Was Sony disappointed by TG50 sales?

[kp*]

In trying to make logical sense of Sony's decision not to include BT (or integrated WiFi for that matter) in the new NXs, I began to wonder if their attempt at integrated wireless with the TG might have convinced them that Americans don't want BT. I was actually surprised how many people here got TGs, but of course we power users aren't representative of most customers. Does anybody have a sense of how the TGs have been selling? I would guess Sony used the TG to gauge interest in BT for future models. (Dare I suggest, however that if sales were sluggish it might have more to do with having a keyboard instead of VG -- or even regular 'G). Just a theory. Any opinions?

[Bionic Antboy]

I think that it's more of the latter. The smaller than usual screen and the keyboard took away from the "Clieness" of it, IMHO.

Clies are especially regarded as multimedia devices, and compromising the physical screen size to accomodate a keyboard is something that didn't appeal to me. I think many people felt that way (not to slag those that like the TG), as SO many people are clamouring for the VG in T form fact or. Adding built-in BT (or a CF slot) would be a bonus, but seriously, Sony would probably have their best selling Clie EVER in such a device.

A collapsable CF slot would be cool as well. BT is a technology that doesn't have the same broad appeal as WiFI. I know SOME people use it, but easily accessible WiFi net access is one of those "killer app" type situations, as even now, I'm noticing more and more WiFi activity, at least in the area I live. Having that in a neat little package is where the future sales are gonna come from, just as the desktop didn't really start to proliferate to "the masses" until the internet became something worth learning to use a computer for.

Sure laptops are better, but they're too big for the average person to carry. It's gonna be through smartphones or PDAs (or a combo).

Just my 02 :)

[s_n_m]

Sony is very dumb for not releasing their own bluetooth access point. They have there own wifi access points, but all these TG users need a place to hook up!

That's the number 1 problem with bluetooth actually, there is no place to get internet without a cell phone!

[enderenya]

unless of course you buy a bluetooth dongle... I bought a D-Link DBT-120 which works great (limited of course to 33 ft)

It's nice to be able to sit on the porch with the summer breeze and browse the net or IM to my friends etc... using Win-Hand Free (which is like VNC)

It's the only way I can afford getting extra stuff (by not having a cellphone bill every month) Of course it would be great to have a bluetooth phone... <drool>

[Salty10is]

How much did the D-Link dongle cost?

[dante21]

I think that Sony is messing themselves up her with these past couple of Clies. I have a TG-50 and you are right it dosen't make much sense with bluetooth wen WIFI is available in most areas (I know we have some here). I was in best buy the other day and I saw the new Palm C and man it has WIFI built in! But with the TG-50 you have to buy extra stuff and right now I don't have that kind of cash. I will probably end up getting a NX70 if the price goes down.