01-09-2003, 06:13 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Sony Unveils $800 Wireless, Multimedia CLIE NZ90 Handheld
Wow. 8O This can only be called a smackdown to those of us in the Pocket PC camp. I have to hand it to Sony, they know how to put the "pizazz" in "PDA". At $800, this isn't cheap, but talk about features to make me drool...why isn't there a Pocket PC OEM with this much chutzpah? More analysis tomorrow - I wanted to get this up ASAP.
"Almost daring onlookers to characterize it as a mere digital organizer, the CLIE PEG-NZ90 handheld model is Sony's latest flagship entertainment device that seemingly does it all. The newest addition to the family of CLIE handhelds continues the Sony tradition of creating new product categories. Its effective two-megapixel digital camera features built-in flash and auto-focus capabilities, helping to ensure that candid moments will be captured in bright, vivid and clear resolution. Additionally, the CLIE NZ90 model features a Wi-Fi (802.11b) communications slot and integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity options."
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01-09-2003, 06:17 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,023
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Smackdown? While it certainly looks nice... it also looks more like a toy to me. I find it hard to imagine getting any serious work done on one of these. It looks much more for entertainment than work.
The mini keyboard? Give me on-screen. The digital camera? I've got one, and mine actually looks like a camera. (Yes, that's still important to me over slim size.) The price? 3x that of my Dell.
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01-09-2003, 06:18 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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It's also worth noting that this unit is reported as being "noticeably thicker".
While the 2MP camera is really nice, this unit is stretching the notion of pocketable far more than an iPaq with a sleeve. 
Still, it's nice to see someone pushing the PalmOS edge. Now, if there were standardized API's for the HiRes+/Soft Graffiti, Sony's multimedia, etc., they'd be getting somewhere.
--janak
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01-09-2003, 06:19 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Wow is right. $950 with the wifi card - hmmmm... or I can get a decent laptop and real good camera for about $1400 ... not amused.
The funny part to me was this section:
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And for the first time on any CLIE handheld, the CLIE NZ90 model features a removable Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery pack. Each PEGA-BP500 SmartLITHIUM battery can operate the CLIE NZ90 model for approximately 10 days depending on conditions, based on average use (30 minutes per day with backlight off). The battery also indicates remaining battery life in minutes.
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Hmmm ... 30 minutes per day with no backlight? Or 5 hours in one stretch? Wonder what it's like when you use the backlight and take some pictures (flash??) ...
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01-09-2003, 06:20 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by GadgetDave
Hmmm ... 30 minutes per day with no backlight? Or 5 hours in one stretch? Wonder what it's like when you use the backlight and take some pictures (flash??) ...
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That's why the battery is removable... you'll have to bring a pack of batteries along with you. 
Seriously, 5 hours without backlight on a transflective display is quite unacceptable. Means you'll get 2-3 hours practical use. That's more like 1 day of typical use in my case. Actually less than 1--I use my Pocket PC for many hours, listening to music, on occasion.
Oh yeah, speaking of music, you'd have to deal with the Memory Stick... argh, Sony's products are cool, but there's always annoying limitations.
--janak
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01-09-2003, 06:22 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Oh come on guys, give Sony credit where it's due - they're giving their users a 2MP camera with a flash, while we're sitting here still waiting for Pretec to deliver a 1.3MP camera without a flash. If the lens is decent, you could take some decent pictures with a 2MP camera!
I know we're mostly Pocket PC fans here, but give Sony some credit for pushing the envelope!
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01-09-2003, 06:24 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,023
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I'll give credit when I see something worth giving it to. For that price, I've seen digital cameras that would make that look like a plaything.
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01-09-2003, 06:25 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
Oh come on guys, give Sony credit where it's due - they're giving their users a 2MP camera with a flash, while we're sitting here still waiting for Pretec to deliver a 1.3MP camera without a flash. If the lens is decent, you could take some decent pictures with a 2MP camera!
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I don't know about you, but I gave up on Pretec a long time ago, and bought a Casio Exilim. That, with an iPaq, is a better choice IMHO. I'm very happy with the setup. The two combined is less thick than this thing.
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I know we're mostly Pocket PC fans here, but give Sony some credit for pushing the envelope!
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Oh, I do. I just think this is a first-generation attempt at serious merging between different consumer markets, and as such it lacks.
(C'mon, Jason, you expected us to give any slack?  )
--janak
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01-09-2003, 06:33 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
Oh come on guys, give Sony credit where it's due - they're giving their users a 2MP camera with a flash, while we're sitting here still waiting for Pretec to deliver a 1.3MP camera without a flash. If the lens is decent, you could take some decent pictures with a 2MP camera!
I know we're mostly Pocket PC fans here, but give Sony some credit for pushing the envelope!
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Sure they're pushing the envelope, but didnt' we have a discussion here a few weeks ago about "Sony" and "propriteary"?
I'm not a big fan of one device yet. Cool, but I use the PPC a lot while at work, when I don't need all that stuff. I'll stick with seperate, but better quality, devices for now (that camera can't be great) ... And my 2MP Elph does a great job, and isn't that big to carry around ... :wink:
Oh, and mine is on about 4-5 hours per day ... easily ...
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01-09-2003, 06:36 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 126
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Actually less than 1--I use my Pocket PC for many hours, listening to music, on occasion.
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Good point, and I didn't see anything about a music player at all! 8O
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