Blogs:
Rich Tehrani
Tom Keating
Greg Galitzine

Columnists: Brendan B. Read Charlotte Wolter David Sims Erik Linask Gary Kim Mae Kowalke Richard Grigonis Stefania Viscusi Tim Gray

By Stefania Viscusi

TMCnet Assistant Editor

 

As the proliferation of online networking and communications via the internet increases each day, especially amongst young teens and college students, a need to provide this market with communications while on the go has emerged.

 

In response to this demand, Sony introduced today a completely new way to keep in touch with mylo ("My Life Online"), a new pocket-sized personal communicator that makes staying connected easy, stylish and compact.

 

Utilizing wireless network connections, users are able to take a break from sitting in front of the computer and instead take their contacts along with them wherever they go.

 

The device quickly boots up and scans for a wireless network to connect users so they can quickly be in touch with their friends. To find a "hotspot" closest to where the user is located, the device includes a directory listing from JiWire's hotspots.

 

Using the "Whats Up" screen gives users the ability to store up to 90 avatars of friends and 9 various communications modes to reach them by. Yahoo, Google and Skype have collaborated with Sony to include their services on the device-- giving users the option to contact buddies across different applications.

 

Connecting to Web pages over the internet or sending emails is also possible via an embedded HTML browser. And with Skype (News - Alert) software built right into the device, registered Skype users have the ability to make free internet phone calls to other Skypers.

 

This device answers to a market that is increasingly using IM and VoIP as a means of staying connected to friends from all across the world. With mylo, this ability is provided in a device that users can take with them wherever they go.

 

For those keen on visual and auditory features, the device also includes the ability to store photos, videos and music files. With 1 GB of flash memory-- playback of MP3s, ATRAC or WMA files as well as the ability to store JPEGS or view MPEG-4 videos make the device a well rounded option that includes all of today's youth's liking's.

 

And the life of this online communication capability won't be cut short with a lithium-ion battery that boasts up to 45 hours of music playback, 7 hours of chatting and web surfing and over 3 hours of continuous Skyping, a news release noted.

 

An Associated Press Report quoted Sony as saying, "The mylo -- which stands for "my life online," -- will be marketed toward 18- to 24-year-olds, the multitasking generation that relies heavily on instant messaging and is already viewing e-mail as passé."

 

The device will be available in September for $350 from Sony Style retail stores and Sony Style online as well as other authorized registered dealers nationwide.

 

For more information, please visit: www.sony.com/mylo

 

 

 

Subscribe FREE to all of TMC's monthly magazines. Click here now.