Toshiba's Handheld Enters the Fray

Chanc_Gorkon writes "Check this new handheld being released by Toshiba: The Toshiba Genio e550 series will be powered by a 206MHz StrongARM processor, 32MB ROM, 32MB RAM, and a 3.5?? reflection TFT running at 240 x 320 x 16-bit color. The e550 will also support industry standard Compact Flash Type II cards as well as the newest expansion technology, a Secure Digital cards for SD Memory and SDIO cards. The e550 will be 77.5 x 125 x 17.5mm in size, weigh 180grams and run 8 hours on its Lithium-ion battery. And now to the major news about Toshiba's new Pocket PC ... one version of the Genio (the e550/MD) will have an integrated 1GB IBM Microdrive! " Presumably handhelds.org will have a port fairly soon since this is fairly similiar to the iPaq. Especially exciting news about the gigabyte microdrive capable version. Suddenly a handheld usable for more then just a PDA and terminal.

Comments

Integrated as in the box, not the device.

[Drakino]

According to my impressions from Brighthand, the Microdrive is included in the box, and not specificially the PDA, so it will take up the CF slot...

Re:Don't buy it

[georg_sch]

From the Toshiba Spec Page (http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2001_07/e160 1/doc02.htm)

SD card slot supporting single SD Memory card or SDIO card

• SD Memory card security function not supported
• Data enctypted to the SD Memory card security function not supported

Will I be able to run .Net?

[webword]

As long as Microsoft's Passport is built into it, I'll buy one!

8 hours battery life?

[Galvatron]

Hell, I may as well just use a laptop, at least that can recharge by plugging in. It looks like the same thing is happening to PDAs that happened to laptops, more and more power is being crammed in at the expense of useful battery life.

The only "intuitive" interface is the nipple. After that, it's all learned.

Buttons

[_ganja_]

One of the main things that has stopped me buying an Ipaq is the fact that they can only handle one key press at a time. This of course makes it less than ideal for games without using an on screen keyboard which takes up screen space.

Let's hope, nay pray the Toshiba doesn't also have the design flaw then this seems like my perfect pocket PC.

Links

[_ganja_]

The official Toshiba press release for the device.

Also the new Toshiba site for the genio-e unfortunatly in Japanesse only for now.

Re:Any other alternatives?

[jchristopher]

I don't speak for other users, but I use the hardware buttons all the time. On the Palm platform, pressing the address book button, for example, turns the device on, and takes you directly to the address book. Sometimes you don't even have to take out the pen - to look at your calendar, for example: hit the "calendar" button, the device turns on, and takes you directly to today's view in the calendar. It's good for games, too. :)

The scroll up/down rocker switch is incredibly useful as well, just like wheel mice. I would definitely NOT want the buttons taken away, and I suspect most others would like to keep them too.

Good thing?.....

[Mr. Troll]

*WHEW*, with the 1GB drive, now i can store 1,000,000 names/addresses, and appointments for the next 937,468 years!

while i am all for better technology...

[lyapunov]

I just wonder, do I really need a PDA that has this much horsepower?

I mean my god, if I have to have a gig of harddrive space to maintain my appointments I think that I have much larger problems...

Wait a minute. What was I thinking?! I just realized that I would be able to run another setiathome client on it. And we all know how important this is on establishing your niche on the geek food chain.

Prices

[darkov]

The Register has an article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/20402.htm l) that says the e550 will cost $560 and the e550/MD (as in Microdrive) will cost $800.

Reflective TFT

[theEdgeSMAK]

I have a Game Boy advanced and if you've followed the issues with their TFT reflective screen, or you own one yourself you know how much it sux.
Is this one supposed to be better??

edge