Sony Clie PEG-N700C
The latest in Sony's line of Palm OS based Clie PDAs is out on April 7th. What sets the PEG-N700C
apart from its forerunners, is increased screen resolution, and Sony taking the use of its
signature
Memory Stick portable memory device to its logical conclusion.
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Along with the usual functions, such as schedule and address organizer, email and web
browsing, the PEG-N700C can play music, and video downloaded to a Memory Stick.
Increasing screen resolution from 160X160 pixels to 320X320 pixels the PEG-N700C
offers a sharper screen on which, by using the right software you can enjoy
TV shows downloaded from So-net's
Terebi Tengoku. You can now also get sound along with your video through the
headphones, not possible on the current models.
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The Memory Stick allows you to transfer data - be it music files, digital photos or video,
boring old text, or new tricks for your Aibo - between the increasing number of Sony products that come stick-
equipped.
Sony say the rechargeble lithium ion battery will last for over two weeks of normal
use. Sony's definition of normal use is, however, a limited 30 min a day without listening
to any music. They also claim the battery can deliver 11 hours of continuous music play
(if you don't have the display switched on - 3hours if you do). Also over two and a half
hours of color video can be crammed onto a 128MB Memory Stick (Available April 10).
Deo Deo is planning to sell the PEG-N700C at ¥49,980. This ain't cheap when you consider
that it does not come with a memory stick - no one seemed to be able to tell me what the
128MB sticks will go for, but the 32MB and 64MB MagicGate Memory Sticks (which contain
copyright protection technology) are currently selling for ¥9,800/¥16,800 respectively
At these prices, I think it's unlikely that the new features will be enough to convince the
all important teenage girl market that it's worth carrying a PDA along with their mobile
phone.
Paul Walsh
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