Let the wild guessing commence; NX80

[Airth]

So the rumours have officially started:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7127

I was hoping for an April release, will have to try and keep my money in my pocket just a little longer. The camera sounds just right for what I need, assuming it's not going to have the same bulge as the NZ.

The ROM thing would suggest that Sony are well aware of the cry for more memory. It's a nice clean solution but why oh why not just jam that extra memory in? This is becoming a real drawback as the competition start to pull away, is it really so difficult? Maybe it's just inference that only 16 Meg is available, perhaps it's still possible our wishes will be realised. 

So what else is this wonder going to have? Improved keyboard? Built in WiFi/Bluetooth? Rotatable screen? Picsel viewer? Replaceable battery? What do you think?

[yOyOYoo]

1.Improved keyboard like the NZ and TG
2.keyboard lights up - probably a nice blue or white color, to make it look classier than the ugly orange yellow light on the TG keyboard
3.built in bluetooth
4.power switch
5.better speaker (for loud video/audio playback without headphones)
6. OS 5.2
7. camera that has flash
8. hardkey buttons in tablet mode easily accessible


im just guessing (and hoping)

[Airth]

I like the idea of a blue keyboard backlight, though when I saw the TG50 I thought the orange looked pretty nice. I think you might be right about the flash and hardkey buttons, a couple of easy to implement and welcome additions. I hope they do better than the buttons added to the NZ, I'm sure there's a more elegant solution. I can't really see much of note happening with the speaker I'm afraid.

I thought about OS5.2 but surely that means more memory. I'm not complaining! Does 5.2 offer any other significant features other than memory management? 

I wonder if we might also see some software upgrades? A faster picture viewer and a more capable web browser perhaps? Ah, wishful thinking...

[fireants22]

i hope they pretty much keep the same form factor as the present nx70...to save on juice, i dont think the flash is a necessity, especially with 1megapixel.

whatever they do...please dont change the CF-slot or stylus to the same gawd-awful position as the NZ!!!!!!!

[Airth]

Fireants, yes, yes, yes! The CF slot at least must stay at the top! I suppose it's possible WiFi will be built in, giving us a lumpy bit in the middle. Then again Sony are on to a good thing making people purchase their proprietary card. Of course they must also be concerned that someone is eventually going to crack that slot.

What are the chances of a new improved weighty stylus? 5%?

[fireants22]

i actually dont mind the positioning of the stylus on my nx70 (bottom-right). Just have to replace it with a heavier aftermarket one. It cannot be too heavy or it will fall out the bottom :(

[n2ifp]

I wait with abated breath... :)

[CosmicBlend]

If the rumors are true i will cry if the new ones have bluetooth in them.. if not i wont be to hurt for memory seeing how i still have around 2-3mb free for mine. If they somehow put bluetooth in it i may have to sell my NX70 quickly and get the new one.. damn sony for not getting it right the first time..

The only design things that would make the nx70 almost perfect would be of course cf drivers and internal bluetooth. Just my opinion.

[JMS]

Well, I wouldn't begin to guess what this new model might be like, though the following, in my opinion, would be nice:

1) a better camera, though not locked into place like the NZ, one good for stealth pictures, though no replacement for a real digital camera.

2) no Wi-Fi, but intergrated bluetooth. Even if this was the only difference between the rumored new NX and the current NX, I'd be happy with Sony for offering the choice.

3) better batter life, even if only a little better.

4) a light up keyboard.


JMS

[fireants22]

just picked up the new sony-handheld(s) product lineUp brochure (in Japan)

This is how they differientiate the *new 4-model lineUp...:

1) "Wireless Network"- NZ90
2) "Audio & Visual Network"- NX70v/NX60
3) "Business Network"- TG50
4) "Personal Network"-SJ33

These are fresh catalogues....and only show the products i mentioned. So sorry to rain on anyone's parade who was hoping on a Cebit (or sooner, rather than later) introduction, but I don't see anything new coming for at least a couple months (so a end of May product is not out of the question)

Nice brochure tho :) gotta dig that "SonyStyle"

[Airth]

Thinking about it logically, Sony surely have to position this model somewhere between the TG50 and the NZ90. In other words it can't be better than the NZ but it needs to offer something to distinguish it from the other models. What's that distinguishing feature? Perhaps just the fact that it will be a slimmer alternative compared to the NZ?

In other words I reckon 32meg and built in Wi-Fi is out of the question at the moment. I think these will be the selling points of the Christmas models. I also think that the light up keyboard will remain a feature of the TG only, if we want longer battery life then anything that lights up isn't going to help. I still think, hope, that a removeable battery is likely and that Bluetooth is a serious possibility.

There's got to be something else feature wise, hasn't there...

[Airth]

fireants you are absolutely right, I saw that brochure recently and it made me wonder if things are actually set for now. But the way the layout has been subtly jiggled around on the Japan website, the fact that the NXs were missing at the Sony building in Ginza and my good old gut feeling tells me otherwise.

Here are the Japan sites' flash movies for the different models:

http://www.sony.jp/CLIE/world/index.html

OK I know they have new models to promote but why does that page not have a picture of an NX? I know I'm reading too much into it, but I need that new NX80!

[fireants22]

BTW, i saw the new TG50 today, and the brushed metal enclosure is absolutely beautiful!!!!

tho I cannot get used to, or think i will be able to step down from my larger Nx screen...but will absolutely recommend it to someone who have not been spoiled by the nx or nz.