By: Han Jun Kwang
Last Updated: 07/12/2002
August 21 2001 marked the death of Rex. Though its probably somewhere with Apple's Newton for a long break from the PDA world, its half-brother, the DataSlim which was by Citizen (the biological mama of both models) is apparently having a not-so-bad time in homeland Japan - maybe due to the great interest in miniaturisation. Anyway, it's indeed sad to see such a remarkable product be wiped off from the face of the Earth, at least everywhere else except Japan. So, being an almost Rex fanatic, I'm much moved to write this article on the possible incarnations of future Rex.
In this lengthy article, I will share my ideas on the specifications on future Rex models (if there are any), Rex in different forms and finally end with a conclusion.
Note that all materials provided here are completely not associated with any companies, and totally my views - wild guesses and speculations to be more accurate.
So on with the story!
One reason why Rex failed to gain much instant popularity was due to its technical limitations. Given current technology standards, Rex could only max out with 2MB of RAM, touchscreen and as a result a weaker CPU - something which did not appeal much to everyone clouded by the misbelief that more was better - as in the case of PocketPCs armed with 32MB RAM, 16MB ROM, ultra fast StrongARM processors and color screens. Expansion and wireless communications were totally out. Basically, it's just too small to make a big splash in the PDA arena. Palm's popular Vx and now the m50x series were an instant hit as it offered a lot more than what Rex could offer in a size not much bigger.
Fast forward to the year 2005. By then, OLEDs are most probably the rage and used for screens (handphones, PDAs, maybe PCs etc.). Bluetooth is supposedly the next big thing in wireless communications, though reality seem to favour the 802.11b standard. Despite this, infra-red would most probably keep an edge over this 2 emerging technologies due to its venerable presence in this world. By then, CPU speed is likely to approach 5GHz and PDAs running in the range 450MHz to 600MHz. 256MB of RAM for PDAs is very likely due to advancement in technology.
A Rex 4 years from now is most probably equipped with today's PocketPC's specs. That means we can expect to see a 206MHz and 32MB RAM powering a PDA of Rex's size. Advancement in screen technologies (refer to OLEDs above) will allow Rex's screen to be kept to minimum height while extending battery life and better clarity. Due to miniaturisation, expansion options and wireless connectivity can also be made possible.
A Rex with such specifications will most certainly appeal to a wider audience. In short, it means wait for a new Rex.
Next step in Rex's evolution: Upgrading to a Type III PC Card Size. This will bump up its slim depth of 5mm to 10mm (1cm), but width and height will still remain the same. So how would the height increase be useful?
Well, an increase in height means more features can be added. With a depth of 5mm, the Rex can squeeze in 2MB of RAM and touchscreen, only that it has to resort to using a weaker Z80 CPU and less powerful CR2016 'button batteries'. With a depth of 10mm however, I'm pretty sure that 4MB of RAM should be of no problem and a more powerful CPU (maybe back to the Toshiba 4.3MHz CPU of Rex5000?) can be used. Of course, the touchscreen can be improved on and maybe those Rex engineers could squeeze in backlight. It's also entirely possible to integrate a small Ir port into this Rex. Lastly, those Rex engineers may want to bring back the CR2025 batteries, or opt for built-in Lithium-ion cell. Built-in Li-ion cell? I think this may be possible, at least for another 2 years, but a Li-ion cell will extend the Rex's life by months, and it's rechargeble too. However, this will definitely increase the price to that of maybe Palm m50x (or Vx) lines, so it may not be that good.
However, wouldn't 10mm be too bulky? Compared to the Rex now, yes, but compared to the likes of Palm and PocketPCs, no. The Palm m505 is 0.62" thick, which is more than 1.5cm. Even Compaq's iPAQ at a slimmer 0.5" (1.27cm) would not be able to beat the 1cm mark. Back to the comparing it with the present Rex, it would seem bulky as most Rex users bought it for its slim size.
Anyway, I believe that the bump in its specifications will appeal to more users. They wouldn't probably care about the increase in depth, which may be twice of the present Rex, but still quite insignificant.
4. Rex in modified Type III size
From the title, what does that tell you? Yes, we're still sticking to the Type III PC Card Size, only that we'll attempt to modifiy the casing a little bit. This novel idea came to me when I was thinking about integrating a flip cover to the Rex. Then I thought of spiltting up the 1cm height to 2 0.5cm heights, that is sticking 2 Type II PC Cards with one end connecting both cards, making it some sort of a flippable cover.
Advantages of this somewhat wacky, maybe impractical but useful and innovative design: When you need to use the Rex, you simply flip it open. This returns its slim depth of 5mm, only that the width will now double. However, who cares? One side (or card) will house all the RAM and CPU and maybe the Ir port (or batteries), the other side will of course be the screen, the buttons and maybe the batteries (else the Ir port). When synchronizing the Rex using the PC Card slot, those with a Type III slot available (2 Type II PC Card slots stacked on top of one another) will simply insert the whole Rex (closed) into the slot; those with only a Type II slot (for most ultraportable or sub-notes) can just flip the Rex open and insert the end with the PC Card connector into the slot. Isn't it just great?
Ok, now the problem is how to make a flippable cover. The solution however will also increase the width of Rex when closed by some 1 to 2 cm, as it's difficult to make the edge plus the Rex fit into the 8.57cm width. Anyway, there can be some good uses for this extra width. Rather than using those 'button batteries', maybe those Rex engineers can use those AAA batteries! I'm very sure that an AAA battery's power can surpass that of 2 CR2025 batteries. Or rather, they might want to use a Li-ion cell, but the increase in price would most probably turn off other users before the long battery life could appeal to them.
Isn't this idea swell?
Now this is interesting. Rather than sticking to Type II / Type III PC Card physical specifications, why not we abandon it and opt for something in between? Instead of bumping Rex's depth from 5mm Type II size to 10mm Type III size to enhance its specifications, we can just opt for a depth of maybe 7mm. Also, I'm sure you've noticed the PC Card connector actually occupies the whole end, which some say that it's a waste of space inside the Rex. So, those Rex engineers can come up with their own smaller sync port and maybe throw in the much needed Ir port to fill up the space gained.
Aside from that, those Rex engineers might want to stick to something larger, or smaller maybe. To accomodate more buttons (if there's the need), they might want to increase the width and/or height. If adding an Ir port or to make use of bigger batteries is required, they can do the same too. Then the Rex would evolve into something Rex users never saw before.
However, would this idea work? It will, it's just that the Rex will totally lose its original identity. Rex's main and distinctive selling feature was its Type II PC Card adaptation. Stripping the Rex of this is like generalizing all organisms in this world as one, not different groups animals, insects, birds etc. Rex will then be nothing unlike its rival, the Oregon Scientific PD293 series.
A totally different Rex, hmm...
Mirror, mirror on the wall, how would Rex evolve into the future? Well, I would stick to idea 3 - the one on Rex in modified Type III case for practicality, but I wouldn't mind waiting for the Rex to mature in another half-decade or so. As for the 4th idea, I doubt it will catch on with the Rex community.
So there!