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Review of Sony Clie TG-50
Anonymous Howard writes "Designtechnica has a review of the Sony Clie TG-50 (pictures of it are on their summary page.) Not only does this PDA look cool, but you can go into your local electronics store and hassle people by turning on and off the home electronics there. My favorite quote from the review: "A visit to a local consumer electronics store that shall remain nameless proved that the Clie TG50 is quite capable of controlling most electronics on the market, with some exceptions. I wandered the store turning devices on and off, frustrating a few customers who were shopping.""
Can't just about every PDA on the planet do this now? The first Palm devices could do this, so can Newtons if I understand.. Who cares.
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Pilot-link works nicely. Note that USB links are a bit tricky - you need to start pilot-xfer shortly after you start the hotsync, but not too long or too short.
When I found out about the TG50, I immediately thought that this would be "THE" Clie for me. The price is right and the spec is pretty impressive... Palm OS 5, 200 Mhz processor, built-in keyboard, and built-in Bluetooth. Bluetooth is significant for me as I already own a Bluetooth phone and I want to do hot-sync to my PC via Bluetooth.
Last night I had my first opportunity to check out the TG50 at a local store. But in my 30 minutes of playing with it, I found several annoyances with this unit. They really bugged me and they made me change my mind about getting the TG50.
I'll warn you that my review will be negative because I'm disappointed with this model for the reasons I'll explain below. I'm *not* saying that this model is bad. This is a very capable unit that will make a lot of people happy. Unfortunately those annoyances do really bug me and I won't be happy with it.
OK, here are some of the annoyances I found:
I found that the flip cover is a bit hard to open. When the cover is closed, its edges are flush against the unit and there's no easy way to grab it with my fingers. Also because the cover is so thin, my fingers always grab both the unit and the cover at the same time, making it even more difficult to open the cover.
The TG50 doesn't have a dedicated Graffiti area. Actually this is a feature of Palm OS 5, which supports "virtual" Graffiti pad (the Graffiti pad can be shown on the screen as necessary). The other Clie models that implement this is the NX and NZ models. They have a small "soft" button on the right hand corner of the screen to show/hide the virtual Graffiti pad. I use the term "soft" button for buttons that are shown on the screen itself (as opposed to real "hard" button). On the NX and NZ, you can show/hide the Graffiti pad anytime you like.
The TG50, on the other hand, has a dedicated hard button to show/hide the virtual Graffiti pad. Immediately I found some quirks with this button.
1. Apparently Sony implements a rule that "you can show the Graffiti pad ONLY if you're currently in text mode" (i.e. with the cursor blinking). If you're not in text mode, pressing this button will give you an error message! Note that in the NX/NZ, you can display the Graffiti pad at will, regardless of whether you're in text mode or not. This is very annoying IMHO to say the least because now I cannot use Graffiti unless I'm editing text.
2. When the Graffiti pad appears on the screen, it occupies about the bottom 3/4 of the screen. The upper 1/4 area is used to show what you're editing/typing (fields, row, etc). So if you're editing a long memo for example, you see only 3 or 4 lines at a time.
3. I found it very clumsy to display/hide the Graffiti using the hard button. You're holding the stylus, then you have to press the button with your finger. Do this several times and you'll see what I mean.
4. I don't understand why but I get the impression that Sony seems to favor the keyboard than Graffiti. But then the keyboard is also hard to use. The keyboard is cramped and the keys are really close to one another and they don't have good tactile feedback when pressed. I found that the keyboard on the NX/NZ is way better.
To conclude, those are the flaws I found in my first 30 minute of using the TG50. It's a very nice package with a nice spec, but I can't stand the annoyances so I gave it 2 stars. If you're looking into buying this unit, please try it first and see if you can live with the annoyances I described.
As for me, I've decided to go with the NX60. The NX60 price has fallen and now it can be had for just a few bucks more than the TG50. I've played with the unit a lot and I haven't found anything I don't like about it.
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I've had a Sony Clie PEG-T665 for almost a year now, and it has a program that can turn it into a remote control. I don't know if it can control as many devices as the TG-50, but it has a pretty impressive list of devices. I've never tried it, but I always thought it would be fun to go to sports bar and change the TVs to Lifetime, HSN, etc.
Well, I've had mine for about a month now. I think I can answer most of these for you.
:)
-What is the effective range of the remote-control functions?
Works across my living room. I don't have a large enough space to really test it. I think Sony claims it to work 15-20 feet.
-How does using the remote control affect the battery life of the unit?
The only thing that is going to drain your battery more than just having the thing turned on is playing audio and using the bluetooth radio.
-Is the remote limited to the control codes bundled by Sony, or can it learn?
It's bundled by sony. So it is not going to work for everything. Doesnt work on my friend's satellite receiver for instance.
-Presumably there is a PalmOS application being used to manage the remote functions. Is it...any good? Can you program macros? Does it even have a name?
There are plenty of apps for previous versions of PalmOS, but this beast is running os 5. Couldn't say if a new one was in develepment or not.
-How does the battery life, weight and size of this unit compare to PDAs in a similar price range?
I have no idea on this one. The only models I compared were the Sonys. I think for the size/cost this is the one for me
-Can this product use the 256mb memory sticks? (The reviewer even asks this question, but apparently couldn't be bothered to call Sony and ask.
Yes. About three weeks ago sony released updated drivers which will support up to 1gb memory stick pro. Of course this updated driver does not replace the current one on the device. It takes more ram...
-Does the foreshortened screen (compared to Sony's other clamshell Clies) make graffiti input difficult?
Yes, using graffiti is difficult on this device. The keyboard takes a little getting used to. I find entering numbers, especially into splashmoney, is easier with graffiti. Entering more than a word is easier with the keyboard.
The brushed aluminum case is not as sturdy as I thought it would be. A leather case is a must for this device for when you do drop it. The only other problem I have is the small amount of ram in the device. Sony loads it up with applications. Which I do not use and cannot delete! Also, any upgrades do not update the program in flash, but stay resident in ram.
OK, I've got one, so I'll try to answer your questions:
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The range of the remote control is about 8 metres I'd say. I don't use it much though.
I doubt if it affects the battery life doing short bursts of IR, but I haven't tested that.
The remote does not learn, it only supports 8 manufacturers.
The App is called Clie RMC, it's OK, but limited. No macro's.
The TG50 is pretty small and IMO very elegant. I love the mini keyboard. The battery lasts me a few days typically, but if I listen to MP3's a lot or chat with IRC over BT and GPRS it won't last more than a day.
The TG50 can handle memory stick PRO. There's a 1GB version out, but I have the 512 MB stick. It's required for many applications.
I hate graffitti, but people who like it generally don't seem to like the TG50.
Try here for more info:
http://www.cliesource.com/forums/forumdisplay.p
I agree about the disadvantages of memory sticks, but it's teh only PDA with kbd & Bluetooth that I could find, so...
X.
Is the remote limited to the control codes bundled by Sony, or can it learn?
There is a Yahoo group that has ways of modifying the built in RMC Application here Link
There are a few learning remote applications that can be found on Palmgear.com
Omniremote
NoviiRemote
SSTVRemote
Most of these are better than the built in because they are configureable, have macros, and can learn.
I do not use the remote function. I do not have any SONY equiptment for my home entertainment center. It does not come with Zenith TV codes, or Apex DVD codes and I could not get the Sanyo VCR codes to work. (up close) I have not checked to see if I could download other codes.
The lack of a graffiti area is a pain. Sony obviously expects you to use the keyboard. Unfortunately you can not tap your pen on the keyboard because it will slide off the keys and the keyboard requires the force that can only effectively be applied directly from your fingers. The number keys are a pain because there is not a separate number row and you must hold down 2 keys (Shift + number) to enter in numeric data. There is a button on the top right (which is actually designed to be tapped with the stylus) which will bring up a grafitti area over the screen, (similar to pulling up the keyboard area with a real input area) and it allows you to use grafitti on any input field. However this approach will not let you enter menu shortcuts (like "/F").
I have a 128MB memory stick so I cannot answer the question about the 256MB.
So far the battery life seems very good, but My PDA use is probably a little less than average. Also my last clie ended up with a poorly conditioned battery after only 6 months.
I do not want to sound too negative. I do like it, it has beautiful graphic capabilities, nice sound, and a few nice other features. But, you do not want this Clie if you enter a lot of data into it regularly because of the lack true grafitti. Also the price can't be justified if you are looking for a remote control.
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DON'T USE TUNAREZ!!!
That's not the correct answer, that's nonsense.
The current version Graffiti 2 (which uses Jot) does not infringe on any Xerox patents.
Thumbboards are popular because consumers like them.
Most people, long term palm owners included, find no difference in speed between a Graffiti system and a thumbboard, the added advantage of a thumbboard being that you don't need to learn how to use it. Plenty of reviews on Palm sites, like PalmInfoCenter, have come to this conclusion.
I think good hand writing recongnition (as found in on later Newtons) is faster however, but to use it effectively you need a physically larger (Newton-)sized screen, which current PDA's do not have.
Hey all,
I had been watching the market for a few months when I decided to buy the TG-50. I had a Handspring Prism previously (Palm VII, Palm IIIe, original Palm Pilot previous to all that) and it was serving me well except for the weight and size. The price point is good for the features on the TG-50--Palm OS 5, 200MHz processor, memory stick reader, 320x320 screen, etc.
Things I found out I liked about the unit that aren't obvious in your typical visit to the store:
The screen--very readable in bright sunlight!!! I didn't even bother taking my Prism out when outdoors. 320x320 is very sharp even on the calendar/address book type screens.
The keyboard--I'm pretty into Grafitti, and didn't think the keyboard was easy to use. After taking countless notes and appointments, it's great and much faster then getting into writing mode with the hard button. Give it a chance. Tactile feedback of the keys means nothing--if you know where the QWERTY keys are, you can just fly along with the thing. Don't look at your fingers, look at the sreen!!! Arrow keys rock!
Bluetooth--I have a Bluetooth phone (Ericsson R520m). I just enter my contacts full information in the TG-50 and you can dial your phone with it. Single address book. Connected it to my friends Powerbook, worked well. Easy to link devices together over bluetooth. Don't have a bluetooth adapter on my PC yet. Can only be more BT devices coming out.
Real alert sounds and speaker--not just a beep when your appt is up, and no more asking "Was that you or me beeping?" in a room of people. Can record your own sounds with the voice recorder and then convert it to a "system sound" and use it as an alert. Can play some sort of MIDI file too.
Note field length--has been increased greatly! Not sure if that's a Sony thing or an OS 5 thing, but it's wonderful. I take tons of notes and documentation on my handheld--I try hard to run paperless and it's working pretty well.
And some things I didn't like after a while....
Flip case--stated before here, very difficult to open. Needs some kind of edge to grab it. I find it opens best from the bottom edge--just slide your thumb up the bottom face and the lid usually comes with it. Or middle finger on the top of the unit, thumb on the edge of the lid works well too. One positive about it, having a hard cover over the screen is much more protective then the leather cover I had over my Prism. You also don't press the screen or buttons by accident when the unit is in your pocket. That happened all the time with my Prism.
Power button--it's a sliding button on the left side of the unit. Has a hold function as well so you don't turn it on by accident. Coming from the Prism with the front-mounted button, this totally blows. A sliding button???!? I often feel obligated to use the hold position when puttin the unit in my pocket, but when you go to turn it on by pressing one of the 4 hot keys the power LED just flashes at you, then you remember it's on hold and slide the power switch to ON, then press your hot key again. Takes getting used to, but it's annoying.
Keyboard vs Stylus--when you're entering something, say, in the address book with the keyboard, there is no way to get to the next field that I have found. You have to tap the next field with the stylus/finger and then start typing again. No TAB or ENTER or down arrow. MAJOR flaw there. If you use just the stylus in writing mode, you can't see enough of the screen to really enter things or scroll through or go fast enough to make it worth while as compared to the keys.
Keyboard shortcuts--Not sure if this is a Sony thing or what but I used to be able to do a Cut and Paste via Grafitti on my Prism with slash C and slash P. This unit does not have that feature. It does have CTRL-C, CTRL-X, CTRL-V for copy, cut and paste on the keyboard.
Speed--yes, too much speed can be a bad thing. Either Sony or Palm needs to build in compensation for processor speed when it co
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Actually, this has absolutely nothing to do with pilot-link. It has to do with the way USB on any hardware is handled. You have to make the physical electrical connection between Palm handheld and Cradle before the hardware (your computer) can see the device, map a driver against the device, and allow you to communicate across it.
That being said, the pilot-link maintainer (hey, that's me!) has fixed this in a pseudo-fashion by adding a sleep() loop in the latest CVS code that I can see, which means you can launch pilot-link first, or hit the HotSync button on your Palm/Cradle first, and it will "Just Work".
Both of these tools, built on top of the libraries provided by pilot-link, provide their own daemon process; kpilotDaemon from KPilot in KDE-land, and gnome-pilot (gpilotd) in GNOME-land, which polls for device creation in /proc, and binds accordingly.
Other than being built upon pilot-link, these applications have nothing whatsoever to do with the pilot-link codebase. This means, for those who don't run GNOME or KDE (a growing percentage from what I understand), this is not an option, so they use pilot-link and J-Pilot (also built upon libraries provided by pilot-link).