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Technology Stocks : Sony Corp - Sony -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Dorsey who wrote (12)	2/18/1999 1:18:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 497

Sony Introduces First Micronotebook with Built-in Camera; New PC Form Factor Converges Worlds of Digital Imaging and Mobile Computing Business/Technology Editors PMA Booth No.D81 LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 1999--Sony Electronics today took a giant step to revolutionize the mobile PC platform by introducing a new breed of product that blurs the lines between mobile computing and digital imaging - a micronotebook computer/digital camera combination called the VAIO(R) C1X PictureBook(tm). A unique product in terms of design and functionality, the PictureBook computer is a fully equipped micronotebook with an integrated, easy-to-use Charged Coupled Device (CCD) camera. With the click of a button, now virtually anyone can use one simple device to easily capture, manipulate and share both still and motion images. Using the same elements found in the award-winning VAIO 505 SuperSlim line such as keyboard size, display and power, this device brings new meaning to the term mobile. Weighing in at a mere 2.5 lbs and measuring only 1.5" thick, the PictureBook is a full Windows(R) '98, 266MHz Pentium(R) MMX(tm) system roughly the size of a personal planner that is designed to meet the demands of on-the-go executives requiring electronic communication via images. With the built-in swivel camera housed cleverly in the top bezel of the display, user's simply press the capture button to snap a photo or record up to 60 seconds of video. Another click launches a program that automatically attaches the image or video to an email. There is no longer the need for separate devices, cables or other data exchange steps for transmitting images. By providing quick and easy digital imaging and general PC capabilities such as word processing and email, the PictureBook computer is an all-in-one solution for professionals who require both portability and imaging functionality such as real estate and insurance agents, landscape architects, journalists, location scouts and interior designers. "The Sony VAIO PictureBook computer breaks new ground in the imaging and mobile computing industries and redefines the meaning of Internet communications," says Ken Omae, vice president of PC marketing for Sony Electronics' Information Technologies Marketing Division. "By integrating a digital camera and notebook all-in-one system, we are able to offer business users and A/V enthusiasts alike a completely new PC experience." The system includes Sony's Smart Software Suite for ease-of-use with such applications as capturing still/video images, creating email or video mail, and converting documents into HTML format for posting on the Web. Users can also take photographs automatically simply by setting the Auto Shutter feature. Once programmed, images are instantly captured as the system detects motion in a given environment. Other unique features include the unit's XWIDE(tm) Active Matrix TFT Display which provides XGA width (1024 pixels) and Sony's MOTION EYE(tm) camera that swivels to accommodate various angles and even flips over the bezel of the display for self portraits. Creating 360-degree panoramic virtual tours is also quite intuitive with Sony's bundled PictureGear imaging software. The PictureBook computer comes fully loaded with a 266MHz Intel Pentium(R) processor with MMX(tm) technology, 4.3GB hard drive, integrated V.90 modem, 64MB SDRAM (upgradable to 128MB), USB floppy disk drive, video and USB ports. Optional accessories include an extended life battery and CD-ROM drive. A USB mouse and USB/parallel printer interface converter cable are also added options. Unique Sony Features: - MOTION EYE Camera - Provides all-in-one solution for imaging and communication - Swiveling camera allows for easy access to capture images- even self portraits - Provides XGA width (1024 x 480) with the brightness of a SVGA display - Doubles as the camera's view finder - Mobility without Compromise - Full Windows 98 operating system - Magnesium display housing - 90 percent-sized keyboard - Sony's Smart Software Suite - Smart Capture enables users to easily capture still images and save as a .JPEG file or up to 60 seconds of compressed/uncompressed motion video in .AVI format. A film location scout, for example, can capture location video snippets without lugging around heavy camera equipment. - Smart Write allows users to create an email with an image embedded in the document. An insurance adjuster can document a collision and integrate the photograph into the same document rather than sending the report and photos separately - Smart Publisher converts documents created by Smart Write into HTML format for posting on the Web. An Interior designer can capture images of sample swatches and quickly convert them for uploading immediately to a home decoration Website. - Sony's PictureGear(tm) Software -Allows users to easily create 360-degree images by seamlessly stitching sequential shots. A real estate agent, for instance, can give a prospective buyer a virtual tour of a house. - Sony's DVgate(tm) Still -For easy digital video image capture via i.LINK(tm) (IEEE 1394) interface. The Sony VAIO PictureBook computer will start shipping in March with the estimated selling price at $2,299.(a) (a) Estimated U.S. retail selling price. Actual price may vary Key Specifications: ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Sony VAIO C1 PictureBook PCG-C1X ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Display XWIDE(tm) 8.9" XGA TFT Active Matrix 1024 x 480 resolution ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- CPU 266MHz Intel Pentium(R) processor with MMX(tm) ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Operating System Windows(R) '98 ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Hard Disk 4.3GB HD ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Standard RAM 64MB SDRAM ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Built-in Camera 1/6" CCD Camera with 270,000 pixel ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Battery Li-Ion Battery ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Digital Video i.LINK (IEEE-1394) ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Modem v.90 ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Availability March '99 ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ESP $2,299.99 (a) ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------- The PictureBook computer is also being announced and demonstrated today at the Technology, Entertainment and Design Conference (TED) in Monterey, Calif.