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Sony Clie PEG-UX50 Review
securitas writes "In case you can't wait until September to find out what it's like, Walt Mossberg reviews the Sony Clie UX50 (as previously discussed). He likes it, but with reservations. The keyboard lacks predictive text (unlike the Handspring Treo and RIM BlackBerry) and the Clie Mail e-mail software can't read graphical e-mails and has poor attachment support. The audio player only reads files from a particular directory. He likes the 802.11b WiFi and loves the 450x320 screen. The biggest problem? The $700 price tag ($600 for the non-wireless UX40 model) - equivalent to a low-end laptop - especially since it doesn't come with a Memory Stick. If you can read it, here's a Japanese Clie UX50 review and PalmInfocenter press release rewrite."
With new small input devices, and things like 7.1 surround sound being implemented in portables (new ps handheld) all we need is a better way to display output and pdas could potentially replace pcs.
Currently I don't own a pda, because I really don't think I would use it. The technology is cool, but coolness doesn't justify the price tag. However, if the current trend continues we could have a device that could be used as your primary computer in a few years. Think talking on the phone while driving is dangerous? Imagine talking on IRC.
Visualize the world of wine
If you can afford a $700 PDA, I'm sure you can afford a memory stick as well. Unless of course, you have one of those already because the memory stick is an extremely popular (and useful) storage device. Oh wait... nope. How about an SD or PCMIA slot instead since this IS a "mini" laptop.
The keyboard lacks predictive text?
Sounds more like a lack of function in the OS/Software...
Maybe you would rather expect to pay a lot less for it...
I'm still waiting for a handheld with the features of a laptop (hard drive, wi-fi, stereo I/O...), without any embeded keyboard: my sub-notebook has a much better one than those found on such devices. In other words, I want a multimedia handheld with strong audio and video capabilities, that I can bring on vacation and use as a graphical remote control as well.
personally, I dont think pda's will replace the conventional computer... they'll just be another accessory to the computer, though mobos are getting smaller and embedded systems are becoming popular.. I think people will still want towers or similar types of cases to modify and add power to..now.. for typical user.. pda's will prolly be another cell phone thing.. for hardcore computer geeks.. pc's will still be a major thing.. and pda's will be a side thing. personally, I couldnt sit there squinting my eyes at a tiny-ass screen all day.. maybe when cd's are are the size of cheerios and hard drives are even smaller and pda's can display holographic displays... then MAYBE.. but we still need the conventional keyboard, becuase really, even if voice command stuff comes into play, you still need keyboards to have manual control. there's just some things that need to stay.