Gadgets @ My Friend's House

[JAmerican]

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit2.jpg

Went to my friend's house and decided to take a look at her Treo 600 she bought some time ago. As I was using it, I really tried to type with it one-handed and still had trouble then tried two-handed and had more trouble. I was literally using my nails and everytime a hit a button, my nail would slide off the button since they are rounded. I was able to type a message and this was it...

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit1.jpg

I found it easy to use never the less. I really like the 4-way directional button compared to the 2-way on the CLIÉ. I wasn't able to watch a video because I had an MS and of course Treo's have SD slots so. My friend doesn't use her Treo for all the features it posses, she actually uses it for the Address Book, calling list and phone feature. Nothing more. You might ask why she didn't get a regular phone. I asked her this when she had an older Kyocera phone and she said she likes the gadgets because its an instant touch and go. She also likes the address book feature. I never asked her why she got a Treo 600 but she said she wants another with BT because she needs it for her car. So she might get a 650.

Then she saw my UX50 and said she got her son a PDA for Christmas. She takes me to his room and on the desk, I see this...

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit3.jpg

Its the same PDA I was going to get when I tried to get a non-keyboard PDA. The reason for getting an Axim is the dual-slot feature. Something, I believe the LD should have had. Palm should have made a cheaper LD with no 4GB (like Sharp did with their SL-C1000) but just have a CF slot and a LD with a hard drive. That way, one is NVFS based on chips and flash, and the other is dependant on the hard drive. I would have probably picked up a cheaper LD beacause it would have had the CF slot and SD as well as based on the same technology as the Tungstens.

So as I used it, the first thing I did was reset it and being it a new PDA, I expected a quick reset but it took about 2 minutes for the PDA to reset. I assumed this, never timed it. My UX can reset in 15 sec (including Sony CLIE sign; without it 8 secs). The Dell stood stagnent with the Dell logo for about 2 minutes. You would expect it to be faster with a 416Mhz Processor. As I used the PDA, I couldn't test the media due to I didn't have a CF or SD on me, although I have a CF at home. I noticed that the Home application (much like Favorites on recent Palms was made my High Tech Computer or HTC. I didn't realize that HTC made this device.

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit4.jpg

The issues of Dell's PPC started to become more clear to me as I used the device. One thing I disliked was that I couldn't rotate the screen without having to go into the options and do it, but I know there must be a way to set a button to rotate the screen or get a hack to do it. Another thing was that in landscape, the screen felt like my CLIE in Netfront with the top and bottom border. The bottom border has a keyboard icon on it and that's it while sometimes it has menu and other helpful options but I feel Microsoft should have just added this into the top statusbar instead of loosing screen real estate to a bar with a keyboard on it. I have a feeling there might be a hack for this but I'm not sure. I also became fustrated in the Network Setup or Network Connections area because I had to enter an IP but couldn't leave without doing so. There was no cancel button. I guess it being that I don't own a PPC PDA or never have might cause me to be fustrated by the things I'm used to on my Sony CLIE, while I have modded my Sony CLIE (software and hardware wise to make it work for me though). When I hard reset my UX, I love the speed but I hate the apps provided so it must just take time to get used to the annonyances of a new PDA.

Otherwise, I liked the way it felt in my hand although I hate how the X51 has all that space around it and the buttons are so tiny at the bottom including the d-pad.

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit5.jpg

I was able to access 1src.com but Internet Explorer's Menu froze while loading the site so I had to exit IE and start it again and had the same issue (since its not exited but minimized. So I reset the PDA then tried to pull up 1src but had to go so caught a pic of the logo only.

http://jamerican.net/1src/GadgetGallery/2005-Dec29-VisitFriends/visit6.jpg

Setting up a connection on it was easy though. Went though the same steps as I would on my UX. Bluetooth recognization, Entering number to dial (which was the same as the one I entered in my CLIE -- *99***1#), and connecting to that setup. In no time, it connected to my phone and I was online. I didn't test the internet much because I had to leave. So I deleted the new connection I set up, deleted my device as a Trusted device and returned to the Today Screen. Then left.

This review is also at my site @ http://www.jamerican.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27

JAmerican

[dragonsgames]

Hmm, ok. I had a Treo 600 before, yes, the keyboard was a little difficult, but had much more feedback. I never had a SD card, so I never listened to music or viewed movies. But I probably wouldn't have liked it, since the screen was only 160x160. So I got a NX80 and a PEGA-MSB1, and used that to view the web. Of course I got arrogated by no Bluetooth built, and horrible camera. I then got a UX50, and was disappointed. I then tried a mod, and broke it, and am going to send it to Chris Short. I hope he can fix it. I also want a VZ90, because of 80 hours of MP3 playback and awesome screen... ;)

[JAmerican]

Hmm, ok. I had a Treo 600 before, yes, the keyboard was a little difficult, but had much more feedback. I never had a SD card, so I never listened to music or viewed movies. But I probably wouldn't have liked it, since the screen was only 160x160. So I got a NX80 and a PEGA-MSB1, and used that to view the web. Of course I got arrogated by no Bluetooth built, and horrible camera. I then got a UX50, and was disappointed. I then tried a mod, and broke it, and am going to send it to Chris Short. I hope he can fix it. I also want a VZ90, because of 80 hours of MP3 playback and awesome screen... ;)

I like the Treo for what it symbolizes, the all-in-one device but the keyboard seriously doesn't work on a device like that. I seriously was using my nails and was having difficulty with it. With time I might get accustomed to it but then I might end up with Treo Thumbs (where the joints in your thums hurt).

JAmerican

[Joel]

Great spy pics, JA. ... at least that's what I felt the pictures were :D

Thanks for sharing.

[JAmerican]

Great spy pics, JA. ... at least that's what I felt the pictures were :D

Thanks for sharing.

Lets just keep this between me and you all ;)

The UX Cam Quality sucks for stuff like this but great for making fun of friends.

JAmerican

[rcxAsh]

Haha! I couldn't help but smile when you described your difficulty with using the Treo's thumb board.. I really think that the UX has spoiled us all when it comes to thumb boards.

I think I'd be hard pressed to go back to a TG50.

[JAmerican]

Haha! I couldn't help but smile when you described your difficulty with using the Treo's thumb board.. I really think that the UX has spoiled us all when it comes to thumb boards.

I think I'd be hard pressed to go back to a TG50.

I'm looking for a UX replacement right now and I'm having a hard time. Its crazy. I've delt with not having WiFi due to I had a UX40 before but the fact that I can't play games like EDGE on my device or use my PDA much more swiftly due to the 123mhz processor is annoying. Especially in DocsToGo. The scanning takes like 15 minutes.

JAmerican

[rcxAsh]

That's quite true. In actual fact, I felt a little short-changed processor-wise when I moved to the UX40 from a TG50. The difference between 123 and 200mhz was enough to be noticable with certain games.

Though, I suppose everyone uses their PDAs differently. I've come to a point where my UX40 has turned more into an MP3 player and a PIM rather than a full-blown productivity and game device. I actually don't use DocsToGo anymore.

But I can fully understand what you're saying. The software is starting to surpass our processor.

You know, when I think about it sometimes, I'm still sad for Sony leaving. Their devices were always top-notch in my opinion. Granted, they had some short comings, but over all, they had a nice blend of design aesthetics, functionality, and bells and whistles.

Like, personally I just can't fall in love with the look of that HTC Universal device thing for example.

But I hope you can find something suitable, JAmerican!

[JAmerican]

That's quite true. In actual fact, I felt a little short-changed processor-wise when I moved to the UX40 from a TG50. The difference between 123 and 200mhz was enough to be noticable with certain games.

Though, I suppose everyone uses their PDAs differently. I've come to a point where my UX40 has turned more into an MP3 player and a PIM rather than a full-blown productivity and game device. I actually don't use DocsToGo anymore.

But I can fully understand what you're saying. The software is starting to surpass our processor.

You know, when I think about it sometimes, I'm still sad for Sony leaving. Their devices were always top-notch in my opinion. Granted, they had some short comings, but over all, they had a nice blend of design aesthetics, functionality, and bells and whistles.

Like, personally I just can't fall in love with the look of that HTC Universal device thing for example.

But I hope you can find something suitable, JAmerican!

Your so right rcxAsh. When I first saw the UX (not sure if it was at CompUSA or on Cnet.com) but when I saw it, I was soo amazed by it. It caught me instantly and it took me months before I got it. I learned about it in June of 2004. I looked for videos and pictures on it. I found the sonicboy website (http://homepage.mac.com/sonicboy/clie/) and this only increased my wanting the UX. I watched the CNET Video Review with Brian Cooley. I went to CompUSA and used a dud device. Then I had to go on a Two-week camping trip. During the caming trip, all I thought about was getting a UX. I'm soo serious. I was all the way in the Wyoming Range thinking about playing music videos like Jesus Walks on the UX. I even drew out the UX on a piece of scrap paper...

http://jamerican.net/1src/IFinds/nols1.jpg

http://jamerican.net/1src/IFinds/nols2.jpg

When I got back. All I thought about was the UX. I begged my dad to get me my first one from here... http://www.e-lectronicsforless.com/palmpda.html. They've stop selling the UX but when they did, it was $310 for a UX40. Then when my UX40 broke while modding, I bought another off of ebay for $400 with a 1GB stick and Metal case. This is my current UX50 now. I actually experienced Bluetooth failure on my device while using it sometime earlier as well but it disappeared, luckily. But then my WiFi began to act up and never fixed itself.

I've never been obsessed with any other device than I have with my UX.

JAmerican

[rcxAsh]

LOL JAmerican, that's a funny story.

That site makes me want a UX series Clie as well :)

For me, when I first saw the UX series, I was like, "Wow, that's really nice. But I'll never get one of those T_T;" But somehow, I now have a UX40 ^^;

[dragonsgames]

I remember when I first saw the Clies... :D :D
(Now let me reminisce ;))

[m0nkeyb0y]

Ever since I first saw a UX reviewed online I knew I wanted one. And then we went to this training day at church and the guest speaker from America had just bought himself and his leadership team a UX each, and that was when even Mrs m0nkeyb0y knew I had to have one :D

[intellidryad]

To think of it, I'm obsessed with my NX73, too. Already got a replacement TH, but still can't let go of the keyboard, audio remote and metal casing. The main reasion I didn't like the UX when it first came out was it's plastic case, but seems like most of the UX users here had proved that the UX is really a great device if you ignore the plastic :)

I was so impressed when the NR70V showed up, the whole clam shell thing was just amazing. But didn't had the money then, and had to concentrate on the university entrance exams back then. I managed to convince a classmate to sell his Toshiba PPC and get a NX70, which I borrowed a lot. Then, the first thing I did after I finished the university entrance exams was to go and get the NX73, which was just released.

It's so amazing how Sony tend to do gadget designs that get you so emotionally involved.

(Yet, another little gathering of us "clie cultists" :D )

[modernmystic]

It's so amazing how Sony tend to do gadget designs that get you so emotionally involved.

(Yet, another little gathering of us "clie cultists" :D )
Too true.

I had actually been saving up for months to get whatever the most expensive clie was at the time (I think that it was a NX, but I could be wrong) and about a week before I was planning on getting it, I saw the UX50 in Comp-usa's ad and was hooked ever since. After that, I had gone on every possible retailer's web site that stocked the UX just to read the reviews and was dying to get one the entire time. I ended up getting one on schedule with a 128mb duo ms and a belt-case from Circuit City along with the extended 5-year warranty, which I have luckily never had to use (though I did use the Sony one a few times).

Unfortunately, it took me over a year before I saw another clie of any sort and to this day, I've never actually seen or met another UX user :( , but there's still time ;) .
-mm

[dragonsgames]

I need to get my UX fixed, if possible. I doubt if it can be, but I am not too bright ;)
The only problem is, will I have the money to be able to pay Chris Short to fix it? I am getting the VZ90, spending all my money on it, but I still love my UX and want to be able to use it. I need the keyboard ;)

[rcxAsh]

The main reasion I didn't like the UX when it first came out was it's plastic case, but seems like most of the UX users here had proved that the UX is really a great device if you ignore the plastic :)
Is it really plastic? I was under the impression that it was some magnesium alloy. Similar to that found on the back of the TG50.

[JAmerican]

The inside is magnesium alloy. Its so hard to cut through it. I find it amazing how Hippo did for his swap mod. Box cutters can't even penetrate it.

JAmerican