Americans can now pack pictures and video clips alongside calendars, memos and address books with Sony Electronics' new entertainment-driven handheld device, unveiled at a launch event last night.
Sony's CLIE(TM) Handheld (pronounced KLEE-ay) has exclusive digital imaging features in addition to all the standard personal organizer functions that come with its easy-to-use Palm(TM) operating system (version 3.5). The CLIE Handheld will be available in September for less than $400 at retailers nationwide. The product can be pre-ordered beginning today at www.sony.com/clie. It will also be sold directly by Sony at www.sonystyle.com.
"CLIE stands for Communication, Link, Information and Entertainment -- a powerful platform for the future of handheld devices," said Russell Paik, Sony Electronics' vice president of handheld marketing. "With the CLIE Handheld, Sony is continuing to pioneer the integration of entertainment with clever, functional and elegant electronics devices."
Memory Stick(TM) Slot Supports High Caliber Content, Applications
In addition to 8MB of internal memory, the CLIE Handheld also has a slot for Memory Stick media, allowing for virtually unlimited memory expansion. An 8MB Memory Stick is bundled with the CLIE Handheld.
"Expandable memory is vital to Sony's future plans to integrate more powerful audio and video applications into handheld devices," said Paik. "Rich content, like movie clips, quality music, or complex games, can eat up memory in a hurry. Since Memory Sticks are available in capacities up to 64MB, with 128MB due out next year and 256MB under development, CLIE Handheld users should never run out of memory."
In addition to the familiar, user-friendly Palm operating system, Sony has added another exclusive feature to improve ease of use: the Jog Dial(TM) navigator allows for single-hand, scroll-and-select menu navigation. Like most other handheld devices, the CLIE Handheld also comes equipped with a stylus for the touch-screen LCD display.
New Applications Powered by Memory Stick Slot and Imagination
Sony has two avenues for adding new functions and applications to the CLIE Handheld.
-- Memory Stick Expansion Modules (preliminary name):
Sony is currently developing a variety of small,
single-function devices that fit into the Memory Stick
slot. These devices are called Memory Stick Expansion
Modules, and include a tiny camera, a Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracker, a Bluetooth(TM)
connector, a voice recorder and more.
-- Developers Web Site: Earlier this month, Sony launched
a developer's Web site (http://www.us.sonypdadev.com),
sharing documentation required for individual and
corporate programmers to create applications unique to
Sony's Memory Stick media and Jog Dial navigator
functions. Membership and specification information is
available free of charge with optional, fee-based
technical support to be available at a later date.
Program developers will be also be updated with news
about the CLIE Handheld.
Key Specifications
-- Palm OS(R)software version 3.5
-- Jog Dial navigator
-- Memory: 8MB (DRAM)/2MB (Flash)/8MB (Memory Stick)
-- Interface: USB Cradle/Infrared Port
-- LCD: High-contrast, backlit monochrome display, 160 x
160 resolution
-- Power: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (internal)
Slim, Compact Design
-- Dimensions: 2.79" (W) x 0.6" (D) x 4.52" (H)
-- Lightweight - CLIE Handheld weighs only 4.27 oz.
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
-- A single charge lasts up to 15 days with normal use.
USB Connection
-- HotSync(R)cradle connects to the PC via high-speed USB
connection
PictureGear(TM) Pocket for Sharing Images and Enhancing Other
Applications
-- PictureGear Pocket software enables users to store and
view digital images
-- Pictures can be incorporated into the CLIE Handheld
address book to help users put a face to a name
gMedia(TM) Application
-- Video player software that enables playback of video
clips
AvantGo(TM) Mobile Internet Service
-- Extends Web-based content and applications to mobile
devices. Provides Sony CLIE Handheld users with access
to than 400 channels of optimized content and
applications via the AvantGo mobile Internet service.
TrueSync(R) Synchronization Software (Starfish Software, Inc.)
-- Provides one-click, multi-point synchronization of
calendar, address book, notes and to-do items between
Sony CLIE Handheld, Palm Desktop organizer software,
Microsoft(R) Outlook(R) and Lotus(R) Organizer.
Bundled Accessories
-- Protective carrying case
-- 8MB Memory Stick
-- USB HotSync cradle/charger
-- AC travel adapter
-- Stylus
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