The Japanese-Swedish mobile phone manufacturer noted that net profit for the second quarter amounted to a mere $6 million - a 97% downslide from 2Q 2007 net profits of $220 million. Sony Ericsson blamed the competitive market, higher handset development costs, and economic fluctuations as reasons for their massive profit decline.

To help ease the profit-choke, Sony Ericsson has announced that it will be cutting some 2,000 jobs within the next 12 months. The move is expected to save the company $470 million.

"Challenging market conditions are expected to prevail for Sony Ericsson for at least the rest of 2008," the company said, "in particular for the third quarter."

Sony Ericsson recently posted a teaser site to promote its upcoming Walkman phones. The move toward viral marketing of their next-generation handsets could be a sign that Sony Ericsson has realized its marketing weaknesses and is changing up its gameplan to appeal to the more savvy mobile phone consumer.

Keep reading for the full press release.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson on Friday posted a 97 percent drop in second-quarter earnings and said it would slash 2,000 jobs worldwide in a move to cut costs.

The LM Ericsson and Sony Corp. joint venture blamed the earnings decline on tougher market conditions, higher development costs and negative effects from exchange rate fluctuations.

Company spokeswoman Lisa Canning in London said the company would cut 2,000 jobs "within the next 12 months" as part of an effort to reduce operational costs by 300 million euros ($470 million) per year.

In a statement, Sony Ericsson President Hideki Komiyama said his company estimates restructuring charges to "be of the same magnitude as our reduction in operating expenses."

Net profit in the quarter fell to 6 million euros ($9.5 million), down sharply from 220 million euros in the same period a year ago.

Sales were down about 9 percent to 2.8 billion ($4.4 million), from 3.1 million euros in the second quarter in 2007.

The company had warned already last month that it expected to just break even before taxes in the quarter because of tougher competition and a continued slowing market growth in its mid- to high-end phones.

It was the second profit warning this year from Sony Ericsson, which usually ranks fourth or fifth among the world's biggest mobile phone makers.

"Challenging market conditions are expected to prevail for Sony Ericsson for at least the rest of 2008," the company said, "in particular for the third quarter."

Sony Ericsson's results were in stark contrast to the better-than-expected earnings report by market leader Nokia Corp. on Thursday. Nokia, which makes four of 10 handsets sold worldwide, said it expected the global market for cell phones to grow by 10 percent or more in 2008, upgrading an earlier estimate.

Sony Ericsson forecast the global market to grow at around 10 percent but with a continued decline in average selling prices.

The average selling price for Sony Ericsson handsets fell in the second quarter to 116 euros ($185), from 125 euros, because of a wider range of cheaper phones in its product portfolio and price competition on more expensive phones.

The company said its gross margin dropped to 23.1 percent, from 29.6 percent in the second quarter of 2007, while research and development costs jumped by 22 percent to 344 million euros ($545 million).

Shipped units reached 24.4 million in the quarter, Sony Ericsson said.

---
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Motorola Cuts 4,000 More Jobs in Latest Cost-Cutting Attempt
• Sony Ericsson sees handset sales slide
• New Sony Ericsson low-end phone found on the FCC pages
• Something has to be done - Palm posts 43% drop in profit
• Did Sony Ericsson accidently out the Sony Ericsson P3?

Lieberman originally developed the technology to help NASA monitor balance problems in astronauts returning from space.

Zero gravity environments wreak havoc on the vestibular system, one of three body systems that control balance. (The others are vision and sensory receptors called proprioceptors, which tell you where your body parts are in relation to other body parts and the outside world.)

"The change in gravity really screws with their sense of balance. They're falling all over the place," says Lieberman, who is a Hertz Fellow and also receives funding from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense.

The effect usually lasts about 10 days, but NASA tests astronauts' balance for 16 days after their return. Astronauts go into a phone-booth-like box, where they undergo a series of balance tests such as platform shifts and wall shifts.

While at NASA, Lieberman developed a new system for gathering data and an algorithm to analyze the data.

"We've developed the first algorithm that is really capable of not just looking at the pressure distribution of proprioceptors on the feet but also analyzing what that's saying," he says.

Lieberman soon realized that the technology could reach a wider audience than just astronauts. His own grandmother suffered a bad fall several years ago, and he theorized that a balance diagnostic could help doctors catch balance problems before such a fall occurs.

"You have a gradual progression of loss of balance, osteoporosis, and other factors that can lead to the fall," Lieberman says.

The iShoe insole would measure and analyze the pressure distribution of the patient's foot and report back to their doctor. The device could also be outfitted with an alarm that would alert family members when a fall has occurred.

Lieberman and his colleagues are now testing the device in about 60 people, hoping to generate data that will help them create a model to predict the risk of a fall.

Press release: Balance problems? Step into the iShoe...

(hat tip: Engadget)

Alternative Apparel is making an admirable effort in the ongoing battle over basic cotton knitwear primacy. Tne particular item we're enjoying is the Pima Scarf. Rarely considered a summertime accessory, this single-layer cotton scarf is light enough to wear on balmy July evening. At 88 by 16 inches, the on-trend neck wear is extra long, too, and wider than most. Incredibly soft, it can be worn numerous ways. The Pima Scarf comes in six different colors, each costs $20.

You can also take a look at the last time we covered Alternative Apparel.

Intel has finally unleashed the brand new Centrino 2 (a.k.a Montevina) notebook platform. It is available in two versions: customers and professionals (vPro). Features include enhanced Blu-Ray playback and support for 802.11 draft n WiFI. Unfortunately, WiMax is not supported yet, but Intel has promised it for Fall this year. Check below for the detailed press release and stay tune for the attack of Centrino 2-based laptops.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jul. 15, 2008 Intel Corporation unveiled its Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 Processor Technology products for laptops today, powered by five new Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processors. Close to 250 innovative consumer and business notebook PC designs are on the way, including those equipped with the right combination of powerful processors, graphics and battery life to enjoy viewing stunning high definition videos and myriad other computer and Internet activities.

Intel also introduced the world’s highest-performing dual-core mobile processor, the Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme processor running at a brisk 3.06 GHz, as measured by SPECint(1)_rate_base2006, an industry benchmark (http://www.spec.org)(2).

Rounding out a mobile-focused summer for the company, Intel said it also plans to unveil eight processors within 90 days that will include first-ever mobile quad-core products and second-generation products for ultra-thin and light notebooks. In total, Intel will bring 14 diverse new processors into the marketplace as laptop sales continue to outpace desktop PCs.

Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 with vPro(TM) Technology improve upon every facet of a laptop’s main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless (with WiMAX arriving later this year), and new business-class manageability capabilities.

“When we first introduced Intel Centrino back in 2003, there were very few Wi-Fi hotspots, YouTube videos and social media didn’t really exist, ‘thin and light’ only referred to weight goals and desktop PCs outsold notebooks by a very wide margin,” said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the company’s Mobile Platforms Group. “Today, notebooks outsell desktops in the U.S., and we’re paving the way to HD entertainment, rich online gaming, faster broadband wireless speeds and an easier and more secure way for businesses to manage, update and repair their notebook fleets.”

Intel is introducing five dual core processors based on Intel’s reinvented transistors (high-k metal gate formula) and advanced 45-nanometer manufacturing process. These processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache, and three versions reduce laptop processor wattage about 30 percent, down to just 25 watts. Also featured is Deep Power Down Technology that turns off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle for greater energy savings.

Intel also unveiled its Mobile Intel(R) 45 Express Chipset and wireless Intel(R) Wi-Fi Link 5000 series that is shipping to customers now, with laptops arriving later in July and August. Delivering five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology, the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support that delivers the fastest data rates possible today — up to 450 Mbps.

Switchable graphics, a new optional power-saving feature available on Intel Centrino 2-based notebooks, provides both integrated and discrete graphics on a single notebook, enabling users to easily switch between the two options. Switchable graphics delivers greater 3-D performance when needed while providing the option for greater power savings for the best of both worlds.

For consumers, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the horsepower and battery life to enjoy a typical full-length, Blu-ray(1) high-definition video on a single battery charge for the first time, plus the ability to play a variety of online games, download music or post videos faster than before.

For businesses, Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology offers enhanced manageability and security options. This is increasingly important as companies replace desktops with notebooks and need to remotely diagnose, update and repair systems over a wireless network. Improved manageability with AMT 4.0 has also been added that provides wireless manageability during system sleep states, ongoing remote configuration capabilities, support for next-generation management standards (WS-MAN and DASH 1.0) and the ability for an employee to initiate communications to IT from outside a company’s firewall.

OEMs and Channel system builders will deliver close to 250 systems to market. For more information including Intel product pricing, visit http://www.intel.com/go/processor_pricing. For a full media version of this release including photos, videos, related blogs and other information, visit http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080715comp_sm.htm and the Intel Centrino 2 technology press kit at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/centrino2.

WiMAX Momentum

Later this year in the United States, Intel will begin shipping its first-ever combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi module, part of the Intel(R) WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5050 Series that is an optional feature for future Intel Centrino 2-based laptops. WiMAX is a 4G, Internet protocol-based broadband wireless technology that complements Wi-Fi networks.

WiMAX also provides much wider Internet and phone voice coverage, and unlike Wi-Fi has the ability to unwire entire cities or communities, connecting users even when they’re on the move. Intel is working with service providers around the world to deploy WiMAX networks, with initial U.S. network availability starting later this year from Sprint XOHM and Clearwire.

Laptop Mag
The Lenovo ThinkPad X200 is an excellent lightweight notebook for mobile professionals who demand the business essentials: security, durability, and lengthy battery life. Although some may prefer an optical drive or a slightly larger display, the power of the Centrino 2 platform combined with the usual ThinkPad excellence makes this one of the best ultraportables around.

PC Mag
With wider dimensions, the ThinkPad keyboard we all come to love is larger than the previous one, and the typing experience is nothing short of spectacular, trumping the ones on both the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ791N and the Toshiba R500 (SSD). For those who adore the pointing stick, the X200 carries one over from the X61.

Notebook Review
The amazing battery life capabilities and cool and quiet running performance are real highlights. Having so much power in a small package while still maintaining a cool and quiet computing experience further adds to the impressiveness there. The ThinkPad X200 is also durable enough to last a very long time even with the most abusive of owners, shoving the X200 in a tightly packed bag and then physically forcing it under seat 21A on the plane won't cause this laptop harm.

Channel Web
What really grabbed our attention was the X200's 9-cell battery life. Using the Test Center's standard test, in which all power-saving options are turned off and video is run continuously off the hard drive until the battery dies, the X200 lasted for 4 hours and 16 minutes. That is pushing the envelope in our testing environment, and puts it at or near the head of the class this year in battery life.

Notebooks.com
One minor thing that bugs me is Lenovo’s logo, which stands on its own and looks like an afterthought. Another negative is that the X200 only has a single speaker, which isn’t good for much except for system beeps. If you’re going to listen to tunes while you work on the X200 headphones are an absolute must.

The lines were spectacular, and all made possible by the in-store activation that was required for each iPhone sold, a procedure made interminable by the overload on the iTunes servers. Last year, when the iPhone came out, I decided to wait until the fanatics all had theirs and there was no wait, and that turned out to be about 2 hours after they went on sale. Well this year, there are lots of people still pining for an iPhone, and many red "sold-out" notices on the iPhone availability site. If you're planning on stopping by the Apple store for your iPhone, thinking the craze has died down, I'd strongly advise you check the site to make sure your store has stock first. The list is only live while the store is closed so you have to check the night before.

On to the phone itself . . .

The iPhone 3G is nearly identical to the original model. The back of the phone is now a shiny black plastic which collects smudges as easily as the screen. The phone is very slightly wider but a tad thinner. This difference is really only discernible if you try to use one of your old iPhone cases for the iPhone 3G. It's like trying to fit into jeans from high school- you can get it over your hips, maybe even zip it, but then you're not very comfortable, and may not even be able to sit down. My leather case-mate cracked after holding the 3G model for a couple of hours.

The differences, in features and performance, are somewhat subtle. If you've upgraded your iPhone to the 2.0 firmware, you may not even notice the difference. The biggie, actually, is something that hasn't been emphasized very much - the iPhone 3G, finally, is a good phone for making calls. With the older iPhone, I rarely used it for calls because the sound quality was so bad, it sounded like people were talking while having seizures, all strange vibrations and gurgles, even when I had a 5-bar signal. Now the call quality is pretty clear, and the speaker is much improved too.

The much vaunted and wanted 3G? I am having serious problems. And I'm not the only one. See here, here, and here. I have another AT&T 3G capable smartphone, the Windows Mobile-powered 8525, and in the same spot where I have 4-5 bars of 3G signal on the 8525, I will have barely one bar on the iPhone 3G. In bandwidth tests, I'll get 500-600 kbps on the 8525, and about 100 kbps on the iPhone 3G. When I go someplace where even the iPhone 3G shows a 5-bar 3G signal, I still get the same speed results. If I turn off the 3G (the option to do this is buried under settings-general-network), and use the EDGE connection, it's slightly faster. And this is with 5 bars on 3G. So far, the 3G is actually slower for me than EDGE, consistently.

The GPS function is cool, definitely. When the GPS gets a lock on your location, your spot becomes a glowing blue dot on Google Maps. When you drive, the dot follows you, so even without turn-by-turn directions, you can see if you're going in the right direction. Unfortunately, the data speeds are so, so slow for me, that the maps take forever to load, and so far only work well over Wifi, when I'm unlikely to be driving.

The App store? Hurrah - no more fake apps through Safari. I've been downloading like a maniac, and while there's a lot of junk, there are some very good things too - like Movies on Tap, which finds your location, brings up the nearest theatres and movie times, and can connect you to reviews and trailers. It's definitely a lot of fun to be able to customize your phone like this, with applications that aren't dependent on a fast, stable web connection (because I can't get one!).

For anyone who's been using the old iPhone for a while, the most welcome new feature (also available in the free 2.0 firmware update for the non-3G iPhone) is the ability to delete or move multiple email messages. Now, when you hit "edit," you can select as many messages as you want, and hit "delete" or "move" just once, to get rid of the whole lot. It used to take me 10 minutes to delete a day's worth of spam, what with all the accidental opening of messages I was merely trying to select to delete, and now it can all be done in a fraction of the time. It's very satisfying, but then again, it merely corrects a huge problem, rather than being anything innovative.

Oh oh, one thing was very, very exciting for me. As a longtime user of the Palm OS and Windows Mobile, I had a ton of E-reader books. I was sad to let those go. E-reader now has a free app for the iPhone, and you can download books from your account, even over-the-air. Reading ebooks on the iPhone is terrific, so much more tactile and fun than doing it on a Kindle where you have to press a bunch of buttons.

I have to hold out on an absolute verdict until I figure out if my phone actually has an antenna problem, but so far, I'd say that the iPhone 3G presents a modest improvement, and for people happy with their old iPhones, get the 2.0 firmware and at least wait until those manufactured "shortages" are over.

Posted by Mia    Category: cell phones | feature | portable media
Tags: apple  iphone
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]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:15:46 +0000 iphone apple store apple non-3g iphone apple iphone iphone availability site site store signal iPhone 3G- is it worth the fuss? http://mobileratty.com/article/56294f51a9fd5eccdcbb5eeb5d773c25 http://mobileratty.com/article/56294f51a9fd5eccdcbb5eeb5d773c25 Sony has just introduced the new VAIO Z Series notebooks that brings a sleek and powerful machine in a lightweight package. It tips the scales at slightly over 3 pounds, featuring a vivid 13.1″ widescreen display backed by Sony’s own XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology that offers scratch-resistant durability and 100% color saturation. Depending on the model chosen, you will be able to get a maximum high resolution 1,600 x 900 widescreen display, offering a wider workspace compared to a standard display despite sharing the same footprint. The keyboard panel is covered by a seamless sheet of brushed aluminum, framing its individual keys. Spaces between keys have been precisely engineered to create a comfortable typing experience so that mistakes can be avoided, but it is always better to get off on the right footing beforehand.

The unit is housed in a durable carbon-fiber casing to help endure the knocks, bumps and accidents common to frequent travel. It also incorporates G-Sensor Shock Protection technology to counteract sudden movements helping to prevent damage and data loss. It is powered by new Intel Centrino 2 technology, the chipset designed for sizzling performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy efficiency. Road warriors will love its built-in 802.11n wireless LAN capabilities making it faster and easier to connect to compatible wireless networks with greater performance and range than ever before. For blazing-fast wireless access beyond networks and hotspots, the unit features optional built-in wireless Sprint Mobile Broadband, the nation’s largest wireless broadband network.

In addition, you will be able to choose the optional Blu-ray Disc optical drive if you want to enjoy high definition movies on the go, although the screen doesn’t exactly do the images justice. You’d best use the included HDMI output though, so make sure there is a full HD-ready TV or projector at home to maximize this feature. Other features include a biometric fingerprint sensor, a Trusted Platform Module compliant chip and proprietary hard disk drive password protection software that prevents protected data from unauthorized access. Prices start from $1,800 upwards, while an SSD model will begin at $2,300.

Press Release
[ Sony releases VAIO Z Series notebooks copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Jul 15, 2008 00:01

New Intel-Based Laptops Advance All Facets of Notebook PCs

New Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 Processor Technology Brings 'HD-to-Go'; Adds Security and Manageability Features, Boosts Speed, Battery Life and Wireless Range
SAN FRANCISCO —(Business Wire)— Jul. 15, 2008 Intel Corporation unveiled its Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 Processor Technology products for laptops today, powered by five new Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processors. Close to 250 innovative consumer and business notebook PC designs are on the way, including those equipped with the right combination of powerful processors, graphics and battery life to enjoy viewing stunning high definition videos and myriad other computer and Internet activities.

Intel also introduced the world's highest-performing dual-core mobile processor, the Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme processor running at a brisk 3.06 GHz, as measured by SPECint(1)_rate_base2006, an industry benchmark (http://www.spec.org)(2).

Rounding out a mobile-focused summer for the company, Intel said it also plans to unveil eight processors within 90 days that will include first-ever mobile quad-core products and second-generation products for ultra-thin and light notebooks. In total, Intel will bring 14 diverse new processors into the marketplace as laptop sales continue to outpace desktop PCs.

Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 with vPro(TM) Technology improve upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless (with WiMAX arriving later this year), and new business-class manageability capabilities.

"When we first introduced Intel Centrino back in 2003, there were very few Wi-Fi hotspots, YouTube videos and social media didn't really exist, 'thin and light' only referred to weight goals and desktop PCs outsold notebooks by a very wide margin," said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the company's Mobile Platforms Group. "Today, notebooks outsell desktops in the U.S., and we're paving the way to HD entertainment, rich online gaming, faster broadband wireless speeds and an easier and more secure way for businesses to manage, update and repair their notebook fleets."

Intel is introducing five dual core processors based on Intel's reinvented transistors (high-k metal gate formula) and advanced 45-nanometer manufacturing process. These processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache, and three versions reduce laptop processor wattage about 30 percent, down to just 25 watts. Also featured is Deep Power Down Technology that turns off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle for greater energy savings.

Intel also unveiled its Mobile Intel(R) 45 Express Chipset and wireless Intel(R) Wi-Fi Link 5000 series that is shipping to customers now, with laptops arriving later in July and August. Delivering five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology, the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support that delivers the fastest data rates possible today — up to 450 Mbps.

Switchable graphics, a new optional power-saving feature available on Intel Centrino 2-based notebooks, provides both integrated and discrete graphics on a single notebook, enabling users to easily switch between the two options. Switchable graphics delivers greater 3-D performance when needed while providing the option for greater power savings for the best of both worlds.

For consumers, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the horsepower and battery life to enjoy a typical full-length, Blu-ray(1) high-definition video on a single battery charge for the first time, plus the ability to play a variety of online games, download music or post videos faster than before.

For businesses, Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology offers enhanced manageability and security options. This is increasingly important as companies replace desktops with notebooks and need to remotely diagnose, update and repair systems over a wireless network. Improved manageability with AMT 4.0 has also been added that provides wireless manageability during system sleep states, ongoing remote configuration capabilities, support for next-generation management standards (WS-MAN and DASH 1.0) and the ability for an employee to initiate communications to IT from outside a company's firewall.

OEMs and Channel system builders will deliver close to 250 systems to market. For more information including Intel product pricing, visit http://www.intel.com/go/processor_pricing. For a full media version of this release including photos, videos, related blogs and other information, visit http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080715comp_sm.htm and the Intel Centrino 2 technology press kit at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/centrino2.

WiMAX Momentum

Later this year in the United States, Intel will begin shipping its first-ever combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi module, part of the Intel(R) WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5050 Series that is an optional feature for future Intel Centrino 2-based laptops. WiMAX is a 4G, Internet protocol-based broadband wireless technology that complements Wi-Fi networks.

WiMAX also provides much wider Internet and phone voice coverage, and unlike Wi-Fi has the ability to unwire entire cities or communities, connecting users even when they're on the move. Intel is working with service providers around the world to deploy WiMAX networks, with initial U.S. network availability starting later this year from Sprint XOHM and Clearwire.

Besides the smorgasbord of ports, you'll notice its MacBook-like keyboard, which has spread to the rest of the Vaio line, except the biz class (though Sony says they did it first, in 2003). It's also got G-Sensor shock protection in case you send it flying (or falling).

NEW SONY PC DELIVERS HIGH PERFORMANCE IN
ULTRA-PORTABLE PACKAGE

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2008 Sony today took the wraps off a new line of sleek, powerful, lightweight PCs– the VAIO® Z Series notebooks.

Weighing just over 3 pounds, the VAIO Z model incorporates a vivid 13.1-inch widescreen display with Sony’s own XBRITE-DuraView™ LCD technology for scratch-resistant durability and 100 percent color saturation.
Select models feature a high-resolution 1600 X 900 widescreen display, providing a 40 percent wider workspace than a standard display within the same “footprint” — so the view increases while the notebook’s size does not. This makes it easier to view multiple documents or lengthy spreadsheets on a single screen.

A seamless sheet of brushed aluminum adorns the keyboard panel elegantly framing its individual keys. The spacing between the keys is precisely engineered to create a comfortable typing experience while helping to prevent mistakes.
“Today’s mobile professional demands not only portability from a notebook but that it meets their productivity needs as well,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new model is an amazing engineering feat packing the full functionality of a larger PC into an ultra-light form factor.”

The unit is housed in a durable carbon-fiber casing to help endure the knocks, bumps and accidents common to frequent travel. It also incorporates G-Sensor™ Shock Protection technology to counteract sudden movements helping to prevent damage and data loss.

-more-
It is powered by new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, the chipset designed for sizzling performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy efficiency.

Road warriors will love its built-in 802.11n wireless LAN capabilities making it faster and easier to connect to compatible wireless networks with greater performance and range than ever before. For blazing-fast wireless access beyond networks and hotspots, the unit features optional built-in wireless Sprint® Mobile Broadband, the nation’s largest wireless broadband network.

The Z model has an optional Blu-ray Disc (BD) optical drive for enjoying, creating and storing high-definition content. Enjoy BD movies in stunning clarity while on the road or utilize the HDMI output during meetings and make presentations come to life in full 1080 HD resolution. Compatible HDTV and HDMI cable required, sold separately.

It also includes a switch-on-the-fly hybrid graphics system, allowing you to set graphics performance instantly for striking presentations that “pop” or extend battery life— all without having to reboot.

The PC employs a biometric fingerprint sensor, a Trusted Platform Module compliant chip and proprietary hard disk drive password protection software to help protect data from unauthorized access.

Equipped with a trial version of the My Memory Center™ service, the PC lets you easily transfer valuable data from your old computer to your new one via a password-protected online account. The unit comes pre-installed with Windows Vista® Business operating system. A Windows® XP Pro downgrade is also available for select models.
.
It is equipped with plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a Memory Stick® media/SD card slot, three USB ports, i.LINK® IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack and a PC Card (type-II) slot making it easy to transfer files from external devices.

The PC is also available in a dual channel 128 GB solid state drive (SSD) model. Faster and more durable, the SSD unit provides a rapid boot-up and quicker access to applications than is typical of standard hard drives.
All models are Energy Star® 4.0 compliant, hold an EPEAT Silver ranking and incorporates eco-conscious features such as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD. Sony will even recycle your old PC (www.sony.com/recycle).

The standard VAIO Z notebook will start at about $1,800 while the SSD model will go for around $2,300. Both models will be available online at www.sony.com/pr/z. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country starting in August.

[Sony]