Sony Unveils Mylo, a Wi-Fi Communication and Entertainment Device

Sony launched last August 8, its first Wi-Fi communication and entertainment device called mylo. Mylo stands for "my life online" and the device can operate in any 802.11b wireless network around the United States. Sony is hoping to bank on the growth of wireless internet access around the country and the growing number of college students who use them.

Sony stated that the Mylo is designed for people who use instant messaging as a primary form of communication and networking for their social life. The communicator lets users instant message, browse the internet, listen to music, or send emails and view photos.

Sony's Mylo is small and slim with an oblong-shaped design that has a 2.4 inch color LCD (diagonally) with a slide out QWERTY keyboard for inputting text. The small communicator will be available in black or white and will come pre-installed with popular instant messaging services like Google Talk instant messaging service, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger. These add-ons are free and require no monthly service fees nor does it require any initial computer setup.

The Mylo's design will remind users of a mobile phone but take note that the communicator does not have the capabilities to make calls on a mobile network. But since the Mylo has the Skype software built into it, registered Skype users can make free Internet calls with other Skype users worldwide. Incidentally, Skype is offering free SkypeOut calls from United States and Canada to other land line phone numbers within North America but the company is only offering this for a limited time.

The Mylo includes JiWire's hotspot directory listing, a directory that has more than 20,000 listings of the country's WiFi networks so users can find a hotspot near them. The device can store up to 90 avatars, and up to 9 online identities. Mylo also comes with a built-in HTML browser that can display full web pages so users can use their Web-based email like Yahoo Mail or Gmail.

Aside from staying connected online, the Mylo can also play music. Music formats compatible for playback includes: MP3, ATRAC, and WMA files. The device has built-in speakers for easy music sharing and can also play MPEG 4 videos. The device can connect via USB cable and the builti-in 1GB memory can be expanded through Memory Stick Duo Media. Mylo can also communicate with other Mylo devices so users can share playlists or stream music between their devices.

Sony's Mylo will be available in September for $350 and will be available online at sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores or authorized Sony Dealers across the country.

SOURCE:

Sony Press Release, New Pocket Sized Communicator From Sony Is All Play And No Work. URL: (http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/computer_peripheral/mylo_Communicator/release/24034.html)