Sony and AOL Join Forces to Create First-of-Its-Kind Co-Branded AOL.com Portal for VAIO PC Users

To bring robust and relevant Internet content directly to VAIO PC users, Sony Electronics has teamed with AOL to introduce a Sony co-branded version of the AOL.com Web portal http://aol.com/sony.

The Sony-branded AOL.com® portal will be set as the default web homepage on VAIO consumer PCs manufactured in 2006. Through this portal, AOL.com® content -- including music, movies, TV shows, videos and more -- will be easily accessible. VAIO PC users will enjoy a rich array of information and high quality entertainment to enhance their overall multimedia experience.

AOL's Web products and services will also be highlighted on all new consumer versions of VAIO desktop and notebook computers. The VAIO 2006 spring line will include the AOL® Explorer browser, the AOL® Instant Messenger™ service (AIM®), the AOL® Toolbar and other AOL products.

"VAIO PCs are designed to combine technology and content for a superb entertainment experience," said Mike Abary, vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "It's a natural progression to work with partners such as AOL who provide tools and services that enhance this experience."

"This is a winning partnership for both of our companies and for our consumers by bringing together two great brands to offer a terrific end-to-end consumer experience," said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President of AOL Media Networks. "Making our popular Web brands, including the AOL.com portal, easily available to VAIO users will offer consumers some of the best communication products, multimedia content and services that the Web has to offer."

Sony VAIO consumer PCs with the co-branded AOL.com home page (http://aol.com/sony) and other AOL applications will be available starting next month through Sony Style retail stores and online (http://www.sonystyle.com/) as well as through other major retailers.

SOURCE: Sony Electronics Inc.

CONTACT: Valerie Motis of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-8016,
valerie.motis@am.sony.com; or Alex Withrow of Ruder-Finn/Switzer,
+1-415-249-6760, withrowa@ruderfinnswitzer.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.

Web site: http://www.sony.com/vaio

Web site: http://aol.com/sony

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