Any Good MP3 Player That Has Good PDA Feature And a Hard D..

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

I will buy a MP3 player within the next couple months. I am looking
for something like the Apple iPod that has a 15GB hard disk. But I am
also interested to use a MP3 player as a PDA. I am wondering whether
there is a MP3 player that can double as a PDA. I have an impression
that iPod comes with some "basic" PDA features; but I am not sure if
it is good enough as a PDA.

What I want is:
- Primarily, I want to use it as a MP3 player. I want it to have a
15GB hard disk in order to store my whole collection of CDs
(probably need 5GB after compressed to MP3).
- Secondly, I want to use it as a PDA that has these features:
o Sound alarm for scheduled tasks/meetings/appointments.
o Quick note for to-do-list or thoughts.
o An easy way to enter those things listed above.
- Optional: I already have a cell phone. But I don't mind if I can
have one device that can do all three things (MP3/PDA/Phone).

In theory, I could have used my cell phone to sound alarm for
scheduled tasks and write down quick notes. But this is impractical to
enter data using the numeric key panel in a cell phone.

Is there such a thing available now or in the near future?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

> None of the other MP3 portables with large HDs have such features, AFIK.
> ---
> The closest you'll come? A Sony U50/U70 series 1lbs mini-notebook that
> can be your next video & music 'ipod' + PDA + laptop to go.
> ---------------------
> If you want smaller, the closest you'll come is a small PDA like the
> Palm Zire 71 or 72 models with a large SD card (512MB or larger) +
> mmplayer + ptunes + litewave.

The mini-notebook is still too big -- I intend to carry this thing
around.

This PDA only has 512MB may be a bit more. But I have a 5GB MP3
collection. If the PDA had something like a 10GB storage (in a hard
disk or memory), I would be very interested. Oh well... But I have a
feeling that this kind of MP3-PDA device should be commonly available
soon (no attempt to define "soon" ) -- Isn't storage size is getting
bigger and bigger.

For now, seem like I will have to settle for a plain MP3 player that
has 15GB storage instead of trying to look for a MP3-PDA combo. And I
will have to get a heavy duty waistband to carry a PDA, a MP3 player,
and a cell phone. Seem like I may have to forget about the idea of
carrying the MP3 player around -- then I will only have to carry a
cell phone and a PDA.

Thanks for the summary of what are available now.

Jay Chan

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

> You might want to look at the Hitachi Microdrive. Conpact Flash (CF)
> form factor, up to 4GB capacity. Find an old Pocket PC (like the Casio
> E125) that has a CF2 slot and stereo output and away you go! The only
> problem may be in battery life, since PPCs were not designed to provide
> the kind of power this thing might need, so you may only get a couple of
> hours use. Of course this is just speculation - I've never hooked one
> into my Casio...
>
> http://www.hgst.com/products/microdrive/

Nice!

I probably need 4GB just for MP3 files in the long run. Although a 4GB
CF may not be enough in the long run, it should be enough for the time
being while I wait for a high capacility one to come to the market. It
seems to be a good solution.

One thing that I don't quite understand is why you think the PPC may
drain the battery too fast if I use it as a MP3 player. I am under the
impression that loading MP3 file from CF should be very quick and
should not use too much juice, and playing MP3 file should not take
too much juice either; otherwise, a MP3 player like iPod that has a
hard disk should drain battery really quick that no one wants to use
it. I am also under the impression from reading other messages that
the main battery drainer is the color screen in PPC. If I am only
listening to music and not watching the screen, I can dim the screen
as much as possible to save power. Am I missing something?

I am interested to learn more.

Thanks for any other follow-up info.

Jay Chan