Mylo (Sony)

Infobox Information appliance
name = mylo Internet Device


caption = mylo COM-1
manufacturer = Sony
type =
connectivity = 802.11b/g Wi-Fi (COM-2)
802.11b Wi-Fi (COM-1)
lifespan = flagicon|US Sep 15, 2006 to Present
media = Memory Stick PRO Duo
os = Qtopia Linux
camera = Yes (COM-2 only)
input =
power =
cpu = ARM
memory =
display = 3.5" TFT LCD 800×480 pixel touchscreen (COM-2)
2.4" TFT 320×240 pixel (COM-1)
dimensions = 130.8 x 20.7 x 64.6 mm (COM-2)
123 x 23.9 x 63 mm (COM-1)The mylo Internet Device (formerly mylo Personal Communicator) is a device created and marketed by Sony for portable instant messaging and other Internet-based communications, browsing Internet web sites (using NetFront) and playback and sharing of media files. The pocket-sized, tablet-shaped handheld device has a screen which slides up to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. The brand name 'mylo' stands for My Life Online. Using Wi-Fi instead of cellular networks the mylo is targeted to the 18-24 age group. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/phones--pdas/sony-unveils-webinyourpocket-gadget/2006/08/08/1154802879270.html Sony unveils web-in-your-pocket gadget - Phones & PDAs - Gadgets - Technology ] ]

By using WiFi networks for Internet connectivity mylo provides users the possibility of reducing connectivity costs by avoiding the necessity of using GSM, CDMA or 3G cellular networks which would usually be used for devices of this size and functionality. [ [http://geek.com/news/geeknews/2006Aug/gee20060808037883.htm Sony launches mylo | Geek.com ] ]

History and design

Mylo COM-1:

The first version of the Sony mylo was launched on September 15, 2006 and includes 1 GB of onboard flash memory and a Memory Stick Pro Duo expansion slot.

The mylo is 23.9 mm (31/32 in) thick, 123 mm (4 7/8 in) wide, 63 mm (2 1/2 in) tall, and sports a 6.1 cm (2.4 in) QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen. Its form factor is similar to the Sidekick in that it is held in landscape mode and has a slide out QWERTY keyboard. Its initial model colors were a glossy black and iPod like white.

Mylo COM-2:

On January 6, 2008, the second edition of the Sony mylo was announced at CES 2008 in Las Vegas. This version includes AIM, a touchscreen, and a camera. The Internet Browser has been changed from Opera to NetFront. It now supports Adobe Flash for viewing Flash content such as YouTube videos and for playing Flash-based games. The mylo COM-2 has 1 GB flash memory that can be used for music and video playback [ [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665301416 SonyStyle.com | Sony | mylo Internet Device COM-2WHITE ] ] . Two colors are available: black and white. The mylo COM-2 now features wireless G connectivity. The keyboard is now backlit as well. [ [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665301416 SonyStyle.com | Sony | mylo Internet Device COM-2WHITE ] ] System software version 1.201 added support for video recording. The mylo COM-2 was released on SonyStyle.com on January 25, 2008 for $299.

oftware

The mylo's menu of software applications is grouped by function.

Communication

The following applications in the main menu group use the Wi-Fi connection:
*AIM. AOL Instant Messenger (COM-2 only)
*Skype. Includes the features: Dial (Skype -> phone), Call (Skype -> Skype), Chat (instant messaging), and Send (and Receive) Files. Also can receive (phone -> Skype).
*Google Talk. Features text chats (instant messaging) with Google Talk and Jabber contacts. Included is a link to Gmail (WAP version).
*Yahoo! Messenger. The text messaging application also includes a link to Yahoo! Mail (WAP version).
*Ad Hoc Application. This Peer-to-peer lets the mylo share playlists and stream songs directly to another mylo. [ [http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/computer_peripheral/release/24061.html Sony Electronics News and Information ] ]
*Cannot be used natively for sending or receiving text (SMS) messages to or from cell phones; it is strictly for messenger and web only.

Web

COM-1The Opera web browser allows a number of configurations to help minimize the limitations of the small screen (320x240) including Zoom (%), Text Size (Small, Normal, Large) and View Mode (Normal or Fit to Screen).

COM-2
NetFront with support for Flash Lite is the web browser that is supplied with the mylo COM-2.

Media

COM-1The player supports the MP3, WMA (secured and unsecured) and ATRAC 3 audio formats. The image viewer supports JPG, PNG, and Bitmap formats. The video player supports the MPEG-4/AAC video format. The text application is a simple text editor.

COM-2The player supports the MP3, WMA (secured and unsecured), AAC (no drm) and ATRAC3 formats. The image viewers supports JPEG, PNG and BMP formats. The video player supports the MPEG-4/AAC Simple Profile and MPEG-4/AAC AVC H.264 baseline profile. It also supports WMV starting with firmware version 1.101, which was released in April 2008.

On both Mylo's DRM content in Windows Media Audio and Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3 is limited to the internal 1GB memory. DRM playback is not possible via Memory Stick as Magic Gate is not available and Windows Media DRM is not currently possible on Memory Sticks.

Tools

* The utilities in this menu group include the Connection Manager for managing the Wi-Fi configuration, a File Manager and a firmware System Update tool.

Connectivity

With the USB mode configuration set to the default (MSC) the mylo acts as a USB mass-storage device. Music and other files can then be transferred from a PC with the included SonicStage software or by dragging and dropping using a file manager. With the USB mode set to MTP you can synchronize audio files via WMP 10. While connected via USB, the mylo screen displays the USB mode currently in use and suspends whatever program previously was running.

The 802.11b Wi-Fi connection is started either with the Wireless LAN slider button or automatically when one of mylo's Internet applications (i.e., Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, Opera) attempt to access the network and an infrastructure mode Wi-Fi connection has not yet been established. The Wi-Fi mode can be switched to Ad Hoc mode to enable use of the Ad Hoc Application. Although the device is marketed for persons on the go, the Mylo does not have any commonly used Bluetooth capabilities, to provide easy connection with other wireless carrier enabled mobile devices.

Owners of the COM-1 model receive access to any T-Mobile Hotspot for the first year. Owners of the COM-2 model receive access to over 10,000 Wayport Hotspot locations nationwide, through December 31, 2010. Over 9,000 of these locations are McDonald's restaurants.

pecifications

Processor: Freescale i.MX21 (for the COM-1) [ [http://media.freescale.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=196520&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=931886&highlight= Welcome to Freescale Semiconductor - News Release ] ]

As a device, the mylo COM-1 sports a 2.4-inch 320 by 240 LCD display, 400 MB for flash memory (upgradeable to 4 GB), mini-USB connectivity, a Memory Stick Duo slot, integrated 802.11b wireless networking (supporting WEP and WPA-PSK) security), and a lithium-ion battery offering up to 45 hours of music playback, 8 hours of video time, and up to 76 hours of VoIP talk time. Add to that a DC input for charging or running "wired" with the AC adapter, a 10-pin headphone/microphone interface (an adapter is included), a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for composing messages, and a total weight of about 157 grams (5.4 ounces), including the battery.

Criticisms

oftware

Marketing materials reference the optional Sony Image Converter 2 software for converting video to an MPEG-4 format however the Sony Style online store shows that product, MSSW-IC2, as being no longer available.

The Photo application has no zoom capability. Further, pictures transferred using the mylo Image Transfer utility are resized to a resolution of 320x240.

The Skype telephone over Internet application does not support Caller ID.

Using headphones/microphone requires a proprietary dongle instead of standard stereo mic jacks.

PlayForSure Partners & Windows Media Player:

Previously, Windows Media Audio playback was limited to the mylo's internal memory.

Sony CONNECT & SonicStage:

Currently, encrypted (Sony CONNECT) ATRAC3 playback is limited to the Mylo's internal 1GB of memory. MagicGate is not supported at this time.

See also

* List of handhelds with Wi-Fi connectivity
* PlayStation Portable

References

External links

* [http://www.sony.com/mylo/ Sony mylo] — Official website
* [http://www.mylolabs.com/ Sony mylo labs] — Official developer website
* [http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/10/sony-mylo-review.php Sony mylo Review] With Video Demo
* [http://www.myloforums.net Sony mylo Forums] — mylo Forums
* [http://spicygadget.com/2006/11/20/review-sony-mylo/ Sony mylo Review] Comprehensive Review
* [http://spicygadget.com/2006/11/20/guide-encoding-videos-for-the-sony-mylo/ Sony mylo Video Encoding Guide] Using Free PSPvideo9 Software