs."

Oh please! Sony's low and mid-range lines are a joke. The SJ22 is nothing more than last year's SJ30 (wow, they really put a lot of thought into that product). SJ33? Give me a break. For $250 (originally $299) I get an ugly, fat, fingerprint magnet that offers no new functionality and is based on geriatric hardware. Ooh...Dragonball processors and 16MB of RAM for just under $300? What a freakin bargain. Too bad PalmOne is kicking their ass with a REAL product (Zire 71) which happens to be the hottest selling handheld on the market. What has Sony's answer been? Expensive handhelds designed for elitists. At a time when other PDA vendors are offering more for less, Sony is raising the roof on product pricing. Insane. No wonder they are losing marketshare. I expect them to announce new products next week at DemoMobile. If they don't offer replacements for the current low/mid range lines, Sony will be crushed under the weight of PalmOne this holiday season.

I agree with you on the mythical T770. The TG50 was a flop. It should be apparent to any company in the PDA market that we want a traditional pad form factor with full sized screen (VG). We'll see if Sony delivers, but knowing their unrealistic pricing policies, I expect them to fully milk us for all we're worth. Watch them price it at $599 or more, even while PalmOne prices their product (T3) for just $399.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Form Factor Test
mikecane @ 9/12/2003 3:03:46 PM #
>>For $250 (originally $299) I get an ugly, fat, fingerprint magnet that offers no new functionality and is based on geriatric hardware. Ooh...Dragonball processors and 16MB of RAM for just under $300? What a freakin bargain. Too bad PalmOne is kicking their ass with a REAL product (Zire 71)

Will you get a grip already?! You're comparing a Sony that's been out for quite some time to a newer Palm! Some idea of fairness!

And although those squat units are ugly to you and me, there are many people out there who have bought them.

What I can't understand is why the hell that atrocious stylus hasn't been a deal-killer...

RE: Form Factor Test
Foo Fighter @ 9/12/2003 4:33:13 PM #
Quote: "You're comparing a Sony that's been out for quite some time to a newer Palm! Some idea of fairness!"

Duh! That's my point, smartass. Sony should have replaced this product by now, which they haven't. It is a fair comparison.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Form Factor Test
mikecane @ 9/12/2003 5:11:54 PM #
So wait a minute, now you're bashing Sony for *not* refreshing their lines as often?! Which will it be from you, Foo: Too many CLIEs in one year or too few?!

RE: Form Factor Test
Timothy Rapson @ 9/12/2003 7:34:23 PM #
RE: "Will you get a grip already?! You're comparing a Sony that's been out for quite some time to a newer Palm! Some idea of fairness!"


Sorry, the Zire 71 was announced in late April of this year, the Sony SJ33 in February. The prices were the same and right now, the SJ is selling (very poorly as it ought to for the uncompetitive feature set) for just below $200 most places. The Zire 71 is selling for about $270 most places, though I have seen the Zire brand new at Amazon for $250 with $50 gift card good on any purchace at Amazon AND the $50 rebate for your old PDA trade-in meant a bottom line of just $150 for a couple of weeks there.

I just don't see how the UX is going anywhere. But, I been wrong before.

RE: Form Factor Test
Foo Fighter @ 9/12/2003 7:41:45 PM #
Huh? When have I ever bashed Sony for introducing TOO MANY handhelds annually? That has never been an issue with me. This time however, Sony is moving too slowly at staying ahead of, or this case keeping up with, the market. I'm still reeling from the fact that Sony has remained completely inactive since PalmOne introduced the Z71. They just sat back and let Palm pull the rug right out from under them.

On the plus side, according to my sources, which are about as reliable as a drunk forecasting the weather, there should be some new products introduced at DemoMobile. We'll see if that turns out to be the case or not. It makes sense since Sony did slash prices on some models, particularly the SJ33 and TG50.

-------------------------------
My blog: www.pocketfactory.com

RE: Form Factor Test
mikecane @ 9/13/2003 11:52:27 AM #
I will be VERY happy if Sony unleashes a "T770." They have really got me addicted to that JogDial, dammit.

But how I hope the new models have REAL styli!

quirk

painted_dog @ 9/10/2003 10:50:59 PM #
I too stopped by my local CompUSA & they had one on display. I spent a/b 1/2hr looking & playing with it. I must say i am impressed with it, but i have a few reservations.

mostly this QUIRK...for filling out forms like the address book, on this as other Sony PDA's with keyboards, you have to touch the screen to get to the next field, so if i was filling out the last name i would then have to touch the first name field to the key in the name, where on the Tungsten | C i can just use the cross pad & arrow down. To me this defeats the purpose of the keyboard if i have to lift my hand a way & touch the screen, for me i might as well just use graffiti ! [just like the change from graffiti to graffiti 2, inefficient ! change from 1 stoke to 2 (though i know it b/c of patent issues, but ...) ]

besides that here's my pro/con first impressions [though i'll probably stop back to CompUSA before the week's through].

Con/
-menu system to frilly, i think they'd be better off giving the user the ability to skin & put backgrounds on
-the jog wheel is a good idea but its implementation didn't seem as good.
-their preloaded flash demo crawled at a snails pace not sure if they did the demo speed intentially [i assume they did] or it doesn't work well. but i don't think there really is any performance issues with the rest of the progams, the video worked well even at full screen for what i shot in the store. now taking a kinoma movie & trying would be a better test.

Pro/
-i'm impressed at how light it is
-features, it has them all
-the landscape view, i really didn't miss portrait mode like i though i might. infact, i thought the device fit well in my hand

I want one ! well kinda... though i think maybe a Tapwave has my name on it. [see you all sept.17 on tapwave.com ;-) ]

-painted dog

RE: quirk
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 4:07:54 PM #
One other quirk: You cannot use the keyboard arrow keys to move from app icon to app icon in their new launcher (I forgot to try that in the Standard launcher option).

RE: quirk
patrickl @ 9/12/2003 6:58:58 AM #
You can probbaly switch fields by using some control sequence. Isn't it CTRL+N to go to the next field and CTRL+O for the OK button or something?

Whatever Happen to Sony to Release WiFi Memory Stick

BlackMax @ 9/11/2003 10:00:01 AM #
I'm still using a Clie 760C. Sony has released quite a few units since this one, but none have the feature set I want. I don't need a camera in a PDA, and I already have a keyboard, GPS and 4 memory sticks.

760 with 32meg upgrade is fine, but I'd like WIFI on my unit.

Does anyone know what happen to the Sony WIFI MS introduced at CeBit2003. I'm sure there are a lot
of users who would consider buy this rather than upgrading.

RE: Whatever Happen to Sony to Release WiFi Memory Stick
helf @ 9/11/2003 10:50:33 AM #
"Does anyone know what happen to the Sony WIFI MS introduced at CeBit2003. I'm sure there are a lot
of users who would consider buy this rather than upgrading."

BINGO!

You answered your own question.
Sony can't have users just buying a MS wifi card and not buying their new, fancy 700usd machines! Why, They'd go outta business or something ;)

RE: Whatever Happen to Sony to Release WiFi Memory Stick
mikecane @ 9/11/2003 7:10:04 PM #
Isn't a company called Hagiwara or somesuch going to release a WiFi MStick? OS5+ only?

Saw one @ Fry's, thought about buying, then...

devildoc @ 9/12/2003 3:23:26 AM #
I saw one at Fry's today and thought about buying it [incredible screen, camera, image/font resolution, interface...], but then I remembered the Tapwave Zodiac 128MB. I can't see getting the UX50 [when will companies giving consumer electronics random alphanumeric names?] with it's limited expansion [a single slot {as a Newton user a decade ago I knew that a single expansion slot on a PDA was a stupid idea} that has limited 3rd party support{who are we kidding, compared to SD manufacturers, MS support is nonexistent}], and the added weight of a thumb board.

I don't play video games very much, but I plan on buying the Zodiac for the screen, OS, processor and expansion. I currently own an HE 330 and the ability to run programs faster, have color, keep data on the cards [I hope they have an AutoCard-like program] and use a peripheral and memory at the same time.

Just me.

RE: Saw one @ Fry's, thought about buying, then...
helf @ 9/12/2003 9:01:48 AM #
Hey, another dude like me :D

I'm currently using a he330 too. best palm ever. I'll probably be getting a ozdiac 128meg also :D

but nothing can be the he330 in terms of expansion.

RE: Saw one @ Fry's, thought about buying, then...
Timothy Rapson @ 9/13/2003 11:33:46 AM #
The HE330 is one of the best PDA designs ever. Virtually all of those boring PPCs are HE330s with color screens and sound.

I still can't believe that HE never got that color model out. I think they could have been a huge success.

Alas.

RE: Saw one @ Fry's, thought about buying, then...
devildoc @ 9/13/2003 12:30:02 PM #
The HE 330 has been a great tool for me. AutoCard is an amazing program and I feel sorry for other PDA owners, having to deal with crappy file managers and poor card management. I relish the expansion options. CF modems, SD memory, CF LAN, CF BT and 802.11b......

But it is showing its age. The lack of color limits text viewing. The processor is painfully slow. The OS features are limiting and add-ons are limited by the processor speed.

RE: Saw one @ Fry's, thought about buying, then...
mikecane @ 9/13/2003 1:25:26 PM #
No XScale. No OS 5. Never OS 6.

It's too bad. I would have liked to have seen HandEra stay in the game.

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