Toshiba Genio 550CT With Camera Released In Japan [Archive]

View Full Version : Toshiba Genio 550CT With Camera Released In Japan

Janak Parekh

10-20-2003, 06:30 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_5035.html' target='_blank'>http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_5035.html</a><br /><br /></div>SorobanGeeks reports on the availability of the 550CT, a Pocket PC with a 4" display, 128MB of RAM and an XScale processor. What makes this one interesting is its 640x480 camera <i>with</i> flash. There are some sample pics, and I find the quality reasonable -- much better than earlier Pocket PCs with cameras.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20031020-Toshiba550CTPhoto.jpg" /><br /><br />Let's hope we continue to see higher-quality cameras integrated into Pocket PCs if it doesn't hurt battery life. An English translation of the article is <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fakiba.sorobangeeks.com%2Fnews_5035.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools">here</a>.

Iamzim

10-20-2003, 06:41 PM

ANyone know will this be release in US anytime soon?

dean_shan

10-20-2003, 06:45 PM

:drool:

David C

10-20-2003, 06:46 PM

suhit

10-20-2003, 06:47 PM

If the price is actually 30K Yen as the picture suggests, then it is just $275. And given the quality of the pictures that are on that demo page, it does look like a nifty little unit. I just wish there were more specs available on it though.

Suhit

Janak Parekh

10-20-2003, 06:50 PM

If the price is actually 30K Yen as the picture suggests, then it is just $275.
You're assuming he's taking a picture of the same Pocket PC that he's using to take a picture with. :)

--janak

Janak Parekh

10-20-2003, 06:52 PM

ANyone know will this be release in US anytime soon?
I don't. :( Releases of the Genio devices have been few and far between here.

--janak

suhit

10-20-2003, 07:21 PM

suhit

10-20-2003, 07:26 PM

If the price is actually 30K Yen as the picture suggests, then it is just $275.
You're assuming he's taking a picture of the same Pocket PC that he's using to take a picture with. :)
No I'm not. I was actually assuming that because I see two signs saying "29,800 Yen" next to the device :). I may be wrong of course.

Oh duh!!! I see your point. The picture in your post may actually just be a sample picture and not a picture of the device itself. Yes, that is entirely possible. Hmm, another reason to learn Japanese (i.e. to prove Janak wrong) :).

Suihit

Mojo Jojo

10-20-2003, 08:15 PM

...30K Yen as the picture suggests, then it is just $275...
Suhit

I am somewhat skeptical that if the price is as believed, then that is what we will see in the states.

The Genio line appears somewhat exclusive to CompUSA, the current Genio e550G is selling for $499 without camera. I am somewhat hesitant to say that the e550G seems like it was 'testing the US market' and in fact sold poorly. CompUSA is no longer carrying that model and only a few stores with stock are left.

At best I would venture a guess that if it made it to the States, it would be in the same price range.

Mexico

10-20-2003, 09:29 PM

Does anybody notice the jagged lines on the sample pictures (especially noticeable on diagonal lines)? 8O

I know it's 640x480, but the pictures look more like blown up 320x240s. I noticed the same "effect" on sample pictures for the 1.3MP FlyCam. :(

I own the Veo Photo Traveler, which is nothing great, but at least it doesn't present that characteristic.

M

Iamzim

10-20-2003, 09:30 PM

K bad news time ...the street price for this model in Japan is around 61920 yens roughly equal = $562 USD. You can check out the detail at:

http://www.biccamera.com/bicbic/app/w?SCREEN_ID=bw011100&fnc=f&ActionType=bw011100_01&PRODUCT_ID=0010025121&BUY_PRODUCT=0010025121,69800

Rough spec xlation from "Bic.com" site:
Size: 125x76.5x17.5 mm
Weight: ~ 190g
CPU: 400MHZ PXA255, 128M RAM, 32MB ROM. running Japanese PPC 2003
Connection: CF and SD, Irda, USB 1.1
Battery life is around 6 hrs at 400Mhz, 8 hrs at 200

feo

10-20-2003, 10:01 PM

I've been out of the PPC loop for a while... so excuse my ignorant questions...
Is the device running at 640 x 480? is so, are there any screenshots of a ppc running at that resolution anywhere?

Iamzim

10-20-2003, 10:07 PM

No this is only a 240X320 model.
The full spec is at http://genio-e.com/pda/products/ct_index.htm

jpjehu

10-21-2003, 06:13 AM

if the screen is not transflective, then this isn't worth the added camera...

GregHeidt

10-21-2003, 03:11 PM

I don't get it. I like camera on PDA, but what is the point of having a camera (http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/devices/pda/hitachig1000.html) when it can't even be used with video conferencing? (http://research.microsoft.com/~jiangli/portrait/)

I agree. Janaka says, "Let's hope we continue to see higher-quality cameras integrated into Pocket PCs". Why? What is the point!?! I mean a digital camera will take a much better pic than any PPC. Sometimes I think people get way to wrapped up in "GADGETS" than in the true functionality of what the PPC will be mostly used for by the mass majority of users. Like Blue Tooth, give me a break - that technology is going to die soon too. I can think of many more things I’d rather have in a PPC than a camera. Like – more memory! Better Screen!, smaller footprint, etc.

Just venting my .02 cents here.

Janak Parekh

10-21-2003, 07:32 PM

I agree. Janaka says, "Let's hope we continue to see higher-quality cameras integrated into Pocket PCs". Why?
Because I always carry my Pocket PC, but I don't always carry my camera. I have a tiny Exilim, but even that is annoying to carry along with my wallet, my keys, my Pocket PC Phone, and my iPod. It's nice to have a decent-quality camera to do on-the-spur shots.

I can think of many more things I’d rather have in a PPC than a camera. Like – more memory! Better Screen!, smaller footprint, etc.
Sure. But that doesn't mean we can't have cameras too. ;) I didn't say it was "critical", mind you...

--janak

blip

10-21-2003, 07:42 PM

Sorry, but I have to ask again, what is the real difference from the "old" e550C (which I have) and this one besides the obvious upgrade to WM2003? Every feature of the e550CT is so far exactly the same as the e550C? Does it boast a better battery perhaps? Seems more like an
re-introduciton just to show the [japanese] e550 line now sports WM2003...

OT: Does anyone know how get hold of (ie: BUY) a e550C WM2003 rom from outside Japan? The upgrade is available for purchase on CD from the official page for 7000 yen but there seems to be no choice for countries other than Japan. Guess that's only to be expected since the device is only sold in Japan with a Japanese rom, but if anyone knows of a way to buy the e550C WM2003 ROM from outside Japan please tell me! :)

[EDIT]: Of course it's the Japanese ROM I'm after since there is no other.

Here is the statement of an e550C (and also e550GD) WM2003upgrade:
http://genio-e.com/pda/campaign/upg.htm
And the CD kit in the store:
https://genio-e.toshiba-tops.co.jp/system/all_list.asp#cd
[EDIT]: Ooops, better use the real store page:
https://genio-e.toshiba-tops.co.jp/index_j.htm
(Page is in japanese only, sorry)
Seems it's available for order although it won't ship until the 23rd if I understood correctly.