Sony and Cingular Wireless Team to Deliver First Consumer PC With Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network Technology

Sony's new wireless notebooks break the boundaries of wired connections and hotspots. The ultra-portable VAIO® T-Series is the first widely available notebook PC with integrated high-speed wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology, giving you the ability to access high-speed wireless data services in such places as your living room, a park or on the road.

Ideal for highly mobile professionals who need convenient access to e-mail, data and information when on the road, Sony VAIO T-Series notebooks can connect to the Internet just about anywhere there is cellular coverage. An exclusive combination of hardware and software automatically links the notebook to the Cingular Wireless nationwide(1) EDGE Network, the fastest national wireless data network in the U.S.

"With VAIO products, we constantly strive to surprise and delight with innovative design, record-breaking stamina and advanced technology that people can really use," said Mike Abary, general manager of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics. "The exciting combination of our hardware and Cingular's service allows you to go beyond the limited world of corporate, private and public hotspots to get online wherever you happen to be."

"Cingular and Sony will be the first to reach a broad market with a powerful, integrated WWAN PC solution that is a true demonstration of both companies' commitment to innovation in serving the mobile professional," said Jeff Bradley, vice president of Business Data Services for Cingular Wireless. "We are combining Sony's strength in leading-edge design for consumers with Cingular's expertise in the enterprise marketplace and nationwide high-speed wireless data capabilities to re-set the standard in mobile computing."

Make the Best Connection

The latest VAIO notebook is equipped with new Sony's SmartWi™ technology. It allows you to quickly and easily toggle between various connectivity options by just using the PC's function keys. The software interface is elegantly integrated to ensure that you can use it right out of the box. You can choose WLAN for Wi-Fi connections at home, office or hotspots, Bluetooth® technology for peripherals, or WWAN for access to Cingular's nationwide EDGE network when you're traveling outside the reach of wired networks or hotspots.

VAIO T-Series owners can take advantage of service plans and special promotions from Sony and Cingular. Special trial promotions let you experience a new wireless freedom: Customers will receive free** 30 day trial of Cingular's Wireless WAN Service when they sign up through Sony for a Data Connect plan of $49.99 with a two-year service agreement, or the $79.99 Unlimited Data Connect plan with a one-year service agreement. When customers sign up for the $79.99 Unlimited Data Connect plan with a two-year agreement through Sony, customers receive 60 days of free service.

Giving Users an EDGE

Cingular operates the largest digital wireless voice and data network in the United States, and its EDGE service is the fastest national wireless data network in the country. EDGE provides users with a high-speed wireless experience in 13,000 cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of Interstate highways in the U.S. at typical speeds of 70 to 135 kilobits per second (kbps).

Productivity without Boundaries

This ultra-mobile notebook is the latest in the Sony VAIO T-Series line that provides powerful computing in a thin, 3.04-pound design compact enough to fit into a small briefcase or purse. The new PC is also equipped to serve as a high-power mobile entertainment center. Packed with high-end Sony multimedia software, the PC provides music and DVD playback with the touch of a button. Advanced battery optimization technology provides enough juice for both work and play, with 3.5 up to nine hours of action (depending on usage)(2) on a single charge.

The notebook contains all of the multimedia features and functionalities expected from a VAIO PC, including a DVD+R double layer DVD+RW drive, Click to DVD™ software for one-click DVD burning, a 10.6-inch wide-format LCD with XBRITE™ display technology, and built-in Dolby® technology for headphone surround sound.

Sony's complete VAIO Entertainment Software Suite includes applications for video editing, digital photo and music management, and VAIO Media™ software -- a simple interface for sharing digital content among PCs or compatible consumer electronics devices on a home network.

VAIO T-Series notebooks with a midnight blue chassis will be widely available in June starting at about $2,200. Silver and burgundy color options will be exclusively available online at www.sonystyle.com or at SonyStyle® stores in high-end shopping malls around the country.

More information about Cingular data service plans for VAIO computers is available at www.sonystyle.com/cingular.

   (1)  Coverage not available in all areas.
   (2)  Upper battery range tested using device for music playback.

   Contact:  Valerie Motis
   Sony Electronics Inc.
   (858) 942-8016
   valerie.motis@am.sony.com

   Alex Laurelli Withrow
   Ruder-Finn/Switzer
   (415) 249-6760
   laurellia@ruderfinnswitzer.com

   John Kampfe
   Cingular Wireless
   908-696-4536
   john.kampfe@cingular.com

SOURCE: Sony Electronics Inc.

CONTACT: Valerie Motis of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-8016,
valerie.motis@am.sony.com; or Alex Laurelli Withrow of Ruder-Finn/Switzer,
+1-415-249-6760, laurellia@ruderfinnswitzer.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.; or
John Kampfe of Cingular Wireless, +1-908-696-4536, john.kampfe@cingular.com

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/cingular

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/