Posted by
timothy
on from the sweetness-and-light dept.
MeatWad writes "Sony has announced the SJ33 Palm OS 4 model with a high res color screen and mp3 player for $299. At the same time the FCC has leaked info on the next Palm OS 5 Clie with bluetooth and an integrated keyboard called the TG50. Sony can sure crank out the cool gadgets."
Not two, but three..
by
ozgurbulbul
·
· Score: 5, Informative
In fact we should not forget sj22, which is basically the same as sj33 without the audio capability.
scared of getting slashdotted?
by
vivek7006
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· Score: 5, Interesting
They are redirecting the slashdot users to a special website.
"Especially formulated for slashdotters"
Re:scared of getting slashdotted?
by
lpret
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Actually, this is a great idea. If they got a heads-up, even more kudos.
-- This is my digital signature. 10011011001
Re:scared of getting slashdotted?
by
sixdotoh
·
· Score: 5, Funny
kind of takes some of the fun of being a/.er out of it, that feeling of glee knowing you're part of something big, feared (by some), and widely known across the internet . . .
but hey! at least we can actually read the article!
--
This post was brought to you by the number 584811 and the characters / and .
Re:scared of getting slashdotted?
by
Jezral
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
They should add intelligent scaling.
Instead of just targetting visitors with referer=slashdot.org, the server should detect an abnormal surge in visitor-per-minute and load up the lightweight version of the site.
Aren't their documents public information? I believe that is how people are finding them. I know that the blue tooth integration in the new powerbooks was leaked in the same manner, and I remember some handspring stuff getting out like this also. In the case of apple, they pulled the application.
If the documents are not pulic info, then the FCC needs to get to know the ins and outs of a little document called the NDA.
The info and pictures get "leaked" when Sony, Palm, or anyone else who makes an electronic device has it reviewed by the FCC before it goes retail. The info get's entered into the FCC's database, which is searchable from the web. I guess there are people who check the FCC search engine every day for new stuff from Sony, Palm, Sharp, etc.
The FCC is the best rumor site on the Net. They've leaked PowerBooks, Blackberries, Palms, you name it. I'm surprised hardware companies haven't lobbied to keep those applications secret until the device is released.
Welcome Slashdot visitor! You have been redirected to a lighter version of our article in order to conserve bandwidth and keep the site running smoothly for everybody.
They won't stand for long -- all/.ers, load browsers and attack!
-- Alcohol and Calculus don't mix. Don't drink and derive.
Actually, I'd like to see the code that PalmInfoCenter uses to implement the "Welcome Slashdot vistor" message. I've thought about doing something similar for another site, and while I understand how to parse the Referer header, I'd just as soon borrow someone's tried-and-true code as develop it myself.
Heck, this functionality should be built into anything using mod-perl, PHP, ASP, etc. to redirect visitors to a static mirror of a page.
Is this the case of the government violating the DMCA? I think sony should sue them and it will prove a point for everyone else.
atto
-- I didn't use the preview button, so get over it!!!!
Mike
No cell?
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
Sony has some great form factors - the only problem is that its useless to me without cellular data capability. And on top of that, all of these Palm and PocketPC devices have compatibility issues with 3rd party software.
So here I am with my 4 year old BlackBerry - with the integrated keyboard and old chromatic screen - running off of the obsolete Mobitex pager network...and it does about 90% of what I want to do when I'm away from the office - mail and calendar. No it doesn't have a built in camera - no it doesn't pick my nose or wash my car - but it does exactly what it claims. The best part is, I feel safe leaving it around my daughter.
There's no winning in this game. Palm is dying. PocketPC is too complicated. RIM is obsolete. Symbian sucks.
Memory Stuck (tm)
by
lastberserker
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· Score: 3, Insightful
No matter what gadget Sony makes next I'm not buying if it only supports sticks. CompactFlash is by far more flexible and cheaper, why should I pay extra to support further limitations of my choice?
-- My other Beowulf cluster is... er...
He's half-wrong...
by
TopShelf
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· Score: 2, Informative
The SJ33 upgrades the SJ30's 33MHz processor to the 66MHz Dragonball Super VZ running Palm OS v4.1. It has 16 MB of internal RAM (of which 15MB are available) and 4 MB of flash ROM.
The SJ33 uses standard memory sticks although the device doesn't come with one. With the focus on music playback, Sony might want to consider bundling offers because users are definitely going to need one. It is not compatible with the forthcoming Memory Sick Pro format.
Insightful???????
by
Dot.Com.CEO
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· Score: 3, Informative
I beg your pardon mods, but thiscomment is not insightful. It is, in fact, uninformed and irrelevant. Sony has been one of the first companies out there to do something about digital rights management in an unintrusive way. The drm that comes with my net-md is completely transparent to me and, frankly, I cannot imagine how the hell someone can be inconvenienced by it. You, for philosophical or ethical reasons might be against Sony in the greater plane of things, but they have been CONSISTENTLY putting out EXCELLENT quality gadgets that work seamlessly with one another.
Sony are one of the few companies out there that make gadgets that people drool over AND are happy to own - the novelty does not wear off in 5 minutes. I feel they should be applauded for that.
Anyway, if you are so vocal about the DMCA go out and vote against the congressmen who voted for it, don't sit there writing half-arsed one liners on/.
-- Mother is the best bet and don't let Satan draw you too fast.
Re:Insightful???????
by
Anonvmous+Coward
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· Score: 3, Insightful
"I beg your pardon mods, but thiscomment is not insightful. It is, in fact, uninformed and irrelevant. Sony has been one of the first companies out there to do something about digital rights management in an unintrusive way..."
As long as you use Sony's products. Face it, they're worse than Microsoft. The only difference is that Sony's not as visible in our world as MS is.
Sony makes sure that you play by their rules. I'll give you an example: What's the standard format for a memory card on a Digital Camera? Compact Flash. What type of memory cards do Sony Digital Cameras use? Memory stick.
You can accept Sony if you like, but they're about as proprietary as you can get. For digital rights, that's Not Good(tm).
Re:Insightful???????
by
homer_ca
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· Score: 2, Informative
Do you mean unobtrusive DRM like in this review? The NetMD walkman is upload only and it won't play MP3 files directly. The bundled software converts it to their OpenMG format which is copy protected AND you take a big hit in sound quality because you're converting from one lossy codec to another AND it slows down uploading unless you want to duplicate your music collection in OpenMG files. If you think that's annoying, that's only after their 1st generation of players flopped badly due to even more intrusive DRM. Try googling for a review of the Sony Music Clip. I'll admit that Sony has good design and their CRT televisions have good picture quality, but overall their build quality has gone downhill especially on their stuff not made in Japan. It's not crap, but it doesn't justify their higher prices compared to other consumer electronics makers either.
Re:Insightful???????
by
NanoGator
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· Score: 2, Interesting
"Sony makes sure that you play by their rules. I'll give you an example: What's the standard format for a memory card on a Digital Camera? Compact Flash. What type of memory cards do Sony Digital Cameras use? Memory stick."
Kind of reminds me of what happened too Sony's CD-Drive peripheral for the Super NES. If memory serves, they wanted to make it a Sony unit that just happened to play Nintendo cartridges. The deal fell through partly because Nintendo wasn't about to hand their brand name over to Sony. The battle of the egos resulted in no CD for the SNES and the Playstation.
I have no doubt about what you're saying. Sony's very agressive about keeping the competition out.
-- "Derp de derp."
Re:Is it just me.. ?
by
jonabbey
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· Score: 2, Interesting
Palm's in the middle of a technology transition.. PalmOS 5 runs on ARM, and PalmOS 6 is due to have a whole new code infrastructure for new software development.
I like my PalmOS Sony with LauncherX far better than the PocketPC systems I've seen. Light, fast, cheap, better screen than many PPC's, easier interface. What's not to like?
It'll be quite interesting to see if and how Sony merges their PDAs with their cell phones. Perhaps this one hints at their future strategy.
Re:Is it just me.. ?
by
mog
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· Score: 2, Insightful
I think that part of the problem exists in the very reason you site to say that there is no problem. Palm devices are very functional. That's what they're really designed to be, and that's what they do very, very well. What this means is that my Visor Deluxe serves my "schedule and notes" needs perfectly. I can't envision ever feeling the need to "upgrade", at least until the thing mechanically dies. Palm devices have their market, but it isn't one that ever really requires upgrading to function well.
My Palm IIIx still works fine thanks
by
bogie
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· Score: 2, Insightful
For a databook/addressbook/variousMobileDB's it still works great and is supported by every OS on the planet. Right now I sync with Evolution and it works very well. Another bonus is the batteries last a long time. I know if I leave it for weeks on end it won't be dead when I go to use it.
I think most users buy these new(read:expensive) PDA's thinking of all the cool things they can do and then over time just end up doing the basics. There are definitely some really cool features on the new PDA's(wireless etc), but before you go blowing $300-$500 on the lastest and greatest consider if you really need those features and if a mini-notebook(more capabilities) or used Palm(just the basics) might serve you better.
BTW anyone else have their car buried in a 5 foot snow drift.
-- If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
Re:The article mentions an mp3 player
by
nizcolas
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· Score: 2, Interesting
Yeah. I did misread it. Still memory sticks still aren't affordably priced for an mp3 player. Compare this to something like an iPod or a Rio and there is a large disparity in the $/mb ratio.
-- If you get an error, type "OVERRIDE" or "SECURITY OVERRIDE" and then try the optimize command again.
Is this the end...
by
Dragon213
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· Score: 2, Funny
of the Slashdot Effect on servers? Are we seeing a new paradigim of intelligent sysadmins that reformat their pages for when the link is posted to/.???? The universe will end if the Slashdot Effect is countered!!!
-- --CypherDragon
Memory stick - about more than the apps
by
puck01
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· Score: 2, Interesting
You are right, most palm apps are small. However, apps are only a part of the picture. I'm a medical student, almost a doctor, and there are tons of medical programs, books, drug databases available for the palm. The books and databases are often as large as 4mb. You can see where I'm going with this as 16 mb fills up fast. You can extend this example to many other professions.
Also, I use my Clie to listen to mp3's since I pretty much always have it on me anyway. Again, a large memory stick is important for this functionality.
As far as size, 128 mb is starting to get small, but a Sony MS is about the same price of all the competition's flash so I don't really complain. It will be nice when they start releasing the larger sizes, however.
puck
Handhelds v Gameboys v Graph Calcs v Cell phones
by
Anik315
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Anyone notice a messy convergence in the functionality of all these devices?
Nintendo has been pretty consistent about generating a portable device with one clear and strong purpose, and at that it has been extremely successful.
Alot of these products I see coming out try to do lots of things--in a mediocre way. Without a clearly defined market, these are pretty much "cool gadgets" for people with loose cash. I don't see people using one handheld device to do 20 different things.
Are these companies experimentally sticking things together in combinations just to see if they'll sell? What I would rather see is companies spending more on generating killer apps with strong and focused purposes. (comme the Blackberry)
When people buy cars with DVD players, they're don't hop in to them when they want to watch movies. And it's great that my Palm can play mp3s, but I'll stick to my 20gig iPod.
Re:The article mentions an mp3 player
by
ez76
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· Score: 5, Informative
Where in hell are you getting this? I didn't see it in the articles. Besides, you can get Memory Sticks up to 1GB right now. Did you misread something?
The biggest Memory Sticks available currently are 128MB.
256MB and 512MB memory sticks will be coming out this Spring but they will be bank-switched (i.e. a mechanical switch will let you choose which 128MB of RAM you want to use).
Pretty lame.
Re:Memory Sick?
by
exhilaration
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Though I too have huge problem with propietary memory (I have an existing investment in compact flash cards), the quality of Sony's products leaves everyone else in the dust. I look forward to purchasing the P800 once it's available for a low enough price in the U.S. And anyways, the memory market is already so fragmented - CF, SD, MMC, Memory Stick - it's hard to fault only Sony.
Re:Handhelds v Gameboys v Graph Calcs v Cell phone
by
sunspot42
·
· Score: 3, Informative
The problem is, these all in one gadgets tend to do everything POORLY, and for a lot of money. I just replaced my old Handspring Visor with a Palm Zire, because I didn't want to blow $300+ on a combo cell phone / handheld that'd I'd probably just end up losing 6 months down the road. The Zire only set me back $75 on Amazon after a rebate, and even though it offers nothing in the way of functionality over the old Handspring (apart from faster synchs - it's USB - and a rechargeable battery that lasts forever between charges), it does everything I need.
I do think there would be be a market for an inexpensive combo device that's a combination iPod, cell phone and organizer, though. It would be nice to cut down on the number of gadgets you have to carry around, and the organizer's display (and OS) would come in handy for manipulating playlists on the jukebox. Unfortunately, I don't think we're quite at the point where such a gadget could be offered for a reasonable price (under $300), but by this time next year, who knows.
If Apple were smart, such a gadget could be their next killer consumer product. Do they still own the Newton OS?
MORE Interesting: SONY HANDHELD WIFI FILESERVER!!
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 2, Interesting
hmm... their palm announcements are hardly as cool as their other announcement (thanks glenn fleischman):
A step backward?
by
uradu
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· Score: 2, Interesting
This new one looks much cheaper and piggier than the SJ30. What's with the cheap NON-REMOVABLE plastic cover that will inevitably break off during the first week? Sorry, but the SJ30 looks much better.
Slashdot Mirror
In fact we should not forget sj22, which is basically the same as sj33 without the audio capability.
They are redirecting the slashdot users to a special website.
"Especially formulated for slashdotters"
Is this new or do I just not pay attention to stuff like this? Too bad the CIA doesn't "leak" stuff too . . . *sigh*
This post was brought to you by the number 584811 and the characters / and .
Alcohol and Calculus don't mix. Don't drink and derive.
Is this the case of the government violating the DMCA? I think sony should sue them and it will prove a point for everyone else.
atto
I didn't use the preview button, so get over it!!!!
Mike
Sony has some great form factors - the only problem is that its useless to me without cellular data capability. And on top of that, all of these Palm and PocketPC devices have compatibility issues with 3rd party software.
So here I am with my 4 year old BlackBerry - with the integrated keyboard and old chromatic screen - running off of the obsolete Mobitex pager network...and it does about 90% of what I want to do when I'm away from the office - mail and calendar. No it doesn't have a built in camera - no it doesn't pick my nose or wash my car - but it does exactly what it claims. The best part is, I feel safe leaving it around my daughter.
There's no winning in this game. Palm is dying. PocketPC is too complicated. RIM is obsolete. Symbian sucks.
No matter what gadget Sony makes next I'm not buying if it only supports sticks. CompactFlash is by far more flexible and cheaper, why should I pay extra to support further limitations of my choice?
My other Beowulf cluster is... er...
Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
Sony are one of the few companies out there that make gadgets that people drool over AND are happy to own - the novelty does not wear off in 5 minutes. I feel they should be applauded for that. Anyway, if you are so vocal about the DMCA go out and vote against the congressmen who voted for it, don't sit there writing half-arsed one liners on /.
Mother is the best bet and don't let Satan draw you too fast.
Palm's in the middle of a technology transition.. PalmOS 5 runs on ARM, and PalmOS 6 is due to have a whole new code infrastructure for new software development.
I like my PalmOS Sony with LauncherX far better than the PocketPC systems I've seen. Light, fast, cheap, better screen than many PPC's, easier interface. What's not to like?
- jon
Ganymede, a GPL'ed metadirectory for UNIX
Let's not forget the Sony Ericsson 3G phone announced today.
It'll be quite interesting to see if and how Sony merges their PDAs with their cell phones. Perhaps this one hints at their future strategy.
I think that part of the problem exists in the very reason you site to say that there is no problem. Palm devices are very functional. That's what they're really designed to be, and that's what they do very, very well. What this means is that my Visor Deluxe serves my "schedule and notes" needs perfectly. I can't envision ever feeling the need to "upgrade", at least until the thing mechanically dies. Palm devices have their market, but it isn't one that ever really requires upgrading to function well.
For a databook/addressbook/variousMobileDB's it still works great and is supported by every OS on the planet. Right now I sync with Evolution and it works very well. Another bonus is the batteries last a long time. I know if I leave it for weeks on end it won't be dead when I go to use it.
I think most users buy these new(read:expensive) PDA's thinking of all the cool things they can do and then over time just end up doing the basics. There are definitely some really cool features on the new PDA's(wireless etc), but before you go blowing $300-$500 on the lastest and greatest consider if you really need those features and if a mini-notebook(more capabilities) or used Palm(just the basics) might serve you better.
BTW anyone else have their car buried in a 5 foot snow drift.
If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
Yeah. I did misread it. Still memory sticks still aren't affordably priced for an mp3 player. Compare this to something like an iPod or a Rio and there is a large disparity in the $/mb ratio.
If you get an error, type "OVERRIDE" or "SECURITY OVERRIDE" and then try the optimize command again.
of the Slashdot Effect on servers? Are we seeing a new paradigim of intelligent sysadmins that reformat their pages for when the link is posted to /.???? The universe will end if the Slashdot Effect is countered!!!
--CypherDragon
You are right, most palm apps are small. However, apps are only a part of the picture. I'm a medical student, almost a doctor, and there are tons of medical programs, books, drug databases available for the palm. The books and databases are often as large as 4mb. You can see where I'm going with this as 16 mb fills up fast. You can extend this example to many other professions.
Also, I use my Clie to listen to mp3's since I pretty much always have it on me anyway. Again, a large memory stick is important for this functionality.
As far as size, 128 mb is starting to get small, but a Sony MS is about the same price of all the competition's flash so I don't really complain. It will be nice when they start releasing the larger sizes, however.
puck
Anyone notice a messy convergence in the functionality of all these devices?
Nintendo has been pretty consistent about generating a portable device with one clear and strong purpose, and at that it has been extremely successful.
Alot of these products I see coming out try to do lots of things--in a mediocre way. Without a clearly defined market, these are pretty much "cool gadgets" for people with loose cash. I don't see people using one handheld device to do 20 different things.
Are these companies experimentally sticking things together in combinations just to see if they'll sell? What I would rather see is companies spending more on generating killer apps with strong and focused purposes. (comme the Blackberry)
When people buy cars with DVD players, they're don't hop in to them when they want to watch movies. And it's great that my Palm can play mp3s, but I'll stick to my 20gig iPod.
256MB and 512MB memory sticks will be coming out this Spring but they will be bank-switched (i.e. a mechanical switch will let you choose which 128MB of RAM you want to use).
Pretty lame.
The problem is, these all in one gadgets tend to do everything POORLY, and for a lot of money. I just replaced my old Handspring Visor with a Palm Zire, because I didn't want to blow $300+ on a combo cell phone / handheld that'd I'd probably just end up losing 6 months down the road. The Zire only set me back $75 on Amazon after a rebate, and even though it offers nothing in the way of functionality over the old Handspring (apart from faster synchs - it's USB - and a rechargeable battery that lasts forever between charges), it does everything I need.
I do think there would be be a market for an inexpensive combo device that's a combination iPod, cell phone and organizer, though. It would be nice to cut down on the number of gadgets you have to carry around, and the organizer's display (and OS) would come in handy for manipulating playlists on the jukebox. Unfortunately, I don't think we're quite at the point where such a gadget could be offered for a reasonable price (under $300), but by this time next year, who knows.
If Apple were smart, such a gadget could be their next killer consumer product. Do they still own the Newton OS?
hmm... their palm announcements are hardly as cool as their other announcement (thanks glenn fleischman):
Sony's Wi-Fi equipped pocket Web server:
GadgetWatch identifies (and offers an English explanation of) a Wi-Fi-enabled portable fileserver! Nifty. 70,000 yen.
This new one looks much cheaper and piggier than the SJ30. What's with the cheap NON-REMOVABLE plastic cover that will inevitably break off during the first week? Sorry, but the SJ30 looks much better.