Sony brings OLED TV, Rolly player to US
updated 08:40 pm EST, Sun January 6, 2008
Sony XEL-1 and Rolly in US
Ending doubts that the products would be released in the US, Sony began its CES time by announcing US versions of the XEL-1 and the Rolly. The former is the Americanized version of the world's first production organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV and uses the technology to produce an exceptionally high 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio from a panel just 0.1 inches thick. Switching to OLED also reduces power by about 40 percent from a 20-inch LCD, according to Sony.
The system's screen measures just 11 inches but still includes dual HDMI slots, a Memory Stick slot for viewing photos from Sony cameras, and adds hooks for Sony's BRAVIA Internet Link feature for pulling video and other content from a host of service providers. In a surprise move, Sony has announced that the XEL-1 is already shipping to the US and will be available in limited numbers for about $2,500.
Also previously a Japan-only offering, the Rolly is one of the world's few self-moving music players and can dance either in step with music beats or to a programmable routine. It also pulses colored light and is controllable either by twisting wheels to control tracks or by shaking the Rolly to enter or exit shuffle mode. Battery life is estimated at 5 hours of full music and movement on the 2GB device, which handles AAC and MP3 songs and will ship in the spring.
