Sony Still In The PDA Game - With An OLED Screen

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/4857532541028418/">http://www.engadget.com/entry/4857532541028418/</a><br /><br />When <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28592">Sony left the Clie line behind</a> a few months ago, that was in the US market only. They said they were going to stick around in Japan and they have come out with their latest version. It is the PEG-VZ90 and the first Palm - and I think the first PDA period - to have an <a href="http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/OLED.html">OLED</a> screen.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040915-sonyoled.jpg" /><br /><br />It will have both a CF slot and a place for a Memory Stick and has built in 802.11b. It costs $870 in US dollars. 8O You can read more about <a href="http://news.com.com/Sony+begins+mass+production+of+OLED+screens/2100-1041_3-5366020.html?tag=nefd.top">Sony's production of OLED screens here</a>.

[Marcel_Proust]

Yawn...well not completely...the OLED screen IS interesting.
Otherwise, the usual SONY bag of mixed tricks. Great style, propriety CF that won't play microdrive and who knows what else. They took away the keyboard for 'multimedia controls'.
They're kind of like buying a British import: a head turner until you have to find a garage to service it.
But OLED is interesting...does it use less power than regular?

[CrashX]

But OLED is interesting...does it use less power than regular?
OLED technology was invented by Eastman Kodak in the early 1980s. It is beginning to replace LCD technology in handheld devices such as PDAs and cellular phones because the technology is brighter, thinner, faster and lighter than LCDs, use less power, offer higher contrast and are cheaper to manufacture.

[rzanology]

too bad its palm...waste of perfectly good technology :roll:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Yawn...well not completely...the OLED screen IS interesting.

Very true. Bring them on! :D

They're kind of like buying a British import: a head turner until you have to find a garage to service it.

:lol: Very good. Or America import for us - cuts both ways. :wink:

But OLED is interesting...does it use less power than regular?

It should, it really should........

[Paul P]

But OLED is interesting...does it use less power than regular?
OLED technology was invented by Eastman Kodak in the early 1980s. It is beginning to replace LCD technology in handheld devices such as PDAs and cellular phones because the technology is brighter, thinner, faster and lighter than LCDs, use less power, offer higher contrast and are cheaper to manufacture.

That reminded me that Kodak was the first to make a digi cam with an OLED screen. I wish I could see the clie in person to see how good the screen is.

[Ed@Brighthand]

For all of us outside of Japan, the most interesting thing about the VZ90 is definitely the OLED screen. Sony supplies screens to other handheld makers, so it's entirely possible that a Pocket PC with a Sony-made OLED display could debut in the relatively near future. This almost certainly isn't going to happen this year, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see one by next summer.

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays are self-luminous, and therefore do not require a backlight. They offer a high contrast ratio, a quick response time, and wide viewing angle -- all in a package thinner and lighter than current LCD modules.

The main disadvantage of OLED for us users is the product lifespan. OLED displays don't last nearly as long as LCDs do.

So far, companies have had difficulties producing large OLED screens. That's what has kept them out of handhelds so far. Sony's 3.8-inch display is the largest OLED ever to go into mass production.

[Reggie]

This Clie wasn't created for features -- it's to demo the OLED screen (bragging rights for Sony). Since it has a good screen, it will be mostly used to fiew still images or watch videos. Plug in your CF from your digital cam, and you have an instant high-quality viewer. If you have the new Sony Cybershot M1 cam that can capture Mpeg4 videos directly, plug-in the memory stick in the VZ90 and you have an instant video viewer.

While you can do that in most PPC's and other Palm OS PDA's, one thing is just different about the VZ90 -- the screen. Again, it was made for the screen.

Read more about Sony's OLED: http://www.1src.com/?m=show&id=469

[whydidnt]

Yawn...well not completely...the OLED screen IS interesting.
Otherwise, the usual SONY bag of mixed tricks. Great style, propriety CF that won't play microdrive and who knows what else. They took away the keyboard for 'multimedia controls'.

According to the Article on Engadget the CF slot will support a variety of CF cards, and they mention microdrives, have you heard something else?

This would be exciting, IF it were to be available in other parts of the world AND it was running Palm OS6. I'm beginning to think Cobolt, or Ruby, or Diamond or whatever they are calling the new OS is nothing but Vaporware. It's been 9 months since it was "delivered" to OEM's and I still haven't heard a single device being announced that runs its software.

Hopefully they will be offering the OLED screen to other manufacturers for inclusion on other handhelds. I think they currently provide screens for some of iPAQ line.

[jonathanchoo]

The main disadvantage of OLED for us users is the product lifespan. OLED displays don't last nearly as long as LCDs do.

So far, companies have had difficulties producing large OLED screens. That's what has kept them out of handhelds so far. Sony's 3.8-inch display is the largest OLED ever to go into mass production.

Sony has begun mass producing 3.8 inch HVGA screens so the next PDA to feature this screen is most likely another PalmOS (T5 anybody?) device. :D and :(

Also OLED has a lifespan of approx 10,000 hours. I reckon the average user uses their PDA less than an hour a day. That would mean 27 years of usage. Us power users are more likely to use 3-5 hours a day = 5-9 years of usage. It is VERY likely in our age of disposable gadgets that the screen will outlive the PDA itself especially since 'power users' tend to 'upgrade' every year.

Anybody else who use their PDA (unless his job requires it) more than 5 hours a day needs to get a life.

[jonathanchoo]

According to the Article on Engadget the CF slot will support a variety of CF cards, and they mention microdrives, have you heard something else?

This would be exciting, IF it were to be available in other parts of the world AND it was running Palm OS6. I'm beginning to think Cobolt, or Ruby, or Diamond or whatever they are calling the new OS is nothing but Vaporware. It's been 9 months since it was "delivered" to OEM's and I still haven't heard a single device being announced that runs its software.

Hopefully they will be offering the OLED screen to other manufacturers for inclusion on other handhelds. I think they currently provide screens for some of iPAQ line.

According to the garbled translation of babelfish and my own very bad beginners Japanese of Sony's VZ90 site, both the MS and CF slot seems to support only 2Gb of memory. It also states 'no micro drive' or something like that. If this is then thats bad, but I reckon most Japanese who has the money for this would not care since they would probably upgrade their gagdets more frequently than us.

OS6 is called Cobalt. I guess the reason why OS6 was rushed because PalmSource did not realise that OS5 would be so popular. They reckon that many users were holding out on OS6. But it does not seems to be the case. If you can flog and try to make the best out of your old product why release a new one?

Sony do provide screens for iPAQ. And what a great strategy! Supplying them with crippled yellow tinted screens while keeping the best for themself and Palm (some T3 devices use Sony LCDs while others uses Sharp).

[Ed@Brighthand]

According to the Article on Engadget the CF slot will support a variety of CF cards, and they mention microdrives, have you heard something else?
Sony Japan makes it clear that this device does not support microdrives. I suspect that it will be like the NX80V, which can read from, but not write to, microdrives. Turns out Clies don't provide enough power to the CF slot for all functions to work.

[orol]

According to the Article on Engadget the CF slot will support a variety of CF cards, and they mention microdrives, have you heard something else?

This would be exciting, IF it were to be available in other parts of the world AND it was running Palm OS6. I'm beginning to think Cobolt, or Ruby, or Diamond or whatever they are calling the new OS is nothing but Vaporware. It's been 9 months since it was "delivered" to OEM's and I still haven't heard a single device being announced that runs its software.

Hopefully they will be offering the OLED screen to other manufacturers for inclusion on other handhelds. I think they currently provide screens for some of iPAQ line.

According to the garbled translation of babelfish and my own very bad beginners Japanese of Sony's VZ90 site, both the MS and CF slot seems to support only 2Gb of memory. It also states 'no micro drive' or something like that. If this is then thats bad, but I reckon most Japanese who has the money for this would not care since they would probably upgrade their gagdets more frequently than us.

OS6 is called Cobalt. I guess the reason why OS6 was rushed because PalmSource did not realise that OS5 would be so popular. They reckon that many users were holding out on OS6. But it does not seems to be the case. If you can flog and try to make the best out of your old product why release a new one?

Sony do provide screens for iPAQ. And what a great strategy! Supplying them with crippled yellow tinted screens while keeping the best for themself and Palm (some T3 devices use Sony LCDs while others uses Sharp).

I think it doesn't support microdrives due to the high energy consumption. but I'm sure there will be unofficial driver soon :-)

and regarding 2 GB limit => that is fat16 limit

[jonathanchoo]

and regarding 2 GB limit => that is fat16 limit

Thought it was something to do with that but babelfish did not translate well.

[Reggie]

A Sony Japan contact mentions that the CF slot will also support PHS - a wireless protocol in Japan, through a CF modem.

[Fishie]

But OLED is interesting...does it use less power than regular?
OLED technology was invented by Eastman Kodak in the early 1980s. It is beginning to replace LCD technology in handheld devices such as PDAs and cellular phones because the technology is brighter, thinner, faster and lighter than LCDs, use less power, offer higher contrast and are cheaper to manufacture.

That reminded me that Kodak was the first to make a digi cam with an OLED screen. I wish I could see the clie in person to see how good the screen is.

Just a few weeks for me before I can manhandle this device.

[Fishie]

Yawn...well not completely...the OLED screen IS interesting.
Otherwise, the usual SONY bag of mixed tricks. Great style, propriety CF that won't play microdrive and who knows what else. They took away the keyboard for 'multimedia controls'.

According to the Article on Engadget the CF slot will support a variety of CF cards, and they mention microdrives, have you heard something else?

This would be exciting, IF it were to be available in other parts of the world AND it was running Palm OS6. I'm beginning to think Cobolt, or Ruby, or Diamond or whatever they are calling the new OS is nothing but Vaporware. It's been 9 months since it was "delivered" to OEM's and I still haven't heard a single device being announced that runs its software.

Hopefully they will be offering the OLED screen to other manufacturers for inclusion on other handhelds. I think they currently provide screens for some of iPAQ line.

Nah its typical of Ed, when it concerns PalmOS he always has to get a few jabs in.
In Sony´s case though its not witouth merit since they have done everything they could to keep things property, good thing Sony by the forces of reality has been forced to partially abandon their ways.
Not for a lack of trying though and they keep trying to establish their own formats witouth anyone elses involvement.

[dean_shan]

I agree with Reggie, this new PDA was made for the sole purpose of giving Sony bragging rights.

[David Johnston]

This now means that my future PocketPC has gained a requirement - VGA OLED screen - now that I know it's possible and has been done already...

[nuka_t]

sweet screen

but 640x480 lcd > 480x320 OLED

its not VGA right? according to cnet it isnt.

[nuka_t]

sweet screen

but 640x480 lcd > 480x320 OLED

its not VGA right? according to cnet it isnt.

sony makes sweetass mp3 players, but ATRAC will stop me from EVER buying one.

[Fishie]

Its half vga not VGA and how can you call it an MP3 player when it cant even play MP3´s?

[jlp]

Find here loads of pictures (http://www.clieclub.jp/review/rev_vz90/index.html) of a real device.

The pix are not of the best quality (they probably shot them with a SonyEricsson cellphone-digicam ;)) but it looks like the device screen is nice and bright.

[Fishie]

Impresive viewing angles

[jlp]

... and impressive image quality: when compared to the UX50 screen the latter looks very washed out and the OLED one very bright and contrasty and with true colors 8)

http://www.clieclub.jp/review/rev_vz90/thumbnails/IMGP0052_JPG.jpg

or compared to NX70:

http://www.clieclub.jp/review/rev_vz90/thumbnails/IMGP0057_JPG.jpg

[Ed@Brighthand]

how can you call it an MP3 player when it cant even play MP3´s?
It can play MP3s.

[Fishie]

how can you call it an MP3 player when it cant even play MP3´s?
It can play MP3s.

I know this one plays MP3s, he was talking about the Sony IPod killers(waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa) though.
Those dont play MP3s.

[jonathanchoo]

how can you call it an MP3 player when it cant even play MP3´s?
It can play MP3s.

I know this one plays MP3s, he was talking about the Sony IPod killers(waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa) though.
Those dont play MP3s.

mp3 format needs to be put down. Seriously.

and iPod :sleeping:

[jonathanchoo]

The pix are not of the best quality (they probably shot them with a SonyEricsson cellphone-digicam ;)) but it looks like the device screen is nice and bright.

No mobile phone camera can take images that good. Some of the close up shots can never be done. I reckon the shots were taken with a real digital camera then resized to save bandwidth.

[jonathanchoo]

... and impressive image quality: when compared to the UX50 screen the latter looks very washed out and the OLED one very bright and contrasty and with true colors 8)


The contrast ratio for the OLED screen is 1000:1 while the LCD is 100:1 Viewing angle is 180 degrees (vs 130 degress on LCD) response is said to be 0.01 mil.sec (vs 16mil sec), and brightness is 150cd psm compared to 55cd psm on Sony's other LCD.

And it is a 18-bit display although I am not sure if PalmOS supports that number of colours. Where are the freaking 18-bit VGA displays from PPC manufacturers???

[Fishie]

The pix are not of the best quality (they probably shot them with a SonyEricsson cellphone-digicam ;)) but it looks like the device screen is nice and bright.

No mobile phone camera can take images that good. Some of the close up shots can never be done. I reckon the shots were taken with a real digital camera then resized to save bandwidth.

Samsung has a 3.1mp cameraphone out with optical zoom that takes pics better then most other dedicated 3mp digicams

[Fishie]

There arent any since WinCE 4.2 doesnt support more then 16bit colour.

Even the phone editions or smartphones that boast an 18bit screen cant show more then 16bit colour.

[jlp]

The pix are not of the best quality (they probably shot them with a SonyEricsson cellphone-digicam ;)) but it looks like the device screen is nice and bright.

No mobile phone camera can take images that good. Some of the close up shots can never be done. I reckon the shots were taken with a real digital camera then resized to save bandwidth.

Samsung has a 3.1mp cameraphone out with optical zoom that takes pics better then most other dedicated 3mp digicams


. 8O

Do you have a link? That would be surprising as optical zoom needs a lot of space inside the device body or to extend the lens out; and cameraphones need to be so tiny these days.

[Fishie]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0407/04071202samsungsph2300.asp

[Dolphin]

It's for real! Sort of... think we'll ever see it in USA?

http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=801

[Fishie]

Yup yup.

And with the advent of liquid lenses we should be getting even better optical zoom capabilities soon.

5MP is in the works btw.