e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[Tinroad]

OT: Sony Turns Up the Volume On Handheld Entertainment
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010501/0220.html

Next Generation CLIE(TM)Handheld is the First Palm OS®-Based Product to Offer an Integrated MP3 Player and High Resolution Color Screen
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2001-- Sony Electronics today unveiled its second generation CLIE (pronounced klee-AY) handheld, marking the first time a Palm-Powered(TM) 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. The product can be pre-ordered beginning today at www.sonystyle.com/clie.

``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(TM) 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(TM) 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(TM) 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.

CLIE Handheld Developers

Sony's third-party developer's Web site (http://www.us.sonypdadev.com) provides the tools and documentation required for individual and corporate programmers building applications unique to Sony's Memory Stick media, Jog Dial navigator with ``Back'' button, and high-resolution screen. The CLIE handheld developers program currently has 5,000 registered developers working to create compelling hardware and software applications for both the first and second-generation CLIE handhelds.

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. For more information on Memory Stick media, visit www.memorystick.org.

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
LCD: 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

PictureGear(TM) 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.

gMovie(TM) 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
w.ear Headphones with remote controller
Stylus

Bundled Software ((1) trial version):

Acid Solitaire(TM)(Red Mercury) (1)
AvantGo(TM)(AvantGo)
Bejeweled(TM)(Astraware) (1)
Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet(TM)(Neohand) (1)
Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard(TM)(Neohand) (1)
Race Fever(TM)(Digital Fiction) (1)
Street Finder®Express (Rand McNally)
Vindigo(TM)(Vindigo)
powerOne(TM)Personal calculator (Infinity Softworks)
The installation of certain software and use of features require a compatible PC.

Editor's Note: Sony Electronics' Information Technologies Product Division (ITPD) is based in San Diego. ITPD markets branded VAIO notebook and desktop computer products; CLIE handheld devices and home digital photo printers. For additional information about Sony products, customers can call 888/222-SONY, or visit Sony's Web site at: www.sony.com/vaio. Press releases and digital images are available at Sony Electronics' news and information Web site at: www.sony.com/news.

Note: A Photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.050101/bb6