Sony's Keiji Kimura ushered in a new era for VAIO, Sony's popular PC brand by introducing new computers that focus on A/V and networking integration.
Launched seven years ago, Kimura said that the VAIO brand, an acronym for Video Audio Integrated Operation, has always stood for combining computing with the joy of creating and sharing digital entertainment content. With today’s announcement, the VAIO brand will extend the conventional PC to include an array of network-connected devices that will combine the best qualities of AV and IT products to allow people to enjoy entertainment content anywhere, anytime.
“The VAIO brand has grown and changed over the years to not only meet customer demand but to inspire users to do things they had not yet dreamed of doing on a PC,” Kimura said. “Today, we are taking that idea one step further by blurring the boundaries between traditional AV and IT products and introducing a new class of smart, compatible, easy-to-use devices.”
Kimura emphasized his point by demonstrating a concept product – a handheld video viewer that played back content wirelessly obtained from a PC. Acting almost like a handheld server, the device also wirelessly streamed video content to a TV.
Past, Present and Near Future
Other executives were on hand to discuss VAIO products past and present. Sony Electronics President and Chief Operating Officer Hideki “Dick” Komiyama preceded Kimura with a review of significant milestones achieved by VAIO PCs to date, including the passing of some familiar PC brands on the market share charts.
And Mike Abary, general manager of VAIO product marketing in the U.S., wrapped things up with an overview of the first wave of new products to come to the U.S. market.
Based on the theme, “Best of Sony,” three new PCs were unveiled that leverage technology and services from a range of Sony AV and IT competencies to create the most comprehensive entertainment experience available on a computer today.
The new R series desktop combines unique cooling and acoustic technology with jaw-dropping design to create a multimedia powerhouse. The A series notebooks also debuted with 17-inch wide, ultra-high resolution XBRITE
