Sony CLIE NX-73V: and who designs expensive?

So, when the spacecraft ... Sorry, it's from film classics. At a time when Russian buyers are becoming "clamshell» NX-70 from Sony, aggressive Japanese manufacturer throws in the market model NX-73, which is minimally different from the previous one, providing, however, updating the product line, clearly deserves a medal for rabid dynamism. Today, for the pleasant three at the end of the model number require extra 20-40 dollars. Look at what else we get for the money. The first (and as it turns out, the most important) the answer to the question we get a glimpse of the building of a new Clie. Its black case immediately brings to mind the revolutionary model of the NZ-90, which is noticeably more expensive, and fits in your pocket easily. Indeed, the design is very similar, and the mix of these models from a distance is quite simple. The most important external changes, but the actual color of the body, were modified controls. The hardware buttons available on any Palm, became small and round, slightly different from the alphanumeric block. Push your finger is not very convenient, but it can be done with stylus. It is interesting that over the screen there is a second set of buttons to call applications. It becomes useful when turning the display is set, covering a keyboard. In this mode is very easy to read book, for example. Scroll wheel used for scrolling text, and buttons you can switch applications. It should be noted here that the "up" and "down" is not so expanded in this way is not suitable for handheld games. However, the tiny and highly placed a button on the main keyboard part, too, is not particularly useful as a tool for game control. The main keypad, which contains English letters and numbers, has proved to be far from perfect tool kit. Because of the small size of the keys to a small convexity and the minimum distance between the buttons, how to accelerate the recruitment will not work - sharply increases the probability of error. Of course, everything can be used to, but for owners of fairly large thumbs this keyboard is very comfortable. Modest space between the keys is also not wasted - here the additional symbols - numbers and punctuation marks. Because of this tightness becomes problematic Russification - labels do not do, and engraving must be virtuous and very compact, suitable only for holders of sharp vision. In the dark, the situation is more complicated - the keys have a dim yellow lighting, which is very weakly scatters the darkness of the symbols plotted near the buttons. Still not obvious one of the major issues of our time - why the presence of a full keyboard control, including navigation keys and Enter, alpha-numeric keypad, there is no possibility of the menu? But enough about the keyboard. With the rotating block, on which the camera lens, missing indicator and shutdown button. As in the NZ-90, the switch now combined with a latch Hold. This decision still seems questionable, since the on / off the backlight prolonged retention of this switch is not particularly convenient. Indicators have moved almost on the end of the axis of rotation, so they can be seen at any position of the screen. Stylus from NX-1973 telescopic rather subtle and not spring loaded. It looks and fits the hand as a "toothpick" 250-dollar handheld, using it is not very convenient. A cursory examination makes it possible to find the ends of other conventional controls - navigation wheel, a button control video camera, a slot for Memory Stick (Pro!), headphone jack, slider, which includes voice recorder, etc. At the bottom is a slot for cards Compact Flash. Unlike previous models, with the NX-73 does not require any hacking tricks to insert this memory card slot, the system will immediately understand a flash, easily recognizing even those that have a very large amount. Why Palmu polgigabayta memory - a complicated question, but a theoretical possibility. To record video, however, CF slot is not used here need fast cards Memory Stick Pro. In addition to these nuances of the outer media, filling the CCP does not differ from its predecessor. It is rumored that there had to be installed a new processor PXA263 from Intel, but judging by the amount of available memory (16 MB), it is not - the 263rd has 32 MB of memory "on board". Installed on a new PDA, of course, PalmOS 5.2, significantly "enhanced" set of applications from Sony. To begin with the main novelty - the application Decuma. This alternative system of handwriting, which comes along with Graffiti 2. It recognizes the usual handwritten characters to be entered separately, one can in a few strokes. Once the word is whole, it is a one-touch inserted into the text. Naturally, Decuma uses a virtual Graffiti area, so as not to overload the screen. Incidentally, he is the same as in all lines of Sony NR / NX / NZ - 320x480 and 65 thousand colors, TFT. All other applications are well known fans of the series NX, so we restrict short-listing them: Audio Player, Album, Camera, Files (database management in the memory), Mail, Memo (handwritten notes), RMC (Remote Control), Viewer, Flash player , Movie player, Movie recorder (only on cards Memory Stick), NetFront, Photo editor, Photo stand, Picture viewer, Voice recorder, WA clock. Summarizing the above, we can say that Model 73 is different from its predecessor for the number 70 modified design (for our taste - more noble and elegant), small ergonomic modifications to better support for memory cards and slightly updated software. Given the fact that software problems can be solved by using software from third-party developers, it must be noted that most of the price difference falls on the design. If you want to own a machine that looks like a "heaped» NZ-90, the NX-73V - the perfect choice. The authors, translation:

I-Mode: lessons from Japan

In Japan, cellular phones, it seems, are quietly replacing desktop computers with the position of the main devices to access the Internet. NTT DoCoMo, the leading provider of wireless service in Japan, monthly connects more than 400 000 new customers to the services of standard i-Mode. With high-tech phone i-Mode-user can get the latest news, financial information and, of course, have fun. The guide DoCoMo fond of saying that cell phones are no longer needed just to talk, but rather to use or how to say computer scientists, for "yuzaniya. The streets of Tokyo, visually confirm this view. Cell phones - everywhere. Some make calls, but most look at the screens. They quickly push the small button, wandering the back streets of the menu. At the bus stop, train station or the subway reading the Japanese news, e-mail, which generously used animated pictures. Java allows the benefit of its owners to download new software, which adds to the already considerable capabilities. Anyone can pay for purchases, playing with toys, getting information from corporate databases - all from your phone. The latter specifically advanced models allow you to take photos, which can then be sent by mail to your friends or colleagues. In Japan, the technology of wireless communications have reached unprecedented heights. For two years, DoCoMo has attracted nearly 20 million customers. No wonder the company is the largest ISP in Japan and second only to AOL in the world. i-Mode recognize the most successful consumer product in history. And now the company is preparing for aggressive expansion into Western markets. Their appearance i-Mode has provoked a permutation of forces in the global wireless market. This significant success is based on an innovative business plan, under which the system was created based on the packet data. Thus, we have introduced IP-services. In 1999, DoCoMo pioneered in the operation of a network based on packet switching, becoming the market leader in the promotion of new technologies. And here the Japanese, as has always been ahead of the rest. In Europe and the U.S. package technology will be added to existing networks, based on the principle of circuit switching, but it will happen only in the middle or the end of this year. In Britain, Vodafone has launched a service with a packet of April 2. These networks are designed for data transmission. Once the phone connects to the server, channel remains open constantly, even if the exchange does not go. Due to the fact that one channel can be shared between multiple clients, the frequency spectrum is used more efficiently. This technology is also called 2.5G. Company DoCoMo pioneered 2.5G. I-Mode phones are equipped with a screen size of a business card, but the magnitude does not exceed the European model. Regardless of manufacturer, the keyboard all the phones have a button "i". When you click on her phone connects to the server DoCoMo, shows the home page i-Mode and go into standby mode. While the user watches the content, no communication with the server unavailable. Only after selecting any item telephone requests data, and then again waits for further "guidance". During the connection fee is charged only for the received IP-packets, but not for time spent on line. Sending and receiving mail or pictures is quite a bit, and all these costs simply added to the monthly phone bill. Ability to collect payment for small data packets (micro) is one of the main advantages of packet-switched networks. i-Mode has both free and paid services. Moreover, 90% of the collected money get providers of these services. The most expensive costing from 100 to 300 yen per month. This favorable pricing attracts new providers and new customers. Number of sites i-Mode has exceeded 30,000 and continues to grow steadily. Foreign companies are also trying not to miss such a wonderful market. Yahoo and Google - one of many foreign firms to establish their own i-Mode sites. Why are millions of Japanese use the services of web-services on the screen size of a business card? Part of the reason for this is a marketing assault on potential users.Many of those who subscribe to i-Mode, in fact, indifferent to the web-technologies. DoCoMo to connect your phone to the internet, but did not aim to inform the customers. After launching i-Mode Company is constantly avoiding some mention of Web'e, which seems most Japanese are too technocratic, difficult to understand and development, universal freemen for crowds committing excesses of adolescent bullies. Instead, it was established "reserve", which contains only the data specifically tailored for Japanese consumers. This is a brand-"brand", a new exciting service for people who are in constant motion. Even today, many users have no clue about what they spend hours every day "sit on the internet. No, rather "go to step i-Mode'oy. Initially services were targeted at the youth market, where they received great popularity. Millions of teens download animation clips, and pictures of idols, the entertainment industry use them as "wallpaper" or sent to friends via e-mail. And these pictures and cartoons bring millions of dollars in profit providers of such content. As a markup language i-Mode uses a limited subclass of HTML 4.0, which is called cHTML. This is an important cause of the avalanche growth of content. cHTML is easy to learn, and it can be created using an existing program. Developer of the technology, the company Access, was founded by such giants as Sony, NEC and Matsushita. The aim was to create such a standard that takes into account a small amount of memory and weak processing power of mobile phones. cHTML does not support tables, image maps, different fonts, colors, backgrounds, frames, cascading styles, and image format JPEG. Support for the latter format will be included this summer, at the next building power networks. In the meantime, use a more compact GIF. The fact that most of today's i-Mode phones have a display with 256 colors, and new models will have screens with 64 thousand colors. i-Mode is often compared to WAP, but this comparison is not entirely correct. As the name implies WAP - a protocol for wireless data transfer. i-Mode - so much more. This is the fully functional network. WAP could not get a great development due to the fact that it is used in networks of second-generation switched networks. The result is a slow connection and high tariffs. Example of Japan shows that WAP - this is also a well-designed protocol. Local rivals DoCoMo provide WAP services in modern packet-switched networks and their services signed by about 8 million customers, more than in the whole world. And so, even despite the fact that WAP uses WML (Wireless Markup Language - a markup language for wireless connections), which is much harder in training. In addition, developers of solutions for WAP are required to pay royalties of Phone.com, the creator of WAP. In the near future 2.5G network DoCoMo (the so-called network of "second-half" generation) will be replaced by CDMA-third-generation networks, which are theoretically available speeds of up to 384kb / s. The new network will be capable of delivering short video clips and other multimedia information. But even before the introduction of these technologies improved data compression protocols, and other new items will achieve similar speeds and networks 2.5G. Sources, Materials:

Palm Tungsten T2: position has passed - the post made

Generational change - an inevitable thing. But the speed with which the company manufacturers handheld computers update their model series, never ceases to amaze. It seemed only yesterday that the presentation of Tungsten T (last December). While this model was the "heaped" of all handheld company Palm Inc. And just seven months after the model is removed from production and replaced with a newer machine - Tungsten T2. Finally, this machine came into our hands and we can share with you my impressions of the live »T2. I do not know whether you love to watch the second part of the acclaimed blockbusters - usually conflicting views. But in this case, we recommend that, because the second part of a good director is not worse, and often even better than the first.

Design and Ergonomics

Design and control of the computer were described in a previous review, so stop in detail on this will be. We only note that the appearance and feel this is the same good old metal casing Tungsten-and T. Just as in the Tungsten T, the key "second" flash, so you can customize the buttons as you are comfortable and easy to use palm in "folded" state. True, if you like to use a large number of buttons, the computer will still have to sometimes lay. Unlike the Tungsten T, the new machine more successfully implemented the concept of one-hand operation. As a former Palm TT new Palm TT2 has a fairly large and comfortable five-way navigation button. Office of the navigation button is easy, and above all intuitive. Now with the help of (two-second hold button in the lower position) can cause the menu Applications. It is also possible to manage within an application - click on the different sides of the joystick will cause a variety of menu options (search, list of possible connections, etc.). In this case, it becomes even less attractive area of ​​Graffiti: You can control the device with one hand, the icon next to the Graffiti area is almost no need (even adjust the brightness caused by holding the power button), and can now enter text in any part of the display, not expanding the handheld.

Specifications

For clarity, we present a table comparing the new Tungsten T2 with the old Tungsten T. Now let's consider more in detail the differences of the new models from old ones. First, the operating system. At a novelty is brand-new Palm OS 5.2.1 with Graffiti 2 support and the ability to enter text into any area of the screen. Secondly, memory. At T2 ROM-a - 8MB (1MB goes to the owner), but increased to 32MB of RAM, of which 29.7 MB is available to the user. Third, the display. As mentioned in previous review, in contrast to the Tungsten T, the new Pocket PC has a very bright and high contrast display with backlight transflective type. The display is really bright - brighter than the Zire 71 and Tungsten C. Perhaps the closest in performance is a display handheld computer hi-end category Sony PEG-NZ90V. Since the work with the Pocket PC in 90% of cases - is to work with on the display of information, the use of such high quality as the structural matrix can not but rejoice. Textual information and image with such a display are perceived almost as a TFT-monitor. Fourth, Bluetooth. Built-in Bluetooth adapter has a special function Decrease in energy consumption, which, given the large "voracity» Bluetooth-devices, is very commendable. Causes a slight regret that when you upgrade the PDA developers have not changed the processor. It would be possible to use a favorite market Intel PXA (even at a frequency of 200MHz), which would still be "poshustree" than the OMAP 1510.

Tests Palm Tungsten T2

Performance with video was measured using the program Kinoma Player. The program Kinoma Producer were made 5 videos with different values ​​of flow (from 480 to 1000Kbit / s). Video playback decent enough, but still not as fast as a Tungsten C. Miracles, unfortunately, does not happen. It is clear that Intel PXA255 400MHz faster than 144 MHz OMAP 1510. Playing video from Tungsten T2 is twice slower than the Tungsten C. Now let's see how the new Palm TT2 works with memory cards. Test results VFS Mark: From the test results we can conclude that the T2 «quicker and smarter," his predecessor, but does not say so much. The overall test results at T2 above 15%.

Runtime Palm TT2

To check the battery life in read mode, used the program MobiPocket Reader 4.6, which operated in the automatic scrolling of the text at a rate of about 25 characters per second.Measurements were carried out only until the first systematic low-battery warning. Audio playback was performed using the RealOne Mobile Player with an external memory card. To play a video program was used Kinoma Player. Time neprervynoy work when playing a movie with a flow 640KB / s is 4 hours and 15 minutes with a minimum illumination level and about 2 hours and 20 minutes at the maximum level of illumination. Gain in battery life at T2 compared with the Tungsten T is noticeable only when you work in e-book reader. From what we can conclude that the new brighter display has a lower power consumption.

Software

Greatly changed the look of the panel with the settings. Old items settings slightly rearranged and added new paragraphs 2 and Graffiti Writing Area (you can enter text in any part of the display). In ROM drive built in the following applications (for comparison, the program for Tungsten T): On an additional CD drive attached the following programs: Of these applications, it should be noted a rich set of multimedia programs: Voice Memo, RealOne Mobile Player, Kinoma Player and Kinoma Producer. That is, users can now immediately available to the program to record sound, music and video - something that was lacking the old Tungsten T (with it comes bundled with only a program Voice Memo).

Conclusions

New very bright and high-contrast display, a doubling of the amount of RAM, a new way to enter data in any part of the display (Graffiti 2), the ability to control the device with one hand and a large collection of software - all to say that ucovershenstvovaniya made by developers, are not purely cosmetic, and the Tungsten T2 has turned out much better than its predecessor.It remains only to extend the display area at the expense of Graffiti (which is now practically is not necessary) and replace with a more powerful processor. But all of this, perhaps we will see in the next series. The authors, translation:

Third generation mobile network in Moscow or

May 14 in Moscow, opened in 1913 on account of the international exhibition "CSTB-2001". Looks like an unlucky number "13", contrary to his reputation, yet brought some luck to the participants. Literally an hour after the ceremonial ribbon-cutting Vimpelcom and IBM have signed a cooperation agreement and presented a package of new services. Corporate subscribers of the "Bee Line" in June will be able to access their email via mobile phone, which works with WAP. A little later they will enjoy the charms and other "mobile office": stored on the server, client databases, calendars and other things. To do this, however, companies will need to install on their servers, software from IBM, which seems to seriously tackle the problem of integrating the Internet and cellular communications. A landmark event of the first day was a demonstration at an exhibition of mobile networks of third generation (3G) in action. Cotovaya company Mobile Telesystems demonstrated technological capabilities of the standard UMTS, video conferencing in real time with data transfer rates up to 1.2 Mbps. Based on equipment from Siemens was founded Russia's first pilot area 3G, consisting of three base stations, controllers and switch channels and packages. This presentation was opened by a series of tests and trials to be held on the UMTS network, and companies offering equipment for them (in addition to Siemens, this is - Motorola, and then - Lucent Technologies), before the Ministry of Communications will give the green light for the licensing of third generation networks in Russia . MTS plans to complete all necessary studies by the end of this year. Well, Russian slow, but quickly go. Perhaps as early as 2002 the idea of ​​introducing 3G technology in Russia will cease to seem utopian. Meanwhile, the stands of the exhibitors occupied an area of ​​almost all "Expocentre": pavilions 1 to 6, Hall Forum, "open areas. It was attended by over 700 companies from 34 countries worldwide. The biggest stand belongs to the holding of Sistema Telecom. Collective stand of Sistema Telecom, which consists of 16 companies - the largest in the history of Russian telecommunications exhibitions. Its total area exceeds 2,000 square meters. This exhibition ahead "Comtek" in the number of eminent members: Alcatel, Siemens, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, Nec, Nortel Netwoks, Lucent Technologies, Cisco Systems, etc. Stand "Nokia" pleased novelties presented at CeBit'e. Among them were seen phones successors famous rulers Nokia 3330 for youth, Nokia 6310 - for business, Nokia 8310 - for stylish, advanced and rich. Also among the exhibits were presented communicators black and white and color Nokia 9110/9110i Nokia 9210 with Java-enabled and multimedia. According to unconfirmed reports, the color will appear in stores no earlier than June. On the stand "Benefon" was seen a brand new personal navigation phone. He called the Benefon ESC. Is a dual band GSM 900/1800 phone with built-in navigation system. Can determine the speed and direction, average and maximum speed, odometer is, able to work with travel landmarks and routes. Novelty is positioned as a separate organizer and communications center, and apparently, "marks" in smartphones. Some Russian manufacturers to start researching the cards for him, and maybe soon it will be important for our fellow countrymen who love travel. Alcatel adorned the windows of all colors and shades of the new series phones One Touch. Alert girl stendistki, not letting them out of hand, telling all the benefits of new products. In a competing firm Samsung on mobiles drowning in the windows of the booth in colored stones, you can listen to MP3-music through headphones bred out. The main part of the same part of the exhibition is devoted to the 3G technology and special equipment for them. Here the choice is rich: the Japanese firm Nec - the main supplier of phones for NTT DoCoMo, and Lucent Technologies, and Siemens. Observers note that in its scope and presented exposition of participants makes it more joyful experience than the recently passed "Comtek". In addition to necessary exhibition entourage - young girls with legs and girls on roller skates, free beer and free calls to IP-phones, balloons and paper waste - there is something to see and whom to show themselves. Crowded, representative, the nonpoor and optimistic. However, the solutions of some stands without interest, and from an aesthetic point of view. And at the booth of NEC, advertising and mobile broadband Internet access, there's even a dancing robot. The authors, translation:

Two Samurai: Sony Clie PEG NX73V and the NX80V

A long time ago in galaxy, far, far away ... Oh, that's me ... In fact, not in any distant galaxy, but on our sinful earth, the land of the rising sun, the industrious and ingenious Japanese with enviable speed continue to produce miniature works of hi-tech art. For example, I'm used to the "fertility" of engineers and Sony each time looking forward to the appearance of regular cars. In this review we will focus on the last two updates - "Samurai" CLIE PEG NX73V and the NX80V.

Design, or seven reasons "for"

There is such a thing - tyunning. For those who do not know, I will explain the example of the car. Undertakes regular production model, and with minor alterations being sent "to the mind." The changes generally apply only to the appearance and interior car. This procedure is very popular among our motorists: buy yourself an iron horse of domestic production, and then equip it with a central lock, alloy wheels, sport steering wheel and a host of other "necessities." So, NX73V and the NX80V against the previous model line look like the past tyunning PDA. The company Sony, like zapravskaya automotive shop, earn sensational design once NX70, erecting in its database more accurate and easy to use handhelds. From basic handheld news inherited the concept of housing - a clamshell with a rotating top, on which the screen. Under it, the bottom sash is placed Hardware mini-keyboard. What changed? Let's order ...

The first

Improved rotary module with a built-in it lenses: it cleared of all buttons (except for the switch to filter NX80V). Press the power migrated to end the case and has teamed up with the lever "hold". In general, all buttons (except the gate) is now performed in small levers - switches, in the same style with the VAIO notebooks. This is certainly commendable, but at first all these "zatvorchiki" slightly violate the spent motor function.

Sony PEG-NX73V

Sony PEG-NX80V

On the rotary unit is no longer any indicator, since LEDs are "Power" and "Rec" moved to the end hinged lids: they are now clearly visible as in the open and closed lid. Additive power saving mode - auto shut-off display when you close the lid (again, like a laptop).

The second

Display at the NX73 has a much brighter - at least twice. By this characterization it quite a bit inferior to the famous "flashlight» HP iPAQ H5450. A contrast of all displays SONY never had any problems. For this part of the Japanese PDA, perhaps, be called confident leaders.

Third

Famously made a slot for expansion cards, CompactFlash: it no longer sticks out as a hump, like the NX70, and not hidden in the bottom of the case, as in NZ90, and cleverly built into the top of the back of the computer. Yes, so that once and it did not detect. Find "CF-taynichok" managed only with a special lever on the back of the PDA, on which was written "open" (pull, little girl, the rope - and the door opens:). And it really is just pull the lever opening the compartment for memory cards (such as bays for video cameras in the same Sony). Very elegant and ingenious solution.

Expansion connector format CF

True, snap the lid back on the already inserted CF card does not fail. With this will have to accept.

Sony NX c CF-card

CF slot also has a number of functional limitations: conventional maps of this standard is not supported by most proprietary applications SONY. Among them, for example, CLIE cameras, CLIE Movie Recorder and CLIE Audio Player. However, the internet can find enough programs from third-party manufacturers who will be working CF-cards on the Clie.

Fourth

New items include a slot for a new formation Memory Stick Pro (MS Pro). These carriers could potentially hold up to 30 GB of data (scary to think that when something so much can really be necessary)! However, while the samples are available in 256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB. According to representatives of Sony, the data rate of new items ranging from 15 MB / sec to 20 MB / sec, which znachitelng exceeds that of common MS. These cards are also well protected from unauthorized dissemination of valuable data that provides technology Access Control Function (data protection in case of lost or stolen card) and MagicGate (protection of data during transmission or reproduction of different content).

Fifth

The hardware keyboard is, as usual, for two thumbs. In principle, you can print, although I personally prefer the slightly slanted button Tungsten C. Small distance between the keys, and additional characters placed between them, leaving not much space for the application of Russian layout. And, indeed, what we waiting for? Sony officially PDA in Russia does not deliver, so think about the location of foreign characters is not required. The keyboard is equipped with a rather dull yellow-orange backlighting.

Sixth

Application buttons have decreased in size and for convenience have been duplicated. Now they are located directly above the keyboard (for use with a palm on a gross basis) and directly under the display (for use in the folded position when the keyboard is covered by a screen).

Seventh

The stylus is moved from the bottom of the top, closer to the steering module, so get a pen now you can even touch. It's unclear, however, why the developers made his telescope, to work with a folding stylus is not very convenient.

Completion

The set includes: the computer itself, headset with remote control, stylus, CD with software, an adapter (for direct connection to computer and network adapter), AC adapter and cradle. By the way, the developers change the cradle they had all remained the same, that was and the founder of lineup NX. Yes, and why ... The only thing that seemed odd - it's the color of NX73V. The fact that the machine itself - a black, a "cradle" at her for some reason the silver.

Little about iron

Processor

CCP have provided a new processor, or rather improved version of the same series of XScale PXA from Intel - PXA263 200 MHz. Nothing special about this pebble can not tell, but the Pocket PC this processor yet.

Memory

NX73V has on-board 16 MB RAM (of which 11 MB user available) and 32MB of ROM. For the classical Palm-and quite enough. The older model NX80V is equipped with 32 MB of RAM (of which the user is available, exactly half - 16 MB) and the same 32 MB ROM. Given that the latest handheld is equipped with a good camera with a resolution of 1.3 million pixels, the memory limit of 16-th MB is not entirely correct, however, will likely have to fork out for expensive card or MS MS PRO.

Sony PEG-NX73V

Sony PEG-NX80V

Display

Permission from the screen, a traditional series NX (NR and NZ too) - 480h320 points, supported by the 65536 colors. Its size - 3.8''- one of the largest PDA. Contrast and brightness of the Japanese display - simply extraordinary. Read the article on this can be in any light, even at a minimal level of illumination. This is perhaps the best currently available on the market for handheld devices with screens trancflektivnoy illumination. So, Sony once again ahead of the rest, and we can only envy the happy owners of that computer.

Communication capabilities

To my great regret, none NX73, NX80 neither integrated Bluetooth-module no. Although carefully digging in the manual, have found that constructive computer still provides the opportunity to integrate Bluetooth-adapter. This device is built into a rotating unit, next to the lens cameras, there is and the light of the adapter. What explains the lack of a wireless communication module is unknown. But judging by the rumors, Bluetooth equipped only Japanese models Sony. I also went to American brothers, so that the quality of wireless handhelds on the new test failed. Lack of Bluetooth partially brightened advanced infrared (IR 1.2) with the functions of a consumer IR. That is, if the appropriate software can turn the handheld into a remote control of all home appliances.

Dimensions and weight

Dimensions for both models are absolutely identical - 71.9h131.5h21.8 mm. Weighs NX80V - 235 grams, and NX73V - 230 grams, or about 1,5 times heavier than a typical Pocket PC.

Food

PDAs with built quite capacious Li-Ion Pol battery on 1200mAch.

Runtime

To test battery life when reading books used the program MobiPocket Reader (v4.7) in the automatic shift with an average speed of 25 characters per second. Time was measured before the first warning. After a system warning of low battery computer worked normally for about 15-20 minutes.While reading the battery life varied depending on the illumination of 2 hours and 45 minutes to 9 hours 10 minutes (just below the graph, red). View the video (stream 600Kb / c) with maps of MS in full screen mode using the CLIE Movie Play takes (on the graph in blue) of 2 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 20 minutes. When playing audio files (mp3, 128Kb / s) from the memory card using the CLIE Audio Player PDA lasted nearly 12 hours with backlight off (on the chart in green). Compared with the NX70 is playing music from heroes of our review has nearly doubled, and operation mode of reading - almost 1,5 times. Nothing has changed only with scrolling video - all the same more than 2 hours at maximum brightness.

Multimedia

Photograph

The main difference from the NX73V NX80V - a type of digital camera. In younger NX73V built a cheap 300-kilopikselnaya CMOS (or - CMOS) matrix with the highest possible resolution images of 640x480 pixels, and the NX80V is equipped with more serious - 1.3-megapixel CCD. As you know, different from CCD CMOS less noise. If the first camera it is rather a toy, after all pictures 640x480 suit except for Internet pages, the second is quite suitable for the standard photographs 10x15 cm In addition, the lens at the NX80V - more telephoto. No optical zoom and digital - only twice. For obtaining photographic images with the integrated digital camera using a program CLIE camera, which you can specify the type of media to be zapisyvatcya photos (CF not supported), frame size, the method of numbering picture, sound, setting the shutter, brightness, white balance, self-timer settings, produce select the shooting mode (only for NX80V) and ask one of the four effects (black & white, sepia, negative, or the sun). Application is invoked either through the menu or pressing the shutter button. Rent is quite convenient, as the viewfinder, use the display device. The only downside is the fact that the shutter button is pressed half-heartedly, as in digital cameras.

CLIE PEG-NX80V

Summarizing, we can say that the NX80V has almost the same set of settings that inexpensive digital camera. For a complete happiness NX80V is equipped with more focus and lighting (for use in low light conditions) and neutral filters.

Video recording

To record video using the application CLIE Movie Recorder, which can run as from the main menu and press the shutter button. The program is compatible with the CLIE Picture (there is a special button to switch between the two applications). In its preferences you can set the speed of video and audio streams (192/32Kb/s), the duration of the recorded video (60 minutes), file numbering method, brightness, white balance, the volume of recorded sound and special effects. Video is recorded in a format Movie Player (MQV) with a resolution 160h112. Unfortunately, the record on the CF again not provided.

Play video

Play video possible in principle to both the internal memory, and with any of the external media (CF or MS PRO). Here's the manifest advantages of cards CF - the most inexpensive, popular and high-capacity modules. Good, now quite possible to afford this card standard 256 or 512 MB. Such a solution would cost much cheaper than Memory Stick. However, there are some pitfalls. Movie Player The program can not work with memory cards CF. As we have said, this application only supports a proprietary card sonievskie MS and MS PRO. So if you want to play video cards CF (quite reasonable and fair desire:), something about the program Movie Player will have to forget. To help you come free utility Kinoma Player, which is still how to play videos - with CF, MS, or from the memory of your Pocket PC. True, the files will convert in advance using Kinoma Producer. To check out the "videocposobnosti KPC, used five specially prepared clips streaming from 480 to 1000Kb / s. Productivity was determined by the playback speed" movies "with the test, the built-in Kinoma Player. Both computers have shown very similar results. If these figures compared with the results flagship of the Palm, PDA Tungsten C, it is obvious that the 400 MHz processor and 50 MB of memory is preferable for video playback than 16 MB of memory and 200 MHz processor:) Therefore it is not surprising that the results of two-NX73V times worse. However, compared with a recent novelty Tungsten T2 from the same manufacturer, Sony demonstrates a good performance in ocherdnoy again proving a distinct advantage for Intel over Texas Instruments.

Handwriting recognition

In addition to the standard for Palm OS 5.2.1 software Graffiti 2, the package also includes one more application to handwritten character recognition - Decuma. This tool allows you to enter words letter by letter in a special area on the screen, and using multiple options strokes. Undoubted advantage of the program is the ability to create their own alphabet. To do this in the settings menu of the program must specify each letter of his own convenient time for you to write. It will then be able to recognize even the most exotic options flourishes (the main thing that you have written the same way every time the same character). Experiment a bit with the program, I discovered that its recognition engine operates at very high level. At least, no worse than Graffiti 2.Apparently, Sony has ordered the program to third-party developers as an alternative to Graffiti 2 (when it was not clear what the outcome of litigation with the company Xerox, contesting several years now authorship palmovoy entry system). Decuma not russified and yet it is not clear whether all will be the Russian version of the system. As for the traditional Graffiti 2 handwriting, with the help of the national containment MacCentre PaPiRus 2003 it is possible to work on a "great and mighty."

Software

Despite the presence of Graffiti 2 handwriting on PDAs, according to documentation, operating system version 5.0. Why does Sony have left the version number "5.0"? Probably just because of the lack of software Wright Anywhere, which comes with OS 5.2.1 and allows you to write the entire surface of the screen. A set of software is virtually the same as in the previous Pocket PC line - SONY PEG-NX70V. All software is divided into several groups. The list can be seen below (marked with bold application, which gets an additional CD-ROM).

Organizer