Sony is likely to be launching a significant update to its VAIO P mini notebook based on a leak of new model numbers. Six system IDs obtained by Sony Insider point to the model numbering jumping from the 500 series of today to the 700 series while keeping the same black, green, red and white colors. While four of the models share the same P710 naming scheme, two P730 models hint at higher-spec versions.
Sony on Tuesday gave the Rolly a significant upgrade in its home country. The dancing player now gets the same 2GB of storage as the American version reviewed earlier but also gets a completely new Bluetooth control feature. Most Bluetooth-equipped cellphones and PCs can now directly steer the dancing player forwards, backwards, and through rotations as well as trigger motion presets. Windows computers can also queue up their own music to play over the wireless link.
Japanese electronics makers once had (and to some degree, still have) a reputation for eccentric but entertaining gadgets -- devices that were fascinating precisely because they didn't make business sense and did something imaginative that no other device would do. For awhile, that creativity seemed to fade away. The Rolly brings that oddness roaring back in a player that can't help but generate smiles. Whether it justifies its feature set and price tag is the real debate and the subject of our full-length review.
Sony's dancing portable MP3 player, the Rolly, is now available in Sony Style retail stores across the US, the company announced on Tuesday. As its name suggests, the portable MP3 player "dances" to music by spinning, rolling and flashing its lights. Music can be uploaded to the Rolly via a USB 2.0 connection or streamed through Bluetooth.
Sony today chose to spark up its Rolly music player line with the addition of new color options. The dancing player itself now comes in black in addition to the original white and now has the option of different colored arms: blue, red, and silver replacements can attach to any of the existing designs to spruce up the original design. The 1GB Rolly will continue to sell at about $400 in Japan when the black version arrives on April 19th, while a set of arms costs $15. Sony has already said it would bring the Rolly to the US in the spring, but hasn't said whether it will add new colors.
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.
Sony on Monday sparked holiday sales with two versions of its more unique flash-based players. Both the dancing, programmable Rolly and the stick-sized E013 Walkman are receiving a special Christmas Package in Japan that preloads six familiar Christmas songs, including "Silent Night" and "White Christmas." The Rolly also receives special preset dance routines to match the music.
