Wait! The next, pretty foul during his development of rumors and speculation Pocket PC is finally embodied in the real product. Sony CLIE PEG-Sxxx, such is the full name of the device - this is the first minicomputer Japanese electronics giant, running PalmOS. To date, PalmOS is world's most popular operating system for handheld devices. At the moment the release of devices based on PalmOS company engaged in Palm Inc., TRG, Handspring and Symbol. In addition, each of these companies are practicing totally independent approach to the functionality of their devices. In addition, to market PalmOS-devices are prepared several companies.
"What's in a name? .."
CLIE abbreviation stands for Communication Link Information Entertainment. That is, Mobile, Exchange, Storage and Entertainment - these are the four basic operations on information, to which the developers put on the device. How well they succeeded, it can be said only after a while, but now the device attracts attention with its extraordinary properties.
Currently available in two versions CLIE - with color (PEG-S500C) and the monochrome display (PEG-S300), but the color version is only available in stores in Japan. Sales of color versions in other countries will start only at the end of (2000) year. For this reason, in today's review will consider only the model of PEG-S300, has already sold outside of Japan.
Specifications PDAs:
- Processor: Motorola EZ Dragonball 16 MHz
- Operating system: Palm OS 3.5
- Memory: 8 MB RAM / 2 MB of flash-RAM / 8MB removable media Memory Stick (included with the device)
- Display: LCD, 160x160 pixels, 16 shades of gray
- Meals: Li-ion batteries
- Exchange: USB bus and infrared
- Size and weight: 7,30 x 1,59 x 10,85 cm, 121, the
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"Under the gaze"
When I saw the first image device on the network, its design seemed somewhat "clumsy" after my Palm V with its pronounced ergonomic design and smooth lines of the transition. However, now seeing the "little Japanese" live, I changed my opinion. The fact that the CLIE in the hand gives a sense of wholeness and solidity EMERGENCY. I would even say that this feeling is the strongest among all the devices of Class Palm (including even the Palm V / Vx). Despite the fact that the CLIE is inferior to the width of the Palm V / Vx, it is thinner and slightly longer in it. Because of this it is convenient to use because the device comfortably in the hand. Plasticky do not creak and bend. In the images below you can see the CLIE, Palm V and Palm IIIc and visually compare these devices.
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Another interesting point is that the body bears the CLIE conventional screws, which are easily extracted with a Phillips screwdriver. I think this will particularly liking those artisans who with the exclamation: "I wonder what it is he's inside ticks?" untwist like all kinds of devices:). As you can see in the picture, some unusual appearance CLIE give running along the sides of the silver stripes, similar to the guides. In fact, those are not. If you look closely at the photo, you can see that they are part of the back cover of the device, setting the front panel. Small buttons on the front panel looks quite nice. In size they are a bit less than similar buttons Palm V / Vx.
Button to scroll up / down are a small two-point landing. Although, as I said earlier, all the buttons have small size, they have good tactile feedback. Slightly concave shape of the buttons makes them almost flush with the front part of the PDA, so you'll have to try very hard to accidentally press the button.
Power Button Control is at the top of the device. Just like the buttons on the front, she has good feedback. In addition, here is an infrared port, Memory Stick slot and silo (plastic pen to input information.) The upper part of the stylus is made of plastic, and the part intended to enter, is a metal. Because of this, the pen input is noticeably smoother, which, incidentally, is unusual for the stylus from other devices.
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Module Memory Stick media is held in the slot with a latch. To extract, simply click on it. When the "memory plate" entirely utaplivaetsya in the slot, fully coincides with the upper part of the CLIE. When the memory is installed, or, conversely, is extracted from the device, a signal is heard in speakers (even if the device is switched off). In addition, when installed in slot memory module slots around a small LED lights. At the moment, Memory Stick is a simple device for storing data and programs. In addition, applications can not be run directly from the drive. Together with the CLIE MSGate comes a special utility to copy data to / from Memory Stick.
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At the moment did not develop a solution that would quickly back up and restore data. The only thing available to a user is manually copying files and data on removable storage. Sony has taken off to their plans connector Memory Stick the same role as its universal Handspring Springboard expansion slot in the PDAs Series Visor. In the future production of digital cameras, wireless modems and similar devices with the form factor Memory Stick. However, at present, CLIE Memory Stick can be used only as a storage device. Do not forget about another innovation, which Sony has used a PDA-structure, so to speak. In the upper left part of the hardware components is certainly familiar to many control wheel jog dial. As you know, it has two degrees of freedom, ie, rotate, and in addition, to work as a button, if you click on it. The wheel does not have the limiter, it is possible to turn it in any direction as you want:). Progress in the wheel (both rotation and depression) rather bland. If you press the jog dial switch while in the display screen, application categories, you switch to the next category. If you turn the wheel while in any category, you will see a list of applications in this category. Going through the list using the scroll wheel up or down, you can select the desired application. Then, by pressing the jog dial, you can run the selected application.
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The list of applications remains on the screen in about 2-3 seconds, then disappears. Next to the icon of an application that has support for jog dial, the screen displays the application of its small image. Address book application (Address book) allows you to navigate through the list of names with the help jog dial and select the desired entry. To return back to the application window, press jog dial again. Annex Diary (Daybook) joystick jog dial lets you today. Clicking the scroll wheel lets you switch between different modes of display (days, weeks, months ..). Annex Planner (Memo Pad) with jog dial also allows you to browse through records. The only downside is that, for example, left-handers to use this switch is very inconvenient. Apparently, the creators of the device considered, the percentage of left-handers among users of handheld computers is small enough and decided to ignore them:). Another nice feature of the CLIE is its illumination. Finally, everything returned to "its own way, and that annoying inverted backlight, which" enjoyed "the users of the latest models of Palm, finally gave way to a normal, familiar yet at times Palm III.
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Looking at the lights CLIO, we can say: "Something seems dear ..". :)
Screen devices quite clear and explicit.Although its dimensions are slightly smaller screen sizes Palm V / Vx, it is not nearly as small as a Palm m100. I found the screen is fairly easy to operate and view the information. Although, I think the screen Palm V is still a bit clearer screen CLIE. The table below displays the characteristics of different devices, Palm.
| m100 | CLIE | Palm III / IIIx | Palm V | Palm IIIc |
| Centimeters | 6,8 x 5 | 7,8 x 5,5 | 8,13 x 6,03 | 7,81 x 5,69 | 8,00 x 5,92
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| DPI | .29 X .29 | - | .35 X .35 | - | - |
Sound speaker clear and loud enough. It seems even that the speakers are tested by me before the Palm V and Palm IIIc sounded a little quieter. I think for the volume it is approximately equal to the dynamics of the new m100, but unfortunately, due to the lack of this device with me, I can not compare them. The life of batteries CLIE is approximately equal to battery life Palm V / Vx. Overall performance of the device is quite high. In CLIE uses the same processor Motorola DragonBall 16 MHz, as in the Palm V. To measure performance, I used a program Neil Bridges Benchmark (http://www.quartus.net/). First disable all the hacks in HackMaster'e, I ran it on the CLIE. Compare the results with existing data for Palm V, Palm IIIc, Visor and the m100.
| Benchmark |
| CLIE | 120% |
| m100 | 99% |
| Palm IIIc | 205% |
| Palm V | 99% |
| Visor Deluxe | 158% |
As you can see mini-computer from Sony has a speed greater than the Palm V and m100, but it still less than the Visor and the Palm IIIc. Japanese PDA comes up with the times and CLIE (as well as devices from Handspring) exchange data with your desktop computer through USB interface. Indeed, the deal with USB is much easier if only because there is no need to look for free interrupt for COM-port. To synchronize, you must install on a desktop set of special software, connect it to a handheld computer through a cradle (so-called special Synchronization Stand). After this is just a click initialization procedure HotSync, at the bottom of the cradle to the commencement of the exchange.
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In Hanspring Visor speed synchronization via USB is high enough. However, the CLIE is approximately equal to the exchange rate through a serial port. Why is that? When Hanspring create its device, it completely rewrote the application sharing to achieve the highest speed. On the other hand, Sony is only slightly refined the standard software exchange. Therefore, the synchronization of the Japanese PDA works fairly quickly, but still not as fast as a Visor. And finally, the last surprise (in iron). Sony has included in the delivery of his PDA is one of the most comfortable seat covers, with whom I have met. He seemed to be wrapped around the body CLIE and furthermore, can be used as a stand.
The only drawback, which attracted my attention is the lack of slots or eyelets to attach it to your belt.
Software
If we talk about software, the CLIE - a typical PalmOS-device. It is controlled version 3.5 of the operating system and looks and works like a normal Palm device or a Visor. The only difference is the support of key applications CLIE (Address Book, Diary, Planner, Scheduler) management wheel jog dial. In addition, Sony has expanded the possibility of Address Book, making it possible to store in her pictures. Now you will never forget the faces of their friends (or vragovJ). The delivery device includes the following additional software: PictureGear Pocket - image viewer. Function program is approximately similar to Album To Go, in addition, you can organize your own slide show. At the same images can be stored, as in the main memory and storage on Memory Stick. PictureGear 4.2 Lite - allows konvertivat your favorite images in the PictureGear Pocket format for viewing them on your CLIE. GMedia - video player (!). Clips can be stored only in main memory (why they can not be stored on Memory Stick, is beyond my comprehension). Playback speed is high enough and it's really interesting application. The only thing missing is a color picture:).
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By the way, the clip duration of about 8.8 seconds is about 433 KB of memory. The kit also includes software programs AvantGo (Internet browser) and TruSync, which can be used to synchronize data with data in Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Organizer.
Conclusion
Sony CLIE is a pretty monochrome minicomputer, equipped with 8 MB of RAM. In addition, the device has a sufficiently comfortable form factor. If you are looking for a PDA (with a monochrome screen and enough RAM) you should keep in mind the following: if the price PDA Sony CLIE, Palm Vx same price for your hard-earned "green" you get an extra slot, Memory Stick, with the already included in the kit 8 MB of storage. You also get to communicate with your desktop PC via USB-interface and special manipulator jog dial, and easier with the device. So, if you choose between the Palm Vx and CLIE, I think the best buys will be handheld from Sony. If you are looking for a device with maximum expandability, there are no competitors at Hansdpring Visor Deluxe, with its Springboard slot, and today have many different modules for it. And only if you are looking for the smallest PalmOS-device on the market, you have to look at the Palm Vx, which has in this respect, no rivals. Good luck with your purchase!
Pros:
- Memory Stick slot and one drive is already included in the kit
- Switch Jog Dial
- USB-cradle
Cons:
- The speed synchronization via USB only slightly faster sync via serial port
- There is no way to run applications directly from Memory Stick Drive
- Jog Dial is not suitable for lefties Sources, Materials:
PalmQ Online
The gadgeteer
The authors, translation:
Oleg Krulikovsky
