The past couple of weeks I’ve been really missing the Sony U71 (don’t worry Ron, I’m not going to ask for it back).  I have spent quite some time trying to figure out why, after all I have no shortage of cool gadgets to play with use productively.  I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing more useful for me than the ability to pick up a device in my hand, head out the door and still have a complete computer to do anything I might need to do while I am running around.  That need was filled very well by the Sony U and I miss that portability.  I find that even UMPCs are too big for that kind of mobility, I really need a handheld device.  Based on my thinking I have been looking around to see what device(s) are out there currently that might work.  Sadly, I haven’t found any.

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CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, happy 3rd birthday jkOnTheRunnnnnnn, happy birthday to us.

Can you believe it?  Three years ago today jkOnTheRun was born, with us never anticipating how far it would come in such a short time.  What began as a simple place to talk about mobile technology has grown into a site that hundreds of thousands of people come to visit each month.  I get seriously humbled when I think about that.  You folks are the best readers on the web bar none.  It’s only fitting that our next contest in the Geekapalooza series should be starting on this our Blogiversary so we’re throwing out all the stops!

This special contest has you playing for not one prize, not two but a whole mobile kit.  First up is the smooth leather Vaja Messenger Bag that you saw in this jkOnTheRun review.  This is one of the nicest gear bags you’ll ever see, much less touch.  MSRP $380.

Next up is something that we know you’re going to love putting in that Vaja bag and hitting the road.  This prize is a device I consider to be the original ultra-mobile PC and one I used as my only computer for over a year.  Yes, the winner of this contest is going to walk away with my beloved Sony U71!  This device has been lovingly used by yours truly and is in perfect condition and even though it’s almost 3 years old the specs still rival those of some UMPCs today:

• Intel Pentium M 1.1 GHz
• 512 MB memory
• 30 GB hard drive
• Docking cradle (USB ports, Firewire ports, VGA out)
• Headphones with remote control
• CF slot
• WiFi
• Bluetooth (with included Billionton CF card)
• Touch screen (5") 800 x 600
• Note that the Sony USB folding keyboard is not included

Heck, rather than list everything it’s got just go through all of the articles I’ve written about (often using) the Sony U and see for yourself.  MSRP- Priceless 

This prize package is already one of the best you’ll see anywhere but we can’t stop there, no siree.  We can’t give out a Sony U71 without throwing in some cool accessories to fit in that Vaja bag.  First up is the Sony carrying case with integrated stand which makes using the U with a keyboard very nice.  MSRP- who knows?

One case for the Sony U is not enough so we’re throwing in the PDAir leather case for stylin’ with the Sony.  MSRP- originally a lot.

Last but not least you may have seen my articles about the Sony U as part of one of the smallest desktop PCs when used with a Bluetooth keyboard so we just have to throw in that keyboard.  This is the original Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard that complements the Sony U perfectly.  There’s something special about this keyboard though, it’s been autographed by Kevin and I making it the official jkOnTheRun Bluetooth keyboard and hopefully adding the personal touch to this prize package.  MSRP- can’t be bought at any price (mouse and phone not included).

Last but not least the lucky winner is going to snag an external Sony slimline DVD burner (DDR3) that connects to the Sony U dock.  The burner will boot the U and draws all needed power from the dock connection and originally retailed for $400.  Sorry I forgot to take a photo of the drive, it’s the smallest external drive I’ve ever seen though.

So there you have the total prize package and I think you’ll have to agree it’s a doozy!  The winner is going to be one lucky person and since it’s such a good package you’re going to really have to work for this.  Read on after the jump to see what you have to do for this prize.

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Reader Michael Connick sent me this picture of the perfect Portable Media Player (PMP).  I tend to agree with him. 

I am a mobile type of guy and when I use an ultra-portable device I really use it, often for hours at a time.  I may use it held in my hands or I might use it with an external keyboard and mouse, whatever fits what I am trying to do at the time.  I have been giving screen resolution on handhelds a lot of thought recently since I had the awesome opportunity to use a TabletKiosk eo UMPC, Sony U71P, and a Sony UX50 Micro PC.  All three devices have totally different screen sizes and resolutions and observing the differences among them has been eye-opening (pun intended).  After you work with all three devices for a while you realize the screen resolutions are backwards.  The largest screen has the lowest resolution and the smallest screen the highest.  Using the devices for any length of time drives this point home.  Read on to see my impressions of working with each screen.

-jk

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I flipped through the Sony UX Micro PC manual in Japanese and found some interesting things previously unknown about the UX.  The UX ships with a detachable and collapsible stand that slides into the back of the device like so:

Sony is also shipping the UX with an interesting carry pack for the AC adapter and accessories:

It’s clever touches like this that make Sony so good at producing small devices.

-jk

It’s in Japanese but in typical Sony style there are many pictures that explain the Sony UX in great detail.  The manual is a huge PDF file (264 pages) so it will take a while to come in.  Amusing notes from the manual– things not to do with the UX:

So there you have the inside scoop– you cannot do the following things with a Sony UX Micro PC even at that expensive price:

1. Use it as a TV stand
2. Smother it with a pillow
3. Touch it with a screwdriver and make threatening hand gestures at it (or you die)
4. Have tea with the Sony (coffee’s OK)
5. Use an electric towel anywhere near the Sony
6. Pour water onto the UX, even if you are wearing protective gear.

-jk

All you peeps complaining about how much the Origami devices are selling for should hop over to the expansys site and see how much the Sony Vaio UX Micro PC will cost you in the UK.  It’s only available for pre-order but if you choose to do so expansys will hit you up for GBP 2,699.95 .  I checked on Google and that’s only US$5,050!

Get your order in now, that price will only go up as shipping dates near. 

(via reader Paul Phillips)

-jk

If you’re in the UK and you want a Sony UX so badly I suggest you drop by the Dynamism site as I believe they ship outside the US.  And I’ve got a feeling they’re a bit cheaper than this price.

This is some actual "hand-on" time, which lends more credence to "reviews" that are simply based on specs, pics, or two-minute mauling before having a device pried from your hands. Digital World Tokyo spent some decent time with the Japanese version of the new Sony UX and I really don’t see any surprises.

While the device is very portable and usable, the small keyboard and screen limited the reviewers usage time as a standalone device. There’s no question in my mind that this device is an engineering masterpiece, but it’s clearly not for everyone. Then again, I don’t know of a single device that is, ‘cept maybe for an iPod.

-kct

Interested in running Windows XP on a small screen? How does XP in 9.165 square inches sound? We were just chatting about the screen-size of the Sony UX handheld computer on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and lucky for us: we’ve got a listener that lives a hop, skip and a jump from Sony’s Tokyo showroom. Massimo dropped us a note and offered to get the exact dimensions of the screen, so here goes…

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Digital World Tokyo got a chance to fondle the Sony UX50 Micro PC in Japan and have published a brief overview.  They reported that although the high resolution of 1024 x 600 makes things tiny on the 4.5 inch screen they were able to see everything.  The zoom buttons on the right of the screen can be used to instantly blow things up when the screen gets too crowded.  Their impressions of the small thumb keyboard were mixed, with the flush keys not providing a lot of tactile feedback, but they admitted they were able to type with no errors.  There are some other good nuggets of information in the article so check it out if you are interested in the new Sony.  My favorite observation from the article:

It’s difficult to hold the UX50 in your hands and not be impressed with the amount of technology crammed into it. It compares favorably with Samsung’s Q1 ultra mobile PC, which is based on the recently launched Origami platform, and will definitely draw looks when you use it in public.

At Tuesday’s launch Sony said there’s also a second version on the way. This will use flash memory in place of a hard-disk drive so it’s likely to be a little lighter and more expensive. That should launch in the middle of this year.

A flash memory version of this device would be a killer feature, and should make for faster performance with less battery drain than the hard drive version.  Does anybody know what the largest capacity flash drive is currently available?  The only down side I can see to this is if the drive is smaller than the 30 GB drive in the current version.

-jk