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 |
