Sony Clie NX-70V

With the launch of its Clie PEG-NX70V, Sony is pushing the boundaries of what a handheld computer can do.

Not content with building in a camera and MP3 player, the company has added digital movie capture and, via an optional add-on card, wireless networking. This all contributes to what is the most multimedia-rich Palm-based handheld that money can buy.

The Clie runs Palm OS 5 on an Intel processor running at 200MHz. The 16MB of memory seems tight but you can increase it with the Memory Stick slot.

The NX70V is built around the same casing as Sony's earlier NR70V, the only difference being a bulge on the back. This is an expansion slot, which is used for the optional wireless network adaptor.

In all other respects the casing remains unchanged. The lid lifts to reveal a tiny but useable keyboard and the screen swivels 360 degrees to lie flat, paper-notebook style.

The screen also has a large 320 x 480 resolution, thanks to the Graffiti handwriting input area disappearing from view when it isn't needed.

A digital camera is fitted to the lid hinge and can be swivelled to take pictures at different angles or a self portrait. The resolution is 640 x 480 but with no flash, it's no substitute for a dedicated digital camera.

The same camera is also used to capture simple movies and combined with the microphone, sound. You can record voice memos to a separate application, although all this is dependent on the amount of memory available.

Sony provides an army of applications for tasks as diverse as capturing drawings made on the screen as memos, turning your Clie into an infrared remote control for your home-entertainment system and even transforming the device into a digital picture frame.

This is one of the more expensive handheld computers on the market and the most expensive Palm-based. As such, it only really appeals to hardcore multimedia fans who don't mind a large handheld computer.

Contact: Sony 0870 542 4424
www.sony-europe.com/clieplaza

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