NZ90 BIG et al ?!

[wlman]

Finally I saw one today in person. It is not that big as most people has claimed... Why I say this, is because I still own some Apple Newton 2100s. For those who are too young to know it. It's the device that started the PDA era. No, it is not my work horse anymore, but they are part of my Newton collection.

Anyway, screen of the NZ90 is remarkably brighter than my NX70 work horse. It is build qualitatively better then NX70, but it is clumpsier build also,
- keys are in the wrong places
- IR port on the left hand side (I wonder how do I aim it to RC my TV ? Side way ?! ) Sony should create a screen rotate software/button
- WIFI slot down under (What would happen to the PCBA if I drop it on the WIFI card)
- I can no longer direct / aim the lense in the NX70 way
- Camara release button is on the righthand side, which is not handy for the lefthanded me. I like the Record button though.
- Can you image how a NZ90 look like with the Sony GPS MS inserted.....
- Still 11 MB available ...
- I dont think the KB is any better then my NX70.



Well, it's just my opinion.

[vansouza]

You would read the manual and find out that the IR goes left and forward... quite cool...

[Marudine]

Well, all comments are probably individual. I've read other in other threads that some don't like the IR location, some of them love the keyboard as compare to NX, so is all depend on oneself.

I believe those, including myself, who are still deciding of the aquisition will be very appreciate all your views.

[eric2002]

I've used my IR port to control the TV and DVD player, it works beautifully... I dont' have to turn my NZ sideways or anything. It works flawlessly pointing it straight forward like you normally use your PDA. Also mine works great from about 10'+ feet away... I haven't tried it at greater distances... my couch is 10' from the TV!

[the_iceman]

Only thing I've had a problem with the RC functions.... is it seems fine to work my JVC DVD (single-tray) up in my bedroom... but my other JVC downstairs (3-tray) in my family room... is a no-go. JVC must have changed something in their communication protocals or sumfin. works on one.. but not the other. It works fine with my JVC 32" TV downstairs and my Sony 27" Wega upstairs.

Nice lil added feature to the Sony.....

Wish they had it coded to control cable boxes... *sigh*

[Redmond]

Originally posted by wlman
Finally I saw one today in person. It is not that big as most people has claimed...
Well, it's just my opinion.
Your opinions of the NZ are fair and accurate.

To look at the NZ in the stores with awe and desires is one thing...

To live with it on a daily basis is totally different.

Thanks for your opinion!

Redmond

;)

[JOHNGAETANO]

Wlman,
Your 100% correct, the NZ-90 is very small when you put it next to a Newton. I've had my NZ-90 for almost two weeks now, and find it's as easy as any PDA that I have owned (I've had them all) to carry around.

[eric2002]

I think Redmond meant that the NZ is very easy to live with, I would agree 100%... I thought the size might be an issue (from the numerous threads about how HUGE it was thought to be)... but in reality it feals quite nice.

[Marudine]

with all those neat features and the wde 320 x 480 screen, I think the size is fine. If technology allows, and the size is going to be something like Tugsten, I will find it a bit funny.

[JohnJ80]

Actually Redmond is apparently not happy with his NZ90 if you read some of his other posts. ;-)

The NZ90 is only marginally larger than other Clie's. The main difference is the bulge on the back from the camera - this is also what seems to make it difficult to fit existing cases.

I used to have an apple newton 2100 - one awesome machine and for its HWR software it is still far ahead of what comes under palmos or ppc. Its size was not a problem given its capability. The main problem there was it didn't hot sync well.

The NZ90 has a nice heft in your hand, it fits well (at least my medium sized hands) and the size is really not an issue given its capability.

j

[wlman]

Hmmm.... One more comment on the NZ90.

It's rather shaky. It looks as if it can collapse anytime with a NZ90 on it. Can it be lay flat ?!

Sorry, I have to come back to the limited ram issue, why can't Sony built more ram into it ?! 11 mb is way too small for this state of the art machine. I mean if they are so clever to have BT, a 2 mega pixel camera, a sony CF wifilan card slot, a 320X480 resolution screen etc built into this tiny package, surely 128 ram is not a technical problem ?

There are WinCEs or whatever it is called with 64 mb if not more....

Or is it simply a Sony intentionally / makerting / sales strategy / build-in feature to have us upgrade to its newest products once every three months. If that is the case I'd rather stick to my Nx70 or maybe revive my Newton 2100s......

[wlman]

In the first part I am referring to the cradle, not the machine itself.

[JohnJ80]

I think I read somewhere that there is a limitation on Palm OS 5.0 that it can only handle 16MB internal and that the next revision (5.2?) that can handle more.

I could be wrong. Maybe someone could jump in here with the explicit answer.

j

[LoneWolf]

Please don't get Redmond started again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Redmond]

Originally posted by wlman
Hmmm.... One more comment on the NZ90.

Sorry, I have to come back to the limited ram issue, why can't Sony built more ram into it ?! 11 mb is way too small for this state of the art machine.....
Watch out....here comes Redmond!! (just a joke...)

Actually the GPS folks at Garmin will be releasing their iQue 3600 Palm OS 5 PDA sometime this quarter.

It’ill have 32MB standard built in Memory vs. SONY’s 16MB.
(Kinda makes you wonder if SONY really just wants to sell you their MS as well)

Here's a list of the Garmin iQue features:

- Powered by Palm OS 5
- Integrated Que technology, with Garmin GPS and mapping software
- Flip-up integrated GPS patch antenna can be positioned for optimal reception
- Speaker for voice-guidance commands, MP3 player, and message playback
- Voice recorder for making memos, quick notes, and messages on the fly
- Rechargeable internal Lithium-ion battery (charges in cradle or while connected to adapter)
- Built-in 32 MB of memory for downloading map data and other Palm OS-compatible software
- New ARM processor enhances battery life, screen redraw, graphics, and audio
- SD expansion slot for flexible memory storage and additional software
- Unit size: 2.8"W x 5"H x .8"D (72 x 128 x 20.3 mm)
- Display: 2.16" x 3.24" (54 x 81 mm), 320 x 480 pixel, high-resolution, color display
- Applications: Astraware Game Pack, Documents To Go, powerOne Personal Calculator, StarCaddy, SplashPhoto, and Vindigo, with many more to come!

Redmond ;)

Garmin link: http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/

[Redmond]

And the Garmin iQue w/32MB w/GPS w/scroll Button w/same screen as Sony.....

will only cost $549.00

Redmond ;)

Buy a iQue CHEAP at: http://www.cellcommunication.com/index.php/sop.sf/asin.B000087BXU/mode.electronics/bid./op.details/page.5/textquery./sfID.512/sfmode.electronics/

[JohnJ80]

but no bluetooth, no camera. enjoy your wait they are available 1 July 2003.

you can play this game absolutely forever. if they compared exactly, they would be a pure commodity. The reason they make them different is exactly so they won't be a commodity and pricing will be more favorable.

i don't think these compare except for a few features. I can't really see that someone looking at at Garmin unit would have it as a toss up between that and a NZ90. They are in completely different market segments.

Sony advertises the NZ90 from an entertainment basis, Garmin advertises theirs as a location enabled PDA.

This is sort of like saying a BMW Z3 is like a Dodge Durange. You know what, they compete, they both are vehicles! Everyone shopping for a Durango is tossing it back and forth whether they buy that or a Z3!?

That arguement is patently ridiculous and so is much of this PDA comparision.

j

[oneeyesquare]

Also the 32mb is rumoured to be 16mb ram and 16mb dedicated "map" ram.... Also Garmin is just as proprietary; if not more so, than Sony. Try using another brand of maps than Garmin's on a Garmin GPS.... ain't gonna happen...

[JohnJ80]

I'm sure Garmin's PDA will be great - just like the most of the rest of what they offer.

I am pretty sure that OS 5, current rev, only allows 16MB for usable RAM. I think the next rev, if I could just remember what it is (5.2?) adds support for more.

If so, that would be consistent with the 16MB for program 16MB for map store that you mention.

Anyhow, the Garmin unit isn't shipping until Q3 anyhow, so we will all have to wait and see until them.

j.