The first handhelds running Palm OS 5 fresh look so attractive that inadvertently lead us to gleefully thought - an end to competition from the camp of Pocket PC in the offing. Although in reality - even very far away, because there is nothing revolutionary new computers do not offer. Increase compared with the old Palm `s screen resolution, the possibility of more or less full play music and videos, a decent performance ... But it is already in the Pocket PC. And if we talk about a breakthrough in the field of multimedia software, the new software for Palm OS 5, we have not yet seen. Did not see themselves machines. A Pocket PC - here they are, under the arms, on the shelves of computer stores, in a fairly large range.
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Have not seen - we'll see. More recently, computerized society had spread the news - Sony has released a light tandem of two older models of its palm `opodobnyh PDAs Series CLIE. These machines will replace the prodution computers CLIE PEG-NR70. In this case, PEG-NX60 replace basic PEG-NR70, and equipped with built-in digital camera PEG-NX70V (support MPEG-4, provides an opportunity to take pictures with a resolution of 640x480 and MPEG4 videos at a rate of 2 Mb / minute) - the same "kameroosnaschennuyu" PEG- NR70V. Here it would be appropriate to call demoted computers NR70 series and served their obsolete. Yes, somehow does not turn the language, because the models are still quite new. And all of their "guilt" is just that they worked under control going into the past Palm OS 4.1. Let's look at the new computer. I still do not today - tomorrow they will appear on store shelves, and many of us reach for the wallet, wondering how to justify to home. In that refrain from buying is unlikely, no doubt, in general, no.
Exterior
So - Sony PEG-NX60 and PEG-NX70V. Computers are absolutely identical, except for built-in digital camera with NX70V. Both computers are made in a slightly altered form factor NR70. That is the case machines are divided into two parts. In half the screen is actually a screen and under it - a microphone. As part of the keyboard - a miniature keyboard QWERTY, six buttons - call the main application and scroll buttons on-screen image upside-down.
In the model NX70V in the loop connecting the screen and keyboard of the computer, you can see the lens, and in the left side of the loop (it is designed as a rolling cylinder), if you rotate the screen to the machine itself, is the button trigger the camera.
The very mechanism of articulation of the two halves of the body can not only open, close the computer, but also rotate the screen of the keyboard relative to the horizontal plane. The same degree of freedom have hinged LCD screen camera - shooting is possible from any position (side, top, bottom, or upside down).
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In the general case (digital camera in the NX70V is still rather a multimedia appendage, a bonus than a necessary part of your computer) mobility halves handheld allows it to fit the user's needs, making typing a comfortable position.For example, expanding the screen to the keyboard and joining the halves, we get a plastic "brick" at which the matrix and the keyboard hidden inside - the most convincing protection against damage and accidental activation during transport the computer in your pocket. Placing the soft side in the same plane as the keyboard, we kind of expanded paper notepad, because the keyboard will be directly under the screen - write and see what you write. Expanding the rear of the screen to the keyboard and adding half, we get a normal PDA with touch screen input. Finally, placing the screen and the keyboard part at a certain angle, we obtain a remote semblance of a miniature laptop ... However, the experience with NR70 suggests that the latter position most uncomfortable. Keyboard half the computer does not have the necessary weight to hold the screen half and the machine constantly strives mislaid the "back". Have prislonyat it to something monumental, like a thick book.
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By the way, the controls on the new Sony are very good. The Power button is mounted in a cylinder hinge connecting the halves of the computer. On the left side of the body feels the wheel Jog Dial (as the same without him!) And mini-jack for connecting headphones stereotelefonov. Convenient or not the presence of tiny forks stereotelefonov near Wheel (used by owners of Sony PDAs more often any other buttons - so very convenient), will practice. But the "ears" for the new machines, as in the case of the NR70, fitted with wired remote control (it is simply embedded into the headphone wire). Say, a console compared to the previous model improved, but what is this upgrade is not yet known ... Another change - to the standard expansion slot Memory Stick slot is added to Standard Compact Flash, located at the top of the back of the keyboard housing halves. But this is not a complete CF, it is proprietary socket for the module wireless Wi-Fi (map PEGA WL-100) that Sony intends to produce for their top models of PDAs. What can turn on the application of these modules - let's talk a little lower. In the meantime, take a look at the keyboard. And once again turn to the experience of NR70. Built-in keyboard on a Pocket PC - it's very convenient. It is amenable to Russification, helps introduce small text or numeric information. Write at the same time as you can with your fingers or a stylus. You can compare the computer keyboard with a keyboard for Sony PDA Hewlett-Packard, made as a worn unit. There's buttons have a convex shape and quite tangible tactile feedback response. They should be pressed with your fingers rather than stylus. In actual use, this type of keyboard I found it convenient to ... Although, the main thing - the very existence of NX60 NX70V and built-in keyboard. For quick notes and she'll do. But for some skills (people can get used to anything), we can cope with the voluminous documents ...
What's inside
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The heart of a small computer - 200-MHz processor, and the amount of installed memory - 16 megabytes. A lot or a little, still difficult to say. Povertet need a computer with Palm OS 5 in hand, try it out, start a dozen other programs ... to store photos, music or video (especially considering the screen resolution and size image files in such a resolution) - a little. But there is also a slot for flash memory cards Memory Stick, which allows you to build the device memory is practically infinite. Got me a card with recorded music on them, and all things ... No, not so simple. High resolution (320x480) color screen with "pocket" size of the LCD matrix leads to the fact that the icons on the desktop computer Sony look just microscopic.Forty icons at the same time - no joke? But you can also adjust the image to your liking? And even necessary, because computers are equipped with a curious shell program CLIE Launcher. In principle, the computer allows Sony to manufacture a desk all your heart desires (although it is an achievement of the operating system). For example, remove from the screen Graffiti area and on-screen buttons. Such a solution has been applied to computers, HandEra, is now available ... all Palm `am running the fifth version of Palm OS? Look, look. Come soon ... separate discussion is soft filling machines. List of new applications is large enough. Here and utility for video recording and playback CLIE Movie Recorder, supports the popular MPEG4 format and less well-known MPEG1, and three programs for processing and display of media content - photos, audio, video - CLIE Viewer, CLIE Photo Editor, CLIE Album. And much more like a browser Palmsource Web Browser, email client CLIE Mail, voice recorder program SLIE Voice Recorder (voice recorder format ATRAC3/MP3/ADPCM) and certainly MP3 player.
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But I was most interested in the program CLIE Camera, designed to work with the built-in digital camera NX70V. And above all, because the camera in the PDA - this is unusual, attractive, funny. Versions of all programs (except for mail client CLIE Mail) are marked by unity. And the only version CLIE Camera (and, I repeat, your email program) are designated as 2.0. Yes, the NX70V updated and the camera itself. The first thing we found out from preliminary descriptions of the new machines - installed in the NX70V sensor with a higher than NR70V, resolution. Alas, this is only 640x480 pixels, which is very even, "not a lot." The second - for his considerable, in general, the cost ($ 600) computer has a camera with a negligible performance. Documentary evidence yet, but the quality of images demonstrated convinces us that the NX70V used a cheap sensor CMOS, color noise is just depressing. Yes, and optics are not the fountain "- the contours are blurred, there is not enough sharpness at the edges of the image. C on the other hand, what you want from a tiny digital fotodoveska? But it's Sony. And the machines are in class "pocket high-end". And the cost of the computer with built-in camera is not a hundred or as a full-fledged $ 600 (Fit the "fifty dollars" - get the expected price in Russia). Better to spend money on a normal "tsifrovichok" when buying this PDA, you want to get and a digital camera, because what is at the new Sony, the camera is difficult to call.
And something else
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Sony's intention to equip its CCP modules, wireless Wi-Fi standard that they should not be called ... In the end, what difference to us - Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? The main thing is to make it all working farm and at a cost not attracted to the small imported cars. A particular device - it's for the curious and rukodelnyh. Switchers and understandably card sold separately from the CPC and is now on the site SonyStyle.com $ 149. How does the handheld, along with the card is not yet known - at least reviews on this topic on the Internet has not yet appeared, but to describe the benefits of this alliance - please. Another thing - the practical application ... One can imagine the tandem of the personal computer and PDA, the combined wireless high short-range radio communication. And - instantly and automatically update information stored in the memory of your Pocket PC ... Comes, for example, new mail, and "automatic" written in the memory device. Obsolete (if we do not bother to turn pocket typewriter) is destroyed and replaced with a fresh post. And we, going to the office, do not have to bother with data synchronization between the PC and "pickpocket".
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Or, given the talents of multimedia computers Sony, you can once again remember the idea, hovering around a hypothetical PDA from Apple (that does not exist only because of the vagaries of Mr. Jobs'). Namely - wireless pumping with a desktop machine in the memory of handheld multimedia content. In this case, the PDA does not need a large amount of memory, only stable compound of a radio channel has sufficient capacity. I wanted to listen to music, choose from the menu screen PDA for your favorite songs, run the program player. A handheld computer immediately to request the MS download music files (or just parts of it) and start playing. Memory Pocket typewriter turns into a buffer memory system "PDA-PC." While the matter to these futuristic applications did not happen. But Pocket PCs Sony (older models) have long acquired the ability to reproduce high-quality sound and serve as a universal remote control of household equipment. Say what you like, but for the traditional family of Palm PDA functions are not well characterized. Program control for the Palm `s there god knows how long, but it is for the panel, range of not more than five feet? Plus the problem with setting up and increased power consumption without switching off the infrared sensor ... Something interesting, unusual and attractive seems to me in an excellent functional equipment of the new machines from Sony. Something not yet diagnose ... Even the camera starts to like it. And that tricky bit in Photoshop - do not get shot, and candy.
Vegetable every time ...
... And computers Sony PEG-NX60 and PEG-NX70V - his place. The first championship is rightfully deserved. The outcome of this still very rough review of handheld computers from leading world producer of sophisticated electronics, finish a vital observation. Before the showcase, which exhibited PDA Sony, there are many people. And most of them in the eyes light up a dreary light - "Why not me Why not now?" Really - why? PS While the network does not appear impressions first English-language users of PDAs. New Sonya is actively discussed in the Japanese club, the fans machines Clie, but probably very soon we will be able to tell you about the feedback from American journalists, as these models, apart from Japan, were formally submitted to the U.S.. The authors, translation:
