Sony Releases Details on U.S. Version of New Clié

Posted By: Ed Sunday, April 29, 2001 10:45:13 PM

Though there hasn't been an official announcement yet, Sony has posted the full details on a U.S. version of the new color Clié on its SonyStyle website. Named the PEG-N710C, it is essentially the PEG-N700C except with an English version of the Palm OS. It has a front lighted, reflective TFT color screen at 320x320 resolution and a Jog Dial. It has 8 MB of memory and comes with an 8 MB Memory Stick. It will cost $500 and will be available May 28.

To many, the N710C's most interesting feature is its built-in audio player. According to Sony, it is compatible with both MP3 and ATRAC3 audio formats and comes with headphones and a remote control. Of course, it plays audio files stored on Memory Sticks. It offers up to 11 hours of continuous audio playback with a fully charged lithium polymer battery (with LCD turned off). OpenMG Jukebox is supplied to manage digital audio content on the PC. Sony also mentions that it comes with free music from Columbia Records, though they don't give any details.

Audio isn't all that Sony wants this handheld to be known for; they also want to show off its screen. It comes with PictureGear Pocket to view high-resolution digital images and gMovie for video clips.

Sony's site leaves off several important details. However, if the N710C is same as its Japanese counterpart, which seems logical, it is 4.67 x 2.80 x .66 inches and weighs 5.64 ozs. It has the fastest Palm processor currently available, the 33MHz Dragonball VZ, and runs Palm OS 3.5. Sony estimates its battery will last for 15 days of regular use.

It certainly uses a USB HotSync cradle and can sync with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Organizer.

Finally, the N710C comes with a protective cover, a portable AC adapter, and some free entertainment software, though they don't specify what.

Peripherals
The SonyStyle site also has an overview of some extras for the N710C. The offer a spare USB cradle for $60 and a serial version for the same price, too. They also have a travel kit made up of a HotSync cable and an AC adapter, again for $60. They offer three replacement styli for $13.

Of course, they have Memory Sticks, too. The 8 MB version is $30, the 16 MB is $50, the 32 MB is $80, and the 64 MB is $140.

Related Articles:

On the Web: Thanks to GG, Lawrence Kwan, Joe Horton, Mike Cane, ctrs, and everyone else who helped. -Ed

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Sony Clie

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2001 11:04:48 PM #
The new Sony will be avialable on 5/28/01. If you add it to your wishlist it says product avialable on that date.
Any opinions on which is better, M505 or the new Clie?

RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2001 11:09:45 PM #
Kinda depends on opinion of what is important to you....for me form factor is important and then I can add-on accessories from there. However, w/ questions about the m505...might be a good idea to buy the palm from a retailer w/ a good return policy so that once the Sony comes out that you can return the palm if you are not happy and pick up the Sony until w/ no PDA downtime. That way you can demo both and then make a decision.

RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 12:46:14 AM #
well, m505 is still MIA everythere.....

Hope N710 can keep its promise...

RE: M50x brings nothing new
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 4:02:28 AM #
In compare with Clie, M50x bring nothing new.

Clie has:
- ATRAC encoder (like MP3 player)
- remote control
- 320x320 double pixeling screen which really looks bloody cool
- headset included ;)
- much better design
- jogdial button
- 8MB Memorystick included
- LiOn Polymer Stamina battery pack

M505 has only:
- new design (Sony's better)
- color LCD (Sony has it too)
- SD slot (Sony has MStick slot)

RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 4:32:28 AM #
God, I hate biased and uninformed comparisons/reviews!!! Some of the things you missed (intentionally left out):

Palm m505 is much lighter and thinner
Palm m505 has two built-in alarms: LED and vibrating
There's a stowaway keyboard for m505
SD cards are more standard and have more industry support than MemoryStick
Palm doesn't need 3rd party developers to implement working 'auto-mover' functionality like Sony does
Palm will actually provide decent support unlike Sony (at least in U.S.)

This isn't to say that the Clie2 sucks, actually it's pretty cool, but don't spread lies like 'm50x brings nothing new'

RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 9:25:54 AM #
The Stowaway Keyboard for the Clie will be released in June...

RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 9:32:40 AM #
Hmm... interesting news.

Seems to me that the logical question is whether the M505 will come with a 320x320 resolution display or the old specs. If the latter, the Sony would have quite a strong advantage.

RE: Sony Clie still on the top
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 9:57:27 AM #
- doesn't care MS or SD, most of users will use this slot only for one card - memory card

- sorry I forgot about vibrating

That's really all. Clie is still most featured device on the market. 320x320 doublepixeling really rockz, see pictures on the provided URLs.

http://www.spug.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=10025

RE: Sony Clie
Ed @ 4/30/2001 10:02:13 AM #
> Seems to me that the logical question is whether the M505 will
> come with a 320x320 resolution display or the old specs

I'm sorry but the m505 will not come with a 320x320 screen. Everyone who has had the rare opportunity to hold one can confirm this. The m505 has the standard Palm 160x160 screen. I wanted to squash a possible rumor before it got started.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: Sony Clie - Great stuff/ High price too
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 7:28:18 PM #
I am an asian, and I ve already used the Japanese version of N700C. The text is great. and the cradle included a modem function.

But the price US$500 is too much. Since Japan version only about US$450.



RE: Sony Clie
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/1/2001 1:54:59 AM #
Just to add that the US N710C will come with a 8M memory stick while the one in Japan does not.

can mac's play?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2001 11:41:26 PM #
i'm both mac and pc, can the new clie work on a mac?


RE: can mac's play?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 12:22:15 AM #
Yes, I believe that there's a program that will allow the clie to USB sych with a MAC

RE: can mac's play?
Ed @ 4/30/2001 12:29:23 AM #
Back in January, Mark/Space released the Clié Mac Pack that allows users to Hotsync their Sony handheld with any USB equipped Mac using the USB cradle or cable that came with the Clié. It handles file installation, too. It costs $30.

It was written for the first generation of the Clié. I don't know if it will work with the new one.

http://www.markspace.com/cliemacpack.html

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: can mac's play?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 8:52:32 AM #
Sony now links directly to the handago puchase site for mark/space mac pac. More or less an endorsement of the software in my opinion.

http://sonystyle.com/sonystyle/4784/7952/7851/8984.support.default.html#

Then click "download"

RE: can mac's play?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 8:56:08 AM #
If your Mac is equipped with IrDa port, (PB, iMac first version...), syncronization can be done via that, of course, much slower.

Who has the better screen???????

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2001 11:39:56 PM #
Is the resolution of the Handera actually better than the new Sony color screen? How about the 500 series!If the screen of the 330 is that much better than a color, one should buy the Handera. There are advantages to a smaller unit; nevertheless, the screen IS also smaller. Tough choice. Someone needs to compare the quality of the screens and size of the screen in the devices.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 12:13:14 AM #
Comparison: Prism vs. m505 vs. Clie

http://www.zdnet.co.jp/mobile/palm/sp/0104m500/0204.html

Comparison: Prism vs. Clie

http://www.spug.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=10025

Hope this helps.

As you can see: The Prism is brighter than the Clie and the m505. The m505 is the dimmest. But in the outdoors comparison, the Prism is completely dark, wile both the Clie and the m505 are still readable. The Clie's increase resolution is evident when compared to the Prism, and those "grid-lines" are gone from the clie's screen while you can clearly see the Prism's grid-lines.

In my option, the Clie has the best mixed of the color screens.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 12:54:17 AM #
Does it has a real speaker?
Can program run from the memory stick like the SD card?

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 1:59:39 AM #
I thought that we were talking about the screen, but if you must know...to the best of my knowledge:

1. No, it does not have a speaker, but it does have an earphone jack with earphones included!

2. I'm not sure that you are aware that the m500 and m505 can't really run programs "directly" off the SD card. The Palm OS 4.0 automatically copy the program to the internal RAM and launch it so that programs appeard to run directly off the card. The Sony can do the same thing also using their MS-gate program.

Theorically, if you upgrade the Clie's OS to the Palm 4.0 OS...you may be able to us the memory stick card like an SD card.

Hope this helps.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 2:10:33 AM #
Thanks for the info

by the way, does the memory stick runs fast than the current SD card?

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 9:50:41 AM #
Don't go into the middle of a long thread about the screen to ask a question on the MemStick. If you want to talk about something different, create your own thread. Its like shoving into the middle of a conversation and asking a totally unrelated question. In the real world or virtual, its still rude.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 9:56:41 AM #
I've read some stuff that says the Clie's screen may be more than the rest of it can handle. It has a poor battery life and switching applications can take 5-10 seconds while it redraws. I don't know this for sure, just what I've read. Anyone got a Japanese version and can confirm or deny?

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 11:18:42 AM #
I've already seen (and held) a IIIc, a Prism and a colored CLIE. Guess what -- CLIE really has the best resolution. I've seen ZAP2000 run on all models and CLIE has the best rendered image. You can even see ZAP2000's background (black space with stars, planets and galaxies all over the screen)! Bet you did not notice that on your PDA.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 11:23:53 AM #
Yes, I think that was the original complaint that the Clie was slightly slower (I don't think 5-10 sec.) when the unit is in high resolution mode. However, I think that Sony later released a patch that overclocks the units so that the high res. is now at an acceptable speed.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 1:46:16 PM #
hey how many color does the clie N710c has?
thanks

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 2:14:36 PM #

It runs in 8bit (256 colors)

Prism and M505 run in 16bit (65000) colors

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 2:46:36 PM #

From the pictures on SPUG, I can't really make out which one would be better. the Clie isdefinately dimmer than the Prism, while it has a higher resolution it still only has 256 colors compared to 65000.

Which makes me wonder...

Why hasn't any manufacturers combined a high res with the 16bit color depth that Palm now supports.

Prism has 65000 colors at 160X160
Clie has 256 colors at 320X320

Kind of like sticking a really powerful engine in a car but driving it on bycycle tires....



RE: Who has the better screen???????
GregGaub @ 4/30/2001 3:23:33 PM #
Because the 33mhx processor can't handle 16 bit color AND high res. People have already said that it runs a little slow at that resolution with just 8 bit color. I think next year, when we're talking about ARM processors, we'll also be talking about high-res screens with 32bit color and all the other bells-n-whistles PPC users have been braggin about.
Would you want to wait for 30 seconds for a program to run just for the extra colors? Would you want to SEE the screen draw in on most apps, just for the extra colors? I didn't think so. ;-)

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 4:59:10 PM #
oh, 256 color, forget about sony. I don't care how good the resolution is but with the 256 color, pictures, video, and games will suck so bad. I pass, at least my m505 will fit into my pocket comfortably.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 6:05:22 PM #
That's a funny comment about the 16-bit vs. 8-bit color, considering that most programs out there are written in 8-bit color. There are still very few programs that utilize 16-bit.

The Prism was the only PDA out with 16-bit color (the m505 will be the next), so unless you own a prism...do you really know what you are talking about?

Kinda makes your comment a little defensive, don't you think? Afraid that you beloved palm will get up-staged?

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 7:19:53 PM #
...unless your showing off your kids pictures.

"what's with all the color bands on your boys head?"

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 7:26:42 PM #
I owned a IIIc and a Kodak palmpix, pictures that took from the palmpix don't look good at all on IIIc and I don't think high-res will help.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 7:29:36 PM #
.....by the way just for your info palm IIIc has the same number of color as the Sony. Thumbs down

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 8:49:41 PM #
Keep in mind that the palmpix is not a very good camera. Don't blame the IIIc completely...

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 10:14:22 PM #
>...unless your showing off your kids pictures.

>"what's with all the color bands on your boys head?"

How about: "what's with all the black gaps...grid-lines in the picture" or how about "is that a picture of your son in the distant? I couldn't tell because the picture is too blocky on the IIIc."

There is no way that increased in color would make a picture look better than increase in resolution. I would rather have a black and white picture that is x4's sharper or a color picture with noticeable pixels and grid-lines between the pixels?


RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 10:23:31 PM #
Oops , maybe I should've said Prism or the m505 instead to the IIIc in the post above.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/30/2001 10:40:38 PM #
"I would rather have a black and white picture that is x4's sharper or a color picture with noticeable pixels and grid-lines between the pixels?"

what do you own now? Handera 330 probably the best choice for you then. Sony is just too slow to run with the 320 by 320 res, unless you want to wait 2-3 sec b/w programs. Also switching b/w 160 X 160 program and 320 X 320 is taking time too.


RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/1/2001 12:07:37 AM #
What I was trying to imply was that resolution is more important than color depth in overall quality of a picture. Sorry, if my early comment seemed confusing.

Second, I don't really think that the Clie is THAT slow, earlier reports did complain about the speed of the Clie in high res. mode, but Sony has come out with a patch to overclock the processor.

I think I have read that the Clie without any overclocking had a benchmark of 139%, that's about the speed of a visor deluxe. With the overclocking patch in place, users with the Japanese version of the Clie find the speed of the Clie acceptable.

I have also received an email that came with the current version of Afterburner 3.0u that Daniel Wee may work on compatibility of the AB with the Clie once the Clie goes on the market so he can get one.

All that said, the speed of the unit DOES worry me. I'm hoping that there aren't any noticeable lag, especially in text reading.

RE: Who has the better screen???????
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/1/2001 1:01:13 AM #
Does anyone knows what happen to the screen when running 160 x 160 program on it? I read somewhere about switching back and forward..Can anyone who actually own a clie explain this a little better. Thanks

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