The UX isn't truly "wireless"

[Rosenkrantz]

Obvious to most here but the UX really is only partly wireless, sure you can surf once within range of a 802 base station but what if you're in the cab going to / fro the airport or sitting on the plane or, better yet, driving cross country on a family vacation?? These are all situtations that my old trusty Palm7x w/ its pqa based wireless service excelled at. Surfing at Starbucks is trendy but wireless is most critical when you're in the middle of nowhere, trying to find directions from mapquest, etc..

I guess I just don't get all the blather about having 802 in a pda, sure i can see some people (doctors, etc) who might find it handy but frankly wireless to me means net access ANYWHERE.

[Jack Bauer]

Actually this was the entire idea behind putting bluetooth in the PDA in addition to Wi-Fi. This way, once your out of Wi-Fi range, such as driving cross country, etc., you can have the PDA communicate via bluetooth with an data-enabled bluetooth cell phone to get internet access.

[zzarg]

I currently use a PowerBook that way.... WiFi at home, the office and a couple of local hotspots, and via my GPRS phone when I'm on the road.... coupled with a Targus incar adapter it's a great combination, and given that I support a 24/7 website it's improved my response time significantly.
I'd love a PalmOS device with enough power and a good enough screen to run VNC (or better Terminal Services) via WiFi or (ideally) built in GPRS phone... but a BT connection to my 3650 is fine

[cykalan]

that's the reason that why you got Bluetooth in it! :)

[cosFFM]

It is certainly more wireless then a device without WLAN or bluetooth, hhm? ;)

[Eddy]

I feel the BT & wireless discussion coming again. LOL :D
well, you can take this UX50 & connect to your office wireless network for example, then use the Bluetooth with a BT compatible mobile on the go. Now everybody is truely happy. :D
Just what ever that works!

[cykalan]

i actually prefer both. the UX quite suits me.

however the TT3 is tempting too. :D :D

[Eddy]

I think with regards to style & functionality, the UX50 is well over my limit, I can't imagine how long I'd be able to use it for! :D

cykalan, is that an airbus from CX that I see on your avatar? On the UX's display? 4 engines... too small to actually tell. :)

[cykalan]

Eddy, that's a 744 actually...seems like i need make a bigger one. hey you got my PM?

well....style & functionality....there's never too much....:D

[mvfrancisco]

One thing that caught my attention in the c|net interview with the Sony VP of IT was his response to the question "where will it go from here?" He noted that since it already had bluetooth and LAN connectivity, they were currently looking at adding WAN comms to their handhelds. Hmm.... BT + WiFi + GSM/GPRS? Sounds good to me.

[kp*]

I think both wireless standards serve their purpose. Wifi for those places where you're lucky enough to have a network, and you can benefit from the speed, and sometimes it's free. And then for those middle-of-nowhere moments, you have BT through your cell phone (of course that requires another piece of equipment, but if you're a wireless type of person you probably always have a cell phone with you). And because it's BT and not infrared, you don't need to handle the phone, it can be anywhere in your general vicinity. I love being able to leave my phone in my pocket or on my belt and have it do its job without being touched. It's one of those moments when you just think, "Wow, I'm a GEEK!":)

[n2ifp]

I don't care, I want one :D!

[Unregistered]

i think this is splitting hairs. wireless - connection without wires, period. it doesn't mean if you can get it in every corner of the earth. there are some soft spots that the palm 7 wouldn't work. same for blackberry. are they wireless or not?

[stronggeek]

Originally posted by n2ifp
I don't care, I want one :D!

I with you Larry.

If you want because it will fit your needs and wants then get it!

I do wish the nx had built in wifi, so I use a cf instead havung to switch.

[Unregistered]

"I don't care, I want one !"

Oh the Sony boys love to see such lust! Kching! Kching!

[gfunkmagic]

If you want a truely wireless device, I agree you must have some type of 3G connectivity. The UX50 has WLAN and PAN, but not 3G. For that you need to get something like the NTT DoCoMo SH2101v (http://foma.nttdocomo.co.jp/term/sh2101v_01.html) smartphone:

http://foma.nttdocomo.co.jp/term/img/sh2101v_ni_1.jpg

This baby includes WCDMA, BT, camera, and keyboard. Unfortunately its not PalmOS, but I think it's a good indication of where Sony might be able to take the UX series in future models. I would love to have tri-wireless capabilities a la TI Wanda (http://www.brighthand.com/article/TI_Designs_Handheld_with_WiFi_Bluetooth_GPRS) concept. The existance of this reference design proves it's possible and I don't see why Sony couldn't do the same...

P.S. For all those interested, Mobile Burn posted alot of nice pics of the SH2101v here. (http://mobile.burn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=384)