Quickies: S Series, NR70, Tipsheet, Tube Guide, Woman

Posted By: As Listed Friday, September 6, 2002 8:58:30 AM

The Sony SL10, SJ20 and SJ30 are now available in Canada at SonyStyle.ca. They are retailing for $230 CDN, $300 CDN, and $500 CDN respectively. -Anon

The NR70V is now listed privately in the Best Buy database as being on clearance. This is just one of several indications lately that this product is close to being discontinued. Update: This report is incorrect; it is actually the NR70 that is listed as being on clearance, not the version with the built-in camera. -Anon

The September Palm Tipsheet is now online. Guest writer Bill Shadish explains VFS and why it's important to Palm users. In the Tipsheet Interview, Palm user James Seah shares his experiences using a venerable Palm IIIxe in Singapore. -Mike Rohde

Westering has released the London Tube Guide, which includes an interactive map, station finder, tourist landmarks, route finder, and much more. The company is offering a 20% discount before September 20. Use discount code "X251BDDF" when making a purchase. -PR

Version 5.0 of the ovulation calendar and natural family planning application Woman is out from Beiks. -PR

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Sony OS5's on the way

sandbuck @ 9/6/2002 9:15:27 AM #
I heard somewheere (maybe here) that Sony's high-end OS5 units will have the virtual graffiti, but the clamshell will not return.
Can't wait.
speed-angel @ 9/6/2002 9:20:58 AM #
I am actually looking for a PDA similar to T655 but with greater (comparatively) life, virtual graffiti and bluetooth. If they can manage to get the NR70V down to something similar I would be very glad to buy one.

RE: Sony OS5's on the way
Ed @ 9/6/2002 9:28:20 AM #
Sandbuck, you are probably thinking of the rumors of the NR90 that surfaced a few weeks ago:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4070
According to the Hong Kong Palm Users Group, the NR90 will be similar to the T665C but with virtual Graffiti. However, this source says the NR90 will use Palm OS 4.1.

Julie from the Gadgeteer says she was told that Sony would be putting out a clamshell version for its OS 5 device but that rumor is a bit suspect because it said this device will run a StrongARM chip, and Intel's StrongARM family isn't part of the Palm OS Ready Program, only its XScale family.
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3967

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News Editor

RE: Sony OS5's on the way
epall @ 9/6/2002 11:26:57 AM #
I'm with speed-angel but I want built-in bluetooth too.

RE: Sony OS5's on the way
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 5:32:05 PM #
I'm looking forward to Sony producing a unit which lives up to its hype. A little innovation wouldn't hurt either.

IT's A PHONEY.

3 Months Warranty for Canadians

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 10:07:06 AM #
Sony is offering a 3 MONTH warranty for their new handhelds. Isn't this ridiculous? Even their cheapo walkman at the local store have a longer warranty period than this..ridiculous
RE: 3 Months Warranty for Canadians
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 10:26:23 AM #
If you bothered to read the materials in the box, you'd know that you get an additional 9 months (totaling 1 year) after you register.
RE: 3 Months Warranty for Canadians
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 10:28:42 AM #
3 month out of the box, additional 9 months (total 1 year) after registeration. That is the policy for Sony worldwise, even in Japan.
RE: 3 Months Warranty for Canadians
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 5:08:38 PM #
How can I bother to read the material in the box when I haven't even purchased the unit? I am sure that the 3 months stipulation on their web site scared off other buyers.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 10:51:53 AM #
Let's see, wasn't it about 3 or 4 months ago, ok maybe 5 months ago that many were waiting for the NR70V to appear, and now it's going, going, gone! By the way Sony, I'm waiting for the PlayStation 3, why can't you do to the PS3 what you do to your handhelds?
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 11:05:03 AM #
haha
Every 2 weeks a new Sony handheld comes out.
Its funny.
Same handheld, different casing/model name.
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 11:41:21 AM #
haha
Every 2 weeks a new Intel/AMD processor comes out.
Its fnuny.
Same processor, different name & speed.

haha
Every 3 weeks a new Dell/HP computer comes out.
It fnuny.
Same computer, different processor & harddisk space.


RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 2:01:17 PM #
No... Moore's Law states that processor speed doubles every 18 months. That's the general life of a computer. Sony just doesn't understand crap. They cater to rich fools.
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 2:57:28 PM #
What does Moore's Law has to do with this? Intel doesn't release processor every 18 months that double its previous release. It releases in small increment.

PDA also has a processor inside, hello.

If you wish, you can have an "I.M. Anonymous" law that state PDA processor speed double every 18 months, or PDA OS makes new version every 2 years. It has nothing to do with Sony releases PDA frequently, or Palm releases PDA infrequently.

>Sony just doesn't understand crap
You just don't understand, do you?

RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 5:16:58 PM #
Not exactly true. The time it takes to release the PS2 to the PS3 will be about 36 to 42 months!
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 2:09:38 AM #
You can't compare ps2 to a computer or a clie. Just doesn't make sense!
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2002 10:16:36 AM #
Why not? One of the posters on this thread said that computers and handhelds use processors, and so does the PS2. I mean isn't a PS2, Xbox and Gamecube a computer with different dedicated capabilities?
RE: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
mashoutposse @ 9/9/2002 3:01:27 PM #
The allure of console gaming is the standardized structure of the platforms. You don't need to upgrade your PS2 that you bought in 2000 to play a new game that came out in 2003.

Westering doesn't seem to exist

fitzer @ 9/6/2002 11:10:51 AM #
The London Tube link isn't working, could whoever submitted it please double check and re-post

London Tube Guide - also available from www.handango.com
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 12:27:34 PM #
Sincere apologies for this. Our web hosting company has chosen today (of all days) to go on the blink.

The site should be working again very soon, but in the meantime you can purchase the application at http://www.handango.com , using the same discount code.

Westering

RE: Westering doesn't seem to exist
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 9:41:12 PM #
Yeah me too!
RE: Westering doesn't seem to exist
Ed @ 9/8/2002 10:46:32 AM #
Westering's site is up and running now.

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News Editor

What's with the pop-ups?

Beavis @ 9/6/2002 12:23:09 PM #
Has PIC started using pop-up advertising? That sucks. I never buy from an advertiser that puts their ads in my face like that. Pop-Ups and Pop-unders are really annoying.

RE: What's with the pop-ups?
Boze @ 9/6/2002 12:36:49 PM #
Get Mozilla browser. You can end the pop-ups/unders forever.

====
Boze
====
RE: What's with the pop-ups?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 12:48:08 PM #
I agree. My favorite site on the web is now doing things that cause sites to not me my favorite ;-) BOO PIC.
RE: What's with the pop-ups?
Ed @ 9/6/2002 12:53:29 PM #
We didn't want to have to go to pop-under ads but we absolutely had to. Just running banner ads wasn't covering the costs of the site and advertisers pay more for pop unders. We understand that you might not be filled with joy but this is what we have to do to get enough money to keep the site running. The minute the advertising market improves to the point where pop unders aren't necessary, we'll stop using them.

Even if we stop, though, they are something I think you will have to get used to seeing on all types of sites. Recently I noticed the New York Times website uses pop-under ads.

You might also be interested in the conversation about this on our forums.
www.palminfocenter.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6534

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News Editor

RE: What's with the pop-ups?
iebnn @ 9/6/2002 4:16:31 PM #
Ed: How about those annoying ones that cover up part of the page, move around, then go away?

RE: What's with the pop-ups?
Ed @ 9/6/2002 4:36:16 PM #
It isn't up to me; it's Ryan's decision. But if we reach the point where the only other option is shut the site down, I think we should do whatever is necessary. Fortunately, it hasn't reached that point. And it won't if you do your part: click on the banner ads, buy things from sites that help support PIC, and don't install software that defeats the ads that pay for this site so you don't have to.

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News Editor
RE: What's with the pop-ups?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 6:20:12 PM #
How about this, Ed?! I've also seen sites doing this, and I think you should consider it. Can we pay like $20 a year or something to "subscribe" to the site and not get any crappy ads? ;-)
RE: What's with the pop-ups?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 8:33:49 PM #
Just turn off javascript. No more pop-ups or pop-unders, anywhere.
RE: What's with the pop-ups?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 12:53:17 PM #
Palm Freeware has seriously gone into pop-ups and I've stopped going there. They're everywhere though. If the Java thing works it's the way to go...

Clearance NR70V worth buying?

Ronin @ 9/6/2002 12:12:51 PM #
I am curious about this situation with the NR70v and have a question for current owners.

Assume for the moment that before the NR70v is discontinued altogether it can be purchased for $400 - $450US. Would it be worth it at this stage of the game with OS5 devices around the corner? For the purposes of this question, assume that bluetooth is unimportant to me.

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer but I have no experience with the NR70v but have heard various complaints/rumors about the hinge, the memory stick slot, hotsync issues and battery life. These are all factors to consider when buying any PDA let alone a discontinued (or soon to be) PDA from Sony especially with its notoriously bad customer service.

On that last comment, I own and have owned Sony products but I only buy things from them that are essentially 'disposable' electronics, in other words, electronic that are sufficiently cheap that if they break it would be more economical to simple replace it then to repair it. I have taken this position because I have personal experience with their poor customer service and I do not know a single person that has had a positive experience in dealing with Sony's customer service when a problem has cropped up. I add this explanation because I would like to try and keep any responses to this query away from allegations of Sony bashing, if at all possible.

In the Spirit of Umoja,
Ronin

RE: Clearance NR70V worth buying?
big_raji @ 9/6/2002 1:10:33 PM #
You may want to spring for the extra store warranty then. That way, when (notice I say WHEN and not IF) your NR70V breaks down within the 3 year period, you can trade up to an equivalent OS5 model.

I know that it's frowned upon to use the "Extra Warranty" as a trade-in program, but the NR70V is the only model that I think is guaranteed to break down, just because of all the moving parts involved.


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

RE: Clearance NR70V worth buying?
rldunn @ 9/6/2002 2:04:21 PM #
I've had an NR70V since June and I would recommend going for it. This is by far my favorite PDA I've ever owned. As for the complaints, my hinge is starting to get a bit sticky, but it isn't anything that affects use. The MS problem seems to have been taken care of on the NRs that were produced later. I've never heard of any hotsync issues with the NR. And battery life is sufficient for most, though this is so user-dependent. It has never been a problem for me in heavy use.

I love the screen!! I love the clamshell design since I don't have to worry about my screen getting damaged and the NR is thinner than any other handheld with a case. I really love the virtual graffiti area and all the apps that now support it. I use the keyboard a lot more than I thought I would. I love having the faster chip (though obviously the OS5 products will be even faster). And the camera is very handy in many situations where you wouldn't otherwise have a camera.

And that price is amazing!!

RE: Clearance NR70V worth buying?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 2:04:43 PM #
The big issue that OS 5 will resolve is the lame processing power available to the Palm world. I think the NR70V is being phased out because the nexgen will (should) have an ARM or another fast processor. This will provide a 3 fold increase (66mhz ? >175mhz) ? historically, nearly unprecedented. Why get stuck with an expensive toy when a real handheld computer is just around the corner?
RE: Clearance NR70V worth buying?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 4:04:29 PM #
I consider the NR70V to already BE a "real handheld computer." It's plenty sufficient for everything I need it to do, and more. I'm not looking for a laptop in my pocket, I want a PDA, and the NR-70V is the best PDA I've ever owned.

Also, I've never had the MS problem nor any other issues. Always worked perfectly, knock-on-wood. I have the extended warranty, but I figured when I bought a $600 machine, that would be wise. So IF the NR-70V breaks down, I'll just bring it back for whatever's available next.

Hurray for Women

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/6/2002 4:44:36 PM #
Give it a standing ovulation! ;-)

Tube Guide ?

PIC mobile user @ 9/9/2002 7:49:58 AM #
Metro is free... and better.
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