Samsung Nexio S160 Availble from Dynamism

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dynamism.com/nexio/index.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.dynamism.com/nexio/index.shtml</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/main.jpg" /> <br /><br />"The eagerly awaited Samsung Nexio S160 is now available from Dynamism. This 250g Nexio S160 features an Intel PXA250 400MHz processor, 5" widescreen, and integrated Wi-fi. It is, we believe, the best WinCE PDA on the market. The Nexio S160 has a brilliant 5" wide-aspect transflective Color LCD screen. For outdoor use, the screen's illumination can be turned off at the touch of a button. The integrated VGA-out port (required dongle is included) is ideal for giving presentations.<br /><br />The Nexio S160 also features integrated Wi-fi (802.11b). There is no protruding card or antenna. A convenient voice/memo-recorder is launched at the touch of a button. The leather screen flap (included) is attractive, but can be replaced by an optional keyboard. The keyboard then folds down to protect the screen. And, the CF card slot allows for myriad other expansion possibilities. Of course, a USB cable is included for synching with your PC. There is also an included stand."<br /><br />It can be yours for the low, low price of $1249 US. :lol:

[handheldplanet]

Ouch! This IS going to hurt my pocket book.

One question - can it be switched from landscape view?

Does anyone out there own one of these?

[[email protected]]

what a crock. I can get a complete Ipaq 5450 with targus keyboard, for half that. What a crock.

[spursdude]

what a crock. I can get a complete Ipaq 5450 with targus keyboard, for half that. What a crock.
Try to keep in mind that an iPaq 5450 + keyboard would not equal what this is. The Samsung still has the 5" screen, thin integrated keyboard, VGA-out port, and a CF slot. All in a very nice design.

I'm not in any way justifying the Samsung's price - it's incredibly expensive. But just pointing out that the 5450+keyboard isn't the same.

But if the Samsung were... say... $300 I would get it! 8O

[brntcrsp]

&lt;chokes on soup> i would consider buying one if it was $600 - i would rather buy a new laptop at this price. then again since it'snot going to be imported to north america this is as close as it gets.

[Gremmie]

&lt;chokes on soup> i would consider buying one if it was $600 - i would rather buy a new laptop at this price. then again since it'snot going to be imported to north america this is as close as it gets.

Agreed, with Tablet PC's I would consider an extra $800 marginal in comparison with benefits. But of course, this is interesting, hopefully it'll start a trend, don't forget people would pay almost $1,000 for an iPAQ 3600.

[WyattEarp]

It's nice but you would think that with all this stuff built-in they would have used the Intel PXA255 400MHz processor instead. That would have been a much better choice.

[rooks308]

what a crock. I can get a complete Ipaq 5450 with targus keyboard, for half that. What a crock.
Try to keep in mind that an iPaq 5450 + keyboard would not equal what this is. The Samsung still has the 5" screen, thin integrated keyboard, VGA-out port, and a CF slot. All in a very nice design.

I'm not in any way justifying the Samsung's price - it's incredibly expensive. But just pointing out that the 5450+keyboard isn't the same.

But if the Samsung were... say... $300 I would get it! 8O

I agree that the screen is a bit bigger which is definetly nice but the Keyboard is NOT integrated... it's an optional accessory for even more money... and no BT or SD slot!! Don't get me wrong i think this is a great device.. I am perusing the Nexio Catalog now got some great pics and specs but I'd still take my ipaq easily over this when the price is that high... Talk about pocket bulk too... I can't believe how pocketable the 5450 is with all that built in... I would consider retireing my 5450 if this was priced at about $699.99 Seems reasonable to me...

[spursdude]

Oh man I never even noticed the keyboard wasn't integrated. I saw most photos with it in, and never looked at the accessories page. The keyboard sure looks like a natural attachment...

Making even more overpriced. :D

[Gerard]

I see that keyboard as being exactly the right size to be completely irritating. Too big and awkwardly mounted to be a thumb board, too small to be a proper touch-typing keyboard for anyone bigger than a 10 year old, it's just close to useless. Now, there was that concept thingy somewhere last month, where the flip-cover (on an iPAQ?) came down in landscape mode and folded open, offering a compact but perhaps usable keyboard... that looked sweet. It looked like it added maybe 3/8" to the thickness, making an iPAQ about as thick as my EG-800 Casio. I could easily live witht that!
And I see no mention here of an SD slot, so it's just the one expansion slot... too limiting. Should have SDI/O too at that price.
The one saving grace is that beautifully proportioned/sized screen. Deadly. It's exactly the size I'd want in a PPC. And as I recall, the old Flash presentation on this thing had it with a dedicated camera being available, possibly mounted via something other than the CF slot. If that's still part of what they are making, it'd be a definite plus. The camera module was clunky, kinda square, but very compact. As a communications device, this could be quite cool, especially if you got it working with MS Portrait for video. I'd want a WriteShield for it too, of course. Not likely they'd make them for it, with a very limited market there.

[Pony99CA]

I'm not in any way justifying the Samsung's price - it's incredibly expensive.
Wait a second! This is not Samsung's price. Dynamism is a company that takes Asian-market goods, converts them to English and sells them in the U.S. So you're not paying for what Samsung is selling; you're paying for the "privilege" of getting these goods before most people in the U.S. (and without having to go to Asia), plus for any conversion Dynamism does to make the Nexio usable in the U.S. Do you want a Japanese or Korean OS?
Yes, it is expensive. If you don't like the price, don't buy it. :bangin:

Steve

[spursdude]

Well, if ya wanna get technical, I said "the Samsung's price," as in the price of the model. Not "Samsung's price" as in what Samsung set the price at. :wink:

I do understand that Dynamism charges a hefty premium because of the overseas situation... but it's still too expensive.

Yes, it is expensive. If you don't like the price, don't buy it.
I think if products like this are what we should be able to expect in a PDA or a PPC, we should be able to hope to afford them. But anyways, I'll stop complaining about the price... I'm sure somebody out there can afford it and will buy it. Just not me. :(

[R K]

I'd want a WriteShield for it too, of course. Not likely they'd make them for it, with a very limited market there.

PocketPCTechs is all about customization, so I'm sure you could convince them to make a custom Nexio version, but you'd probably have to pay more due to the limited market.

[Cortex]

i think its a perfectly reasonable price....

especially when you consider all the software thats available for it!

:microwave:

[Newsboy]

http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=993&showComments=true

[HTK]

Seems to be a great device, specially for the 800X480 resolution

[Janak Parekh]

I do understand that Dynamism charges a hefty premium because of the overseas situation... but it's still too expensive.
They're not catering to the mass-market, but rather those who must have the technology now, like corporate executive-types. I agree that they'd probably make more money selling it slightly cheaper, but they're a small company, and probably keep their volume down for support, etc.

I wonder how people would react to a price of $750-850, if it were natively sold here...

--janak

[troyrogers]

I can get WinXP on one of those super small Sony laptops (850Mhz, 256MB RAM) for about $700. I don't know what these hardware manufactuers are thinking.

[Gerard]

Well, that's your take on it. Personally, I doubt I'll ever spend another dime on a device lacking instant-on capability and at least 6 hours on battery power. Notebooks don't have either, no matter how small they are (or how cramped the keyboard, as those Sony or Panasonic mini-notebooks have). The more I look at this thing the more I'm thinking it's very close to what I'd like. The link above showed a discussion, which ends so far in some guy claiming to be testing one of these. Says the reported specs are out of date, that Samsung has used an X-scale processor and 128/64MB RAM/Nand ROM. Sounds pretty skookum to me, and the incredible resolution, combined with CE.NET 4.1 seems rather close to irresistable. I'm starting to hope these do eventually find their way over here. Coupled with a Pocketop IrDA keyboard it could be very nice indeed. Or maybe ThinkOutside will even get in the game with a new Stowaway if they take off. Likely the sticker price would drop to USD$899 within a year or so, and there's usually sales to be found, so by next summer something like $700 might happen. Very slick. Just might be time to upgrade by then.
And I wonder if PPCTechs might not offer a large sheet of their material, for the user to cut out custom? Or one could just cut a tablet protector in half, trim it neatly, and there'd be two at least! Oh yeah, I'm likin' this a lot now it's sinking in a little. :)

[Janak Parekh]

The more I look at this thing the more I'm thinking it's very close to what I'd like.
Same here. It seems about the right balance, sizewise, between a HPC and a PPC. Unless HP unveils their "unfolding" Pocket PC, this is the kind of device I'll be rooting for Samsung to release in the US.

BTW: I posted on this before (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6569), with links to full specs and more. At the time, a US release wasn't out of the question. I continue to hope that's the case.

--janak

[sting0r]

Does it have bluetooth?? I would hate to have to use up the CF card slot for that...

[Gerard]

Hey man, click the link and read the specs. It's pretty clear: "Wireless Comm Built-in WLAN(802.11b) Module , Wi-Fi Certified"
and this:
"Built-in CDMA2000 1X Module
Wireless Internet"
Besides whatever those mean, it's got USB2.0, which could mean a cheap USB>Bluetooth module might do the job, even if the internal wireless junk doesn't make you happy.

[Jonathan1]

One thing that everyone seems to be forgetting and a topic I brought up before when this device was talked about. Software. Someone mentioned before that development will come. That may be true (Even though I won't hold my breath since CE development isn't exactly in high gear right now.) but for the time being you will be totally limited to whatever software Samsung ships with the system and keep in mind that any software on the CD, etc that may come with the device most likely would be in Japanese. So most likely whatever is actually on the device is what you are stuck with for now. From one of the above links it appears that the device out of the box has a fairly robust set of software tools\toys which is good but again 3rd party software has always been the strong point of all MS OS’s. (Pocket informant or Agenda Fusion anyone?) $1200 on a device with a questionable future its one heck of a risk to gamble your money on.

No only that there is time frame for new software. 2 months? 6 months? A year? I would be very interested in seeing how Samsung plans on pushing development on this device. If it will be similar to how Sharp is pushing the Zaurus.

Don’t get me wrong guys. I want a device to succeed big time. I remember 1.5 or so years ago a prototype PDA call Spike. The concept was VERY similar to this. A PDA type device with a 5” screen and a separate keyboard that you could attach the device to. It too ran Windows CE but in that case 3.0. I drooled over the idea of such screen real-estate on a PDA but alas the idea died when the .COM bubble burst. From what I understood no one ponied up the cash to get the project past concept stage and Spike faded into the background. It looks as if the idea has Phoenixed itself in the guise of the Nexio S160. I hope this form factor does take off but first things first: show us da software.

[Shaun Stuart]

While I love the look of this device I cant see myself buying it - and its not because of the price!

What makes a good pocket pc / hpc is the ability to customise it to your needs - for me that means software - and unfortunately the Nexio does not have anywhere near enough. There is a newsgroup over on yahoo that discusses this and lists around 5 or 6 applications designed for the Jornada 7series that are compatible. There is no mention of any Pocket PC software running on the device. I know that the .net platform should allow for easier programming but my understanding is that this will take time - 6 months in the PDA market is a lifetime.

Now the only reason that I would change my mind on this is if the device played video well and could be used as a portable movie player. From what I have read video playback is not on a par with an Ipaq.

I hope I am wrong but I cant see this making much of an impact in the pocket pc /hpc world.

[a_feigl]

There is no mention of how much ram there is either. It would also be interesting if Samsung released this device without the keyboard (price would be much cheaper), like others i agree that this attatchment would suit some consumers but would be cumbersome for most.

Still looks like an interesting device, it is good to see other companies differentiating themselves, even if it is extremely expensive.

[guyly]

This device should compete with Ipaq 5450, and the price should be $699. It's not the end of the world yet, I'm waiting for Dell.

[mscdex]

..... don't forget people would pay almost $1,000 for an iPAQ 3600.

Where are these people??? :lol:

[GregWard]

Be pretty cool if you could connect one of these via bt to a 3G mobile. Pretty big screen running at broadband (type) speeds but mobile. :D Kewl!

[ikesler]

It is a nice looking device...... and some of the specs seem pretty interesting......... but no 3rd party software......... high price tag..... AND first generation device......... sounds like a very limited, possibly high problematic device........
Then again if I had 1300 bucks lying around, I would be placing an order! :D

Till then, I sit and wait..........

[Skoobouy]

Actually, I think this is great news. The most important thing about this device is its screen resolution. Why? Because now we can have a much better idea of how an ultra-fine screen resolution would affect performance and battery life on a Pocket PC. Personally I can't wait until some rich fellow picks one of these up, and posts his/her findings on the Web.

I believe that the Powers that Be have simply been holding out on VGA Pocket PCs, and if the technology is already here with the Nexio, then it gives Pocket PC OEMs fewer excuses for being so comfortable with QVGA.

[sponge]

Actually, Windows CE.net's next version (4.2 I think? If it's not out already) will over greatly enchanced PPC app compatibility. There's a Nexio group over at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEXiOs/ which should give you quite a bit more info on the device.

[Skitals]

Hello guys... spend the extra money and buy a sony vaio u1/u3.... 933mhz, windows xp, 20gb hdd, full qwerty keyboard, usb and pcmcia slot. The u3 is the world smallest full featured notebook pc.

[Gerard]

sub-compact notebook PC =
~ slow to boot, at least 10 times slower than a PPC
~ far more prone to software conflict/corruption
~ extremely hard on batteries for mobile use - typically offering 1/3 or less time than what a PPC offers
~ cramped keyboard, with available external keyboards being suitcase-sized, where a PPC thrid-party keyboard like the Stowaway is full scale and folds smaller than this Nexio
~ nowhere near able to fit into a pocket, where the Nexio could easily fit into a lot of 'cargo pants' pockets or even the inside pocket of a dinner jacket
~ more than double the price of this offering of the Samsung, and the price is likely to drop on the Nexio within 6 months
This is a Pocket PC forum. We are Pocket PC users. Sure, we depend on PCs to feed certain data to our PPCs, but a laptop, no matter how miniaturized, is just not able to offer all the advantages of a PPC. Does the Sony offer a touchscreen? If not, kiss graphics work goodbye, 'cause that teensy mousepad ain't gonna offer any kind of accuracy. A stylus in Pocket Artist is like having a $300 graphics pad added on to a PC, along with a much more user-friendly version of Photoshop.

[Pony99CA]

What makes a good pocket pc / hpc is the ability to customise it to your needs - for me that means software - and unfortunately the Nexio does not have anywhere near enough. There is a newsgroup over on yahoo that discusses this and lists around 5 or 6 applications designed for the Jornada 7series that are compatible. There is no mention of any Pocket PC software running on the device. I know that the .net platform should allow for easier programming but my understanding is that this will take time - 6 months in the PDA market is a lifetime.
I would hope that much Windows CE software would be compatible with the Nexio. Did that Yahoo newsgroup mention what Jornada 700 series applications ran?

As for Pocket PC applications running on the Nexio, that won't be likely. My understanding is that there is a special API toolkit used to create Pocket PC applications. That toolkit helps use the Pocket PC OS running on top of Windows CE 3.0, but the Nexio probably won't have the Pocket PC extensions.

Steve

[Certified Optimist]

The NEXiO S160 is priced at HK$7,180 (US$921) on Samsung's HK site. And if you order it online they will give you the keyboard for free http://www.samsungelectronics.com.hk/pda/s160.html But... you need to be a HK resident - yes... thanks for the info... but kind of useless... :roll: ...but... similar offers may pop up elsewhere... so... thought I'd mention it...

On the same site you can also find the online user guide, which show the various specifications (hardware specifications + software that comes with it) http://www.samsungelectronics.com.hk/pda/support/user_guide/index.html

The NEXiO is, however, not my cup of tea and I am sticking with my current Pocket PC...

[RobPPC]

I think one of the most interesting things about this is that it is a true USB host so you can (if drivers are available) plug in your USB BT/phone/whatever and actually use it.

[Mitch D]

8O

Jeeze with the exchange rate being the way it is ($1249 US = $1730 CAN) I could buy a good laptop for that kind of change although I have to admit that a laptop would not have the coolness factor that this baby has... I would give it some serious thought if I didn't think the boss would have my hide.

The couch is comfortable but not that comfortable! :wink:

[Kati Compton]

Does anyone know if the MS Office support for Windows CE is better than that for PocketPC?

This is getting very close to what I personally would like to have, provided it has full office compatibility....

While I like my Axim, I'm thinking that my future direction might be smartphone plus sub-sub-notebook....

[IpaqMan2]

This thing will float like a ton of bricks dropped into the ocean.

I like the concept and design and actually prefer landscape mode, but at $1249 it will be the death of this PDA.

OEMs really need to get a clue here.. $600 .. or even $799 I can see this maybe surviving..but please...

[Pony99CA]

While I like my Axim, I'm thinking that my future direction might be smartphone plus sub-sub-notebook....
If you find the Nexio a bit expensive :-) how about the NEC MobilePro 900 (http://www.mobileplanet.com/shopanywhere/product.asp?dept%5Fid=2670&pf%5Fid=MP980244)? It's basically a large Handheld PC with a 640x240 (HVGA) screen.

Here are the specs:


"Instant On," Intel (r) PXA255 Processor, with XScale Technology, 64MB RAM Base SDRAM, 32MB Flash ROM and includes an additional 32MB Flash ROM

8.1" HGVA display, nearly full size touch-type keyboard

Lithium ion battery

PC Card Type II and CF Flash slots, infrared (Fast IR) Port, USB Host/Slave ports, 56Kbps V.90 modem

Microsoft Handheld PC Platform

Weighs less than two pounds

It's $900 at MobilePlanet.

It was discussed here earlier in the "New Handheld PC from NEC - MobilePro 900" thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10399).

Steve

[Jason Lee]

While I love the look of this device I cant see myself buying it - and its not because of the price!

What makes a good pocket pc / hpc is the ability to customise it to your needs - for me that means software - and unfortunately the Nexio does not have anywhere near enough. There is a newsgroup over on yahoo that discusses this and lists around 5 or 6 applications designed for the Jornada 7series that are compatible. There is no mention of any Pocket PC software running on the device. I know that the .net platform should allow for easier programming but my understanding is that this will take time - 6 months in the PDA market is a lifetime.

Now the only reason that I would change my mind on this is if the device played video well and could be used as a portable movie player. From what I have read video playback is not on a par with an Ipaq.

I hope I am wrong but I cant see this making much of an impact in the pocket pc /hpc world.

I remember when Pocket PC first came out. This was the same argument people used then... "Why would i want a deveice that won't run my Windows CE software... There are no apps that run on Pocket pc."

:lol:

Just look at us now!!

[sharmahw1]

Now only if it can also be used as a GSM and/or CDMA cell phone! Does anybody know if that is doable by installing a phone application?
Thanks

[Gerard]

Yeah, like the text I quoted from that linked information earlier said:

"Built-in CDMA2000 1X Module
Wireless Internet"

CMDA = cellphone networking, right?

[Pony99CA]

Yeah, like the text I quoted from that linked information earlier said:

"Built-in CDMA2000 1X Module
Wireless Internet"

CMDA = cellphone networking, right?
CDMA2000 1xRTT is the 2.5G version (I think) of CDMA, the cell phone standard used by Verizon and Sprint (as opposed to GSM, which is used by most of the rest of the world).

CDMA is not exclusively for networking, though; it's for regular calls, too.

If you want more information about CDMA, check out Qualcomm's CDMA Web pages (http://www.cdma.com/cdma/index.html) (which, oddly, don't discuss 1xRTT that I saw).

Steve

[Gerard]

Okay. Got any theories on when our heads are going to explode due to tech-spec overload? Too many vying wireless protocols, too many proprietary systems to get a handle on. I'm unhappily confused. Guess it's just as well I'm sitting out the wireless phenomenon for the time being. Tempting, sure, especially as cell data packages with flat rates, like Jason's, seem to be coming online. But getting a good deal and quality service seems still too much hassle to figure out for a dummy like me. And I DON'T want a pre-packaged deal like AOL access, a spoon-feeding thing. But surely one needn't be a networking guru to figure out what all the connectivity packages mean? Good grief.

[PhatCohiba]

You can get a tablet PC for under 1500 from dell, I figure by the end of the year you'll see $1200 tablets, now that'd be cool. Runs all my xp games and software.


systems: Viewsonic Tablet PC V1100 PIII/866 10.4in for $1,471 shipped
The ViewSonic Tablet PC V1100 Pentium III/866MHz 256/20.0/100BT/802.11b 10.4-inch touchscreen TFT display with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition costs $1,505.66 at Dell Home's Software and Peripherals store. Apply coupon code "XXXXX (to protect the inocent)" and the price falls to $1,470.66. With free shipping, it's the lowest total price we've seen by $120 and among the least expensive Tablet PCs we know to be available. Offer ends today.