Sony his week announced the US availability of their Dash “personal Internet viewer”, a Wi-Fi enabled device that performs multiple roles including digital photo frame, internet radio, music streamer, alarm clock and social networking hub.
Whilst landfills across the world are full of poorly performing digital-photo-frames-with-RSS-and-other-stuff, Sony are hoping their $199 device gains traction, courtesy of a strong brand name and support for over 1000 community applications powered by Chumby.
The Dash’s 7” touchscreen can display news, calendars, weather, sports, and social networking apps from Facebook, Twitter and others, plus TV episodes and films from online providers such as YouTube, Netflix and CBS, together with music from Pandora, Slacker and more.
Sony are going for a strong WAF (Wife Approval Factor) with bundled stereotypical content from Martha Stewart, including “Dinner Tonight™ Recipe of the Day, providing a daily recipe from Martha Stewart’s vast library of Everyday Food magazine recipes consisting of eight ingredients or less, as well as allow you the ability to utilise any of the daily “Dinner Tonight” recipes from the past month. Video health tips from Dr. Oz (I’m guessing that’s an American thing, right?) will provide “specific steps you can take to live a healthier life.” So when you get home and tell the wife you’ve just blown $200 on a fancy picture frame, she’ll be delighted to hear her cooking could do with some professional support as well. Let’s hope there’s a first aid app on there too.
With growing excitement around touchscreen slate-PCs, there’s a huge question about just how big the market for these kind of connected devices really is. HP’s Dreamscreen hardly set the world alight, and whilst Chumby has a niche following, the segments likely to be targeted with this kind of device are more likely to have their heads turned by more powerful slates.
Still, if you’re interested, dash (ho-ho!) down to Sony Style and check it out!
More Info: Sony Dash (Amazon)
