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Second CLIE was a success. Although it would be better to say no the second, and fourth. Here's the thing. As is known, was initially monochrome SONY CLIE PEG-S300. Shortly after it appeared Color CLIE PEG-S500C, but she was running the Japanese version of Palm OS. Naturally, it is somewhat limited its spread in neyaponogovoryaschih countries. On the pages of magazines, online forums for a long time discussed the possibility of release the English version of this device. During the talk, suddenly out of the rising sun came the news of yet another new product, Sony PEG-N700C. Everyone was just shocked. Still, after all appeared PalmOS-device with both built-in MP3-player, color display with a resolution of 320x320, and an expansion slot. Again, all this grace just got our Far Eastern neighbors. New models bought up like hot cakes, a few hundred CLIE horrible and in other countries. On Web sites devoted to the CCP, there were tips on how to flash the Japanese CLIE to use "normal» PalmOS. Observing that resonance, which has caused among users of Palm their rookie, SONY still condescended to the suffering of Europeans and Americans. In late May, the general American public was introduced international version, SONY CLIE PEG-N710C. A couple of weeks ago it was first shown at the Moscow Pilotovke which created a furor, and took a long walk on his hands. So, now we publish the first part of our detailed review of this interesting model.
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MP3
Of course, the main "fichey" new CLIE is precisely MP3-Player. The screen is also good, but more on that later.
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So, using AudioPlayer can play music files in MP3 and ATRAC. About MP3 heard anything but ATRAC is much less known. Unlikely in this review is to describe what kind of format, have already written many other articles. Briefly, ATRAC-files usually take up more space and provide better sound quality than comparable MP3-files. While you can not really go into details, because the files are encoded with the technology ATRAC, you can only listen in if they are written on the MagicGate Memory Stick. These cards are white are a response to the format of SONY SecureDigital. MagicGate, too, is protected against unauthorized copying of data and also more expensive than the "unprotected" option (similar to SD / MMC). But the MP3-files can be played with any type of MemoryStick. But here it is necessary to remark: desktop software OpenMG JukeBox, which is located on the accompanying CD, while trying to connect CLIE c inserted into the usual Memory Stick displays a message that the external device is unsafe, so the ATRAC-files copied to it will not. Can I play ATRAC-files with the usual blue Memory Stick, if they are still able to somehow record there is not yet known. AudioPlayer is cute, but not completely thought out interface. Uncomfortable, you can not go to the right of the song, just poking a stylus at any place of the strip status. You also will not find buttons, "Rewind". It turns out that this function is performed by the>> and <. The same approach, in principle, used in CD-players, but here he seems insufficiently intuitive.Still, habits developed when using WinAmp, and other similar programs for the PC, make themselves felt.
Screen
Screen the best of all that ever been used in Palm-devices. One can argue, lead the most compelling arguments, but any of them there are at least compelling counterargument. Let the color depth of only 256 colors, not HiColor, like Prism and m505, but as soon as Palm OS 4 Upgrade for Sony, as the backlog will be eliminated. This proves that presented at the exhibition TECHXNY model SONY CLIE PEG-N610C / V, which is the same N710C, only running Palm OS 4.0 or without built-in MP3-player. Screen it is the same, but with HiColor-color. Well, the benefits of this screen are so great that the competitors simply nothing to oppose.
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First, the screen is the biggest to date, resolution 320x320 pixels. Screen Handera 330 although close to this value, but still argue with SONY can not because it was monochrome. All other PalmOS-devices (not counting the smartphone from Kyocera, which has a screen resolution of 160h240), produced at the moment have a resolution four times less, only 160x160. To make programs written for the usual Palm, to work on the N710C, uses a technology that replaces each pixel with four. This allows you to use these programs without changing and adding some new instructions, as is the case with Handera. Secondly, the screen has a brighter illumination than the m505, which is often criticized for the fuzzy and faded picture. Moreover, the backlight can be adjusted by adjusting the specific conditions of illumination. Do not forget about saving energy, which can be achieved in this way. Third, by reducing the size of pixels, almost managed to get rid of the effect of a stretched grid, which is observed on the color screens to all competitors. If you compare color screens Palm 3c, Visor Prism, Palm m505 and SONY N710C, then the sum of points obtained in different illumination, the winner will be exactly SONY. The only thing that it did not really like, so it's soft-touch coating, and lack of sensitivity to touch. The impression is that the stylus is pressed almost to the millimeter.
Battery
Just as in the Palm m500/m505, was used polymer battery with extended life. She copes with the problem, posing on a mountain with enough energy to, for example, 11 hours listening to music or a few days to work as usual. Lighting, of course, a dramatic effect on life on a single charge, but if it does not include all full-time, the CLIE will work in one and a half times longer than the maximum brightness.
Housing
At first glance, it is clear that the case design has been created in Asia. Slender silhouette, silver finish, small, tightly composed with buttons - the same style as that of cell phones, tape recorders, music players, which produce Sony, Panasonic, Samsung. Looks very nice and elegant, happy look. Unfortunately, not all-metal housing, the rear panel is made of plastic. Generally, CLIE better protected from scratches, because the plastic panels are very easily scratched.
Accessories
While the benefits of 710 models are obvious, it has several serious shortcomings. More accurate to say this: she CLIE almost flawless (except for buttons), but here all the accessories that come with it, very unsuccessfully. This is a question of the relation. Maybe it's not so important, but still spoils the overall impression.
Headphones and remote control
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That's quite unusual these accessories for Palm-market devices. And to them, perhaps, least of all claims. Is that the headphones are perceived ambiguously. And personally my ears hurt from them. But with this method of attachment, they would not fall, even if you are doing in their sports. Chess, for example. But the panel could fall even in the midst of battle chess, far too weak in his clothespin. Although the remote control for SONY players such claims are presented frequently. They ought to hire a couple of experts on clothespins, time to listen to the complaints of customers. But seriously, the panel used to control music playback. To do this, it has buttons for volume control, rewind, and STOP / PLAY. It is unknown whether it can be used to perform some other operations, such as using special hacks. Apparently no one is simply not occurred to me how else can use this console:). If you will have such an idea, otpishites CLIE users to a conference at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CLIE_Users_Group or to our site. There were many enthusiasts who are constantly coming up with something new.
Stylus
Can not say that the stylus of some unusually bad. The most that neither is normal. Metal rod that is screwed into the tip and tail with a needle to Reset. But from SONY expecting something bigger, but besides this ungodly scratch the screen. It seems that the experience of Handspring, complete all their visors such as toothpicks, anything they do not teach. Or maybe they just huddle with producers and the stylus tip? :)
Protective cover
Perhaps the most unfortunate part. Cover soft to the touch, is divided into two unequal parts - it allows you tilt it back and bend that it lies to the rear of the enclosure. It is made of artificial leather. Fasteners, untrustworthy, a thin soft plastic. Many users complain that it breaks down within a few weeks after purchase. Reach for it is not recommended, it may break or just fall off, which is fraught with the fall itself CLIE. Yes, with a convenient cover-covers that were equipped first CLIE, this can not be compared. In general, it seems that the user forced to buy a bag for $ 50, pictured in promotional leaflet with accessories. Judge for yourself when the lid is thrown back, a stylus to insert or pull out the impossible. Have it every time to pull back and forth, and this is not the best effect on the mounting bracket, uderzhivyuschey cover. Well, in order to bimknut, it is necessary to hold the lid with your fingers so that it does not fall on the screen, and at the same time does not block the infrared port.
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Credle
Credle, too, is not a masterpiece. It is quite miniature, but still weighs a little. Each time you press the stylus on the screen cradle begins to wobble treacherously. Of course, he will not play out, but it always turns left and right. I do not hide, had to push hard enough. This is due to the screen, it is rather "soft" and not very sensitive to slight pressure.
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However, if this is too much annoyed, then we can put something heavy on the base cradle. But here's the problem that are not easy to handle. As already noted, the protective cover prevents removing the stylus. Well, do not recline as it each time there and back? In short, when standing in the CLIE cradle, it is necessary to choose the lesser of two evils: either remove the lid for good, or putting the stylus on the table. Leave the screen without the protection of pity. But getting lost and find a stylus is also not an easy task. You remember all the laws of Murphy, trying to find it among the papers, wires and other things that are on the table. Of course, the stylus is in the most incredible place where you look only at the last moment. For example, in a shirt pocket or in the CLIE:). Worked, and now want to pull out CLIE cradle? Do it with one hand is not so easy. Those who believe that I pick, I advise you to remember that the basis of the focus when advertising is done on Palm ease of use of these devices. Simply insert the Palm into cradle, simply press the Hotsync, simply remove the Palm from the cradle - Simple as that! Paste in the CLIE in the cradle is simple, just click on the Hotsync, but take out ... Here's my advice: take CLIE thumb and forefinger, dip your little finger to the base cradle. Now pull the device, while not giving the cradle away from the table. Got it? Well, nothing, learn. Or help yourself a second hand if you are not so principled. Vaughn, users m500/m505 even harder to have:). But do not assume that all of these accessories are only some disadvantages. Still uses a good idea at the expense of the charger that you can plug in the cradle, and a Hotsync-connector from the bottom CLIE. This eliminates the need to buy Travel Kit for $ 60, especially you have a card reader for Memory Stick. Headphones are very many even like them, then everyone should try himself. If uncomfortable, you can insert any other. Cover. ... No, the cover has no positive qualities, no matter how hard you try to find them. But the tip of the stylus can be replaced with a less abrasive. Teflon, for example ;-)
Conclusion
Well-known expression that the owners of the PC buying megahertz, is not running on the PDA market. The frequency of the processor is rarely a decisive advantage. Much more important is the screen, battery life, expandability. And the new CLIE on all these indicators, or the leader or not inferior to the competitors in the second part of the article is to describe the fullest software for Sony CLIE PEG-N710C, which makes it, in my opinion, simply hit among the last relatively strong new products from manufacturers of PDAs. The authors, translation:
