Sony showcases emerging technologies and trends for home and business at PC EXPO

Business Wire, June 16, 1997

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1997--Sony Electronics today showcased a variety of solutions for home and business users here at PC EXPO, continuing its tradition of providing the best computer and consumer electronics products for every lifestyle.

With its recently announced VAIO(TM) tower and notebook computers and multimedia peripherals at the heart of the company's real-world environments, Sony highlighted new products and technologies in digital imaging, graphic displays, recording media and storage.

"Sony's offerings at this year's PC EXPO represent the next step in the evolution of the PC from a computing machine to a creative center for a network of products and peripherals designed to empower the consumer and business user," said Tim Errington, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Sony Information Technologies of America, a divisional company of Sony Electronics. "The home and business solutions shown here today incorporate the latest in technology tools to make both your personal life and business life more inspiring and empowering."

VAIO Home/SOHO Environment

Building upon its VAIO concept introduced at last year's PC EXPO, Sony's VAIO Home/SOHO environment centers around the integration of its new VAIO tower and notebook computers with its latest VAIO peripherals -- displaying new creativity, mobile communications and entertainment applications. VAIO (Video Audio Integrated Operation) represents Sony's approach to the seamless integration of audio/video, computing and communications.

As part of its VAIO home office system, Sony displays seamless, easy digital image transfer between its new VAIO tower and notebook computers (software and drivers preinstalled) with IEEE-1394 technology and a Sony Digital Handycam. Sony demonstrates how this integration allows for completely new and flexible ways of using digital imaging at home. Visitors can explore the limits of their creativity and develop their own personal Web site for home or business use.

Another Sony tower computer is shown with its companion product, the VAIO All-in-One Printer, specifically designed for the SOHO user. When used in conjunction with Sony PCs, the VAIO All-in-One Printer combines all the functionality a small office user needs in a single, compact machine, including plain-paper faxing, copying, scanning and color inkjet printing. The VAIO All-in-One Printer, with companion IJM-100PR premium inkjet paper, IJC-B1 black and IJC-C1 color ink cartridges, brings enhanced functionality to Sony VAIO notebook and tower PC owners. As soon as the VAIO All-in-One Printer begins shipping, all driver software will be preinstalled on future VAIO towers and notebooks, allowing for "out-of-the-box," ready-to-use functionality.

Demonstrating the versatility of its new VAIO notebook computers for home office use, Sony also displays five applications ideal for "on-the-go" home and business users:

-- mobile digital imaging: depicts the notebook's ability for two-way imaging via wireless infrared transfer which allows users to transmit images while on the road.

-- wireless printing: demonstrates easy, convenient printing when Sony's award-winning DSC-F1 Digital Still Camera is connected to the DPP-M55 color printer.

-- mobile/home office: demonstrates the notebook's capability as both a mobile and home office solution complete with Sony's new Network Docking Station with 1394-connectivity for added power.

-- CD listening: highlights how the VAIO notebook permits listening to audio CDs even in "sleep mode," using remote control headphones which come with the notebook, or in Dolby(R) Surround Sound with Sony's upcoming USB (Universal Serial Bus) speakers. The new, 3-piece USB Speaker System comes with 5 channel Dolby Pro-Logic circuitry and incorporates new USB control technology.

This audio system uses proprietary USB technology developed by Altec Lansing Technologies Inc., in conjunction with Sony to deliver easy connectivity with VAIO notebook and tower computers.

VAIO tower computers are not just for SOHO. Taking advantage of MMX technology and superior 3-D acceleration, "Sony-tuned" MPEG and arcade-caliber 3-D games provide outstanding entertainment.

In addition, a prototype DVD-ROM drive was demonstrated which will be available later this year on Sony's VAIO tower computers.

Digital Imaging Environment

In this environment, Sony demonstrates its leadership in digital still imaging and digital video applications through a variety of products including its award-winning DSC-F1 and DKC-ID1 digital still cameras; the recently announced Digital Mavica still image cameras plus a number of Digital Handycam(R) DV camcorders featuring 1394-connectivity. Appealing to both business and consumers, Sony's digital imaging products are simple to use and provide high quality images.

This section incorporates a "Shooting Gallery" that demonstrates the high resolution and wireless connectivity of Sony's digital imaging products as well as the digital still camera-ready capabilities of Sony's new VAIO towers when used with the DSC-F1 digital still camera.