up in this piece. Yes, unfortunately it's only a late prototype (we haven't actually heard of anyone getting a final production unit yet) but here she is, Sony's ever-hopeful ace in the hole to get a foothold in the pockets of disenfranchised Sidekick 'tweens everywhere (and maybe even some 770 user throwbacks as well). Click on for the full report.
They had to get 'er out the door fast, we were calling by the hour.
The box matches the orange-and-white color scheme nicely. Touring around it, we can see some pictorial feature highlights, support for Google Talk, Yahoo IM, and Skype (with voice, of course), and some of the media formats supported, including WMA and -- whew -- ATRAC! That was a close one.
Note the "No 911" service warning. Darn, and we were hoping to give up our cell phones for Mylo.
aThe top part of the box has the Mylo's tag line, "My life online," that is, as long as you live your life within range of a Wi-Fi access point.
Digging deeper, we have the "important information" pamphlet and the PC software.
USB cable, AC adapter, slip case, battery and earbuds. The Mylo can also charge via USB and enter mass storage mode There's also a microphone for help get your Skype on. The Mylo can also be used as a Skype WiFi handset, just hold it up to your right ear and the built-in micophone and speaker do their thing.
Here's a closeup of the slide-up keyboard. The oblong keys take a little getting used to. They're raised ever so slightly above the surface and are unfortunately not backlit. Darker orange on orange doesn't make for great contrast, either. We wish Sony had done all the keys in white like the Symbol key. This also may be a good reason to go for the black unit instead of the Sony's "S2" aesthetics in this scheme. However, backlighting would solve all these problems.
Here's a tour of the back, which feels platicky unlike the gloss smooth top exterior. On the top left is the Memory Stick Duo slot and the bottom right has dedicated volume buttons and the hold switch. While the main speaker is easy to spot, power and WiFi slider switches (think PSP) are on the side of the Mylo. The control in the center on the bottom is for pausing skipping and replying. Flicking it instead of holding it down will skip ahead or back in a song or video. You can also use it to show a video in slow-mo.
Mylo poses next to the PSP, which really doesn't look as much of an inspiration for its design after all when next to it, and the Nokia 770, which shares some of its features and lacks a physical keyboard but has a much larger screen.
Mylo's not a traditional cellphone, but it's smaller than some smart phones and is closest in volume to a T-Mobile MDA.
Mylo's keyboard feels like it has less key travel than phones with slide-out (or flip-out) keyboards.
Mylo's on-screen interface is a departure from the XMB cross-media bar that Sony has looked to as an interface standard. However, it's very simple to navigate.
Here's a shot of the music-playing screen and a photo being displayed. The Option button brings up menu items. The Mylo's screen is nice and bright.
The file manager is pretty basic. On the other hand, Skype is on the menu. Mylo can do some limited multitasking. The "Info" button lets you see what's going on in an application without leaving the one you're in, a bit like widgets
You can switch between one-column view and full-page view where you'll do a lot of horizontal scrolling.
In a shot with it top slid up, we can see that the Mylo supports WPA and Web proxies. The keyboard slides up and down with a smooth satisfying thunk.
An included hot spot finder is a nice extra for finding out where the Mylo can go online, but alas Bluetooth has been passed over.
Kirk to Enterprise, I've lost my rave light. Can you please beam down a Mylo? The purple-blue Wi-Fi light pulses when you're connected to a hotspot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Little Joe @ Sep 1st 2006 2:31PM
hmmm thats actually pretty hot.
TheWakeUpCall @ Sep 1st 2006 2:33PM
Sweet, but what is it? Is it a phone?
asdf @ Sep 1st 2006 2:40PM
whats video like?
thank god. it looks better than prototype shots. i believe they made it a bit less like 2 circles and a small rectangle, and make it more oblong in shape. before it looked like a hover pad.
ghostblur @ Sep 1st 2006 2:41PM
The Mylo keyboard is one up on the nokia 770. but the screen seems to small.
Jeffery Azevedo @ Sep 1st 2006 2:46PM
i want one!!! not for $350 usd tho
Neil @ Sep 1st 2006 2:50PM
I really like the look of the unit...well apart from the orange keyboard. What I want to know is how is the instant messengers and Skype?
I think Sony is pricing this thing to fail, it really shouldnt be more than $250. If it had a bigger screen, say like the one on the PSP then I would be happy to pay the $350....still when u think of what it can do the price doesnt seem too bad.
Ben @ Sep 1st 2006 2:55PM
Seriously this should've been the PSP instead.
Taylor Alexander @ Sep 1st 2006 3:01PM
Eh, the screen is smaller than my 6700... what do i need from this?
-Taylor
bjay @ Sep 1st 2006 3:09PM
$350 dollars, that is quite much for the device. if priced at $200-$250 dollars may not be bad. it greatest rival ll be the Nokia 770 with it gorgeous screen and a a big headstart, though no skype for the nokia device.
Robert Preseau @ Sep 1st 2006 3:23PM
Hey Ryan,
Would a pretty please and some loot for S&H be enough to give that thing a test drive? :-)
-robert
FrankTheCrank @ Sep 1st 2006 3:32PM
$350?
Are you nuts?
I'd give you $149. That's it though. I can get a used Palm with wifi for less than this thing. Shoot, I could get a Pocket PC sans cellular for less than this thing.
This thing doesn't make sense. And if I can't slap any apps on it, forget it. That's the deal killer.
Ix-nay, the Ony-say. No Ylo-may.
Yoyodyn @ Sep 1st 2006 3:46PM
Looks like they took the Zodiac form factor.
Costas @ Sep 1st 2006 3:47PM
Hmmm.... Not convinced...
For that sort of cash, I'd at least expect some sort of camera on it too... Am I really asking too much!?
I mean, you can pick up a 400MHz PocketPC with a built-in camera and install Skype on it for less than the cost of the Mylo and quite possibly with a bigger screen too... And you'll have change left for a thumb-board too!
It will have WiFi, Bluetooth and it will do tons more straight out of the box.
I'd buy it if it cost $200. Anything else makes it an expensive toy...
Scott @ Sep 1st 2006 3:51PM
I always find it quite odd (and a little sad, actually) when gadget sites have a "first glimpse" post in which they find it necessary to use photos of the mailing package, and then a photo of the same package with the top flaps open to reveal..... packing material--wooo hooo! Then a photo of a hand holding the gadget's package, and then a close-up of the box, then....... the other side of the box--wow!
It's nerd porn; enter gadget, covering herself... she slowly reveals her sleek body...... she does a slow spin, showing her sexy, taut clothing........ camera pans down, then back up...... Gadget removes her top--no wait, it's a tease, as she slides it back up.... Then, ever so slowly, gadget shows you what you've been waiting for... Oh, that body! Look at those parts! Wow, she can fit that in there?! Holy shit, check out that input... Daaaaaaaaamn, gadget got back! What?! Oh no she di'n't - gadget just opened up WIDE. Gadget is all turned on now! Oh man, push those buttons--make her move! Here comes the money shot! Ooooooooh yeeeeeaaaaahhhh.... Gadget, having given her all, falls limp, exposing a soft glow in the dimmed house lights.
Alain @ Sep 1st 2006 4:01PM
*sigh*, if only it had MSN messenger (or is it windows live messenger?)
Cody S. @ Sep 1st 2006 4:07PM
WHAT. No AIM support?!?!
I'm interested in seeing how the screen moves back to reveal the keyboard. Someone at engadget want to make a video?
The wifi lights on the side are pretty cool. I might get one if it ends up being cheaper with some aim support. Hopefully sony will open it up for homebrew, but maybe that's a little too much to ask.
Dan @ Sep 1st 2006 4:07PM
Time Out Chicago likes it... http://www.timeout.com/chicago/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TOCWebArticles1/79/check_out/critics_pick.xml
Peter @ Sep 1st 2006 4:17PM
You are complain no aim but it has a web browser you can just go to a aim web portal to use aim.
Peter @ Sep 1st 2006 4:20PM
The sony mylo also has firmware (like the psp) so who knows this thing could get some nice updates like maby aim.
jayme @ Oct 31st 2007 9:49AM
I had one of these and i plan on getting another one very soon.For those who say it should be $100 are out of your minds.This is a great sytem sure it could be a bit better but its well worth the cash.
webonics @ Sep 1st 2006 4:22PM
I want one! ...but like everyone else, I'll wait for a major price drop to sub-$250.
webonics @ Sep 1st 2006 4:26PM
@Alain
you can chat with msn messenger through yahoo messenger now.
Temple @ Sep 1st 2006 4:35PM
Looks compact, which is important for a portable the Nokia 770 & PSP are way too big to take around in your pocket.
Skype IP phone should also be great. Especially to avoid using my limited daytime minutes on my cell phone when I'm at work or at the office (which have WiFi).
The Noika 770 failed in the market because it was way to large and funtionality-wise a pockePC would be much more usable with more software. The mylo works due to its size and its Skype phone, having it able to fit in your pocket is incredibly important for a portable.
SheeplessInSeattle @ Sep 1st 2006 4:37PM
OK got the device, now where is my city-wide wifi
josh @ Sep 1st 2006 5:07PM
Temple:
The 770 does fit in your pocket - it just has to be a pocket bigger than jeans pocket (think cargo pants). The 770 is about 100 xs more flexible. It's just not for the faint of heart.
haythem @ Sep 1st 2006 5:07PM
this is crap, just buy an MDA, and you can choose whether or not to use a cell plan with it
PEZ @ Sep 1st 2006 5:19PM
ooh oooh ooooh... and UMA!
And aa camera! OOOOOOOOH and VIDEO options. Yeah yeah.. mmhmm..
PEZ @ Sep 1st 2006 5:22PM
Give it BT, too.
PEZ @ Sep 1st 2006 5:23PM
Give that badass a 3G network option (no need for GSM) ;) And SKYPE/GOOGLETALK will be more useful than ever.
In fact, VOIP for all the IM clients built in or as an option would definately give cellphones a run. Anonymous, too.
I want one. I.want.1.
Temple @ Sep 1st 2006 5:45PM
@josh
A PSP fits in pocket of cargo pants as well, but not cofortably, and certainly not in jeans or dress pants.
Also, 770 & Mylo are not a replacement for a cellphone, the assumption is that the 770/mylo will have to be portable enought to be carried along with your keys and your cell. Smaller is better.
The problem with the 770 is that a PockePC could do much more for the form factor with much more software. Also lacks a keyboard, its very hard to chat using a stylus.
Gio - NYC @ Sep 1st 2006 5:54PM
Wow that reall kicks the SIDEKICK III of the curb. I like it. But I dont carry heavy devices
michael @ Sep 1st 2006 6:52PM
is it a phone?, if it is why doesnt it have any numbers on the keypad?, but if it is a phone, any idea what service it would have?
Nick @ Sep 1st 2006 7:16PM
The orange keyboard scheme melts my retinas. Does it hurt anyone else's eyes to look at it? Seriously, neon orange? That's akin to staring at the sun. I smell lawsuit for the first gadget to blind the masses. Ha.
nam3 @ Sep 1st 2006 9:19PM
i just want the perfect mix of this and my psp, that got stole yuou bastr, but hey think psp v2...
but i guess we'll have to think, and wait long.
idude135 @ Sep 1st 2006 9:24PM
Good indie pop music selection there Ryan...
Mel @ Sep 1st 2006 9:27PM
michael, it is not a phone nor a camera. and that is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too expensive not to have those things. its nice and everything but its expensive.
it should be at least $200-$250
cause put it as this way, the PSP costs $250 and it doesnt do CERTAIN things the mylo does (unless you update it)
i would perfer the T-mobile Sidekick 3 before i think aobut getting me the sony mylo.
its VERY nice lookin but its not about that, its about what it does, like text messaging and things like that
Aevum @ Sep 1st 2006 10:00PM
lets see,
its wifi only, no cellphone, it does nothing that a cheaper priced pda cant do, there are allready wifi ready symbian and WM2005 cellphones in the same pricerage that do all that and they might be cheaper becuase your carrier subsidies them, and they keep on insisting on their Memory stick format which is between 2-3 times more expencive then SD cards, and would be dead if it wasnt for the psp and the people stupid enough to buy sony digital camaras,
can you add aplications to this? or is it a wait and see if sony adds it like the PSP ?
sony is trying to reinvent the wheel by painting it with "cool teen colors",
this should cost 150-200, or subsidise it by bundling it with service packages from MSN, Skype, Yahoo, if they sell it straight up at this price, expect them to sell 2-3 to some rich kids, becuase the rest allready have a hard time convincing their parents that a brick cellphone from the 90´s isnt good enough too keep in touch,
Matt @ Sep 1st 2006 10:00PM
Get me a wifi device like this that has AIM, and I am there.
h00ligan @ Sep 1st 2006 10:50PM
another bullshit product from a company fighting to make some money.
dustin @ Sep 1st 2006 11:10PM
if this thing was a phone, i would get it immediatly... too bad it's just wifi and skype enabled.
:[
Chad @ Sep 1st 2006 11:44PM
Does anyone else think this will fail with no AIM support i want one but with no aim and no text messaging its way over priced
cavvac @ Sep 2nd 2006 12:04AM
Bulls****it expensive and useless.
Josh Choi @ Sep 2nd 2006 1:08AM
uber kewl.. but too expensive.. i'd rather get a PSP and hack it and get skype on it or somethi'. BUT if it's like 250 i'd buy 4 sure!!!
Chris Paton @ Sep 2nd 2006 4:12AM
Looks nice but far too bulky for me. I've just bought a new i-Mate K-JAM (http://www.newmediamedicine.com/blog/2006/09/01/new-pda-i-mate-k-jam/) and it has everything you need in terms of web browsing, wifi, plus it's small enough to use as a normal phone. I think I'll be keeping my K-JAM for the time being.
Chris
Harry Myhre @ Sep 2nd 2006 11:18AM
I'll stick with my HTC Wizard
Raj.Tech. @ Sep 2nd 2006 2:49PM
That looks pretty cool. What is really cool though is the picture of the tetons with the reflection on the river. I took that same picture like two weeks ago.
http://rajytechstar.textamerica.com/?r=5224777
SuperflyTNT @ Sep 2nd 2006 3:00PM
Hmm, flashy... but my Sidekick 3 isn't going anywhere.
This is another one of those weird in-between devices, that I can't figure out where to put in the lineup. I don't see much functional advantage over my SK3. I don't really want to try to watch "Lost" on a 2.4" screen. I will however be very interested to see what happens on the homebrew front.
Sam Morrison @ Sep 2nd 2006 3:13PM
The reason I bought the mylo is because I was looking for a good Skype phone. I don't use a traditional land line and the mylo is supposed to also connect to hotspots that require browser authentication (the Sony support lady says so). The other wi-fi Skype phones don't do that. Also, for traveling, this device is very convenient. I will be in Japan this month, there are many hotspots in Japan, and I don't have to take my laptop just to check my email and make a couple blog posts.
This isn't for everyone, but for someone like me, who refuses to give the local telco or mobile phone companies a penny, this should be a convenient Skype phone. And for the price? Fifty bucks more than the NETGEAR WiFi Phone for Skype, plus video, plus music, plus web browsing, GTalk & Yahoo Messenger? None of the smart phones can beat that for the price.
Sharry @ Sep 2nd 2006 8:59PM
I'm a spammer! Spam me please! sharry@myloforums.net
ZodiacfreaK @ Sep 3rd 2006 4:57AM
Hell why would you wan't one of these. Just buy a tapwave zodiac. Same thing plus more features and its only $129