The new Zire 71 is out and will Sony answer soon? If so, with what?

[riversen]

Hey the new Zire 71 is out in California at Staples. I just talked to a guy who was looking at one in the store this weekend. I hope Sony answers soon, or they will loose the market. I am ready to switch if they don't answer. Check out the blurb on Geek.com below:

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003Apr/bpd20030422019691.htm

If anyone knows anything about Sony's new PDA's, please let us know. I would hate to have switched and then wished that I hadn't because of some new feature. I think it is time for Sony to leak some of the info if they hope keep us Clie devotees from leaving for greener pastures.

Robert

[Mastervtec]

Probably get more response in the General section.

[riversen]

Thanks for your reply, but this is where I started this some time ago. I just wanted those of us were anticipating the T665 replacement to chat about what might be coming up. Time will only tell, though.

[Narniahopper]

Originally posted by riversen
"The bigger they that they think they are, the harder they will fall."

Is this a tongue twister?

[riversen]

LOL... I am re-reading it and know what I want meant to say but am now worried that it did not come out.

My hope in saying this... to spur Sony on to not let Palm take a certain share of the market that I was hoping Sony would dominate. I get the impression that the 2 are dividing up the market among themselves.

[Aces]

I just read up on the Zire 71 at Palm:

http://palm.com/products/handhelds/zire71/details.html

It definately looks like they wanted something to compete with the Clie SJ33.  Since I have the 33, I'm going to be biased.  But it looks like the Zire 71 is the same (including the price) except:

1) faster processor ARM 144mhz, w/OS5.2.1

2.) less usable memory (13Mb vs 15Mb).

3.) Jot2 instead of Graffitti (this could be seen as a step up or down)

4.) Lighter, but with probably less battery life. (900mah on an ARM = ?usable battery life)

5.) Built in camera.

6.) media costs less, since it uses SD, instead of MS.

7.) External speaker is mono, and you have to buy your own headphones.

8.) Comes with a real cradle.

9.) no "Docs to go".

Have I missed anything?  I'm still happy with my SJ33.

[OcellNuri]

The SJ33 has a mono speaker as well. I wouldn't put that as a downfall for the Zire71, as even the highest-end PDA's have mono external speakers.

[riversen]

One other thing... Brayder Technologies will probably support JackFlash and JackSprat for this. This means that we could have more usable RAM and ROM. I like that very much. All new Sony's are will have JackSprat available since Sony won't give Brayder what is needed to make this application work.

[rolando]

I voted "Yes, and it will be the true T665 replacement." But, I think your poll doesn't give a middle-ground option.

Sony's answer might not blow us away or be a T665 replacement, but it might be a good solid product that falls in between those two options.

I think it's because everybody has a different desire for a T665 replacement. For me, it would be like my T665, but with virtual grafitti, OS5, slim like the T-Series, more RAM, and better battery life. Now, if that was made, others might complain that a replacement for the T should have Bluetooth or WiFi or a camera...

Over the past few months, it's become obvious that there's no one device that could be the T665 replacement for everyone.

Moving from one PDA to another is like following forks in a road. From an S-Series, some went to the newer S-Series, some went N-Series, some went T-Series or even NR-Series. I'm sure each thought that that was a good replacement for thier device.

Rolando

[riversen]

Some very good points, though my desire for the T665 replacement is exactly what you want... hey, maybe we can drive the market? LOL We will see. I also hope for the middle of the ground one soon. It is my birthday next month and I will be replacing my T665 one way or another. I hope it is with a good Sony. If not, I will be in the Palm bulletin board soon talking about my Zire 71 or Tungsten C.

[orol]

Originally posted by Aces
I just read up on the Zire 71 at Palm:

1) faster processor ARM 144mhz, w/OS5.2.1



imho a VERY strong plus .. at least you have up to date os with real web browser ..


2.) less usable memory (13Mb vs 15Mb).


but still a bit more compared to 11MB on nx/tg/nz clie series ..



3.) Jot2 instead of Graffitti (this could be seen as a step up or down)



afaik jot2 can be set up the same way graffity is => no need to learn "new" graffity ..



4.) Lighter, but with probably less battery life. (900mah on an ARM = ?usable battery life)


afaik sj30 has 800mah battery, ans has great battery life .. so the 900mah might still be a good choice ..


5.) Built in camera.


well not exactly for professional photos, but once you have any camery in your "pocket" and almost enywhere you will have much more pictures, even with lower quality, you would never take ...



6.) media costs less, since it uses SD, instead of MS.


not only media but also there are new devices comming out very soon .. like wifi+256mb SD card ..
not to mentio the price of 1gb SD is half the price of 1gb MS pro



7.) External speaker is mono, and you have to buy your own headphones.


well not a problem to me ..



8.) Comes with a real cradle.



looks good on table *g*
and "virtually" less cables => are "hidden"



9.) no "Docs to go".


well since i have quickoffice premiere it doesn't bother me
i have been using quickoffice for over 2 years .. i didn't even tryied the docs to go that came with my clie sj30 ..



Have I missed anything?  I'm still happy with my SJ33.

well i'm pretty happy with my sj30 too, but now i would deffinitely stick with zire71 ..
why ?
size does matter to me ..
i neither like collapsible graffity nor thumboards (tg50 with graffity would be perfect pda to me! )
to me the only drawback is missing BT ..

[Unregistered]

the new sony is indeed great - check out this link (have to convert from japanese).

[riversen]

Originally posted by Unregistered
the new sony is indeed great - check out this link (have to convert from japanese).

What link??? I would love to check it out. Send it again or send to me.

[riversen]

So, has anyone heard anything new lately? I really am excited and really hoping that something will come soon. Thanks for any heads up. Robert

[LockeEVP]

bump