New Sony VIAO Pocket Notebook

Sony to throw its weight behind 3D TV

By Maija Palmer in London

3D technology looks set to hit the home consumer market next year, with Sony on Wednesday announcing plans to sell 3D televisions globally by the end of 2010.

Sony’s decision to throw its weight behind the technology will be an important boost for the 3D industry, which has so far focused mainly on cinemas. British Sky Broadcasting has said it would introduce a 3D satellite channel in the UK next year, but it had been unclear whether there would be equipment available to view it on.

Speaking at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin, Sir Howard Stringer, Sony chief executive, will announce plans not only to sell 3D Bravia television sets, but to make Sony’s Vaio laptop computers, PlayStation3 games consoles and Blu-ray disc players compatible with the technology.

Mr Stringer is expected to tell the audience: “Today, 3D is clearly on its way to the mass market through technology, distribution and content.

“As with high definition a few years back, there are a variety of issues yet to be addressed. But the 3D train is on the track, and we at Sony are ready to drive it home.”

The consumer electronics industry has yet to agree on a single 3D standard, posing the risk of a format war akin to that between VHS and Betamax or Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

There are several types of 3D technology. Sony has opted for “active shutter” technology, using electronic glasses containing tiny shutters that open and close rapidly in synch with the television image to create a 3D impression. Cinema 3D uses “polarisation” technology with simpler glasses. However, this only works when viewers are at a certain angle to the screen, making it less suited to home viewing.

The electronics industry is looking for the next technology to boost sales, as high-definition television sales move past their peak. Hyundai is producing early 3D sets for the Japanese market and Panasonic has flagged up plans for products.

Sony’s commitment, however, improves 3D’s chances of becoming mainstream. It has given no indication of prices, but analysts expect early 3D TVs to cost several thousand dollars. Hyundai’s 3D TVs cost more than €3,400.

In cinemas, uptake of 3D has grown ninefold over three years, with 7,000 digital 3D screens expected to be in use worldwide by the end of 2009.

Emerging technologies mobile-computing trends: lighter, faster, smarter.

New Sony VIAO Pocket Notebook

Sony VAIO VGN-AW11M/H notebook

Japanese electronics giant Sony debuted a powerful, fashionable

notebook computer small enough to fit in a purse or suit jacket.The Vaio P Series “lifestyle” personal computer is the size of a standard business envelope for mail and weighs a mere 1.4 pounds. “It easily fits in a purse and I know for a fact it fits in a jacket pocket,” Stan Glasgow, Head of Sony’s Operations in the United States, said as he unveiled a garnet-coloured P Series Vaio in Las Vegas on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show.

FEATURES:-

• The mini-notebook has built-in Bluetooth and wireless Internet connection hardware along with global positioning satellite technology.You can be connected where ever there is a cell phone signal.
• The new VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC is around the size of an envelope and as thin as a smart mobile phone which can easily be carried in a jacket pocket or in a ladies purse while integrating all the features of a complete laptop.
• The entire system weighs around 1.4 lbs and The stylishly small Vaio has a high-resolution 8-inch LCD screen. It is priced at $900 .
• Though the model is having only 8 inch diagonally wide screen but it delivers a high-resolution of 1600 x 768 in LED backlit. So the user can experience the full web pages as well as can see full screen movies or even can work in spreadsheet or word processing soft wares with no side scrolling. This next generation model also incorporates Sony’s XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology which produces images in true colour and razor sharp details.
• The VAIO P Series Lifestyle consumer model (VGN-P80H/W, VGN-P70H/R, G, W) features Intel Atom Z520 CPU .
• 60GB hard disk and on-board 2GB RAM.
• The model is shipped with pre-installed Windows Vista Home Basic.
• It is also equipped with IEEE802.11b/g/n and NTT DoCoMo FOMA High Speed WAN connection and Bluetooth.
• The normal battery lifetime is around 4.5 hours.

The unit is available in some eye-catching colours including garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black. The sleek system is matched with carrying cases and Bluetooth colour-coordinated mice to complete the look. Sony also claims that the keyboard is very conveniently placed so that user won’t feel any problem during typing.

Sony has expressed in press conference that P Series Lifestyle PC will be launched primarily in 33 countries including North America and Europe as well as Russia and China.