Sony Japan Debuts Two New Clies

Posted By: Ryan Tuesday, May 27, 2003 10:43:04 AM

UPDATED: Sony Japan has announced two new Clie handhelds, the NX80V and NX73V. The NX80V features a 1.3 Mega pixel camera with a Flash, Palm OS 5, 200mhz processor, 32MB of RAM, backlit keyboard and a CF card slot. The NX73V has similar features with a lower resolution camera.

Sony Clie NX80VBoth models share a 3.8 inch 320x480 high resolution display, with the Sony flip/twist design. The models also share a CF and Memory stick expansion slots, voice recorder, mp3 player and a backlit thumb keyboard.

The NX80V has a 1.3 Megapixel camera, while the NX73V includes a .3 MP camera. Both also have a flash and can record short video clips.

They both run Palm OS 5, on an Intel PXA263 processor running at 200MHz. Both models share the same dimensions of 71.9(W)×131.5(H)×21.8(D)mm. The NX73V weighs 230g, and the NX80V weighs 235g.

Sony rates the battery life at approximately 14 days, an improvement over the 10 day rating of the NX70V. Sony also claims 7 hours of music playback, over 4 hours for the NX70V.

Sony Clie NX80VThe new models include native support for the Sony Memory Stick pro format. There is also a CF slot which can be ?hidden? or retraced into the casing. Sony will also support using Compact Flash memory cards as well as the Wireless LAN card.

While the Japanese models do not include integrated Bluetooth, PDAFrance has confirmed that the European version of the NX73V will include Bluetooth. This raises the possibility that Bluetooth may be integrated for other markets.

The NX80V and NX73V will be available in Japan on June 28th and June 7th respectively. Final pricing has not been set but according to PCWeb the NX80V is expected to be around 60,000 Yen or roughly $510 USD.

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Shall we start taking bets?

shrike4242 @ 5/27/2003 11:30:04 AM #
Anyone want to start taking bets on when we'll see these units announced for the US?

With Sony no longer selling the NX60V and the NX70V reduced in price, this may be showing the new ones on the horizon.

If they could get the NZ90V down to a smaller form factor, and keep the Bluetooth on-board, then I think they have a winner with me. Maybe that's what the NX73V is.


RE: Shall we start taking bets?
orol @ 5/27/2003 11:33:08 AM #
european version of nx73 will have BT .. confirmed by sony europe ..

RE: Shall we start taking bets?
shrike4242 @ 5/27/2003 1:42:39 PM #
I'm wondering if the NX80 and the NX73 will have BT, or just the NX73V. And what the real differences between the two of them, except for the case color and camera resolution.

RE: Shall we start taking bets?
shrike4242 @ 5/27/2003 1:42:39 PM #
I'm wondering if the NX80 and the NX73 will have BT, or just the NX73V. And what the real differences between the two of them, except for the case color and camera resolution.

RE: Shall we start taking bets?
carioca76 @ 5/27/2003 2:00:49 PM #
The thing that caught my attention was the difference in ram.
& the fact that neither is anywhere near the tungsten.
bummer cause I really don't want a palm :)

RE: Shall we start taking bets?
Scott R @ 5/27/2003 3:18:56 PM #
As far as I was able to surmise, it looks like neither have Bluetooth.

http://goodthatway.com
Shall we start taking bets on when the *next* Clies...
RAMdŽd @ 5/28/2003 10:54:10 AM #
...will ship?

At least it's not like buying a computer that's superceded 9mo. later.

Sony may ship a new model once a week, but at least they're under $1000.

New and different models of Clies coming off the assembly line remind my of that Lucy episode with her and Ethyl working at the candy factory.

______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.

Cliesource has pictures of the NEW CLIE LINE!!
Fat_Man @ 5/28/2003 3:16:21 PM #
Hey check this out!!

If this is the new Clie form factor, it's pretty sweet!

Kinda like the first clam-shell clies form factor that was shown on PIC in feb. 2002.

Check out www.cliesource.com for the pictures

KAY

new buttons

rsc1000 @ 5/27/2003 11:32:43 AM #
cool - notice the little hardware app buttons at the top / bottom of the screen. this is a 1st for this formfactor i believe.

RE: new buttons
markgm @ 5/27/2003 11:37:27 AM #
I was just going to comment on the buttons...That is enough for me to upgrade from my nx70 (okay, that and I love new clie's!) It is nice to see that Sony does listen to customers.

RE: new buttons
Scott R @ 5/27/2003 3:23:45 PM #
Yeah, it looks like they've reversed the trend where each new Sony device had buttons worse than the last.

http://goodthatway.com

PXA263

thooeu @ 5/27/2003 11:43:50 AM #
I think this is the first PDA that uses the new Intel PXA263 processor that was announced last year. This chip combines the ARM core and 32-bit StrataFlash memory in one chip.

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-993891.html

If you read the spec carefully, you'll notice that Sony now quotes this to last 14 days as compared to 10 days of NX70V under the same condition. In addition, continuous music playback with backlight off lasts 7 hours (4 hours for NX70V) and 3.5 hours with backlight on (3 hours for NX70V).

RE: PXA263
OcellNuri @ 5/27/2003 2:29:56 PM #
Excellent point. I hadn't thought of that. That right there may be enough reason for some to upgrade from a current NX.

-------------------------
It's "Ocell" for short.
RE: PXA263
ray00pal @ 5/29/2003 12:28:04 AM #
This is why we should not buy this one because one month later, a 400Mhz version with 64Mb RAM and a removable battery might just show up! How about a battery in a format of CF card? won't it be cool?
I think we also need a steady-shot and 0 lux camra.

No CF tumour.

Fly-By-Night @ 5/27/2003 11:53:22 AM #
From this link (and from what they say on InfoSync), the CF slot now just folds out from beneath the body of the unit. Thus, shorter cards (eg memory) can be closed back into the Clie.

http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PEG/PEG-NX80V/Images/feat3_17_2.gif

FBN

-----
Ceci n'est pas une signature.

RE: No CF tumour.
JKingGrim @ 5/27/2003 12:09:27 PM #
THAT is prety cool. It supports memory CFs too? COOL. THIS is a nice model. If it used SD instead of MemStick, and had a D-pad in tablet AND clamshell modes, I wold get it. Take notes Palm.

RE: No CF tumour.
OcellNuri @ 5/27/2003 2:31:09 PM #
The slot will not be able to be folded back with a memory card in it though. If you look, you can see that a portion of the slot is cut out so that the camera can still rotate fully when the slot is closed. If you tried to close the slot with a card in it, the card would hit the hump from the camera and it would never get closed.

-------------------------
It's "Ocell" for short.
RE: No CF tumour.
JKingGrim @ 5/27/2003 2:45:44 PM #
No. I think that card is sticking out because its a WiFi card. Normall ones can close I believe.

YES CF tumour.
t3h0n3 @ 5/27/2003 4:52:22 PM #
The Sony CF memory driver sucks! Who cares if I can store 512 MB of ebooks...I want to store MP3s which their driver won't let me do. The NX70V with the EruWare CF driver is much better...

RE: No CF tumour.
OcellNuri @ 5/27/2003 11:50:15 PM #
I'm not talking about the WiFi card. A standard CF Memory card will still block the "hump" from the camera. There is a section cut out of the CF slot for the "hump" to go into. A CF card would block this. So unless you could get an ultra short CF card that goes about an inch INSIDE of the CF slot, you will not be able to close the slot with a card inside.

-------------------------
It's "Ocell" for short.
RE: No CF tumour.
JKingGrim @ 5/28/2003 2:54:14 PM #
Have you actually held one or been told? You could be wrong.

RE: No CF tumour.
OcellNuri @ 6/5/2003 4:41:55 PM #
You are exactly right, I could be wrong. But looking at the pictures and using some visual judgment, I believe I am right.

-------------------------
It's "Ocell" for short.

Well here's my new Clie

Kaitou @ 5/27/2003 11:56:25 AM #
I've been waiting for a reason to upgrade from my good ol' NR70V, and here it is... the NX80 has pretty much everything I need/want, a nicer camera with flash, which is good for me, as I use even the sad little NR camera quite a lot, to take notes, and just to journal a day, or catch something interesting. backlit keyboard, hardware keys on the screen half, CF slot, even with partial memory support (10-1 odds that we see a hack for it to get the CF memory working with the camera/mp3 player apps). One has to remember the nay-sayers who were predicting that Sony will no longer release a Clie with a CF slot, because of the driver. Sony does see the writing on the wall after a while, they just don't want to give up their mem stick format (and I do like the side-loading mem stick slot).
The new graffiti is interesting, and the site of the company that produced it, shows that they do have a latin character version of their program, so we may see it stay for the US release.
I do have to wonder, if the US release will use OS5.2, but that isn't too big of a concern for me. The battery life is better, with the new ARM as well (NR was also rated at 10 days, just like the NX60/70). So while this may be an incremental upgrade for current NX users, it is what I needed as an NR user, to get me to switch models.

RE: Well here's my new Clie
thooeu @ 5/27/2003 12:06:49 PM #
This is definitely a good upgrade for NR users if you did not find NX worth the upgrade. Camera from 100K pixels to 1.3 mega pixels, better battery life, more memory. Even though user area is 16MB, most large applications are pre-installed now - NetFront (2MB), Picsel Viewer ("MB), Japanese dictionaries (2MB), Clie Mail, Work Alarm Clock, etc. You have the full 16MB for your applications. Not to mention the subtle improvements to the keyboards, buttons, and the overall design.

RE: Well here's my new Clie
JKingGrim @ 5/27/2003 12:19:05 PM #
Only 16mb accessable? Thats garbage. BOOOOOO! Atleast give us 25mb.

RE: Well here's my new Clie
palmmongrel @ 5/27/2003 12:39:38 PM #
oh gawd, please don't start. Sony - just don't make it more than $500 pleeeeease?!

Any word if they're using the Transflective screens, like the new Palms?

RE: Well here's my new Clie
RSC @ 5/27/2003 12:46:52 PM #
>(and I do like the side-loading mem stick slot)

I think it's fine for normal memory sticks, but it will be annoying for over-sized ones like the bluetooth memory stick (or if they ever release a GPS stick, etc.). I think the Palm i70x has the side-loading memory slot as well, and the same issue.

RE: Well here's my new Clie
thooeu @ 5/27/2003 12:48:34 PM #
Yes. Actually all Clies use Transflective since the NR series.

RE: Well here's my new Clie
palmmongrel @ 5/27/2003 1:43:07 PM #
So why are the new ones on the Palm Zire 71 and Tung C so much brighter? (if you don't beleive me, compare them side-by-side at 100% brightness - it's stunning)

RE: Well here's my new Clie
abosco @ 5/27/2003 3:44:42 PM #
The technology is dated by almost six months, that's why. Try comparing Palm's transflectives with the NZ90. That is one bright sucker. I suspect this new NX line to meet or exceed that standard set by the NZ.

Also, the Palm transflectives have a warmer tone. Colors have just a hint of warm color, while the Clies use cooler colors. It's a matter of preference, really.

-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods

Not so impressive

em61 @ 5/27/2003 12:40:58 PM #
These new Clies are not so impressive, I feel.

They are just a refinement of the old NX70V model. And the new case design is also disappointingly bland. It weighs just as much, though the collapsing CF slot is very nice. The keyboard keys are still too small. The CPU speed could have been upped to 400 Mhz, but the biggest letdown is the main memory size limitation: you get just 11Kb (NX73) or 16Kb (NX80) available! How can they release this supposedly high-end device when the Palm Tungsten C gives you over 50 Kb free?

They better retail these for a lot less than the old NX70V...

Also, I see that Bluetooth is still optional, although some people claim it will be included in European versions. I doubt that. My guess is that in some places the device may be (initially) bundled with a free Bluetooth MemoryStick. Sony has too many of these overpriced sticks still lying around in their inventory collecting dust.


Thanks for nothing, Sony!
Foo Fighter @ 5/27/2003 1:05:16 PM #
Agreed. This is not at all what I'd hoped for. And the prices will, no doubt, continue to be astronomical.

RE: Not so impressive
Fammy @ 5/27/2003 2:02:36 PM #
I'm sure the 263 is the cheaper chip (say that 10 times fast). Something Sony needs for it's all-in-one swiss army PDA.

_____
Fammy
RE: Not so impressive
rsc1000 @ 5/27/2003 6:09:57 PM #
"11Kb" or "16Kb"? Oh my - that is a limitation! ;)

Seriously - where the hell is the 320x480 VG device in non-clamshell form factor, that we've all been screaming about for - like - a year now? iQue is nice - but i don't want GPS (would rather built-in wifi or BT). I just assumed Sony would have addressed this by now. I mean - this is the same form of PocketPCs have (PPCs have lower res though) - so u would think somebody making palm OS devices would do the obvious thing and give us what we want already. I know everybody doesn't want this - but i've heard a thousand complaints/requests about this in the last year, so i know many do.

RE: Not so impressive
Timothy Rapson @ 5/27/2003 7:17:52 PM #
The lack of a standard T-form factor with virtual grafitti is absolutely baffling. In fact, it has been about 2 years that this has been on the begging list of one and all in the Sony/Palm world. The Handera and original color Clies showed what was possible. We all thought when we saw the NR that it was inevitable, but that was a culmination of a year of dreaming.


How can we still be sitting here waiting? Is Sony stupid? I really wonder. Now, we have the Tungsten C. How many sales did Palm lose on it because it has a keyboard rather than a half VGA virtual grafitt screen? Is Palm stupid, too?

I can only assume that these two companies are run by fools.

I am not generally so insulting, but come on Palm and Sony! Get on with it!

RE: Not so impressive
mikecane @ 5/27/2003 9:09:13 PM #
Ah, they're impressive for CLIEs.

But I add my vote for the Next Palm Standard:

320x480 screen
64MB (or 128MB) RAM
SD (or CF!) slot
BUILT-IN WiFi
Soft Graffiti

-- and a TUNGSTEN T-like stylus. Bag that damned quarter-stylus already, Sony! Enough with the kiddie styli!

THIS is the thing that will halt migration to Pocket PC. THIS is the thing that will make reverse-migration -- PPC back to PalmOS -- possible. THIS is the thing that will make 1 million Zire sales look like last year's cheese!

Wake up Palm SG! Get "Eric the Red" an alarm clock already! Take the above paras, print them out in 256-POINT TYPE and wallpaper his damned office with them!!

RE: Not so impressive
kevdo @ 5/27/2003 11:14:52 PM #
>320x480 screen
>64MB (or 128MB) RAM
>SD (or CF!) slot
>Soft Graffiti
>and a TUNGSTEN T-like stylus.

Check, check and check!

>BUILT-IN WiFi
I could live without this, though it would certainly be a nice option.

When will someone release a mainstream Palm handheld with 320x480 that isn't an NR/NX form-factor? I like the screen dimensions but I don't like the size of the device and the crappy keyboard and camera.

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Not so impressive
Selbstlade @ 5/28/2003 8:08:27 AM #
>320x480 screen
>64MB (or 128MB) RAM
>SD (or CF!) slot
>BUILT-IN WiFi
>Soft Graffiti
>
>-- and a TUNGSTEN T-like stylus. Bag that damned >quarter-stylus already, Sony! Enough with the kiddie >styli!

Lol... Whatever happened to the "zen of palm"? You need to check out http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/docs/zenofpalm/ZenTOC.html

Everyone says Palm is playing second fiddle to Sony, but the truly "special" Sony models (eg NR, NX series) are all much too big and heavy to comfortably put in a shirt pocket, IMHO. Point? Let Palm SG "dance with the girl that brung ya", and let Sony do whatever the hell it wants to do.

I for one just hope Sony stops its high-minded antics and starts making units with SD instead of Memory Stick, and Palm Universal Connectors.

Selbstlade

Palm Professional, Palm IIIx, Cassiopeia E-105 (everyone's got that "experimentation phase" right?), Sony Clie SJ-10, Palm Zire 71.

RE: Not so impressive
ray00pal @ 5/28/2003 2:07:35 PM #
NO, please don't have build in Wi-Fi. I don't want to be on line with this thing. I am on line all day long already. I want less weight!

RE: Not so impressive
JKingGrim @ 5/28/2003 3:01:40 PM #
It seems Palm has woken up. View the interesting discussion that Sleuth had with his friend (a Palm employee) here: http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14189

I believ it, but then again, I never was a sceptic.

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