Review of Sony Clie TG50, or planned aprgeyd in category "serednyachki&quot

The line of handhelds Sony Series T, belonging to the middle price range, gradually transformed. In the recently issued CLIE TG50 changes have affected both the form factor and features of iron. Main external change - is the emergence of a full QWERTY-keyboard, and technical upgrades added that the handheld much of what only recently could boast only expensive models NX / NZ. This is, first and foremost, a powerful processor ARM, the last (fifth) palmovuyu OSes and radio module synchronization, Bluetooth. Another metamorphosis in design, the first time since your computer CLIE - the complete disappearance of the "physical" region Graffiti handwriting text input. It is worth noting that the TG50 handheld device has become the first Japanese company has not received even a virtual Graffiti highlighted on the screen as a computer NX / NZ. Write by hand is now available on the entire area of ​​the LCD screen (competitors, by the way - Handspring Treo and Palm Tungsten W - are already using this solution).

Appearance: more buttons, and metal

In the design sense of loyalty to tradition. New TG50 remained as thin as the previous model, but became slightly longer. So "on growth," he now occupies an intermediate position between the models SJ and NX. Part of increase in size due to the fact that the top of the computer is now mounted lid-flip with damped opening mechanism. And although the polished bezel "on aluminum" looks very nice, in terms of functionality is still preferable to use a semi-flip as to type SJ-33. Generally, in finishing the body were involved sophisticated variants: the lid and keyboard bezel used brushed metal, and the case is made of silver with different colors and chrome inserts. The main innovation in design - is, of course, a large keyboard. Sony designers did not use narrow buttons on devices like NX-series, and have built full-size (by the standards of handhelds, of course) keys, which also has a backlight. Very convenient! Though the buttons are located closely, the ergonomics are well thought out, and after a short workout you can learn to type text quickly enough. Yet some claim to the keyboard is: access keys "shift", "Fn" and "Alt" is not "sticky", that is, for example, you can not enter a capital letter by pressing Shift and the corresponding "alphabetic" button - press to simultaneously and it requires a lot of dexterity. For non-standard location icons! @ # $ Too hard to get used to. But the most offensive, that indicate the second language layout are not marked on the button, and the substrate over them and see them almost impossible, especially when the keys are illuminated. Above the screen are built three LEDs that inform about the mode (Bluetooth-connection, battery charging, audio) and microphone input. Feature of mounting the flip is that they remain visible and open, and with the lid closed.At the upper end of the body has a slot to connect headphones, a slot for flash cards Memory Stick with a small LED, disclosing its operating modes, as well as IrDA and Bluetooth-module. As in the models Stylus NX series (traditionally a very tiny, but the quality) is hidden in the bottom, and hence it can not get it, when the PDA is in the cradle. And if take a pen in advance, then he will have nowhere to do so both in the "cradle", unfortunately, a holder for it is not provided. And yet, on the amount of impressions, the design can be called successful, and from an aesthetic and a functional point of view.

Hard: A set of muscle

Basis of the system - processor XScale PXA250, clocked at 200 MHz and equipped with 16 MB RAM (11 MB user available) and the same amount of memory ROM. RAM by today's standards, of course, not much, but TG50 has the support of flash memory cards Memory Stick Pro, which differ from the standard high volume and high speed data transmission. So all in all, the "iron" part of the T-series again significantly increases the gap from the beginning was to catch up with her younger SJ-line. Indeed, the latter still satisfied with the moral legacy processors DragonBall three times less power. As always one of the most outstanding elements of the design computers Sony is a high-quality transflective screen resolution of 320 x 320 pixels and color depth, high colour (16 bit). And although the lighting could be a little more uniform in brightness, contrast and color balance complaints. Oddly visually screen without Graffiti-area seem smaller, although in reality the display the previous model T665C LCD matrix of new items which only a few millimeters. Relatively loud speaker located on the back, unfortunately, much "stalls" when the computer is on the table. And speaking of sound naushnikovogo out, you start with that of music fans who will listen to the TG50 music in general, nobody cared: neither the remote control, which is in NX / NZ-machines, or even headphones are not included . Although connected to the computer expensive high-end «ears, we were glad very convincing sounding device. At the moment there is no way to stereo recording on the TG50 with an external microphone (input - mono), but the manufacturer promises will soon release for these handheld stereo microphone that connects to a slot Memory Stick. Feeds on the novelty of the lithium-yonnogo non-removable battery full charge which takes 3-4 hours. In practice, the battery power is enough for one day of continuous operation in a very intensive mode, though, if you frequently use the Bluetooth-connection, the battery runs down much faster. According to the instructions, when using the PDA in the normal mode (half an hour a day with light) charge will last for 6 days, continuously playing music can TG50 4,5 (without backlight), and video - 2 hours (with backlight).Handheld communication capabilities are very broad: besides the traditional connector Clie 20-pin Interface Connector, through which synchronization with a desktop system and connect the game manipulator and keyboard, a PDA has an infrared port and a radio transmitter Bluetooth. And soon it will be possible machine man up Wi-Fi-module slot for Memory Stick (it is now developing a third-party).

Software: All Inclusive

The fact that this computer is built on a new (fifth) palmovoy platform to work immediately noticeable. TG50 has a very decent performance, and all thanks to the advanced core systems - OSes Palm OS 5. Advantage of the new platform is still in the fact that she has managed to grow a large number of applications designed specifically for high-end handhelds. An unusual feature of the interface TG50 - is that area of ​​Virtual Graffiti handwriting appears on the screen after clicking an ad hoc "hardware" button (the rightmost button in the top row). As before, the text appears in a small four-line window, but the process I became much easier and clearer, as "digital ink" on the screen. In the ROM installed a set of standard applications (address book, calculator, notes, calendar, etc.) and system utilities (Card Info, HotSync, Preferences, Security).

In a set of software that comes with the device also includes:
• Clie Launcher - a traditional file manager, "sharpened" by using the navigation wheel JogDial. Although the feature set him wider than the standard palmovogo Launcher'a (he also has included), and its design is more attractive to use the Clie Launcher is less convenient due to the fact that the program does not allow you to display icons are reduced in size and show folder contents "list.
• Utilities Clie Memo (notebook), MS Import (share files with a desktop system), Sound Utility (polyphonic ringtones for the alarm), MS Backup (backup), Net Front (inernet browser) and Clie Mail (email client). In addition, the bundle includes a handy voice recorder Voice Recorder, capable of record as of relatively high quality sound (22 kHz) and in the mode of long-play (8 kHz) that allows you to write on a card Memory Stick 128 MB to 520 minutes audio.
• Applications for work with image Photo Editor (adding captions to pictures), Clie Album (album), Movie Player (video player formats, MPEG1 and MPEG 4), Macromedia Flash 5. Also in the kit is a multipurpose tool Clie Viewer, which in particular controls the binding of various multimedia file formats to specific applications.
• Music Player Audio Player, plays audio in MP3 and ATRAC3 and supports playlists.
• Extremely useful software Clie RMC, turning the handheld into a universal remote control all your home equipment. The only noticed him strange - he can not control the DVD playback on the Sony PlayStation 2.
• Instead, the office suite Documents To Go comes with a new computer application Picsel Viewer, able to work with virtually all document formats. In addition, there is a set of calculator PowerOne Personal and StreetFinder Express (electronic maps of cities).
• CD-ROM that comes with the device, found instructions for handheld Handbook (pdf) and Applications Manual (html), as well as software to synchronize Palm Desktop 4.1 and Intellisync Lite (this program is responsible for the exchange of information with MS Outlook and Lotus Organizer). In addition to recruiting a specialized file converters Image Converter and PictureGear Studio (for graphics), Sonic Stage (Audio format ATRAC3).

Bluetooth: your personal network

TG50 was only the third representative palmovogo families who have built Bluetooth-module.The possibility of using a radio link from the new handhelds are wide enough, as the producer promotes the concept of total unification of various devices in the so-called personal wireless network (Personal Area Network). In addition to synchronizing with a PC connection via Bluetooth can be used to exchange files with other handhelds, and to integrate with a mobile phone that allows you to wirelessly connect to the internet, send SMS-messages directly from your Pocket PC and organize multiplayer games via the mobile network. Having experienced the machine in conjunction with a pipe Sony-Ericsson T68i, we noted quite stable operation of radio connectivity in all modes. Wireless synchronization with desktop system also passed without any problems. And although the data rate on the subjective sensation a little bit slower than when connected via the cradle, "coverage" of radio connections turned out to be quite large. Additional software allows you to use a Bluetooth-connection for various specific purposes. For example, the program Basic Imaging Profile enables the handheld to work in a single complex with a digital camera that supports a radio connection (such a function is a Sony DCR-TRV80 and DSC-FX77). Thus, a PDA can become a personal alarm system remote monitoring facilities.

Place on the counter

With a solid set of features and relatively nevyskoy price ($ 449) TG50 still inferior to its direct competitor, Palm Tungsten T ($ 349). Major role in the long run, play, of course, price, aesthetic preferences and the need for a "hardware" keyboard. We can assume that the Sony would be more popular with those users who buy the handheld for the first time and are not ready psychologically to work with a computer without a familiar QWERTY-keyboard. Also, there is reason to believe that, thanks to the powerful "iron" and great communications capabilities TG50 will be in demand among business users, although the machine manufacturer considers the category of multimedia PDA, the main area of ​​application are - entertainment.