Sony has issued a recall for those owning a notebook in the VAIO TZ series. The issues seems to be with wiring next to the hinge that could lead to a short and/or overheating, which is something you certainly don’t want to happen. Here is the link to what Sony is calling a ‘rework.’ Series model numbers affected inlcude:

• VGN-TZ100 series
• VGN-TZ200 series
• VGN-TZ300 series
• VGN-TZ2000 series

Today, I'm singing the "Early Adopter Blues". As many people know, I have a 1st generation Sony Reader, the PRS-500. The 2nd generation Reader, the PRS-505, just got an update to the firmware that includes features I'd love to have: automatic reflow for PDF, and support for Adobe Digital Editions and the ePub formats. If you've never heard of it, ePub is a new, open standard for ebooks based on XML and designed for interoperability. Adobe Digital Editions (DE) is an ebook organizer and library that works with PDFs and ePub formats.

This is a phenomenal free update. With support for Adobe DE, Sony has approached an open platform for ebooks. I never thought I'd say Sony had an open platform for much of anything, but this is closer than many. Many public libraries have DRM'd ebooks in Adobe DE formats, so now Sony Reader PRS-505 owners will actually be able to check out ebooks from the library. That is cool!

I'm quite envious of this new firmware update. I'm also envious of the new Reader cover that I just found that includes a built-in light wedge. For everyone who wants to read in the dark, now you can with the Sony Reader.

I need a new toy.

More info: Yahoo, MobileRead Forums

The Readius pocket-sized e-book reader by Polymer Vision has confirmed that they're still planning to launch in the fall. When I first discovered the Readius back in February, I couldn't quite get past the way it was being marketed as a combo cellphone and e-book reader. It appears that the company has rightly recognized that the cell phone calling capability wasn't really necessary, even though the HSDPA support is still quite welcome for acquiring content. 

Two features worth pointing out: The Readius supports 16 levels of grayscale and it supports Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, including headset and keyboard. The 16 levels of grayscale outperforms the Amazon Kindle's 4 level grayscale and the Sony Reader's 8 level grayscale. With the possibility of Bluetooth input, this transforms into an email client with a 5 inch display that folds into a small package. Attractive possibilities...

In addition to confirming a fall launch of the Readius, Polymer Vision also announced Content World, a portal for the Readius for both free and paid content. The user will be able to download content to her PC and transfer via USB or download directly to the Readius over the HSDPA cellular connection. Obviously that will require a cellular provider service plan, but no announcements have been made about any partnerships with cellular providers.

• Weight: Ultra light. At 115g just one third the average weight of current e-readers
• Display size: Large 5" display, 16 greyscales
• Device size: The only pocket sized eReader
• Battery life: 30 hours of continuous reading
• Connectivity: Global wireless connectivity, with the greatest coverage of any eReader (Tri Band/3.5G HSDPA). Supporting ActiveSync and USB mass storage (USB FS). Communication with accessories and other devices (Bluetooth 2.0)
• Processor: Powerful processing engine (ARM11 400MHz)
• Storage: Flexible, today commercially available up to 8GB (High Capacity Micro SD)
• User Interface: Just 8 SimpleTouch Buttons

via Slashgear

The blogosphere has been up in arms today over a report from PC World about Sony charging $50 to remove "crapware". Yep, you got that right - $50 to remove software that would cause your new notebook to run as slow as molasses.

According to Gadget Lab, the noise must have gotten too loud, as Sony had a change of heart.

From Gadget Lab:

Responding to a tidal wave of outrage, Sony has reversed a plan to charge $50 to remove all the pre-installed applications — often derided as "bloatware" or "craplets" — from its high-end TZ-series notebooks.

Earlier today, PC World reported that Sony would charge $50 for a configuration option called "Fresh Start," which would not include the bloatware. When contacted by Gadget Lab, a spokesperson for Sony said that the company will now remove that charge.

"There will be no charge for Fresh Start," said the spokesman.

Not that I'm trying to one-up Warner or anything, but I just received a sample of an iRex iLiad e-book reader with an integrated Wacom digitizer.

Although the iRex iLiad is not a new product, given the recent reviews of the Amazon Kindle and the video we did with the Kindle and the Sony Reader PRS-500, it seemed appropriate to look at the only real pen-based solution on the market. After all, inking is the way to go!

I'll be doing a full InkShow on the iLiad in the next couple of weeks, but to whet your appetite:

• Best screen visibility -  by FAR, over the Sony Reader or the Kindle. Totally subjective, but wow.
• Larger screen - 8.1" diagonal vs. 6" diagonal
• Digitizer - allows both book annotations as well as free-form note taking on blank sheets of e-paper
• Sudoku - 'Nuf said.
• WiFi - I connected to my WPA encrypted access point at home in just a couple of minutes. Transfer files, etc. Although the reader doesn't officially support web browsing, there are solutions for that available on the web (like enabling the browser that actually ships in the system but hidden/disabled).
• File formats supported : PDF / HTML / TXT / JPG / BMP/ PNG / PRC (Mobipocket)
• You can read the full set of product specifications on the iLiad website.

Before you ask, yes, all of this goodness comes at a hefty price. The official US sales portal is eReader Outfitters who list the iLiad at $699. Yes, for that same $699 I could buy a decent laptop. But for those people who really want a portable note-taking solution, this could be an interesting slate. I plan on checking this out as more than just an e-book reader so that I can see how far into the slate computer category this can stretch.

  One of the best things I've purchased in quite some time was an e-book reader, namely the Amazon Kindle. Being new to the electronic book area, I have found the experience to be quite enjoyable. Sierra, on the other hand, has been using an e-book reader for a long time, namely the Sony Reader Digital Book, and has picked up on the subtle differences between Sony's Reader Digital Book and Amazon's Kindle. She used my Kindle for several weeks, and came away with some interesting observations. By the way, it is worth mentioning that I almost didn't get my Kindle back....

In this InkShow, Sierra and I take them both on a head-to-head comparison, looking at screens, navigation, buttons, contrast, and the book buying experience.

• Download the high res version ( wmv, 13:30, 103mb )
• Watch the embedded version below

Click To Play

Splotch and I just got back from a lovely time in Mexico. That little guy really gets down with the traveling! We had a lovely time traipsing around Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas together.

Aas for the gear I took, on this trip I stuck with what are, for me, necessities and left some gear at home. Here's what I had in my gear bag:

• Fujitsu P1610: The P1610 is a great little traveling computer, but I'm still longing for my own OQO. Even smaller and more portable and easier to pack. Given the fact that I'll never go on vacation without a computer, even for a weekend, the OQO seems like a good safety net.
• AT&T 8525 cell phone syncing email from GottaBeMobile, personal, and work. My 8525 phone is the "old reliable". Sure, I'd love to upgrade to the Tilt, but work is providing this, so I use what they give me. As sexy as the iPhone is, that won't work for me. I've tried to shoe-horn my usage models into its available capabilities, and I just want more than it offers, mostly for advanced email. And it has to be a global phone, which knocks off anything non-UMTS.
• Amazon Kindle: I'm still deciding if Rob gets it back.   And just wait until he sees how his Kindle spent Christmas Day.
• Sony Reader - first generation model I've owned for a while, to compare to the Kindle. I still like this reader.
• Apple iPod Nano - in Hot Pink of course. Gotta have my tunes. The new Touch does look interesting...
• My old and trusty Casio Exilim Ex-Z4 camera. This needs replaced. Badly. I'm eying the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55P. My husband has a Lumix that he loves. He's an optical engineer, so he's fussy about having a good lens and the Leica lenses they use in the Lumix line are quite good.
• plus the power cables / docks for all of the above, of course

So was I happy with what I took? Moderately, yes, but I still need (expensive) improvements. In addition to the OQO, new camera, new phone, and the Kindle, I need a better power supply situation. The iGo everywhere85 looks like a good possibility for me, particularly if I combine it with the Monster Outlets to Go portable power strip. If I get the power cable tangle under control, it will help a bunch, but then I'll start noticing that I really need a 3G connection for my computer, probably through USB since I swap around a lot. I spent far too long in the lobby of a hotel in San Diego trying to get the free wireless to connect properly. It never did, so I'm grateful I had iPass to allow me to connect for free through the coffee shop.

I leave for CES on Saturday morning.  As Rob mentioned earlier, OQO is sponsoring us for CES, so I know I'll have access to an OQO Model 2 with EV-DO during the event and I'm THRILLED with that opportunity to try out what I think may be my next computer purchase. Unfortunately, little else will probably improve in my gear bag until then, but I'm hoping to find lots of new goodies at CES to fill up my bag for the next trip!

According to this post on MobileWhack, Sony is developing their own multi-touch screen. Why not? It is all the rage. Sony’s prototype is 3.5 inches and runs 640x480 resolution and has five points of contact.

Here’s a link to the press release in Japanese.

The Boy Genius Report just posted a great comparison of the Vulcan FlipStart, the OQO Model 02, and the Sony UX280P. He compares nearly all facets of each system, from design and portability to feature set and configurability. If you are trying to decide on a 4" screen device, this is a must-read.

I've used all three myself, although I've never had the opportunity to compare them directly. My favorite is the OQO, hands-down. Small Tablet PCs like the OQO are hard to find, and the active digitizer is even more rare. The biggest point in the OQO's favor for me - it just feels good in my hands. The tactile feel of the unit is just a pleasure for me. The Sony would come in second, but it felt oddly thick to me. Personal preference. The FlipStart was a non-starter for me. No touch screen, no digitizer. It's just a tiny laptop.

MicroPCTalk.com has been following the Sony UX news like a hawk, and just picked up that Sony has the much anticipated UX490 listed and available for sale at $2499. Unfortunately, the UX490 is still using AT&T Edge for WWAN.

Here are the specs:

Ultra-portable micros PC
2 built-in cameras
Wireless LAN
Bluetooth® technology
Series Features: 48GB Solid State Drive, large capacity battery and Bluetooth® GPS receiver

Intel® Core™ 2 Solo Processor U2200 Ultra Low Voltage (1.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Business

In stock. Estimated ship date: 11/05/2007.

I was in CompUSA the other day and had to do the classic double-take when I noticed a Sony UX UMPC. I was impressed that the popular hand-held UMPC on display, but was again dismayed to find that it was locked way in jail keeping folks from actually holding it.

All of the controls were covered up, and it was practically impossible to try out the keyboard. About the only thing that I could do was move the screen up and down. How can people see the value in the cameras if they can't take a picture with it?

I can promise CompUSA and Sony one thing: you won't sell any UMPCs unless people can hold them in their hands - period.

With all the talk of Ultra-Mobile PCs and Mobile Internet Devices lately, we haven’t heard much about the Sony UX series. Sony has refreshed the UX going from 32–bit to 64–bit adding a Core 2 Solo chip and a 64GB SSD. You’ll still be able to find a Celeron model if you want one. And of course, in addition to refrehsing the specs, Sony has refreshed the model numbers with a dizzying array of new numbers and letters with different SKU’s for different geographic markets. Akihabara News breaks the news and it is now running everywhere, but Kaz911 Rescue has a good rundown of specs for one of the US models.

The OQO Model 02 began shipping today for those who ordered it with XP. (It’ll be April for those who want Vista on the tiny device.) In the interm, tnkgrl Mobile has put up a hands on video that gives you a really good look at the size of this device. I couldn’t help thinking while I watched it being manipulated in one hand (while the other was running the camera), that the Model 02 sure looks like it is crying out for a touch screen. Remember this the one non-touchscreen enabled device that Microsoft has okayed being called an Ultra-Mobile PC. Interesting.

Here’s the link to the video.

Well this is interesting. James Kendrick got a tip from a jkOTR reader that Dynamism is now offering an upgrade to the Tablet OS on the Sony UX line of ultra mobile devices. The upgrade pricing is $200.

Lots of Sony news on Engadget today.

Sony follows Samsung with news that it is introducing a new model of the VAIO UX that contains a 32GB SSD (solid state disk.) They’d previously annoucned a 16GB SSD model, so this model looks like it will be aimed at those who need a little more HD space, and who have a few extra bucks to drop. The cost of these solid state drives will drop one day, (if I repeat that enough times, maybe it will become true,) but in the meantime it remains an expensive proposition to say the least.

And also via Engadget, comes new pictures of the Sony PRS-500 eBook reader. Still no price and still no release date. I still question the market for this type of device, but with the news that the device will support RSS feeds that might change a few minds.

Sony is adding another entry to its Vaio UX lineup. Joining the UX180P will be Vaio UX280P. It ups the ante with a 1.2Ghz Pentium M and 1Gig of memory. Availablity looks like October 18 and price will be $1999.99. For a look at the UX180P check out GBM’s InkShow review of the Sony UX180P here.

Hat tip to jkOnTheRun

Remember the hue and cry from the mainstream tech media about UMPCs having no keyboard? Well, I recently got a chance to take a look at an ultra-mobile device that comes with a keyboard and that has everyone talking. Rob Bushway loaned me his Sony’s Vaio UX180P to try out and post his review. (Rob’s a trusting soul.) The Sony UX180P may not inlcude the Tablet OS, or Microsoft’s UMPC touchscreen enhancements, but it certainly offers a range of options for anyone on the go.

In this GottaBeMobile.com Hardware Inkshow, I take a look at the device, the dock that ships with it, and also some of the basic functionality of the UX as well as very quick look at the Beta of Ilium Sofware’s new data entry product, Inscribe. You’ll find out why I think the keyboard is both an asset and a detriment for the Sony UX, as well as how I feel about integrating the Sony into my work flow. Check out the Inkshow to see if it might be right for you.

Special thanks to good friend Malia Arguello for helping out with the camera, and I apologize in advance that some of the lighting is a bit dim.  

• Watch the video( 22:37 minutes, 71.9mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download).
• Visit the Sony site.

Enjoy!

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Cisco Cheng, the PC Magazine writer who recently admitted that there is a lot to like about Tablet PCs, has posted a review of Sony’s UX180P.All in all, I’d have to say that Cisco’s review of the UX180P is right on the money.

I recently purchased a UX180P and absolutely love it. Several weeks ago, I sent it to Warner Crocker so that he could do a Hardware InkShow on it. Look for that InkShow review to be posted later this week.

From Cisco Cheng:

If, like me, you've ever had severe back pain or found yourself bedridden, a portable PC device can help you avoid tons of disconnected downtime. Arriving just as I found myself on temporary bed rest (I'll spare you the details), the 1.2-pound Sony VAIO VGN-UX180P couldn't have come at a better time. Handling this miniature handheld is a lot like playing with the T-Mobile Sidekick 3, except that it's loaded with a full-blown edition of Microsoft Windows XP Professional and has features you'd normally find on a laptop. And although the Sony UX Series is not ready to replace my laptop, it has a lot to like.

David Ciccone has in his hands what many of us have been waiting for in utlra mobile devices – an ultra mobile pc with a 16gb solid state flash hard drive. Although the drive is a bit small for my needs, it won’t be long before we start to see bigger drives, which means tremendous savings on battery life, speed, etc.

David has produced a video of the Sony Vaio UX-90S with the 16gb flash drive, along with comparisons to the UX180P.

Check it out

Here’s a nifty video that shows Sony’s eBook Reader in action. I was impressed with the size and also the discussion of the display technology. I’m still not impressed with the concept of this kind of stand alone (hand alone?) device when you can do the same thing on other devices like the UMPC or a PDA. Worth a look though.

Follow the link to the CNET TV site and look in the right hand column for a link to the Sony Reader video.

Hat Tip to Loren Heiny