Sony VAIO W netbook now official in US, coming August for $499

Not so much of a surprise now, but Sony's bringing its 10.1-inch VAIO W stateside as well, and yes, according to the Sony reps we talked to, this time they really do mean to call it a netbook, unlike its VAIO P brethren. Likewise, with that nomenclature comes none too surprising specs, including a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM, Windows XP, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, VGA out, two USB ports, Ethernet, webcam, and MemoryStick / SD card readers. The three cell battery should last an estimated three hours, and like usual there's also an option for six cell. That isolated (read: chiclet) keyboard is said to be 86% the size of a normal typing surface, and the aforementioned bundled VAIO Media plus software enables content streaming across DLNA-enabled devices like the PC or PlayStation 3.



Now for what's missing: the reps stressed this an "in-home" product for them, and as such there's no talk of 3G or GPS, nor should hold your breath for an optical drive or SSD option. The company stressed the hardware's build quality here, and while we'll have to wait until we get our hands on to validate, like we said before, the pics aren't exactly flattering when you look at what the competition is producing. All that's left to discuss for now is the release date, pricing, and color options, so in order: just around the $500 mark, mid-August, and berry pink, sugar white and cocoa brown. Welcome to the bottom, guys

Source: Engadget

Sony VAIO voted best for business travellers

Praises for another exclusive product from the house of Sony

MORE plaudits for the Sony VAIO Z-series laptop (already praised here), which has been voted the best business-technology gadget in the Heathrow Travel Product Awards. Some 23,000 voters registered their opinions on the microsite, as part of a celebration of the gadgets on sale at Heathrow, a shopping centre with an airport attached.

As the spiel has it:

When it comes to supreme performance on the go, the Z Series manages to pack the power of a desktop into an ultra-slim, lightweight 13.1in chassis. Featuring 16:9 widescreen, high-power graphics card, up to six hours' battery life and built-in mobile broadband, it's the ultimate choice for working on the move – perfect for catching up on a long-haul flight.



You won't be too surprised to learn than one of Apple's iPods, the Touch 32GB, was named top travel gadget overall (by 49% of respondents), and Samsonite's Freeminder Flex was decreed the most innovative luggage.

But before we take these awards too seriously let us note that Paddington Bear was voted “Britain’s best souvenir”—not one imagines, a very competitive field.

Source: Economist