Sony Debuts PEG-SJ22 in Hong Kong

Following on the heels of its announcement in Japan of the TG50 earlier this week, Sony has just announced the PEG-SJ22 in Hong Kong. This is the long-rumored replacement for the SJ20.

The SJ22 runs Palm OS 4.1 and has 16 MB of memory. Its processor is a 33 MHz Dragonball VZ.

The major improvement in this model over its predecessor is that this one sports a color screen. The SJ20 had a monochrome one. The SJ22's is a 320 by 320 pixel LCD capable of displaying 65,536 colors.

Other than the screen, this model appears to be quite similar to the SJ20, including using what looks like the same casing. Both are the exact same size, 4.0 by 2.8 by .66 inches. In fact, at this point the SJ22 appears to be exactly the same as the now discontinued SJ30, which was the first member of the SJ series to have a color screen. Both even weight the exact same, 4.9 ounces.

Like all Sony models, the SJ22 includes a Jog Dial and a Memory Stick slot. It has a built-in Lithium-ion rechargeable battery which Sony says will last for about 6 hours of intermittent use.

Unlike the recently announced SJ33, it can't play MP3 files. A clip-on attachment (sold separately) can add the necessary hardware, though. It comes with Kinoma Player 1.1 for playing videos.

Naturally, the SJ22 includes the standard Palm OS built-in applications, like Address Book, Date Book, etc. The SJ22 also comes with the usual set of Sony applications, like Clie Viewer, PhotoStand, and more.

Sony is taking preorders for this device at HK$1,780 (about $230 US). There has been no official word on when this device will be released in the U.S. or what it will cost. However, it is likely to cost significantly less than the SJ33, which is selling for $300.

Related Links

• Sony Clie PEG-SJ33 Review
• Sony Announces TG50 in Japan