Linux powers Sony's new Mylo WiFi handheld

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Aug. 09, 2006

[Updated Aug. 22, 2006] -- In September, Sony expects to ship a Linux- and Qtopia-based handheld device featuring WiFi connectivity, an Opera web browser, and a variety of text- and voice-messaging clients and media players. The Mylo -- short for "My Life Online" -- will be available in black or white, priced at $350.

(Click for larger view of Sony Mylo)

Mylo in white, with keyboard retracted

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Despite its relatively high price, the Mylo will not include cell phone capabilities. Nor will it apparently offer compatibility with marketshare-leading instant message services from AOL and Microsoft.

On the upside, the device is expected to support VoIP and instant message services available from Google Talk, Skype, and Yahoo! Additionally, the Mylo will include nearly a gig of user file storage, expandable via Memory Stick, along with players for MP3s, ATRAC, WMA, and MP4 video.

Mylo's keyboard
(Click to enlarge)

Given the Mylo's physical resemblance to Sony's PSP (PlayStation Portable), it may also include some games -- if only Java-based games.

The Mylo measures 1 x 4.8 by 2.5 inches, and sports a 2.4-inch QBVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen. It supports 802.11b networking, with WEP and WPA encryption. Text entry is done through a retractable thumb keyboard.

Along with an unspecified version of Linux, the Mylo is based on Trolltech's Qtopia Platform, a relatively new graphics and application development framework that features a plug-in framework aimed at multi-function consumer electronics devices.

Trolltech's Qtopia Platform architecture
Interestingly, when it launched Qtopia Platform, Trolltech said the stack would initially support Wind River's Platform for Consumer Electronics, Linux Edition. Thus, the Sony Mylo may well be the first relatively high-profile consumer electronics device to incorporate Wind River's embedded Linux OS. Wind River representatives did not respond to LinuxDevices.com's inquiries by publication time.

Opera EVP Scott Hedrick stated, "With Opera's extensive experience in providing the full Web to mobile phones, it has proven to be the best choice for mylo."

Sony's John Kodera, director of product marketing for personal communication devices, stated, "The mylo personal communicator [is] ideal for people who want to stay connected, but not be weighed down by a PC or buffeted by charges for IM and texting on cell phones."

At least one other dedicated instant message device has used Linux -- the $99 Aeronix Zipit. Be sure to read our conversation with Zipit creator Richard Heredia for background on that popular, low-cost, and somewhat controversial device.

Another device priced similarly to the Mylo -- Nokia's 770 Internet tablet -- offers similar WiFi, messaging, and media playing capabilities, albeit with a much higher resolution screen and a software keyboard.

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