Toshiba Genio e550C

[marlof]

<a href="http://forum.sorobangeeks.com/viewtopic.php?t=1747">http://forum.sorobangeeks.com/viewtopic.php?t=1747</a><br /><br />Ever wanted a Pocket PC with a big screen that includes a camera with a flash? Thanks to Daimaou we know we don't have to wait much longer for that one: in Japan, Toshiba has released the specs of the <a href="http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/c_index.htm">Toshiba Genio e550C</a> (<a href="http://www.excite.co.jp/world/url/?wb_url=http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/c_index.htm&wb_lp=jaen-ATL">Excite autotranslation</a>). Don't forget to take a look at the nice <a href="http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/c.htm">Flash presentation</a> to see the unit in more detail. Before I forget: did I tell you yet that this will be the first production Pocket PC with built in 128 MB of RAM?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/toshiba_e550c.jpg" />

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Okay... I'm sold. Where do I sign?

[vetteguy]

I had an e550G, and I thought it was awesome...unfortunately I had to sell it last month to raise some quick cash. Maybe it's good that I did, because now I can get this awesome unit!

[surur]

My next PPC!!

Surur

[Daimaou]

Guys it is not the only amazing stuff !

the screen Really ROCKS ! it is a polysilicon TFT liquid crystal Screen ! a will say a bit better than the Ipaq 3970 !!! it is the same screen as the Zaurus SL 700 ! (The Linux one)

[jizmo]

This unit doesn't have the new generation XScale, now does it?

/jizmo

[vetteguy]

Guys it is not the only amazing stuff !

the screen Really ROCKS ! it is a polysilicon TFT liquid crystal Screen ! a will say a bit better than the Ipaq 3970 !!! it is the same screen as the Zaurus SL 700 ! (The Linux one)
Is it a transreflective screen? And do you know what the MSRP is?

[Daimaou]

this UNIT GOT the New Xscale the PXA255

for the screen it is not a trans one it is different, better as far as I compare with my 3970 and the Genio

[Daniel]

I found it interesting that the headphone jack operates as a micropone as well. Is that standard these days or what?

Daniel

[JJ]

I like the overall design except for the power jack at the bottom. Wouldn't that make it hard or even impossible to charge the unit while it sets on a keyboard such as Stowaway?

[xendula]

Has Toshiba mentioned a price for that babe yet?

[jizmo]

this UNIT GOT the New Xscale the PXA255

Wee-hee ..

I wonder when will we see the first benchmarks.

/jizmo

[Foo Fighter]

Ever wanted a Pocket PC with a big screen

Not if it's reflective! :P

[fgarcia10]

Oh man!!!

More memory, a cover lid, a built in flash camera, a better screen, the new xcale.... :way to go:

Can I have one to go? :D

[Daimaou]

this UNIT GOT the New Xscale the PXA255

Wee-hee ..

I wonder when will we see the first benchmarks.

/jizmo

I will let you know as soon as I will own it and comapre it with the new Casio the E-3000 which got as well the PXA255

[marlof]

Not if it's reflective! :P

LOL! You're still in transflective mode, huh? ;)

[greenmozart]

I have been waiting for the right PPC to come along to replace my e740 (which replaced my e200 which replaced my 568). Big screen, 2 slots (for connectivity and storage combined), lots of RAM, camera, REMOVABLE SCREEN COVER INCLUDED!!!!!!! It's about time someone listened to all the rants about not including a flip lid like the 568. And this one looks transparent... even better! Hell, I'm more excited about that 2 cent piece of plastic than any of the other features.

[Sparky]

8O Do my eyes decieve me, or is that really a rocker switch on the side!

However, it doesn't look like the battery is user replaceable...

[Jonathan1]

What is the res of this camera?!?!?!

[mar2k]

However, it doesn't look like the battery is user replaceable...

Dang! I hadn't even thought about it but you're right, doesn't look like replacable battery. Oh well, with PDAs there always seems to be at least one thing wrong....

[Mojo Jojo]

There is talk of a different screen for this model...

Does anyone know if this screen will be carried over into the models without the camera? Say a normal 550g format?

[powder2000]

OK, the obvious question that no one has asked. What will the battery life be like? If it's anything like the previous 550, you might have some issues with things like built in flash! Pretty nice otherwise. :roll:

[huangzhinong]

it has a buildin 1100mah battery, not replacable. I never replace battery and so it is not an issue for me.

It doesn't come with any wireless buildin, but it has dual slots.

It is not the first PocketPC with 128M RAM

[JonnoB]

I found it interesting that the headphone jack operates as a micropone as well. Is that standard these days or what?

Daniel

If you look at the screenshot, one of the bundled applications is a VoIP (Voice over IP) application that would in a LAN/WiFi setting, allow for two-way voice communication.

[Charles Pickrell]

This unit will most likely NOT make it to the USA or Canada. Audiovox, the US distributer for Toshiba Japan has stated that it will not release any new Pocket PC devices this year. Our only hope is that Toshiba Japan and Toshiba USA will cooperate for once and release this model in the USA.

[butch]

OK, the obvious question that no one has asked. What will the battery life be like? If it's anything like the previous 550, you might have some issues with things like built in flash! Pretty nice otherwise. :roll:

I'm not 100% sure, but the flash seem more like a serie of White LED... It won't take a lot of battery.

[HTK]

cam res: 640x480
with a large capacity cf card this pda may be a nice video capture device too 8)

[R K]

This unit will most likely NOT make it to the USA or Canada. Audiovox, the US distributer for Toshiba Japan has stated that it will not release any new Pocket PC devices this year. Our only hope is that Toshiba Japan and Toshiba USA will cooperate for once and release this model in the USA.

I don't think that's happening. Aren't Toshiba Japan and Toshiba USA rivals in the Pocket PC department?
Last I heard, Toshiba USA was pretty upset that Japan go tthe Genio-e550G through to CompUSAs.

[T-Will]

Finally a Pocket PC with an integrated flip cover.

[marlof]

It is not the first PocketPC with 128M RAM

Hmm? Must have missed something then. I know I can get a 128 MB RAM upgrade at Pocket PC Techs, and I know they planned to release a Jornada 578 with 128 MB of RAM, but that never made it to the market. What mainstream Pocket PC that is currently or was available has 128 MB or RAM? Just curious. :)

[sualeh]

I can't read Japanese, but do the specs say Pocket PC 4.0?

[Charles Pickrell]

Marlof, unless I'm mistaken the E550GX (previous model) had 128 MB of RAM.

[mscdex]

Is it just me, or does the site seem to mention/suggest the device has pocket pc 2003? The black text right under the 5th item in the list of specs, it says Pocket PC and in parenthesis something about 2003. Is this the date of when it should be available or what version of the OS it will have? Even the screenshots look different that ppc2k2 (overall).

[marlof]

Marlof, unless I'm mistaken the E550GX (previous model) had 128 MB of RAM.

You're right, but I didn't doubt that for a minute. http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2002_10/pr_j3101.htm . That's what you get for releasing devices only in certain parts of the world. :)

[toml]

Why'd they go and cripple it with only a 640x480 camera? That's not very useful. I'd like at least 1280x960, but 1024x768 would do.

But, I will say I've been a happy owner of an e550G for 5 months now. I love it. And with a better (higher contrast) screen... WOW!

To answer some of the comments/questions here: The bottom mounted power isn't a problem when using a keyboard. It still works. Battery life isn't outstanding on the 550g, but it's good enough for me.

The 128 MB will be nice, but with the dual slots of the 550G, it's not really necessary. Easy enough to expand.

[JonnoB]

The 128 MB will be nice, but with the dual slots of the 550G, it's not really necessary. Easy enough to expand.

WiFi and BT will take up those slots. Integrated WiFi and BT (HP5450) and consumer top mounted IR would have made this the ultimate killer product. It is almost perfect.

[huangzhinong]

Marlof, unless I'm mistaken the E550GX (previous model) had 128 MB of RAM.

You're right, but I didn't doubt that for a minute. http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2002_10/pr_j3101.htm . That's what you get for releasing devices only in certain parts of the world. :)

Yes, this unit is not the first PPC with 128mb RAM, in World or USA. The E550GX is the first in world, there is no PPC with 128MB in USA at all.

[Emike]

I must say that I am impressed with the overall package. I think that the camera, while not the highest in resolution, certainly beats no camera at all. I read a review of the Sony NR70, which has a lower resolution camera, where the author talked about how neat it was to have a camera with you at all times. It allowed for the taking of pictures, while at a lower than optimal resolution, that would never have been taken otherwise. It doesn't appear that the addition of the camera added much to the overall thickness of this device. With so little of a size penalty for the added benefit of a camera, even if it is rarely used, I think it would still be worth having around.
The most impressive thing to me is the high contrast of the screen. If this is an actual unretouched screen image it looks like it even blows the new ipaqs out of the water.
As the owner of a much less than perfect E740 with a tiny bluish screen that decides for itself when the best time for a sync is, I look forward to making this upgrade provided there aren't any hidden gotcha's yet to be revealed.

[Paragon]

This unit will most likely NOT make it to the USA or Canada. Audiovox, the US distributer for Toshiba Japan has stated that it will not release any new Pocket PC devices this year. Our only hope is that Toshiba Japan and Toshiba USA will cooperate for once and release this model in the USA.

I tend to agree with Charles on this one. From what I understand from the Canadian Toshiba PPC product manager is that all Toshibas here for the foreseeable future will have the same form factor as the e740 etc. This way they keep all their accessories consistant........Unless someone like CompUSA makes another deal like they did for the e550g, which I doubt. I don't think they did very well with it so I doubt they would try it again.....Charles can you shed any light on any of this?

Dave

[R K]

The most impressive thing to me is the high contrast of the screen. If this is an actual unretouched screen image it looks like it even blows the new ipaqs out of the water.

I don't think the screens on these presentations are ever real-life samples. Screens on presentations are usually Photoshopped because they usually aren't too photogenic.

[Charles Pickrell]

Charles can you shed any light on any of this?
Dave

I have left a message with the Toshiba liason at Microsoft to ask about this. No word yet. Audiovox brought the e550G to the USA about 6 or so months ago. Since then Toshiba Japan has released 5 other e550 models to the Japanese market. None of those devices ever made it to the USA. In an Interview with Diane Dumas, Audiovox said that they will not bring any new Pocekt PC devices to market in 2003. Since Audiovox was the only distributor in the USA (Audiovox inked the CompUSA e550G contract) that means there are no distribution channels in the USA for this baby. I think that CompUSA was really enamored with the e550G and it may not be selling all that badly there. CompUSA keeping the price steadily at $599 shows that they are confident that people are still going to buy it at full price. It is the only 4" screen on a Pocket PC device that is selling today.

I think the only way to get this to teh US or canadian market it to pressure Toshiba USA to carry it. Toshiba Japan has NO distribution channel here, only Toshiba USA. I'll let everyone know if I find an e-mail address or telephone number where we can request this model for the US market.

[Paragon]

Thanks Charles...glad to hear I was wrong about the sales of the e550g If CompUSA is happy with it maybe we will get lucky and see them bring in the e550C.

Dave

[Brainiac 5]

Toshiba also announced a new model without a camera, the e550GD (http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/gd_index.htm). It seems to have similar specs to the e550C, except that it's the same thickness as the older Genios (the e550C is thicker). The selling point of this model seems to be that it's bundled with three electronic dictionaries (Japanese-Japanese, Japanese-English, and English-Japanese).

I've been looking at the Toshiba page linked in the first article of this thread, and I think I can answer a couple of questions people had:

8O Do my eyes decieve me, or is that really a rocker switch on the side!
Yes, the text says there is a rocker switch (the e550GD model I mentioned does not seem to have this).

Is it just me, or does the site seem to mention/suggest the device has pocket pc 2003? The black text right under the 5th item in the list of specs, it says Pocket PC and in parenthesis something about 2003. Is this the date of when it should be available or what version of the OS it will have?
It is the date it will be available, March 2003. This page (http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/siyou_c.htm) says it runs Pocket PC 2002. :(

[islandsnow]

does anyone know if they got thumb keyboards for the 550x series in japan that might work with the e550g? when i'm standing and using my e550g, i can't flip open a keyboard and plug it in. a thumb keyboard would be nice.

[Brainiac 5]

the screen Really ROCKS ! it is a polysilicon TFT liquid crystal Screen ! a will say a bit better than the Ipaq 3970 !!! it is the same screen as the Zaurus SL 700 ! (The Linux one)
Where did you hear about the screen, or have you seen it yourself? I'm just wondering because the description of the screen on Toshiba's site seems to be identical to their description of the screen on the e550G - "low temperature polysilicon TFT liquid crystal / 4.0 inches (reflective, with frontlight)."

Also, have you heard anything about the e550GD that Toshiba also announced? Is it also supposed to have the improved screen?

[Daimaou]

WOW I am impressed that my little contibution make so many fan :) anyway just wake up here in Japan.

As I wrote this not the only 128 buildin ram PPC the GX done it before, the GX is a clone of the G but with a better screen battery life spam, 128 Mo of ram.

the 550C like it is written (in english) on the japanese site will have WinCe 3, also another version of this machine will be released with no camera but with a complete Japanese and US/UK to Japanese dictionary.

I am expecting a lot of the PXA255 and as soon as I will have both the new casio aand this unit in hands I will make some benchh for you

Ok I am arrived in central tokyo must leave now

Message sent thru Ipaq 3970 and 3G CF Card (128 kbps)

[st63z]

cam res: 640x480
with a large capacity cf card this pda may be a nice video capture device too 8)

So it can do videocam too? Same VGA max video capture res (or QVGA)?

This is CMOS-based right?

[vincentsiaw]

only one word for this thing.... wow...

[Daimaou]

cam res: 640x480
with a large capacity cf card this pda may be a nice video capture device too 8)

So it can do videocam too? Same VGA max video capture res (or QVGA)?

This is CMOS-based right?

My Japanese is not such good, therefore I didn't see somethinq like video recording function... maybe possible anyway with a thrid party soft, if of course Tosh don't add such function

[jimH]

I have the 550g. In my opinion, the GD version appears to be a direct descendent of the G line but with a new processor. The 550C appears to be somewhat different. Although I can't read the information on the site, there are several observable differences. Besides the camera, the design of the C case and d-pad are different and it includes a rocker switch. I would hope Toshiba sires another C version with a similar configuration but without the camera and includes a replaceable battery.

Jim

[Reza]

FYI Jørgen Sundgot posted a brief preview of the e550C & e550gd on infoSync World (http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3185.html)...

[Pony99CA]

The 128 MB will be nice, but with the dual slots of the 550G, it's not really necessary. Easy enough to expand.
WiFi and BT will take up those slots. Integrated WiFi and BT (HP5450) and consumer top mounted IR would have made this the ultimate killer product. It is almost perfect.
Are there people who use both WiFi and Bluetooth at the same time? I know it can done if you need Bluetooth for a headset or file transfer to another Pocket PC (or maybe printing if you don't have a network printer), but how many people actually have a need for it?

Steve

[Solarix]

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/url/?wb_url=http://www.genio-e.com/pda/products/siyou_c.htm&wb_lp=jaen-ATL

It appears from the Jap-glish translation, that it will have 9hr's running time with "The continuation display of a memorandum screen " (Whatever the hell that means). I'm looking forward to getting the "USB clay dollar" with that unit.

[penpen]

is it possible to change the language of ppc devices?
i'd like to import one of these devices from japan, but i'm not willing to learn the language :wink:

[Solarix]

As far as I am aware, the PPCOS has only one language option. This is probably done to keep file size down since you are severely restricted on space. Now what would be nice was if Toshiba released an English ROM for this unit, since English is spoken alot in Japan, then all would be good to go.

[shindullin]

My concern is the lack of support for Genio products in general. It's not cool to pay 400 to 500 on something and then not be able to use it fully bc there are no accessories.

[JonnoB]

Are there people who use both WiFi and Bluetooth at the same time?
I know it can done if you need Bluetooth for a headset or file transfer to another Pocket PC (or maybe printing if you don't have a network printer), but how many people actually have a need for it?


You hit the nail on the head. WiFi for wireless access and BT for phone integration. HP already saw the light and did this, but is missing dual slots. I can see WiFi and camera use for video conferencing. With this new model having a camera, that may take care of it, but then there is still no WiFi.

The best PPC would be one just like this new model but with dual mem/io slots. That could be two SDIO slots or 1 SDIO and 1 CF..... _and_ WiFi+BT integrated.

[penpen]

but perhaps it is possible to change the language modul in the flash-rom?
experience anyone?

[bbarker]

It seems to have a built-in screen cover! The first one since the Jornada's demise and a requirement for me. I like to carry my Jornada in my pocket and I don't want to bulk it up with a case.

[pdafan]

I checked out the e550GD when I was in Sapporo, Japan over the weekend. I didn't spend much time with it, but the main thing I noticed was the screen seemed to be the same as all the other e550's. A lot of you have been excited about the the spec line that says it's Polysilicon, but I compared it to the e550GS sitting next to it and they were identical. The backlighting seemed low with the sidelight not covering the entire screen evenly. The iPAQ 39xx is still much better, IMHO.

The brochures have the same information for the screen for both the GD and C, so I guess this may mean they both use the same screen. I didn't see the C, so I can't verify this.

In Japan, J-Phone has a cell phone made by Toshiba with a "Super-Fine Polysilicon" screen that is just amazing. The resolution and density are the best I've seen on any cell phone. I wish to see that technology and density on a Pocket PC someday.

[Gremmie]

but perhaps it is possible to change the language modul in the flash-rom?
experience anyone?

If I remember correctly, the language pack was just a quick add on and could be removed. I think it was possible with some old Casio's unique to Japan.

[gallianowebb]

I can't read Japanese, but do the specs say Pocket PC 4.0?

I can't either but I think 4.0 is a reference to the screen size not a new version of PPC 2002. Even though a new version would be nice. 8)