MYLO: Sony's New Wireless Device

Sony Electronics has unveiled a wireless-enabled device aimed primarily at people who like to send text messages and make free calls over the Internet. The new Mylo personal communicator is designed to operate on all 802.11b wireless networks. It will be priced at US$350 and be available in September (just in time for school!) at Sony’s retail stores and online shop at sonystyle.com.

Mylo stands for "my life online". It will compete with a range of hybrid communication devices, including phones with cellular and Wi-Fi capabilities and a number of messaging and entertainment features. The device weighs 5 ounces and is 4 1/2 inches long and features a 2.4-inch color liquid crystal display with a slide-out Qwerty keyboard for quick thumb typing. It's targeted to 18- to 22-year-olds who keep in touch with their friends through instant messaging (IM) and so it comes embedded with IM applications from several companies, including Google, Yahoo and Skype but not AOL's AIM.

An Internet browser is also embedded, with Web mail service available through Google and Yahoo but sites that use flash technology won't be accessible. Also included is voice-over-IP software from Skype. Mylo is equipped with 1GB of flash memory to store music, photos and video clips, and contains a directory listing of more than 20,000 hot spots in the United States.