I have it in my hand now.

[imported_tony_iX]

I've just got it today from my friend in Japan. Actually, I coudn't read Japanese but I really want it for some business reasons so now it's here in my hand. After playing with it for half an hour before going to charge for the first time, I can tell you that everything seems perfectly. As you know, this Toshiba Pocket PC is manufactured in the same factory as Compaq so I can notice that the hard reset is at the same spot as iPAQ.
-The screen is 3.5 inch which is smaller than others (but same as the new HP560) but I can tell you that there is no different feelings for this (FYI, I own iPAQ, Cassiopeia and Sony CLIE N610C). The lighting is better than iPAQ because it is softer. I think it is as best as Sony CLIE N610C. For the colors, I haven't transfered any files into it yet so I have no comment at this time.
-What actually be the greatest thing for GENIO e in my opinion is the two card slots. One for CF Type II and another one for SD. I think after finishing battery charging, I am going to use internet connection using CF Modem and at the same time has SD memory plugged in.
-The height of GENIO is less than iPAQ and it looks much slim when comparing to iPAQ with the CF Jacket on.
-The Japanese version has some features that I think users can change the background (I'm not quite sure about this)
-The sound is better than iPAQ because it has more bass.
So up until this moment, I think this will be one of the best Pocket PC ever produced. I think the only bad thing for GENIO e is the battery which is the built-in type but it compensates the height of its form.
-Oh, I forgot to mention about the slip case, it's very the same style as iPAQ.
I may post some pics in a few days

P.S. I would like to find some Japaneses who read this. I really need to ask something. Would there be someone out there?

[Mike Cane]

OW! You don't read Japanese?! I don't envy you! As nuts as I have been over the GENIO -- and as unafraid of Japanese as I am -- I wouldn't have done what you have.

Please do some battery-life tests (once you've settled down!) regarding MP3 playing. This seems to be a weak spot.

And continue to let us know how you like it!

And don't forget: The first tab in the Toshi Launcher shows all open apps. That tab in English is "Running." Tap and hold on a program to close it -- or to close all.

[imported_tony_iX]

Another criticism, its display has a black shadow at the bottom left of the screen. This is the same as the new Jornada 560 reviewed by http://pencomputing.com/frames/hp_jornada_565.html that has the shadow on the screen but at the upper left position. So I wonder whether the source of these screens are come from the same one or not. Anyone knew this? I've heard that iPAQ screen is made by Sony. Is this true?

[Mike Cane]

Probably multiples sources. I also heard that Korea's LG Electronics provides screens. This would account for the great variation in quality -- even in CLIE screens (when backlight is off)!

[imported_tony_iX]

I found another weak point of the design. The plastic & rubber cover for the CF slot. Due to I have 2 CF memory cards, one from Japanese company and another one from Taiwanese company, after I plugged in the Japanese one, the cover closed perfectly but for the Taiwanese one, I could not close it perfectly (I don't know why). The cover stayed a little bit opened. Moreover, if you leave the cover open like that for awhile, I think, you'll never close it perfectly again. I think Cassiopeia E-125 has no problem with its CF cover.

[Mike Cane]

Are the two CF cards of the same Type? That is, Type I or Type II?

[imported_tony_iX]

Yes, both are Type II. Mike, it seems we are only two who are interested in this GENIO

[Mike Cane]

That is very strange. Does the door close correctly over just *one* of them, or is the door permanently(?) "upset" after meeting the 2nd card?

[Firetrail]

Hi,

Originally posted by tony_iX
Yes, both are Type II. Mike, it seems we are only two who are interested in this GENIO

Be discouraged not !

We are interested So is the Genio able to register multiple button presses ? And is the battery user-changeable ?

Finally, if both SD & CF cards are inserted, how will the storage memory reads ?

ThanX for the update !

[IPAQRULES]

Man... Am I interested on the Genio?
HELL YEAH!!!
Please don't stop.