Sony is launching its first WiFi broadband communication and entertainment device to capitalize on the growth of wireless Internet access. The new mylo personal communicator is capable of operating in any open 802.11b (11 Mbps) wireless network, often found on college campuses, in public spaces and within private homes around the country.

This product is designed for people who use instant messaging as a primary form of communication and networking for their social life. The name mylo stands for “my life online” and the communicator lets you use instant messaging, browse the Internet, listen to music, send emails and view photos concurrently.

Small enough for a pocket or purse, the slim, oblong-shaped device features a 2.4 inch color LCD (measured diagonally) with a slide out QWERTY keyboard for comfortable and quick thumb typing.

The device, available in black or white, comes embedded with popular instant messaging services: the Google Talk instant messaging service, Skype and Yahoo! Messenger. These services are free and the product does not require initial computer setup or a monthly service contract!

While you chat or browse the Internet, the 1GB of the flash memory on the mylo personal communicator lets you enjoy your music too. It supports the playback of MP3, ATRAC or WMA (secure and unsecure) files. The mylo communicator has a built-in speaker for listening to music so you can share your music with those around you. You can also view MPEG-4 personal videos by transferring files via USB cable or with Memory Stick Duo media. You can also store JPEG pictures from the Internet or your digital camera.

Providing networking possibilities without a wireless network, the mylo personal communicator detects when it comes into the presence of other mylo units. With the ad-hoc application, you can share play lists and stream music between mylo communicators one at a time.

To support all of this functionality, the mylo device uses a lithium-ion battery that offers up to 45 hours of music playback, around seven hours of chatting and web surfing and more than three hours of continuous Skype talk time. It comes with a microphone, stereo headphones, a USB cable and a neoprene case.

The mylo personal communicator will be available in September with a price of about $350.

- For the list with the complete specifications of the device…
- More information about Sony MYLO is available here…

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The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype (F1PP000GN-SK) doesn’t require a PC and will work anywhere in the world where you have secured or open access to a WiFi network. Any home, office, cafe, or municipal wireless access point that does not require browser-based authentication will do.

The phone is pre-loaded with Skype software and featuring the same Skype interface, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone is ready to use with any wireless network. To make a call, simply use the intuitive on-screen color menu to locate your contact and view their online availability-exactly like you use Skype today.

Features
- Skype Certified to work just like your existing Skype account
- Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network that does not require browser-based authentication
- Exceptional Voice Quality
- WEP, WPA and WPA2 with PSK support

The price of the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype is $189.99.

- More information about Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype (F1PP000GN-SK)
- You can pre-order the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype here (shipping in August)

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The Edge-Core Wi-Fi Phone with Skype software preloaded, WM4201 is the perfect IP communication solution for users that are looking for a mobile and easy-to-use IP communication device. The WM4201 is designed with all the Skype call features, IEEE802.11b/g wireless interface, and candy bar shaped design to help users to save communication cost and move at the same time. Unlike most other VoIP protocols, Skype also routes calls through other Skype peers on the network, which allows it to traverse Network Address Tranlation (NAT) and Firewalls. This feature makes the user easy to use the WM4201 in different environments without concerning the NAT and other firewall settings.

Hardware features
Display: 1.8???‚?? CSTN LCD, 65K color, Resolution 128 x 160, Backlit LED
Keys: 2 soft keys, Up/down volume control, Send and end/power key, 0~9 *# numeric keys with a~z alphabets, 5-directional navigation key
Physical connectors: Mini USB connector, Earphone jack, Metal Contact for Cradle Charger
Talk/Standby time: 4,5/30 hours

Software Features
Network Features: DHCP client
Signaling Protocol: Skype
Skype Features: Skype to Skype Calls, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Voicemail, Skype Contact List, Skype Presence, Search Skype Directory, Call Waiting, Conference Call (Guest Only), Call History, User Profiles
Voice Codec Features: ITU G.729AB
Wireless Features: 802.11b/g, Site survey, WMM (802.11e), WEP 64/128-bit, WPA/PSK, WPA2/PSK

The price of the Edge-core WM4201 Wi-Fi Phone is about 250$.

- Get more information about the Edge-core WM4201 Wi-Fi Phone

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Lets be honest, you wouldn’t normally associate bunny rabbits with cutting-edge technology and superior intelligence. But that was before Nabaztag was born. Derived from the Armenian word for rabbit (so we’re told), this ingenious WiFi-enabled bunny is set to revolutionise the way WiFi fans receive information about… well, about anything!

Basically Nabaztag is a desktop companion that utilises WiFi technology to fetch information from the Internet and convey it in various charming ways. Confused? You won’t be, because you’ll soon be relying on this cute little critter to tell you the time, wake you up, read the news, read you messages from friends, check the stock market and give you tomorrow’s weather forecast today. Nabaztag can even communicate with fellow bunnies and get married.

And that’s just the beginning, because the world of Nabaztag is expanding all the time. Before long this brainy bunny will be able to receive traffic updates, alert you when you have SMS messages, tell you if your train is running late and broadcast ‘Nabcasts’ from fellow subscribers. The possibilities are truly endless.

For now Nabaztag remains an ingenious, always connected communications device that uses lights, sounds and cutesy ear movements to discreetly convey messages to anyone nearby. Sounds can include your favourite MP3 files of music, voices or noises. Simply specify the sound via your computer and Nabaztag will play it through his built-in speaker. Nabaztag can also signal specific information via coloured lights in his belly; so you can set him to glow yellow if the weather’s going to be sunny or red if an email from a loved one arrives. A wiggling ear could signify a falling stock price and a pattern of lights accompanied by a Westlife track could indicate that it’s time to get up… and get a life.

Nabaztag is also great for reminding housemates that supper’s getting cold or you’re going to be late home – simply send a message via the Nabaztag website and let the wireless technology do the rest. There really is no end to the info this charming chap can convey.

The Nabaztag buzz is rapidly becoming thunderous and we reckon he’s going to be a huge phenomenon throughout the wonderful world of WiFi. And of course I would love to have one of those cute WiFi bunnies at home…

The Wifi bunny in action…

Nabaztag and Aibo dog interacting together…

Price of Nabaztag: $150

- More information about Nabaztag
- Shops and websites where you can buy Nabaztag

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