Sony Announces PEG-T650C in Japan

Posted By: Ryan Wednesday, May 29, 2002 9:26:47 AM

Sony Japan has announced the Clie PEG-T650C. The T650C is essentially an updated version of the T600C and includes an MP3/ATRAC3 player. It uses a slightly improved screen but does not have virtual Graffiti and sports the 66 Mhz Dragonball SuperVZ processor.

T650C is quite similar to the T600C/T615C/T625C. Its casing is the same size, it uses the same buttons, has the same HotSync connector, etc.

The T650C uses the same screen type as the NR series, though it isn't the same size. This means it is better at displaying colors than the T615C is.

According to sources, this handheld will be available in Japan around June 8. There is no word yet on when or if it will be available anywhere else. This isn't unusual as Sony almost always introduces its handhelds in its home country first. We can reasonably assume that it will replace the T615C/T625C models available in other countries.

It costs about 39,800 Yen, which is about $320 US. However, this probably won't be the cost when it is introduced in the United States. For example, the NR70 sells for 49,800 Yen, or $385. In the U.S. it costs $500.

A new accessory (PEGA-KB20), a QWERTY T-Series mini keyboard was also announced. More pictures and a review in Japanese can be found here.

Thanks to the many people that sent in tips, of which Eugene was the first -Ryan

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Wireless

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:10:43 AM #
this is cool, a small form factor plus mp3 player, but im waiting until sony can include 802.11x inside their pda, then ill buy one.
Am waiting for integrated Bluetooth
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 11:28:35 AM #
...before i buy one.
RE: Wireless
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 12:12:43 PM #
integrated Bluetooth is more pratical than
802.11b.

I think when OS5 device shipped, some companies will
have BT built in.

ted

RE: Wireless
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 4:26:00 PM #
"Integrated Bluetooth is more pratical than
802.11b."

Matter of opinion....I have 802.11b at home and would prefer this over Bluetooth......

RE: Wireless
TypeMRT @ 5/29/2002 5:04:18 PM #
"Matter of opinion....I have 802.11b at home and would prefer this over Bluetooth......"

until battery life drops by at least 20-30% (my guess based on power needed for 802.11b vs. BT)

RE: wireless
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 2:07:29 AM #
"until battery life drops by at least 20-30% (my guess based on power needed for 802.11b vs. BT)"

until your clie is out of range by 100-200% (my guess based on range limitations of BT vs 802.11b)

RE: Wireless
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 2:50:13 AM #
Its all in how you use it... when will people figure out that Bluetooth and 802.11b arent competitors...

802.11b is for wireless Local Area networks... and it works great... its higher power, but faster and longer ranged. If your connecting to an existing wireless network 802.11b is probably the way to go.

Bluetooth is for wireless personal networks... linking your phone to a headset, or your pda to your phone... its limited to 30ft range but its cheap to make (once it gets going) low power and designed to not only link to a network but link to alot of non computing devices like headsets and such.

So if your at home or work and need access to your network... then 802.11 fits the bill... if your on the road and need connectivity to the internet then bluetooths the tool for the job.

Virtual Graffiti?

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:17:13 AM #
I love the T-series form factor but rather have virtual graffiti then MP3.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:21:17 AM #
WHY?

do your ipaq sporting friends tease palms?
to run the massive amounts of applications (10?) that support it?

get real.

a 320x320 screen, integrated memory card reader and MP3 in such a small package walks on basically every other competing device, with possible exception to the casios.

if grafiti goes, put a keyboard in. the screen's fine.

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
BiffK @ 5/29/2002 10:22:02 AM #
Yes, me too. I was really anticipating this one. I keep putting off buying a new Clie (I've got a S320 which works well, but is far from cool.)

The rumors about this one really intrigued me. MP3 is cool, but I know I wouldn't use it beyond it's gadget function. I am really impressed though by ActionNames and WordSmith with the NR70's Virtual Graffiti. I was really hoping this one would have that. (I'm not terribly fond of the clamshell design.)

Well... maybe the next one... (Though by that time I will probably have broken down and bought this one...)


-Biff K

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
BiffK @ 5/29/2002 10:25:49 AM #
Woah!

Sorry for the multiple posts, but me and the last guy must have posted at just about the same time (wasn't there when I first looked.)

Kind of a harsh reaction to dashed hopes! Yes there are few (but growing) number of applications that use it but:

You get a keyboard that does not have to be taped on (IE Fitaly Stamp) and does not take up space on the screen.

You get a (small but handy) feature where a shadow of your line is drawn when you write graffiti (makes your graffiti more accurate.)

Have you actually SEEN WordSmith, ActionNames or any other of the "10 applications" that support it actually on the NR70 screen? I don't have one, but I spent an hour annoying sales folk at CompUSA while I loaded WordSmith and ActionNames to see how much more scree real-estate you get... you get ALOT of screen real-estate. You can just about fit a whole page of a book in the WordSmith doc reader page, this is far better for e-book viewing.

You can see the graffiti area at NIGHT. I got the lighted stylus for this on my good old S320 and would much rather it were backlit.

You can add a skin to it to make your palm look "cooler."

It looks really "cool!" And if all you wanted was function, you could get by with a M100.

Cheers!



-Biff K

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:56:14 AM #
>"get real."

C'mon. You have to admit that what Sony is doing is a little crazy these days. They have introduced two non-standard video formats, and are not favoring one over the other. That's great for innovation, but the problem is that there is now a slight problem developing software for these new formats -- and software is the chief advantage of the Palm OS. With Sony's new formats, the already existing formats of 240x320 and 160x160, and the upcoming OS5 format, whatever that is, there is bound to be a lot of 1) market confusion and 2) lack of compatibility. Niether is good for Palm, nor good for Sony in the long run. I won't buy a Sony if there's not going to be software that takes advantage of the new screens, and if the existing software has problems running on it.

Ultimately, I agree that a soft graffiti area is better. Let's face it more display is better whenever you have an application running I wish Sony would stand firmly behind that hi-res standard and push it with all their corporate might, so that it becomes the de facto standard for OS5 units.

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 11:39:37 AM #
For those who are concerned about NRseries compatibility and updated software, I'd suggest you check out my posts in the Files section of the Clie_Users_Group and nXtClieClub at YahooGroups. The following companies have already committed to making their screens compatible:

Astraware, StandAlone, Datebk5 (as long as he doesn't run into any unforeseen problems), SplashData (they all use SONY's!), DDH Software, MobiPocket, HandsHigh... not to mention excellent apps that already support it like McFile, AcidImage, and iSilo.

I wouldn't worry too much about NR series support. From the responses I got when I inquired with the developers of my favorite apps, many of them are switching to the SONY platform anyway! I think SONY support is only going to continue to grow... I could be biased though -)

Josh

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 11:45:49 AM #
Sorry, above post should have said to check out my posts in the "messages" section!
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 12:14:29 PM #
Why the hell didn't Sony use the screen with virtual graffiti? With that. this device would have been awsome- AWESOME! I was looking forward to the features you get with virtual graffiti eg full screen apps display, keyboard function, and best of all customizable skins!!
They should have followed through on this. Now I may just decide to wait and not buy this.

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 12:19:22 PM #
>> and software is the chief advantage of the Palm OS.

This is true before Sony.

But it is not true anymore.
Sony's screen is the best. And its form factor and
its features is the best too.

Don't worry about the software, they will come.

Sony is doing all the right things so far for Palm
platform.

ted

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
dmunz @ 5/29/2002 12:25:04 PM #
Virtual Graffiti => lighted, use in the dark.

nuff said

DLM

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
Altema @ 5/29/2002 12:48:06 PM #
"Virtual Graffiti => lighted, use in the dark."

M505 had a lit graffiti area (non-virtual of course) but no one seemed to notice.

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 2:08:57 PM #
>>M505 had a lit graffiti area (non-virtual of course) but no one seemed to notice.<<

Well, the backlight was so dim it was hard to tell it even WAS lit.

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
dmunz @ 5/29/2002 4:35:19 PM #
>>M505 had a lit graffiti area (non-virtual of course) but no one seemed to notice.<<

Actually, I did. That was my only regret about going from the m505 to the T615C. I noticed it right away. In total darkness, I could used my m505, I don't have that option with the Sony T615C. Oh well. I'm holding out for the OS5 units anway.

FWIW

DLM


RE: Virtual Graffiti? going separate ways =band for palm OS
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 7:53:29 PM #
it does seem that sony is going crazy and palm is going the other way. both arent united in one path making it confusing for developers and consumers.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:59:01 PM #
>>They have introduced two non-standard video formats, and are not favoring one over the other.

Honestly. Do any of the people who post stuff like this actually READ what sites like PIC have said on this subject? These are not two seperate and incompatible formats - they use the same API!! In other words - 320 x 320 Sony compatible software will work fine in 320 x 320 on the NR series - it just leaves the grafitti area in place. They use the same API, it's just that virtual graffiti is a seperate API issue. If i am writting software that can take advantage of virtual grafitti, i have my code check to see if the device it is running on supports this feature, and if it does then i can use the above mentioned API (or any of the native Palm OS UI APIs) to make use of the extra space, by extending the 'y' values beyond 320. It is a bit of a pain in the ass to have to do extra code to support the new feature - but the great thing about Palm OS is that if i decide its not worth it - then it will still run fine on the device (in this case sony) but without the feature. Whats the problem? Why are you b*tching? If you don't want one - don't get one. Its not as if developers headaches about supporting this feature are going to effect applications on devices that don't have this feature. So don't get one. Why troll around complaining loudly about how "Sony is evil cause they hack the OS! Blah, blah blah....."? Dont you have anything better to do?

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 5:45:30 AM #
the m515 grafitti area is slightly illuminated due to some light escaping from the top (right side has a LED too). Even with the PDA turned off, I can still see the grafitti outline in total darkness. It glows sligtly. The T615 does not even with the brightness turned to highest. I own both, I prefer the m515 for extendad day usage because I can use it under the sunlight and its longer battery life. I only uses the T615 in the house when I am reading an e-book or something.
RE: Virtual Graffiti?
cykalan @ 5/30/2002 6:24:06 AM #
if the t650 screen is exactly same as NR70, it would also be completely viewable under sunlight w/o backlight.

"The T615 does not even with the brightness turned to highest. I own both, I prefer the m515 for extendad
day usage because I can use it under the sunlight"

Alan
----
Read your manuals before you ask!!

RE: Virtual Graffiti?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/31/2002 8:29:31 AM #
I think it was kinda silly of them to put the MP3 player and not the Virtual Graffitti in the T650 when there was a separate accessory for the MP3 feature already. 'Nuff said.

Did you people notice this ?.

cyjackal @ 5/29/2002 10:19:15 AM #
Was wondering wheather you people noticed the "smaller" graffiti box on the clie t650 compared to that of the t615, might b due to the new button functions allocated on the left side of the graffiti box. Mmm, can anyone tell me what it is for ?....


when you guys check out the pics of the t650 on the site, did you notice the "smaller" graffiti box on the clie compared to that of the t615, might b due to the new button functions allocated on the left side of the graffiti box.

RE: Did you people notice this ?.
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:25:29 AM #
That is a "standard" japanese graffiti area. The US version will look normal.
RE: Did you people notice this ?.
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:26:14 AM #
I think you are refering to the width of the graffiti area.....on the Japanese Clie's there are additional silkscreen buttons....therefore reducing the size slightly.

''Slightly Improved Screen''?

big_raji @ 5/29/2002 10:30:42 AM #
First off, let me say that I've NEVER seen a T615 screen in person. I've also never seen a NR70 powered on, since it wasn't charged in the store. (I'm in Canada)

I've heard all the stories about how the T615 screen washes out the color, has a yellow vertical band, etc, etc.

I've then heard all the stories about how the NR70 screen has the best screen since the n610/n760 screen, and is greatly improved over the T615.

Then, I've heard the story that the T650 will have the same screen type as the NR70. If this is true, why is it only described as a "Slightly Improved Screen"?

---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:47:00 AM #
I saw the NR70 at Future shop. It's really amazing, each half is very thin and the keyboard gives you a satisfyng click.. but for $1000 CDN it's a total rip off. It's either a uber PDA or a crappy laptop... and the distinction is hard to make. I'm going with my Fido p280+Treo 90 and the upcoming Apple 10GB hard drive digital camera/MP3 player...
RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 11:21:59 AM #
I have both the T615 and the newer NR70. The T615 isn't horrible although the accusations have some truth to them.

The NR screen is great and is better than the T615.

I think people would give the T650 screen better grades if it was also larger, but people are confusing the issue of screen size and the issue color quality into the same disucssion.

RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 7:56:27 AM #
If your in Canada and want an NR series - and you don't need the camera - do yourself a favour and order it from ecost and it will cost you for a NR70 about $860 - taxes and shipped to your door. I have had mine for almost a month and love it. I had a 615c for 2 months, sold it and have never been happier. I in my no tech assesment find the battery life far better than the 615c (wonder how the 650 battery life will be).

email me at cndamann@hotmail.com if you have any questions about ordering the NR70 into Canada (the only model available in Canada is the 70v for some unknown reason).

RE: ''Slightly Improved Screen''?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/31/2002 11:51:42 AM #
That's because Palminfocenter always hesitate to give SONY CLIE a full credit it deserve. They did this before when they reviewing T615c's battery,SONY BC-10 battery adapter..etc.. Don't be surprised about what they did because you can tell why from its name, they are "Palm" Infocenter.

needs thumboard

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:37:54 AM #
I would have been interested if it had the keyboard from the NR70.. but it's moot because the PEG-T6xx is not sold here in Canada...
RE: needs thumboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 8:35:10 AM #
Uh...if you want a keyboard so bad, then buy the NR70 series...that's what it's there for.

Idiot

Worst Battery Life Ever?

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 10:49:15 AM #
Does this thing have the same dimensions as the T615? It seems that they have added a number of power guzzling features (including the improved screen). If it's the same size, I am afraid the battery life of this thing will be about a half hour of continual use.


RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 11:45:45 AM #
With screen's backlight on, only one and a half hours mp3 playback with screen turned off, only 4 and a half hours mp3 play backfor normal pim usage, sony claims the battery will support 10 days, that is, less than 5 hours continuous usage according to their equation. What an awful battery life, i mean, awfully BAD!
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/29/2002 2:17:00 PM #
The sad thing, people will still buy it, so little encouragement for Sony to improve. I for one am hanging onto my 710C until I see a similar unit with battery life that's at least close!
RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
mashoutposse @ 5/30/2002 1:20:24 AM #
Considering the fact that the NR70 is powering a much larger screen and a 2x faster processor, 'only' a 25% decrease in battery life is more than acceptable.

Even the m515 suffers from average battery life. And an NR70 in a T615C shell will set records for poor battery life, since Sony will have to go with an even smaller battery.

Battery technology is moving pretty slowly compared to the technology of the devices that they are supposed to power -- you can rest assured that what's in your NR is the best battery solution that Sony could feasibly implement. They want to make the ultimate PDA as much as you want to buy one, maybe even moreso.

Future Palms will have even worse battery life - that much is certain. Just look at PPCs. Or do you think that the battery makers aren't supplying PPCs with their best technology because they hate Microsoft? Or maybe the PPC OS somehow makes the hardware draw 50% more power?

There is no magic battery solution that will make your 3.8" color screen, 66Mhz PDA last as long as your old 2.2" monochrome 16Mhz Palm V. Sorry to say.

RE: Worst Battery Life Ever?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/30/2002 8:54:00 AM #
>" Or maybe the PPC OS somehow makes the hardware draw 50% more power?"<

Actually, because of all the bloat and overhead of the PPC OS, that is exactly the case.

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