First Palm OS-Based Product to Offer An MP3 Player

LOS ANGELES – Sony’s CLIE Handheld is the First Palm OS-Based Product to Offer an Integrated MP3 Player and High Resolution Color Screen. CLIE (pronounced klee-AY) handheld, marks the first time a Palm-Powered handheld will offer an embedded digital audio player and a high-resolution (320 x 320 pixels) color screen.

Drawing from Sony’s expertise in the personal audio, digital
display and handheld categories, the newly designed CLIE PEG-N710C
handheld delivers a rich multimedia experience while retaining all of
the easy-to-use functionality of the Palm operating system.

The new handheld will be available at retailers nationwide in June for less than $500. “Never before has something designed for the hand so excited the
eyes and ears,” said Russell Paik, vice president of handheld
marketing at Sony Electronics. “The high-resolution color screen
delivers amazing clarity and crispness to your images and fonts, while
the embedded digital audio player belts out your favorite tunes
without the need for an add-on audio module. And because it operates
on the industry standard Palm OS, the new CLIE handheld allows you to
check your calendar or address book quickly and easily.”

Integrated Audio Player Built on Sony Expertise

To enable users access to their personal library of legacy and
downloaded copyright-protected content, the CLIE PEG-N710C handheld
plays both native MP3 and encoded-ATRAC3 audio files. The unit reads
digital audio files directly from the supplied 8MB Memory Stick
removable media, freeing up the internal 8MB (7MB available) of memory
for standard personal digital assistant (PDA) applications, such as
address book, memo and calendar. With the recently announced 128MB
Memory Stick media, users can download or transfer up to four hours of
digital audio content on a single stick. Available Magic Gate
Memory Stick media records and stores secure ATRAC3 and native MP3
digital music files.

“When designing the next generation CLIE handheld, we sat down and
listened to what our customers wanted in a personal entertainment
organizer,” Paik said. “In doing so, we implemented all that we had
learned in the personal audio category thus far, and brought a feature
to a Palm-based device that was previously thought impossible.”

Taking further design cues from Sony’s personal audio devices, the
CLIE PEG-N710C handheld comes equipped with the headband-free
w.ear headphones and an in-line remote controller, which provides
access to audio functions while the device is tucked away in a purse
or pocket.

Also new is the incorporation of a “Hold” button. When activated,
this feature turns off the LCD screen while still playing audio,
preserving battery life.

Seeing is Believing

Sony’s CLIE PEG-N710C handheld is the first Palm OS-based device
that offers a color screen with 320 x 320-pixel resolution. The
improved resolution not only enhances text clarity, but also renders
photo-quality images. With the supplied PictureGear(TM) Pocket
application, users can view high-resolution images of friends and
family with minimal pixelation around the edges or discernable grid
lines.

The new handheld also supports existing Palm OS-based applications
running on standard 160 x 160-pixel resolution. These applications
will appear just as they do on standard Palm OS-based devices.

As with digital audio content, the CLIE PEG-N710C handheld reads
digital images optimized by the PictureGear Pocket application
directly from the Memory Stick removable media card.

To ensure that lighting circumstance does not diminish the viewing
experience, the new handheld utilizes a front-lit reflective TFT
screen. In low-light conditions, the front lights illuminate the
screen and, in direct sunlight, the reflective screen (with front
light off) utilizes natural lighting to optimize outdoor viewing.

Jog Dial Enhancement

Last year, Sony introduced the popular Jog Dial navigator on
the current CLIE PEG-S300 handheld, which allows for single-hand,
scroll-and-select menu navigation in supporting applications. With the
new second-generation product, Sony has added a “Back” button that
allows for incremental back screen searches. Located directly below
the Jog Dial navigator, the new “Back” button offers users even
quicker on-the-go access to personal information.

Memory Stick Media: A Network That’s Millions of Users Strong

After just over two years, Memory Stick media has grown from
concept to market acceptance. It is already being enjoyed by some 10
million users worldwide. By 2003, a projected 100 million users will
be linking, sharing, connecting and enjoying Memory Stick digital
media.

Worldwide, more than 80 Memory Stick products in 21 categories
have been developed or commercialized. These include all areas of
technology: car navigation, personal computers, handheld devices,
printers, media, wireless phones, portable stereos, entertainment
robots, and even a retail kiosk where travelers can download local
sightseeing information.

Currently, Memory Stick removable media is available in 8MB, 16MB,
32MB, 64MB and 128MB capacities.

Key Product Specifications
• Palm OS software version 3.5.2S

• Motorola Dragonball VZ 33MHz processor

• Jog Dial navigator with “Back” button

• Memory: 8MB (7MB available) (DRAM) / 4MB (Flash) / 8MB (Memory Stick)

• Interface: USB Cradle / Infrared Port / Memory Stick expansion slot

• Display: High-contrast, front-lit reflective TFT color display, 320 x 320-pixel resolution

• Power: Lithium ion polymer rechargeable battery (internal)

• Dimensions: 2 7/8″ (W) x 4 3/4″ (H) x 11/16″ (D)

• Lightweight: approximately 5.65oz

• Pocket for Sharing Images

• PictureGear Pocket software enables users to store and view high-resolution digital images.

• Color pictures can be incorporated into the CLIE handheld address book to help users put a face to a name.

• Memory Stick Autorun Launches preset applications directly from Memory Stick media.

• Movie Player (Generic Media)

• The Generic Media gMovie Player is the first application that enables the playback of high-quality stereo audio in synch with video and animation in the gMovie format on Palm OS-based handheld devices.

• Intellisync Lite Synchronization Software (Pumatech, Inc.)

• Provides synchronization of calendar, address book, notes and to-do items between the Sony CLIE handheld and the Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Organizer PC applications.

• Rechargeable Lithium Ion Polymer Battery

• A single charge lasts up to 15 days with normal use (without using audio feature).

• A single charge provides up to 11 hours of continuous audio playback (with LCD off).

• USB Connection

• HotSync cradle connects to the PC via high-speed USB connection.

  Bundled Accessories

• Protective flip cover

• 8MB Memory Stick removable meida

• USB HotSync cradle/charger

• AC travel adapter

• Headphones with remote controller

• Stylus

  Bundled Software – trial versions

• Acid Solitaire (Red Mercury)

• AvantGo (AvantGo)

• Bejeweled (Astraware)

• Amy Reiley’s Pocket Gourmet (Neohand)

• Amy Reiley’s Pocket Vineyard (Neohand)

• Race Fever (Digital Fiction)

• Street Finder Express (Rand McNally)

• Vindigo (Vindigo)

• powerOne Personal calculator (Infinity Softworks)
  

The installation of certain software and use of features require a compatible PC. For additional information visit Sony’s Web site at: www.sony.com/vaio.