Sony CLIÉ UX Series
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 2003 |
| Products | Multimedia PDA devices |
| Parent | Sony |
The Sony Clie UX series represented a high-end line of multimedia PDA devices introduced by Sony in July 2003, operating on Palm OS version 5. Positioned as a "personal entertainment communicator," these models showcased functionalities that foreshadowed those found in the Apple iPod Touch unveiled in 2007. Both versions featured a "palm-top" clamshell design with an LCD screen capable of tilting and swiveling in landscape orientation.
The UX40 and UX50 shared almost identical hardware, differing primarily in wireless options: the UX50 was equipped with both bluetooth and integrated Wi-Fi, whereas the UX40, which was priced approximately US$100 less, supported only bluetooth connectivity. Users frequently reported issues with Bluetooth performance. The UX40 was retailed through Costco, unlike the UX50. Additionally, a cellular-enabled variant named UX70h was developed but never made available to consumers.
Sony Handheld Engine Processor
The UX series was powered by the Sony Handheld Engine CXD2230GA chip, notable at its time for combining sophisticated features and energy efficiency within a single System-on-a-chip design.
Specifications
- Processor: Sony Handheld Engine™ CXD2230GA
- Operating System: Palm OS version 5.2
- Memory: Total 104 MB (16 MB allocated for files and programs; 16 MB reserved for system backup; 29 MB dedicated to media storage)
- Display: TFT LCD color screen, resolution 480 × 320 pixels, supporting 65,536 colors with backlighting
- Connectivity: USB (HotSync), Infrared (IrDA 1.2), Bluetooth; Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) available exclusively on UX50
- Camera: 0.3 megapixel digital camera
- Video Recording: MPEG4 format at 30 frames per second, CIF resolution of 160 × 112 pixels
- Multimedia Capabilities: MP3 playback, MPEG4 video support, Flash Player, audio recording, web browsing, and e-mail functionality
- Expansion Options: Compatible with Memory Stick media including Magic Gate and Memory Stick Pro formats
- Dimensions and Weight: Approximately 4⅛ × 3½ × 23⁄32 inches; weight around 6.2 ounces including stylus
- Power Supply: DC output of 5.2 V; AC input ranging from 100 to 240 V
- Battery: Internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery (non-removable)