Sony Clie PEG-UX50 and UX40 announced
updated 03:40 pm EDT, Fri July 18, 2003
Sony has unveiled two new Palm-based handhelds -- the . The models have a laptop-like design with a large swivel screen, digital camera and built-in keyboard. The PEG-UX50 has both integrated in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, while the UX40 only includes Bluetooth. Sony is billing the new device as a "personal entertainment communicator."
The Clie PEG-UX50 and UX40 run Palm OS 5.2 and use a new processor system developed by Sony called the Handheld engine. The Handheld engine combines a Sony manufactured ARM926 based processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and a CXD2230GA graphics accelerator. The processor speed varies between 8 MHz and 123 MHz, depending on the demand. The system and dedicated graphics chip will support a version of OpenGL and can play back MPEG video at 30 frames per second.
Both models have a total of 104 MB or RAM. Of that 16 MB is available for traditional storage of files and programs, another 16MB is used for the dynamic heap. Another 16 MB or non-volatile memory is dedicated for system back up to save the contents of RAM when the battery is low. Finally there is an additional 29 MB available for media storage, that acts as a traditional memory stick.
The devices have integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) and Bluetooth for wireless communication. The UX40 model does not include WiFi. There is also a IR port, speaker, microphone, Stereo headphone jack and a memory stick pro slot.
The digital camera is a 300k pixel camera and has 3x digital zoom. The camera supports up to VGA (640x480) resolution, You can also record and play back video (MPEG4, 30 fps, 160x112) and can upload images directly to Sony's ImageStation website.
The device measures 4 x 3.4 x .7 inches (103 x 86.5 x 17.9mm) and weighs 6.2 ounces (175 grams). The handheld body is made of magnesium. Sony rates the battery life at 14 days with 30 minutes of typical use per day.
The devices are now available for pre-order. The PEG-UX50 retails for $700 and the UX40 is $600. The UX50 is expected to begin shipping before September 12th, while the UX40 will begin before September 21st.
NO Cell-Phone!
07/18, 05:01pm reply
So now you have this 'thing', and what are we going to use it for? It needs to have a cell-phone function, only then will it become useful.
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Why Cell Phone?
07/18, 05:57pm reply
This thing is near perfect to what I would like. (Especially because there is no Cell Phone :-P) However, the price is pretty high, plus I would like it a little larger (5x7 maybe). If someone could do something similar but with a thin hard drive ala iPod, we'd be all set or use OLED instead. Still, overall its very tempting.
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Looks good.
07/18, 06:08pm reply
I've been extremely happy with my Clié NR70V. This looks like a decent step up. I'd have wished for a bit more RAM. 16 just does NOT cut it. 32 is okay, but 64 would offer reasonable room for growth.
As for having a built-it phone?
Well, if there were a decent unit with long battery life available, it might be an option. But, I prefer using a cheapie phone as a companion to my Clié. I can lookup my calendar or phone numbers or write notes or add numbers while I talk.Try THAT juggling act with one device.
If only there were more than 3 phones with Bluetooth where phone and PDA could be Sync-ed. And it actually worked.
Also, I like wandering around without lugging every piece of electronic gear with me. A small phone is perfect for those times. Sometimes it's nice to just shut the thing OFF!
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yes!
07/18, 07:23pm reply
every clie I have owned is fantastic. no problems at all. This looks like just the device to replace my aging NR70, I simply cannot wait to go purchase one and surf my work's wireless network. These things work great with VPN too if my older clie is any indication.
i'm just glad that sony is filling the void apple left when they discontinued the newton.
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Bluetooth IP?
07/18, 07:35pm reply
Can I connect to the internet over bluetooth through my SonyEricsson T68i with T-Mobile and use GPRS on the phone? I do that with my iBook, but this would be a lot cooler to always be able to log in and fix stuff when I am out and about without lugging the iBook around.
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headset
07/18, 09:57pm reply
All they had to do was put a headset adaptor and viola! Cell-phone. That way I wouldn't have to log-around a phone and a PDA. The latest Newtons did that, it phoned, faxed, and emailed.
Damn you Steve… :-P
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Two words....
07/18, 10:21pm reply
No Mac support.
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Re: Two words....
07/19, 12:31am reply
uhm, thats three words
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I know...
07/19, 09:21am reply
...but does it matter.
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Re: I know...
07/19, 01:10pm reply
What, the fact that it was three words, or that it has no Mac support?
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