CLIE owner has questions!

[NeilShapiro]

Well, I am thinking of scrapping my NX-60 for a Zodiac. I saw one yesterday in CompUSA and now have more questions than before. First off, the display. The lighting in CompUSA was terrible, way bright. But I am worried because the screen of the Zodiac appeared washed-out. Has anyone seen a Zodiac next to a CLIE NX series? I really don't want a less-than-bright screen or less-than vibrant colors. Secondly, with my CLIE I can easily move prc files back and forth from a memory card to my computer's hard drive using the CLIE's import-export programs. Can I do this on the Zodiac -- i.e., access prc and other files now on my hard disk and just drag and copy them to the Zodiac's storage card(s)? This would make transferring my fave programs a heck of a lot easier. ??

[AI3]

The only one screen that I compared it with from a Sony is an NZ90 and the sony seemed more washed out and brighter while the Zodiac is not as bright but the colors are richer.

When I had my TG50 the card import/export program was awesome and something that does not come on the Zodiac AFAIK. I do believe there si 3rd party software for this but I personally use a card reader now.

[JohnKes]

I seem to remember that an NX-70 screen had very good contrast in the store. But the lighting was low, so not a good comparison. My Z2 screen does not seem to have the same contrast, but it is pretty good in all lighting conditions. How does your NX-60 look when you are outdoors? My Visor Prism was much brighter and more vibrant, but useless outdoors.

A Z2 does not come with software to make the SD card appear as a drive on the PC. You would have to purchase that separately.

A Z2 is thinner than an NX-60, and has 128MB RAM. Someone posted that the 200MHz i.MX1 with separate video chip is faster than the PXA-250. Two SD slots!

[NeilShapiro]

OK, I took my CLIE NX60 with me to CompUSA today -- and the Zodiac screen seemed almost identical. It was perhaps a little brighter and the colors deeper so a touch better. I guess that I can get around the import problem. My main fear is that I need to keep my same user name so I can't hot-sync it at the beginning as it would probably screw everything up. I feel I must keep the same user name because of my experience last time I upgraded. 90% of the software manufacturers were very good on sending new passwords. 10% were absolute stinkers and I lost maybe $100 in software costs because of their, well, lousy customer support. But I guess I can just use the Installer and put in the apps I want and enter passwords if I keep the same user name. (Tho I bet a small percentage of software will see it is a different machine and choke).

Just a few more questions please! Do Avant-Go and Mobipocket run OK on the Zodiac? I am guessing they do but they are my two fave apps and it would be good to hear.

How do you upload emulation programs (ROMs) that may not have .pdb or other "legal" extensions if there is no computer<->card import/export? For example I own SCUMM which works great on the CLIE but how will I move my game files (bought and paid for from Lucas' site) over?

Finally I did have a thread on Bluetooth surfing here and it was indicated to me that would work by buying a dongle for the computer. But I would still rather have WiFi -- any sign of that happening?

If you all can help me tonite and the answers look doable then I'll buy the thing tomorrow!

[JohnKes]

I had 2 apps that did not transfer the registration. The publishers responded within 2 days. I still have not re-installed Avantgo so ...

You can use Filez and an SD card reader on your PC to get stuff from SD into RAM.

No sign of WiFi for a Zod. I will soon get a BT dongle - only $20-$30 around here. The wife hogs the PC sometimes when I want to surf, and BT sync would be nice since it's a bother to take it out of the case to USB sync.

Is something wrong with your NX-60?

[Scott R]

Neil, I don't use Mobipocket or Avantgo personally, but some of my members do. This thread may address that question:
http://tapland.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=654

For ROMs, you could store them on SD card, right? If you need/want them in internal memory, you can do it, but you might have to make use of Filez or something.

As for the WiFi card, one of my members emailed the c-guys about their SDIO WiFi card and they told him that it would not only support the Zodiac but would be sold via Tapwave's online store, but that they were still working on the drivers. The drivers were supposed to be done by now, but they're obviously not. So, there's nothing available yet and if this is a critical need for you, you might want to wait and see because many companies have made promises about Palm OS WiFi drivers and you know how that's gone.

Scott

[JeffreyJM]

What kind of case are you using? I'm hoping Bellagio will come up with a nice one.

[NeilShapiro]

Um, that looks like a very serious problem with Avantgo and Mobipocket and the explanation in that thread really made no sense at all to me. Apparently the conduits are not installed? But what is the author there talking about with the path? I see that conversation is also from 6 months ago and both programs have been updated since then. Maybe someone who uses the latest Avantgo and/or the latest Mobipocket could chime in here? I may delay my purchase today....

[LSAlford]

Well, I "upgraded" my NX80 for a Zodiac 2, and I am very happy. Here is my summary (in no particular order):

1. Using a Global Source Case. Seems as nice as the Bellagio I had with my Clie.
2. Miss the camera a little bit. Don't miss the keyboard at all.
3. LOVE the Bluetooth. Surfing the 'net at high speed with my Zod2 and my Sony/Erricson T608 rocks.
4. Display is not quite as bright as the Clie, but I never used the Clie at full brightness anyway.
5. Can't speak to the Avantgo issue at all. I am a very happy (and registered) iSilo user.
6. The Zod2 feels real good in my hand. Real good.

[Pdaman]

What web browser zodiac use, i mean also what it can read ? flash, images, sound ?

[DeanneJensen]

I am using AvantGo flawlessly on my Zodiac. There was a work around for the problems you read about. These problems should have been solved in the Desktop Update on Tapwave.com. I can't tell you for sure because I was using the work-around already when I updated the Desktop. A few of my other programs had problems too which were solved with the update.

Deanne Jensen

[Paleo_man]

I love zodiac vibrating function. :D

[Scott R]

What web browser zodiac use, i mean also what it can read ? flash, images, sound ?The Zodiac comes with Web Browser (that's the name of it) which is a web browser supplied by PalmSource, though it appears as though Tapwave tweaked it a little so as to support the various extra buttons of the Zodiac. It isn't preinstalled, but comes on the included CD-ROM. Unfortunately, I'm not crazy about it. I find that it's slow and sometimes stalls completely, though it's possible that the stalls have something to do with my connection via my Sprint Sony-Ericsson T608.

The other problem with it is that while it supports landscape mode and the full 480x320 resolution, it doesn't squeeze pages to fit. So if you view an 800-pixel-wide web site you'll have to scroll horizontally in order to see it all.

The other web browsers that work fairly well on the Zodiac don't support the fullscreen landscape mode.

Scott

[NeilShapiro]

<<I am using AvantGo flawlessly on my Zodiac. There was a work around for the problems you read about. These problems should have been solved in the Desktop Update on Tapwave.com.>>

I just went to Tapwave.com and could find nothing as to a Desktop Update? Also, what was the workaround? Do you know if this update or workaround also addressed the Mobipocket issue? I find it weird that the units in CompUSA tho would not have shipped either with updated software or the update included or even a note as to an update! Would like to hear from you -- wouldn't be the first item I had to buy twice <G>.

[JohnKes]

Go here for software updates:
http://www.tapwave.com/support_downloads.html

BTW the GlobalSource case is pretty nice - soft leather, good fit, but a bit thick.

[JeffreyJM]

That doesn't have a belt clip, does it? That's the one must-have for me to actually buy a Zodiac. I need a way to carry it with me at all times.

[NeilShapiro]

The Software Update 1.1 does not mention either Avant-Go nor Mobipocket nor does it say that it addresses any sort of problem with other programs.It just talks about adding features such as Open To Home, etc. I still would like to give a Zod another chance but obviously after one restocking fee I wouldn't want another one. So if any Zodiac owner could help me out I would appreciate it. Both Avant-Go and Mobipocket are free programs in demo fashion so someone could try them out (might even find a couple new faves). I need to know, for sure, if Mobipocket's Web Companion will download and update news files and if the hot-sync will transfer the news files to the Zod using the new Software Update 1.1. (What happened with the out-of-box Zod was that Mobi would update but not transfer). I also need to know if Avant-Go will download and hot-sync using that new Software Update. I am leery of it simply because the explanation seems not to indicate that it actually addresses any issues like this. Anyone can let me know?? I really liked the Zod but it is impossible for me to own a PDA that cannot use the above two programs 100%.

[Jeff Kirvin]

The Software Update 1.1 does not mention either Avant-Go nor Mobipocket nor does it say that it addresses any sort of problem with other programs.It just talks about adding features such as Open To Home, etc. I still would like to give a Zod another chance but obviously after one restocking fee I wouldn't want another one. So if any Zodiac owner could help me out I would appreciate it. Both Avant-Go and Mobipocket are free programs in demo fashion so someone could try them out (might even find a couple new faves). I need to know, for sure, if Mobipocket's Web Companion will download and update news files and if the hot-sync will transfer the news files to the Zod using the new Software Update 1.1. (What happened with the out-of-box Zod was that Mobi would update but not transfer). I also need to know if Avant-Go will download and hot-sync using that new Software Update. I am leery of it simply because the explanation seems not to indicate that it actually addresses any issues like this. Anyone can let me know?? I really liked the Zod but it is impossible for me to own a PDA that cannot use the above two programs 100%.
AvantGo works fine on my Zodiac2, but some of the graphics are compressed and some of the page borders are way to big (leading to a column of one or two words per line). Didn't try MobiPocket. Frankly, anything I did in either of those applications works just as well now with Plucker on the Z and JPluck on the desktop. Free software and much better readability on the Z than AvantGo or Mobi.

Jeff Kirvin
Editor In Chief, Writing On Your Palm
http://www.writingonyourpalm.net

[NeilShapiro]

I don't care for the learning curve in Plucker to use it at the level of MB or AV. No time to devote to such. Thanks tho for letting me know AV is a loss on the Zod. Darn. Well, I guess in the Fall there will be the T4.

[DeanneJensen]

Here is the desktop update link. But like you said, it should have been included on the CD that came with your new Zodiac.

Desktop Update 1.1 (http://www.tapwave.com/support_1.1_download.html#desktop)

When I said that AvantGo worked on my Zodiac, I mean from my work computer which is Windows 2000. I never tried it at home (Windows ME) because I get what I need at work when I hotsync there.

Deanne

[TennMan]

Just a note about HotSync ID's, you don't have to change your old one if you still want to use it. I too was a Sony user that changed to a Zodiac and also started contacting all the software companies I dealt with. One of those companies pointed out that you don't have to change your HotSync ID to migrate your programs to your new device, you can still use your old one, here's how:

Rename your old device on the Palm Desktop from NeilShapiro to OldNeilShapiro.

Create a new user using the old HotSync ID you want to continue to use.

Copy everything from the OldNeilShapiro folder to the new NeilShapiro folder. Once you copy everything you need to look through the folder because there are some programs that are inheirent to Sony Clie that will crash the Zodiac. Delete those programs. Not a big deal if you miss one, after the crash you can delete that file and try to HotSync again. :rolleyes:

Make a backup copy of the OldNeilShapiro folder under the Palm Desktop folder (just in case). :o

Install the new desktop (it will detect the previous version and prompt you). When prompted select the old user name and when you HotSync all your programs should be installed to the Zodiac.

I've done this from memory so I may have left something out. If you have problems, PM me and I'll be glad to help work through it! :D

Also, the 1.1 update was supposed to fix the installation problems on most programs. I myself was having problems with PocketQuicken and AdobeReader but with the update those problems have been fixed.

Finally, the Brando/GlobalSource case if a worthwhile investment. It fits very nicely and actually adds some protection to the unit. Beats the hell out of the filp cover! :cool:

Sorry for the long post but I think you'll be pleased once you start using a Zodiac, it's definitely the best Palm on the market today-but that's my opinion!

[JeffreyJM]

I've seen posts that suggest that Kinoma takes full advantage of the Zodiac. I tried Kinoma on my NX80 and was very unimpressed. Can you get full-screen 30fps videos on the Zodiac with Kinoma?

[JohnKes]

See:
http://www.sonypictures.com/digent/pda/