[Stake]

This is a good thing for both the PPC and Palm world. Hopefully, this will push PPC designers to think less out of the slate form factor and put more effort into the technical limits of PDA design. HP came close with their mockup of their iPaq with the fold out keyboard but I doubt this incarnation of their PDA will come to market (though I'd be the first to get one if it does). This Clie is just a jaw dropping device and I'd love to get it but the Palm OS keeps me at bay. For now Sony, :werenotworthy:

It'll be great to see if there are any responses to this in the coming months from the PPC camp! I'm praying that there are!

[Stake]

This is a good thing for both the PPC and Palm world. Hopefully, this will push PPC designers to think less out of the slate form factor and put more effort into the technical limits of PDA design. HP came close with their mockup of their iPaq with the fold out keyboard but I doubt this incarnation of their PDA will come to market (though I'd be the first to get one if it does). This Clie is just a jaw dropping device and I'd love to get it but the Palm OS keeps me at bay. For now Sony, :werenotworthy:

It'll be great to see if there are any responses to this in the coming months from the PPC camp! I'm praying that there are!

[powder2000]

I like it, that's all.

[dean_shan]

I personaly don't like this form factor. Yes it looks nice, but I prefer the normal, non-clamshell, PDA model. It looks ok but I'm sure the cost will be high. I have a feeling that if Sony started making PPC their sales will boost.

[mangochutneyman]

According to several sources over at Cliesource, the UX50 will be priced at $590 USD...

Also for those interested, PDAFrance posted some nice pics as well:

http://www.pdafrance.com/

[marlof]

Originally Posted by MultiMatt

It was a while back, so I can't recall where I found it, but on my hard drive, I have a Flash demo of a "Top-Secret" HP device.
Folding device, with keyboard and built-in wireless...
Anyway, I wonder if they are continuing with progress on a device like this...?!

Yup, I was just looking at the reference to that. See http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/foru...pic.php?t=6367 for a picture.

[Paul P]

Originally Posted by Duncan

Yes... looks very nice but is it?

1) Memory Stick still!
2) Crippled Memeory Stick capability at that!
3) 3.2" screen? No matter how finely detailed the text/resolution etc. that is a dumb step backwards for Sony.
4) That keyboard! C'mon - a separate Stowaway or built-in thumbboard maybe, but this is just an awkward compromise!

Is it just me or do the 'twist' Clies miss the point of a PDA? In what way do any of the 'innovative' features of these Clies make for an improved user experience? These are just expensive toys...

I think it's more and more harder to say that MS is crippled. It's like saying SD is crippled when used with iPaq. With intergrated Wifi and bluetooth, there is no need for the memory stick to have any functionality beyond that of storage.

As for the keyboard, I'd probably settle for just about any compromise. I've recently started traveling and even the smallest accessories seem cumbersome to carry along. As small as the slim expansion keyboard is, I still feel burdened.

I think different viewing angles help relieve some of the strain on your eyes. Also, it's a matter of convenience, or at least that's how I perceive it.

With it's capabilities, this thing will do just about anything for Palm folks. So I guess we are all carrying toys here.

[ipaq-PHD]

My first impression is that this form factor will be the basis for the soon to be released PSP. Just imagine a PDA which also also serves as a true portable gaming device ! 8O

[Christian]

As much as I like my PocketPC, this device looks really sweet. 8O

Why does it seem that half the time Sony is the only handheld company capable of innovating at this level?

[mangochutneyman]

Here are some pics comparing it to the Zaurus SL-C700 series:



http://palmoslove.com/work/feature/news20030717.html

[TawnerX]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Where are the Pocket PC OEMs willing to step up and create innovative form-factors like this? :|

It's Microsoft narrow definition what PPC should be. It is NOT PPC OEM fault, observer HP's prototype presentation of a PPC with buitl in folding keyboard.

Observe also how Microsoft is still trying to differentiate between Handheld PC, HandPC and PocketPC. A complete idiotic line of thinking since we know how dead Hanheld PC is. Almost nobody writes software for it, and manufacturer cannot push down price because of how small the sale is. Anybody want to buy handPC? They only cost $1000 and run .net with occassional PPC apps compatibility.

This on top of the rumor by how PPC team was going utterly bonker when told to share their API to other CE products, trying to defend their turf.

And historically, Microsoft also insist on a very rigid definition what WinCE device should be. Remember CE 1/2, where manufacturer should have keyboard?

It's "Windows Mobile" stupid! Nice marketing innitiative, but it's time to make it real product policy. (yes I know input and screensize are different , but more and more all of these platform has very similar CPU capability. So I don't know how they suppose to do it, but make them all compatible, at least the binary.)


And fergawdsake, som OEM in PPC better come up with significantly higher resolution product for high end by THIS christmas, not next year. We don't want stinkin' excuse about 'compatibilty', 'no market', or whatever other corporate policy and marketing spin. ........... We want it period and they better work smoothly too.