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View Full Version : UX50 initial impressions


MikeD
09-09-2003, 11:28 AM
Okay, I've only been able to play around with my UX50 (US version) for a couple of hours. All last night, it charged away. But before I get on to how this thing works, let me get into some of the physical stuff...

BTW, update pictures will be posted to this site (click me) (http://homepage.mac.com/miked916/UX50/PhotoAlbum22.html) so keep checking for more pictures...

Hinge of the UX50- When using it in 'laptop' mode, and you need to tap on things on the screen, the screen tilts back pretty easily - something you need to get used to.

First thing I did was delete my backup folder on my mac to have it NOT install my TG 50 items. I then manually selected the software (and downloaded necessary updates) that I would be using on this device (at least the most important for now). Otherwise, everything does have smooth movement, and snaps perfectly into place when it has to close, or go into landscape mode.

On to the hotsync. On a Mac, I had to dig up my old version of MissingSync from Markspace. My NR70V needed MissingSync yet my TG-50 didn't. I downloaded an update from MarkSpace and synced successfully with the TG-50 for the first time. (at this time, I don't think you can do an 802.11b wireless hotsync on the mac - yet I've read the bluetooth works although I've never tried it as I feel it would be slower than USB).
***Note: When hooking up the USB cable from the computer, I was looking for a connection to the charging base... I forgot (As I was reading the manual) that the usb connector has a "mini 'b'" end which connects directly to the Clie itself. This is annoying. The USB connector on the clie is covered with a flap (on the left side) which you have to remove and plug the usb cable in. Not only that, you initiate the hotsync by going into the hotsync program and clicking on the hotsync button!! YUCK! If you have a windows box, I'd suggest looking into the wireless lan sync definitely.

Another little gripe - The stylus. It's so SMALL (see updated pictures) BUT SEE EDIT BELOW TOO

802.11b setup - Very straightforward- just follow the instructions in the manual. It connects at a reasonable speed. You do have to remember that this is a PDA and not a laptop with wireless lan. (this is in terms of how netfront is processing webpages etc).

You can configure the three hard buttons on the TG-50 in the prefs menu. I made the 'world' button to launch netfront, the 'envelope' to go to Agendus (I think this button used to go to datebk contacts as that's where it's taking me to in agendus), and the todo, again, to agendus.

Email - I tried checking some email with this thing using Agendus Pro Mail. With one of my email accounts, it downloaded my oldest 4 messages but for some reason, it wouldn't get more - it would time out. I'm trying to find out what's going on and will update when I figure it out. But on my other email account, I was able to download all email and was fine.

Bluetooth Connections:
Initial Connections to Cell phone - I have to pair this pda to a Nokia 3650. I just deleted the init strings and it was able to find the nokia just fine. But I'm looking for REAL initstrings to have it work perfectly with the nokia. This is the same setup I had with the TG-50. It will send SMS, but will not be able to check the inbox of the cellphone. So, if anyone has any connection experience with getting the TG50/UX50 to work with a nokia 3650, I'd be really happy as I haven't been able to get it to check email on the go....

Bluetooth GPS and mapquest: Works Flawlessly!!! See the updated pix! (http://homepage.mac.com/miked916/UX50/PhotoAlbum22.html)

Video: I tested some movies that I had on my TG50 and they all played back just fine. I don't think I noticed too much a difference but I'll try later tonight if I can do a side by side comparison of the two to see the true performance... (Movies coming up soon)

I'll keep this post update as much as I can... Hope this helps!

edit1: I drained the battery about 50% just playing with it all morning. I put on the charger for now (since I'm not using it and I have a GPS test later on today) and it charged up rather quickly.. Probably under an hour for the light to turn off.

edit2: I just noticed that the casing of the UX-50 is very similar to that of my Canon S400 Digital Camera. The material of the canon is some sort of ceramic that is fingerprint and scratch resistant (under ideal conditions of course..)

edit3: I'm getting really used to the stylus. I didn't think it would be getting better but it's growing on me. Compact, and in it's "sleeve", you simply start pulling it out which naturally extends it. At the point it's extended to it's max, you wind up pulling the whole stylus out. Same thing goes putting it back in, you start putting it in and when the tip is in all the way, you continue to push and in goes the the rest of it. I guess you have to try it out a bit to get what I'm talking about. Yes, it's still small, but it's just good enough.. Any smaller... I dunno...

Mike

sam fisher
09-09-2003, 12:54 PM
Great pics on your site. Keep them coming for those of us who still have to wait a week before it arrives in stores or online. :-(

MikeD
09-09-2003, 12:57 PM
Also, I have a movie of the clie running movie player if anyone is interested but I may have to get it hosted.. but let me know if anyone wants to see it running...

Mike

sam fisher
09-09-2003, 01:00 PM
Originally posted by MikeD
Also, I have a movie of the clie running movie player if anyone is interested but I may have to get it hosted.. but let me know if anyone wants to see it running...

Mike

Yes please! :)

MikeD
09-09-2003, 01:13 PM
Okay just uploaded one small video of the UX50 running movieplayer (T3 trailer in mqv format). The video was converted using mpeg4 video in quicktime. Just go to the picture page and on the top, click on the appropriate link to download the video.

Mike

Eddy
09-09-2003, 01:25 PM
wow, nice going, I like the size comparison, side by side with the TG, the UX50 seems so nice. :p

acraniotes
09-09-2003, 03:38 PM
Great write up and pics, Mike. Just was I was looking for. In spite of the tiny screen, I must confess that I'm liking what I've seen so far.

Enjoy!

-Adam

gollum
09-09-2003, 04:11 PM
Can you get a picture with it in your hands ... ummm the UX50 in
your hands, that is!

Unregistered
09-09-2003, 07:04 PM
I am left handed and was wondering if there is a way to move the grafiti entry to the left side so my hand won't cover the screen while writing with the stylus.

I wouldn't have even considered this without your pics. Thanks.

Mr. Pink
09-09-2003, 07:14 PM
Yes. You can put the graffiti area on the left or right side.

Cheers.

Mr. Pink

MikeD
09-09-2003, 10:21 PM
Just posted the GPS pictures.... here (http://homepage.mac.com/miked916/UX50/PhotoAlbum22.html) and added another "edit" to my above post.

Mike

iJITSU
09-09-2003, 10:32 PM
Great pics. Seeing the UX50 next to the TG50 is what pushed me over the edge. I've been using a Tungsten T2 and missed the keyboard of my old TG50, so I starting eyeballing the UX but wasn't quite sure that I wanted to make the move. Bought it tonight. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. Thanks again for the pics.

sindu
09-09-2003, 10:40 PM
Mike, I am also a Mac user and use T665 now. Plan to upgrade to UX50. Can I PM you when i got my unit so that I don;t make a fatal mistake when migrating....Thank in advance.

sindu
09-09-2003, 10:41 PM
BTW...Nice Job and well informative thread.

sonicboy
09-09-2003, 11:22 PM
very cool pics! gps would be usefull in australia when I go back.. I wonder if there are maps.. japan have so many roads you need one of those 3D navis with a DVD full of maps

sam fisher
09-10-2003, 12:08 AM
Originally posted by MikeD
Okay just uploaded one small video of the UX50 running movieplayer (T3 trailer in mqv format). The video was converted using mpeg4 video in quicktime. Just go to the picture page and on the top, click on the appropriate link to download the video.

Mike

Loved the video Mike. Thanks for putting it up.
What's the video like when you shot it using the UX?

Andyvan
09-10-2003, 12:48 AM
Surely you meant UX50 here?

-- Andyvan (and stop calling me Shirley)

Originally posted by MikeD

You can configure the three hard buttons on the TG-50 in the prefs menu. I made the 'world' button to launch netfront, the 'envelope' to go to Agendus (I think this button used to go to datebk contacts as that's where it's taking me to in agendus), and the todo, again, to agendus.

iJITSU
09-10-2003, 12:55 AM
I'm sure. And don't call him Shirley.

MikeD
09-10-2003, 01:01 AM
:rolleyes: Whoops... For awhile today, I've been thinking about how maybe the UX-50 is a tg-50 replacement (because of the 50?? I don't know) plus that was my interim PDA when my NR was busted up. Sigh...

Anyway, at first, the keyboard took some getting used to and I LOVE IT now!! I don't even use grafiti (but maybe that's also because I don't have a good screen protector yet! :) )

Sindu, feel free to PM me with any questions you may have with the mac setup...

Originally posted by Andyvan
Surely you meant UX50 here?

-- Andyvan (and stop calling me Shirley)

sonicboy
09-10-2003, 01:05 AM
mikeD, your stylus comparison photo has the UX stylus in its compact form.. shouldn't it be extended?

MikeD
09-10-2003, 01:07 AM
Yes, it should be.. I'll retake another picture soon. By the way, the stylus... AT FIRST was annoying.. I'm getting used to it now.. I'll edit my first post...

sonicboy
09-10-2003, 01:12 AM
when I first got my UX the stylus slid out and locked into the extended position, but now its a little bit stiff (maybe cause I bent it slightly..) and doesn't lock when I take it out, I have to lock it with one hand or my mouth which is a bit crap.. I am looking forward to other reports on this.. however it does make the device smaller so its a worthy trade off in my eyes

MikeD
09-12-2003, 01:43 AM
Okay, I love this PDA.. But one that really bothers me is how USB connects to the UX itself rather than the cradle. Does anyone else agree with me that it makes syncing "not fun"?

Mike

lmame
09-12-2003, 01:49 AM
Yes I agree on this...
The USB cache on the UX is really weird, I'm always afraid to break it...
And the fact that there is no "hotsync" button is strange... But for this I made Hotsync as a shorcut in the "status bar" of the CLIE Launcher...
but once again, strange...

MikeD
09-12-2003, 05:18 AM
Sometimes, I think that when companies make "mistakes" like this, it just seems a bit rushed dont' you? It is a great little gem though!

Mike

Unregistered
09-12-2003, 08:01 AM
Originally posted by MikeD
Okay, I love this PDA.. But one that really bothers me is how USB connects to the UX itself rather than the cradle. Does anyone else agree with me that it makes syncing "not fun"?

Mike

Problem solved (can't read this but this is a cable that will synch and charge).

Unregistered
09-12-2003, 08:01 AM
Sorry. Forgot the link http://www.master-corp.co.jp/UX50.htm

TechnoCat
09-12-2003, 10:41 AM
Originally posted by MikeD
edit2: I just noticed that the casing of the UX-50 is very similar to that of my Canon S400 Digital Camera. The material of the canon is some sort of ceramic that is fingerprint and scratch resistant (under ideal conditions of course..)[/B]
One thing I noticed is that my Canon S40 digital camera USB cable and the Sony UX50 USB cable are the same. Found this out completely by accident... had run out of hub ports on the desk (still have plenty below), so unplugged the camera cord, plugged in the Sony cord, plugged in the end matching the UX and nothing happened because it was the camera cable I'd just disconnected. With all the devices handy for unplugging, that was quite some random luck!

duraace
09-12-2003, 01:09 PM
I notice most of your pics show the Graffiti area. Is there an option of hide the Graffiti area to provide more screen for the app (assuming it knows how to take adavantage of it)?

TechnoCat
09-12-2003, 01:15 PM
Yes, there is an arrow at the upper part of Grafitti that collapses the area on apps that can, and is greyed out otherwise.

duraace
09-12-2003, 01:16 PM
One other thing...you said you played with it "all morning" that battery drained to 50%. Is Sony dreaming when they say "14 days 30 minutes use per day"!?

duraace
09-12-2003, 01:26 PM
Good. I would expect many apps to be modified to take advantage of the new format, sooner of later.

MikeD
09-12-2003, 01:38 PM
Well, I was doing everything!! All wifi/BT trials, using the camera, making movies, watching video on the memory stick, browsing with music playing.. It was really heavy usage.. Not just every day normal stuff. Also, I now just recently turned down the screen brightness and with my "normal" usage as a PIM and little bit of camera usage, and email over wifi, the battery meter only comes down a little bit over the course of the day.

Mike

duraace
09-12-2003, 02:23 PM
wow...that does sound encouraging! Thanks. The challenge for me now is waiting until Monday or Tuesday at best, to get mine!!

sonicboy
09-13-2003, 08:56 AM
since getting a bluetooth laptop I havn't had to open the flimsy USB door.. of course this means my hotsync takes about a minute but hey, I just get home and hit the button and let it do its wireless thang :D

MikeD
09-13-2003, 10:29 AM
What are you using as the bluetooth connection setting? I just have cable/cradle and IR but no bluetooth setting in hotsync. Is there a third party one/sony one I need to install... I got this working with the TG-50 but remember it was kind of slow.. But I guess it's worth trying it again so I don't have to bother with the door.

Nevermind!! Just figured it out!

Mike

Originally posted by sonicboy
since getting a bluetooth laptop I havn't had to open the flimsy USB door.. of course this means my hotsync takes about a minute but hey, I just get home and hit the button and let it do its wireless thang :D