Data Evolution Announces a Next-Generation Clio

[Ed Hardy]

Data Evolution Corp. has announced plans to release the Clio NXT, an updated version of a device that skirts the line between handheld, laptop, and tablet.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ne...ced?site=Other

[foxfire4321]

I have always been a fan of the Clio, but without the full specs for the next generation Clio it will be hard to decide how much of an advance this will be.

The biggest advantage to this system is the form factor. The use of CE.NET 4.2 makes this closer to a budget laptop with far superior weight/stability characteristics. I know people are going to argue that it is over priced and under powered, but I think there are a few things that should be considered.

1. The CE.NET OS requires a far smaller memory footprint than Win XP (the OS on ultra small PCs), alleviating the need for a HDD in the machine (which in my opinion is not warrented in a ultra-small device). 256 MB ROM can easily hold the OS and all system memory needs.

2. Complete solid state design alleviates the problems of moving parts in a system that is carted around. The price/GB in flash memory keeps falling, making memory expansion via SD/CF/MS or the like a viable option for the future.

3. Instant on/off, no matter how good you make a microdrive and how much you trim the fat on an XP load you still have a finite period of time needed for start-up... and yes, standby takes power to keep going.

Ideally I would love this machine to have a better price point, but I would consider it a success if it is as good a value as the first one was.

Yes, it is a niche product, but hopefully it will filter some ideas into the PDA market.

[NewtonDKC]

I always wanted a clio too - but it also suffered the "If only they would have..." syndrome that plagues every PDA and keeps it from being perfect. Obviously this is going to be a far different PDA than has been released in several years...

One question - it says it will run CE 4.2 as opposed to CE 3.x in the original - but I thought it still ran the HPC 2000 "shell" - if it was actually considered a shell too the extent that the Pocket PC is (at least I'm assuming the shell that gives us the Today screen, pocket office apps is still called Pocket PC, Windows CE 4.2 is what runs "underneath" that, with Windows Mobile being the overall designation of the OS as a complete system (correct me if I'm wrong - I'd hate to finally lose the grasp on it!). :-) Oh, anyway, my question is - I wonder if it will still run the HPC shell or whatever it's called, or if will only be CE 4.2? I think a couple of the devices we reviewed where I work just ran CE 4.1 and it was very limited...there was no ActiveSync, and even getting apps on it was a real challenge (I think the specific device I'm thinking of was the ViewSonic Tablet of some kind, and was perhaps marketed as a Smart Monitor (or whatever those early devices were called that were way overpriced, marketed as a "smart" second mobile monitor for your system, but was still fairly limited. So does CE nowdays have ActiveSync or better options for actually using the device as a typical office worker would?

As for the new Clio, I hope it has the following (which was misisng on the original and even the updated Clio that followed it):

HI Res Touch Screen (640x480 was the original res, though the second version did at least support 16bit color) at least 800x600, but preferably 1024x768 (I think only HP or possibly Compaq had one this hi res). And of course 16bit color is mandatory! :-) On a related note - I believe the original had video out - that still needs to be there (those who make this their primary device will want it to do presentations, etc). A dock option - to drive a larger ext display, Keyb, Mouse, etc would be ultra cool and useful, and could allow this device to act like a thin client at many businesses.

FOr ones that use Citrix solutions, a large enough screen AND reasonable price could make it the ultimate portable terminal and could sell very well if marketed correctly. If the price is low enough (i.e. since a full fledged laptop can be had for $1000 today, this really needs to be $800 or less - $750 would probably be the sweet spot for businesses to buy a bunch to equip their mobile staff who could use it to get back in to the main network with the connectivity options and run "real" apps via Citrix or Terminal Services. Anything more expensive - and it makes no sense to choose it over a laptop (even with the nifty form factor - which in the age of Tablets oth loses and gains points.

It loses points because the wow factor of a tablet device is no longer on the side of the Clio and because now people are used to Tablets PC's being able to run full WIn XP and Apps - Gains points in that Tablets have "educated" the average user about touch screens and wireless capabilties. So unless a business has remote thin client/Citrix/TErm Services technology, I can't really see corporate sales taking off - but if targeted to those who do, sales could easily top the prior totals if priced right and marketed effectively.

As much as I want one, the price of it was always one of the biggest problems - and nowdays that will be even more of a challege with inexpensive, full functioning latops and tablets. Sure, we know the benefits of instant on, solid state media, etc, but most business would NOT count this an advantage worth paying a premium for.

Speed: the first one was what, 80Mhz MIPS? The second I think was still MIPS but was 168MHz or something like this - at least this one will be 400MHz X-Scale - so that's great (624 would have been awesome, but provided it's a newer model, it will still be plenty fast for most tasks

Plenty of memory (128MB really should be the minimum) and dual CF and SDIO

WiFi and BT and Modem (yes, many mobile

USB ports (sounds like it already has these - and that's great!)

Synching with a desktop (needs ActiveSync!!!) AND synching directly with Exchange Servers for Email, etc (3rd party options for other groupware solutions should be included, either as time limited demos or lite versions if available). Essential for corporate customers to truly view as an alternative to laptops for mobile workers

Media - Hopefully it will be as robust as the article implies - if they add in support for WMP 10 and the ability to view movies as well as MP3's - and has a dazzling enough display - then this could appeal to the mobile media afficianados. Heck, if it has support for an external DVD player (via the USB ports - are the 2.0 by chance?) then it truly could be a popular portable media and work solution - in which case all the extra features like instant on, light weight, etc - begin to look like value added features to make it that much more attractive.

Here's hoping the statement that the loyal fans of the Clio are the ones who brought it back - and let's hope they did add these (and many more) surprises. And - I'll repeat again - marketing it to the appropriate markets and understanding them well enough to highlight the features of the Clio as a solution to their needs - will ensure some much deserved success for this little beauty! :-)

Oh, and since I'm a big fan as well - should the company releasing the new model need someone to review it or test one out for any research purposes, I wholeheartedly volunteer (and will sign NDA's or even do magazine reviews or pics for it - whatever they want!). :-) :-)

[Chrashing]

I have a Sharp PV6000, a close cousin of the Clio with the same form factor. An excellent form factor, and with today's improvements of speed and displays, WOW! This new Clio should be nice. Just one thing though, it's not XP. That puts it into the niche only slot.

I have not tried the newest CE OS, but my fears run along this line: I remain leery of moving a presentation to CE, working on it and putting them back to the desktop. I just expect something to go wrong or a feature not to be supported, and thus I'll lose my work.