What a beauty! It even has WiFi!. Cannot wait to see what Sony brings out for OS 6 soon :)

http://www.sony.jp/CLIE/products/demo/PEG-TH55/index.html

(needs flash)

What a beauty! It even has WiFi!. Cannot wait to see what Sony brings out for OS 6 soon :)

Agree. This is close to perfect (320 by 480 screen, tablet mode, Wi-Fi, looong battery life -- 5.5 hours of Wi-Fi with brightness setting on MAX, 17 hours on MIN). Don't know how many people will pick this up, though, as OS 6 is just around the corner.

Apparently, it will be released in Hong Kong soon, and there's an English page available here (http://www.clie-online.sony.net/prod_info/peg-th55/function.html?hkf). Enjoy!

Ditto the "near perfect" sentiments...this one has me seriously thinking about upgrading.

OS6 issue doesn't seem to be an issue...since apps to take advantage of that are probably farther off than the release of ox6, and the network improvements are nil as well...by the time any OS6 model is fully taken advantage of, it will be time to trade this one in anyway, so might as well upgrade now!

Perhaps it will be even possible to upgrade from OS5 to OS6? I thought I heard something about it somewhere...

Perhaps it will be even possible to upgrade from OS5 to OS6? I thought I heard something about it somewhere...
Sony? Allowing an os upgrade? They whip people for that in Tokyo, don't they? ;-)

Aren't the processors for the new os6 units going to be different?

Perhaps it will be even possible to upgrade from OS5 to OS6? I thought I heard something about it somewhere...

I've heard that there will, indeed, be an upgrade from 5 to 6. Otherwise they will have pissed off a considerable number of users... Users with disposable cash, who buy things like the UX50! ;)

As for the TH55, I'm torn on my next upgrade. I've been looking at the
TJ37 (http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/peg/Store/Clie/Tj37/index.html). The US model will have wifi, which suits me fine. What reason would I have for getting the TH55 other than 320x480?

I am totally psyched that Sony finally got it together and is coming out with low-cost handhelds with wifi though! :D

For me 320x480 is already one major reason to go for the TH55. Too bad it doesn't natively support landscape like the T3 - 320x480 landscape is a true pleasure for reading ebooks & browsing the web.

I see.

Well for me it's at $150 price point issue. ;)

True true. But how often do you buy a new PDA? I still use my old Clie 760cd :) And before that I was a proud owner of a Palm Vx.

What usually pays off is to wait two months or so, when the current latest model is replaced by an even newer model. Prices drop sharply then :)

True true. But how often do you buy a new PDA? I still use my old Clie 760cd :) And before that I was a proud owner of a Palm Vx.

What usually pays off is to wait two months or so, when the current latest model is replaced by an even newer model. Prices drop sharply then :)


Totally true. So then the question becomes: Will it be worth it to wait for the TH55 to come down to a TJ37 level?

I'd say yes. That is probably what I do :) Wait for the prices to drop.

SonyUSA (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=n0saqhukvx4a_luMS0oQoVSq1NEsxnHgvg8=?Cat egoryName=hp_Multimedia&Dept=hp) is now showing (and accepting orders) for the TH55 ($399.99) and TJ37 ($299.99).

:juggle:

This is the first time i've been really torn about preordering (and not waiting until the first price drop) a pda, since the 55 is near zactly what I've been waiting for. Trouble is, there's always a few "oops" with any new model, so what's going to be the oops for this one? Or should i wait to see the new Palm T-whatever?

Decisions, decisions....
:dizzy2:

Main differences (per Sony's spec sheets):
55 has 123mhz Sony Handheld Engine cpu, 37 has 200mhz i.MXL cpu (have to think the 55 is better/faster/more power stingy, but no facts behind that)
55 has voice recorder, 320x480 screen
55 is .10 thicker, .38 taller
55 can sync via wifi
55 is 1.5oz. heavier

Personally, the screen size is the drawing card of the 55. I miss my HandEra's huge screen, and although the 320x320 Sony screens are nice, that extra real estate is mighty handy and makes the wifi almost usable.

Trouble is, there's always a few "oops" with any new model, so what's going to be the oops for this one?:dizzy2:I've heard people complaining (http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=6499) that the Sony manufactured ARM926 based processor it features is one of the slowest OS5-based CPUs around. On the other hand, I don't want the fastest CPU in town if that means that my battery is dead within the next 2-4 hours. What it still misses in my view:

- Landscape view (great for eBook readers)
- OLED screen (Sony announced (http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article4.asp?datePublish=2004/01/30&pages=PR&seq=201) that it will commercialize an active matrix OLED in spring this year!) = better display and less battery-consumption

I have a friend with a UX-50. While it doesn't feel blazing fast like the T|C and T|T3 do, it's no slouch either. But even the 144Mhz TI OMAP in my T2 feels pretty fast enough, so I don't think the Sony "handheld engine" will be a disappointment.

What I don't get is why they couldn't get it to do "instant" landscape like the T3 does.

I have no intention of buying this unit, since my T3 is just fine, thank you, and I see no reason to buy a new unit without OS6.

BUT, I do see serious drawbacks to the TH: the hardware buttons, long a Sony annoyance, are in a simply awful position; the jog dial is on the back, and I suggest to all of you that you move your index up and down on the back of your PDA to see how that feels; the horizontal buttons on either side of the jog dial are small, to judge from the pictures; the processor is slower which to most of you is probably of little import but to me who uses 10-15meg dictionaries it will make a real difference (when I went from my 615 to the T3, my 12meg English-Russian dictionary went from taking 9-10 secs to appear to less than 1).

I will wait for OS6 and an OLED screen. Philippe Radley

So does anyone know about Sony's plan to replace the NX80/73? I like that form factor a little more than the TH55 (though I like the 55).

I feel like everyone's saying the same thing: Once both models are out, we'll all hit the closest retail store and check both models out and then decide what we want (and go buy it online for cheaper ). It is exciting that good product is coming out now though. :)

Btw, Brighthand has a well-written review on the 55: http://www.brighthand.com/article/Sony_Clie_TH55_Review

Summation...

Value

The TH55 is going to have to compete against other handhelds with Wi-Fi, and it is priced very well to do so.

At $400, the TH55 is $50 less than HP's iPAQ h4155. It is a bit more expensive than Dell's Axim X3i, plus it offers features neither of those models do, like an HVGA screen and a camera.

It is the same price as palmOne's Tungsten T3, which doesn't offer Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Two years ago, Sony led the pack in offering feature-laden handhelds at low prices. Last year, it seemed to concentrate on very high-end models, some costing well over $500. With the TH55, Sony is once again offering a model that has a good feature set at a good price.

SonyUSA (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=n0saqhukvx4a_luMS0oQoVSq1NEsxnHgvg8=?Cat egoryName=hp_Multimedia&Dept=hp) is now showing (and accepting orders) for the TH55 ($399.99) and TJ37 ($299.99).

:juggle:

This is the first time i've been really torn about preordering (and not waiting until the first price drop) a pda, since the 55 is near zactly what I've been waiting for. Trouble is, there's always a few "oops" with any new model, so what's going to be the oops for this one? Or should i wait to see the new Palm T-whatever?

Decisions, decisions....
:dizzy2:

Main differences (per Sony's spec sheets):
55 has 123mhz Sony Handheld Engine cpu, 37 has 200mhz i.MXL cpu (have to think the 55 is better/faster/more power stingy, but no facts behind that)
55 has voice recorder, 320x480 screen
55 is .10 thicker, .38 taller
55 can sync via wifi
55 is 1.5oz. heavier

Personally, the screen size is the drawing card of the 55. I miss my HandEra's huge screen, and although the 320x320 Sony screens are nice, that extra real estate is mighty handy and makes the wifi almost usable.

This sealed the deal for me. BestBuy.com has it on preorder for 319.99! 399 was questionable, but at 319 with these unbelieveable features, I cant pass it up. And, I wouldn't suggest you guys passing it up either!

edit:
Oh the link might be a good idea :wink: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1072287820399&skuId=6295136&type=product

broken link

broken link

Yeah, like two hours after I posted best buy *sold out* of the preorder. I didn't manage to get in on it - but some friends of mine did.

Well...I finally broke down and ordered a TH55 today from Amazon. Paid for next day shipping, so I should have it in the morning. Will post some initial impressions when I get through wiping the drool off it...

:smitten:

I played with one in a store yesterday. It's a very nice machine, slim, light and attractive. But since I don't need Wifi, it presents no advantages for me over the T3, and has certain disadvantages: the screen seems not quite as bright, and the hardware buttons - for some reason, a problem with Sony units - are oddly positioned and small (this is why, I am sure, the new PIM functions are accessible directly from the screen). I will wait from OS6 to buy a new PDA. Philippe Radley

Well...I finally broke down and ordered a TH55 today from Amazon. Paid for next day shipping, so I should have it in the morning. Will post some initial impressions when I get through wiping the drool off it...

:smitten:

But since I don't need Wifi, it presents no advantages for me over the T3...
As a step-up pda for me this is perfect. As a lateral move, of course not. The real market for the TH55 are those with older, slower PDAs. And the wifi is a biggie for me (otherwise I wouldn't do it), so that's a plus.

My take on the OS6 models is that they will be $$ more than the relative bargain the TH55 is at $400. I hope I'm wrong, but i get the feeling that Sony will first stuff OS6 into high-end PDAs.

... there are still rumors that OS5-based PDAs could be upgraded to OS6 once OS6 is out.

... there are still rumors that OS5-based PDAs could be upgraded to OS6 once OS6 is out.
...and the check's in the mail, it's only a cold sore, no more taxes, etc. Hope that's true, but tend to want to file that with those other historical lies...

Gary, do you like your new PDA? Should I order it now too?

Gary, do you like your new PDA? Should I order it now too?Oh yeah...it's been a treat to play with. There are some weird things about it though, so there's more of a learning curve with this model than any I've had before. There are some strange design-related issues with it that can mostly be fixed by using a case: the back button is easy to tap, causing it to turn on and open the previous screen; if you forget to close the camera cover, you can accidentaly snap a picture; and the power button is plain strange (still haven't gotten used to it).

But...the screen's gorgeous, unit is very responsive, form factor is fabulous, love the smoked plastic cover, and the wifi works well but I'm already tired of the native browser and mail programs and am looking for replacement. Wifi worked first time at Starbucks under non-WEP network, and worked first time at the office in a WEP-enabled network, but I cannot get it to work at home yet with my LinkSys router (am not alone on this...big threads at ClieSource regarding this issue).

All in all, it's a keeper, but there are some changes of habit to take place to adapt, and a few early-adopter wrinkles to iron out, such as the wifi under LinkSys wireless router home networks.

The other oddity is that you can't do a full backup from your old handheld to start with. There are some problems with non-5 OS issues at play. So the transition is a little strange (haven't finished doing it yet either...they provide a migration tool, but require your hotsynce names to be different on the two PDAs for it to work).

All these issues, to me, are minor compared to the positives. Go for it, I say.

Edited Monday. Forget to add two things: I love the little telescoping stylus, although you'll read others hate it. Problem is I'm going to have to buy some spares because it's very easy to lose! Also, major disappointment when I loaded iSilo...doesn't run in full screen!!! There is a T3 fix out, and supposedly a Th55 fix on the way, but I have had to use Palm Reader Pro to play with.

... how did your battery perform (preferably when reading ebooks)?

... how did your battery perform (preferably when reading ebooks)?
Haven't timed it formally, but gut feeling is that it's much, much better than my sj30...running the wifi does eat the battery faster, though. Plus, I'm in the zone of playing with it all the time, so probably abusing it more than normal. Will do some more precise timings when i get a chance.

Cool! Longer battery lifetime is what I need.

Btw, I don't know if you can answer me this question, it is somewhat off-topic, but would you say Wi-Fi 802.11 is compatible between the US and Europe? I remember that I bought a Netgear card once in the US, and I couldn't get it to work in Europe (perhaps it was the Wi-Fi router's fault).

(snip!)

The other oddity is that you can't do a full backup from your old handheld to start with. There are some problems with non-5 OS issues at play. So the transition is a little strange (haven't finished doing it yet either...they provide a migration tool, but require your hotsynce names to be different on the two PDAs for it to work).



I'm having the same issue with my coworkers new TJ37. Keep me posted on the fix! He's going from a Handspring to a Clie which is apparently a little more hairy than Clie to Clie.

I'm having the same issue with my coworkers new TJ37. Keep me posted on the fix! He's going from a Handspring to a Clie which is apparently a little more hairy than Clie to Clie.
There's no fix, per se...just have to do things in a strange order. Sync the old unit to the pc, move the backup files to a safe folder (so it won't restore everything), then install the new desktop software, sync new 55 using desktop overrides handheld, then start rebuilding by selective reinstalling or beaming apps over. Part of the issue is the new desktop software, but most of it is os 4 vs. os5+ and the problems that can happen from that. And beaming apps loses the registration info, so had to dig that up (should probably have restored those from the backup copy).

But as is well and lovin' the new PDA...worth the trouble.

Ah well, we have big problems. His Handspring died, so we weren't able to do the final sync. Then the guy deleted his Palm Desktop for the HS. Fortunately he had the files out on the net so we've got them on the unit now. Just can't figure out how to get them into Clie Desktop.

It's so weird. In the new hotsync mgr the address book, datebook, etc isn't showing up. I installed Intellistink and got the stuff into Outlook, but he'd prefer not to use that.

Any ideas Gary? Anyone?

Ah well, we have big problems. His Handspring died, so we weren't able to do the final sync. Then the guy deleted his Palm Desktop for the HS. Fortunately he had the files out on the net so we've got them on the unit now. Just can't figure out how to get them into Clie Desktop.

It's so weird. In the new hotsync mgr the address book, datebook, etc isn't showing up. I installed Intellistink and got the stuff into Outlook, but he'd prefer not to use that.

Any ideas Gary? Anyone?
Palm Desktop Clie does have an import feature...and I think it pulls the old Palm Desktop formats. Did you try that? But...after installing the Palm Desktop Clie you shoulds see the Datebook, etc. in the hotsync custom list.