Pocketables

Non-US Sony Vaio P models can now be unlocked

Two months ago, a hack to enable HSDPA became available for US models of the Sony Vaio P that let people use AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards for their mobile internet needs.

This was great news for those in the US, but what about for users in other countries or folks who wanted to import a unit with a faster processor? Up until a few days ago, these people were out of luck.

But not anymore! DC-unlocker has been working with Conics.net and has just announced that the Option GTM 382 data card (displayed in the Device Manager as the Globetrotter MO40x) found inside the highly configurable Vaio P90 can now be unlocked.

Vaja releases leather case for Sony Vaio P

Two things I get the most flack for covering around here are accessories and the Sony Vaio P. Why people feel the need to 1) tell me what I should and shouldn't do with my own site and 2) complain about free content they can easily ignore amuses me on some days and annoys me on others. In any case, however, I can't stop liking what I like or buying what I buy.

That's why although not everyone shares my feelings, I'm glad to see that Vaja has just released the classic Retro Slim Jacket for the P. Starting at $120, the case is customizable like the luxury leather company's other products and handcrafted/made-to-order in about three weeks.

How to rotate Sony Vaio P screen orientation

A popular way to use slate- and convertible-style computers is to rotate their screens into portrait mode for reading ebooks and other long documents. These devices are designed with such usage in mind, so switching between screen orientations is generally quick and easy. Some make use of an accelerometer, some automatically rotate along with a convertible's display, and others are controlled by a shortcut key.

Standard laptop users don't often feel left out, as the size/weight of the device generally prohibits comfortable portrait use, but what about those of us who use a Sony Vaio P, a mini version of the traditional notebook computer? Weighing in at just 1.4 pounds with the standard battery and boasting an 8-inch screen with 1600 x 768 resolution, the Vaio P is actually very well suited as an ebook reader.

Sony mylo 2 (COM-2) now just $150

Remember late last year when Sony began offering a $100 instant rebate on the mylo 2 (COM-2) internet device? The reduced price was only supposed to be good until the end of January 2009, but it turns out that the "limited time" savings wasn't so limited after all.

Now advertised simply as "starting at $199.99" (see screenshot below), the mylo 2 has become so tough to resist at its lower price that there aren't any left!

Review: Sony Vaio PC cleaning kit (VGP-CG100)

I'm a complete neat freak when it comes to taking care of my electronics. I buy six packs of compressed air to keep my keyboards dust-free, wipe my screens with lens cleaning cloths, polish away smudges, and even detail my computers with Q-tips and alcohol. Add to this obvious neurosis a consuming affection for anything that Sony slaps its Vaio brand on . . . and well, you understand why I had to import the company's PC cleaning kit (VGP-CG100) from Japan. I paid a bit more than the 2480 yen (~$25) retail price, but for something that will probably outlast all of my gadgets, I think it was money well spent.

Sony X1000 Series Walkman has NetFront Browser

The last time the upcoming Sony X1000 Series Walkman (NWZ-X1050 and NWZ-X1060) showed its OLED touchscreen to the world, it was under glass at CES 2009. The WiFi-equipped player was always known to have direct access to YouTube and the internet, but exactly which browser would allow us to surf the web on a 3-inch WQVGA (432 x 240) display was anybody's guess.

Given Sony's history with using the NetFront browser on the mylo 2 internet device, however, it should come as no surprise that the official X1050 and X1060 product pages now up for perusal at the Sony Style Hong Kong website reveal that WEP/WPA/WPA2-secured browsing will be handled by the "NetFront Browser for Walkman."

There's no mention of Flash (the mylo 2 supports Flash Lite 3), but browsing should be decent considering that the full list of specs includes a line about a "podcast direct download" application and NetFront has never been a slouch. It also probably wouldn't be a stretch to assume that some touch gestures will be involved to improve the surfing experience on that low screen resolution. Tap to zoom, perhaps?

Complete specs and more info on the Sony X1000 in the database.

Thanks, scrambledpete!

Benchmarks of all Sony Vaio P models (1.33GHz, 1.6GHz, 1.86GHz, 2.0GHz, SSD, HDD)

UPDATE: 2.0GHz Intel Atom Z550 benchmarks now added.

Though there are three different models of the Sony Vaio P in the US, each one runs on the 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 processor. In other regions, the 1.6GHz Z530 and 1.86GHz Z540 chips are available and paired with the same 60GB hard drive and 64GB/128GB solid state drive storage options offered in the US.

Since these other models boast faster processors and can be purchased through importers like Conics and Dynamism, anyone interested in the mini notebook has much more to choose from than what Sony has made officially available to them. But how much "better" are these alternate configurations?

We have members from all over the world using every existing SSD/HDD and CPU combination in the Vaio P forum, so it wasn't long before all of the CrystalMark benchmark results could be put into the comparison chart below.

Sony Vaio P coming to T-Mobile Germany

T-Mobile Germany will begin selling the entry-level Sony Vaio P (1.33GHz, 60GB HDD) for 599 euros including 19% VAT with a two-year web'n'walk Connect L data contract. The retail price of the P in Germany is 999 euros, so although the long-term cost is higher because of the recurring contract fee and the P is the most expensive of T-Mobile's subsidized PC selection (see screen capture below), the upfront savings of 400 euros is pretty significant.

First shipments are expected in April.

Sony's Frontline Community connects users with product development team

Sony may be better known for doing whatever it wants to than listening to its customers, but it looks like the company is making an effort to try to change that by soliciting user opinions through its relatively new Frontline Community. Never mind that I associate the word "frontline" with flea and tick control for pets because to Sony, Frontline is the place where consumers can communicate directly with product developers.

The community is only a few months old so isn't very active (as of today, there are 562 members) and the "Sony Experts" don't write much on the blog, but the effort is still commendable. And there's probably a better chance of someone from Sony reading about how much you hate them there than buried in the comments section elsewhere.

Sony responds to misinformed Vaio P press releases

Last week, there were two press releases issued about the Sony Vaio P that announced existing features of the mini notebook as new ones, causing a good deal of confusion among users, potential buyers, naysayers, and tech blogs alike. Was Sony penalizing early adopters who were already weeks into their Vaio P ownership by announcing new models, this time with integrated Gobi and Corel InstantOn technology?

My answer has been no from the get-go, but I contacted Sony's Senior PR Strategist shortly after Corel's non-news anyway just to be sure. The company's official statement is below.