This is the classiest handheld PC that I’ve come across in my time as editor of this magazine. Sporting the sleek metallic exterior that we’ve come to associate with the Clie family of handhelds, the PEG-NR70V is revolutionary not because of its cool looks but because of its radically improved functionality.
For those users who don’t have the patience to get to grips with the graffiti handwriting recognition technology, this Clie model offers a built-in QWERTY keyboard. On test, I found the keyboard difficult to use because the keys were quite stiff and because my fingers are just too big and awkward to handle the subtle input technique required. But then, this is probably the best you could expect from such a small device.
This handheld offers one other notable exterior feature—an integrated 360 degree swivelling digital camera. How about that for ingenious!
The camera allows you to view AVI and MPEG video and to capture and view low res still images on a 320×320 dots per inch colour screen.
Images snapped with the camera can be saved in the PCF format to be exported to a desktop PC via the USB-connected synchronisation cradle. Images can also be transferred to and exported via a Memory Stick card. An 8Mbyte portable storage card comes bundled as standard; a 32Mbyte card was shipped with this particular review model. The device also comes with 8Mbyte of fixed storage.
Another feature that will catch the eye is the infra-red slot that allows you to wirelessly sync information with another Palm-powered handheld or a mobile phone. I tried to transfer or ‘beam’ video but got ‘not enough memory’ errors on several occasions.
You’ll also notice that the screen can rotate 360 so this really is a digital camera/handheld hybrid. Internally, the device is operated by Palm OS 4.1, so the device should less prone to crashing than certain other operating systems.
The usual raft of organising applications are there: A phonebook, a to do list, diary and appointments. For productivity, you’ve got mini-word processing, e-mail and spreadsheet applications where data entry may be facilitated by the inclusion of the keyboard.
However, the real eye catching applications are the digital imaging ones—Clie Camera, Clie Paint and Photostand. These image capture, editing and slideshow apps will appeal to the photography buff who also needs a business organiser. As for the normal Joe, price may dictate that this ‘Entertainment Organiser’ will remain out of reach for some time to come.
Sony Clie PEG-NR70V — SPECS:
- Palm-powered devices have long since been credited for their simplicity. Now feature-rich devices like the Clie PEG-NR70V could represent the platform’s best hope of keeping pace with its Pocket PC-powered competitors.
- Price €749
- Rating 60%
- Contact: Sony +353 (0)1-413 1700
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