Sony's Dash goes on sale, officially this time
By Paul Miller 
posted April 29th 2010 9:25AM
posted April 29th 2010 9:25AM
Sony's Dash on Sale Now
New Device Brings Real-Time Internet Content to You as a Dashboard For Your Online Life
SAN DIEGO, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today announced that its new Dash™, a Wi-Fi touch screen device that pushes real-time, personalized Internet content to users in their homes or offices, is now available for about $199 at www.sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores and other authorized dealers nationwide.
Featuring a 7-inch color touch screen, Dash uses your existing wireless internet connection to provide a continuous display of your selections from over 1,000 free apps, many provided by chumby industries, inc., including news, calendars, weather, sports, and social networking. In addition, through BRAVIA® Internet Video, Dash can bring you TV episodes, films and additional video content and music from providers such as CBS™, Netflix, YouTube™, Pandora™, Slacker® and more.
"Sony's Dash is always on and always fresh. No PC or smart phone needed," said Brennan Mullin, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' personal imaging and audio business. "With a wide library of free apps automatically pushed to you as well as access to a diverse network of more than 30 video channels, Dash is a great example of how Sony delivers the latest and most exciting content into consumers' homes."
With Dash, a playlist of your own personalized internet world is constantly refreshed and pushed to you, reducing the need to search for your favorite content or to log onto your favorite sites. Dash also allows you to "wake up a whole new way" with music videos, internet radio, or any video content available on the Dash instead of a traditional alarm clock buzzer.
Further, Dash can multitask. For example, if used on a kitchen countertop, internet radio can be playing in the background while you use your Dash to follow a recipe step-by-step.
Adding to Dash's impressive content offerings, CNBC™ and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will each be offering apps for the Dash, displaying business news and market information as well as enabling you to access the highest quality simple recipes. In addition, Dr. Oz will provide a series of video health tips for Dash users.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's app for the Sony Dash, titled "Dinner Tonight™ Recipe of the Day," will come pre-loaded on the device and will provide 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 utilize any of the daily "Dinner Tonight" recipes from the past month.
CNBC's app will also be pre-loaded in the Sony Dash and will feature real-time financial and business news, market information, stocks to watch, and more.
The video health tips provided by Dr. Oz are especially well suited for your wake-up experience. Each video is approximately one minute in length and provides specific steps you can take to live a healthier life.
In the coming weeks, Dash will be highlighted on several national broadcasts including Dr. Oz, Martha Stewart, CNBC, as well as in music videos from several high-profile Sony Music™ artists. Further information and details can be found on the Sony website at www.sony.com/dash and at the Dash facebook homepage at www.facebook.com/sonydash.
New Device Brings Real-Time Internet Content to You as a Dashboard For Your Online Life
SAN DIEGO, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today announced that its new Dash™, a Wi-Fi touch screen device that pushes real-time, personalized Internet content to users in their homes or offices, is now available for about $199 at www.sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores and other authorized dealers nationwide.
Featuring a 7-inch color touch screen, Dash uses your existing wireless internet connection to provide a continuous display of your selections from over 1,000 free apps, many provided by chumby industries, inc., including news, calendars, weather, sports, and social networking. In addition, through BRAVIA® Internet Video, Dash can bring you TV episodes, films and additional video content and music from providers such as CBS™, Netflix, YouTube™, Pandora™, Slacker® and more.
"Sony's Dash is always on and always fresh. No PC or smart phone needed," said Brennan Mullin, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' personal imaging and audio business. "With a wide library of free apps automatically pushed to you as well as access to a diverse network of more than 30 video channels, Dash is a great example of how Sony delivers the latest and most exciting content into consumers' homes."
With Dash, a playlist of your own personalized internet world is constantly refreshed and pushed to you, reducing the need to search for your favorite content or to log onto your favorite sites. Dash also allows you to "wake up a whole new way" with music videos, internet radio, or any video content available on the Dash instead of a traditional alarm clock buzzer.
Further, Dash can multitask. For example, if used on a kitchen countertop, internet radio can be playing in the background while you use your Dash to follow a recipe step-by-step.
Adding to Dash's impressive content offerings, CNBC™ and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will each be offering apps for the Dash, displaying business news and market information as well as enabling you to access the highest quality simple recipes. In addition, Dr. Oz will provide a series of video health tips for Dash users.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's app for the Sony Dash, titled "Dinner Tonight™ Recipe of the Day," will come pre-loaded on the device and will provide 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 utilize any of the daily "Dinner Tonight" recipes from the past month.
CNBC's app will also be pre-loaded in the Sony Dash and will feature real-time financial and business news, market information, stocks to watch, and more.
The video health tips provided by Dr. Oz are especially well suited for your wake-up experience. Each video is approximately one minute in length and provides specific steps you can take to live a healthier life.
In the coming weeks, Dash will be highlighted on several national broadcasts including Dr. Oz, Martha Stewart, CNBC, as well as in music videos from several high-profile Sony Music™ artists. Further information and details can be found on the Sony website at www.sony.com/dash and at the Dash facebook homepage at www.facebook.com/sonydash.
So a 200$ touch screen alarm clock? Umm no
@swanlee597
Umm YEESSSSSS!!!!
@swanlee597
pah, i just got paid today. been intrigued since announcement, why not? :P
@swanlee597 Exactly, if you already have a netbook, just set FLIQLO as your screensaver: pic: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s41/jml42691/IMG_2169.jpg download: http://www.9031.com/downloads/screensavers.html
And for alarm clock functionality, use ALARM CLOCK 1.0: http://download.cnet.com/Alarm-Clock/3000-2350_4-10064069.html?tag=mncol
(spacebar sets snooze, can use any MP3 or default buzz for alarm, and has 8 alarms, one for each day of the week and one extra)
@swanlee597
A 7" touchscreen alarm clock that you can watch Netflix and listen to internet radio/Pandora on from your bed.
Not to mention a ton of other apps:
http://www.chumby.com/guide
@Ducman69 Oh and btw, in the morning haze, I often forget what day it is. The program lets you pick a different song for each day of the week.
When I hear Mad World, its Monday. Wake up to Unstoppable from E.S. Posthumus, I know its Friday. :D
@Ducman69
lol, thats clever (song for each day)
@Ducman69
I usually have a netbook close to my bed when I sleep, I have to turn it off because of the fan sound. I wouldn't want a netbook as an alarm clock.
Also, I wouldn't want the LCD to be on all night next to me in screen saver mode.
@RKelly Enjoy your cheaper-does-way-less not-so-portable-or-3g ipad alternative.
@Matt1122 You mean netbook alternative. The iPad is the overpriced-does-way-less-not-so-functional netbook alternative. :D
@Boudou The screen saver I posted is mostly black and there would be less brightness than the Sony with brightness turned down, I assure you.
Did you click the link I posted?
Good point about the fan, but my Dell Mini 9 has no fan or moving harddrive, its completely silent. =)
@Ducman69 I believe most pinetrail netbooks are fanless, but you could also pick up a Dell Mini 10V from the Dell outlet for $290 - 15% off would be ~$250.
@Ducman69
For a Netbook, even with a B&W screensaver the backlight is still on, a netbook is unfit to be used as an alarm clock next to a bed.
For this Sony Dash I'm assuming the backlight turns off at night.
At $200 its easier to get the Dash..
@Ducman69
Yeah this thing is pretty awesome, and does pretty much everything people mentioned or hoped it could do.
Check this video, in bedroom, in office, in kitchen, in living room. Also you can place it on table in two different ways straight up or place it down on its back. So cool.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666081675#additionalImage1"
@swanlee597 Since it has a capacitive touchscreen that’s twice the size of a Chumby, a faster processor, and 4 times more memory, all at the same price as a Chumby Classic, it looks like a good product.
Reactions... http://j.mp/sony-dash-tablet-view
@Temple Here's my thought, turn the netbook around backwards. Yes, you wont see the time, but you can spin it towards you or walk around (more sure to stay out of bed). He's only trying to give alternatives, well and maybe also say the purchase is dumb.
I like the Dash from what I've seen, I want one, I hope they come to Korea. But, in any case, I used to look for good computer alarm clocks all the time. So, @ducman, thanks my good man.
Why does this have to be so expensive? I don't understand.
Cool product though, maybe if it was somewhere around 50-100$, I'd get it...but 199$? No way.
@DoctarPeppar : Ditto. I've been looking for a new alarm clock, but I am not paying $200 for one.
@DoctarPeppar It's brand new. It will start at $199 but will drop in a few months. I can wait till is falls to $100 or so.
@DoctarPeppar Have a look at sony's website. If people pay 150 $ for an iPod Nano, they should be more than willing to pay that small (yes, I think that) amount of money.
Ok, $199 at least makes more sense as a price. At my local Best Buy they had one of these out, but with the price labeled as $999 (which was mentioned in Engadget's previous story).
I would definitely look into this for my kitchen if:
1. I can compose simple e-mails.
2. I can load it up with MP3s.
3. I can access Food Network recipes.
Seems like it would also serve as a nice little photo frame when not used for other things.
@NHAnimator A "photo frame" is an okay bonus item, but it's the very last thing that Sony ought to be touting as a main feature, if they want this product to succeed. To wit, the HP DreamScreen, which had some very good features, but the most horrific interface of all time, and was positioned amongst all the "dumb" photo frames in Best Buy, resulting in the product being a humongous failure, with stores selling 1 per month at best (this according to my friend who does sales for HP).
@NHAnimator
Okay, so verdict appears to be FAIL. No user-accessible internal memory. No memory card slots. How much would it have cost to add an SD card slot to play my own music?
@NHAnimator
No SD slot or internal memory, true, but there is a USB port that allows you to connect a thumb drive from which to display photos and play music.
And who knows, just like with Sony's latest Blu-Ray players which will be updated via firmware this Summer to include DLNA support, and since the Dash does provide for over the air updates, maybe we will see such DLNA support in the Dash some time soon and then you can just stream your music or photos from most any compliant device.
I like the overall looks and capabilities of the Dash that I certainly would be willing to perhaps gamble on such additional functionality in the future.
@NHAnimator You can do all of that better with a netbook, especially composing emails.
The big attraction of these devices is the Internet Radio. If this DASH is based on Chumby's idea of an Internet Radio, then it's a fail and a waste.
In the meantime, I'm loving my PURE Sensia. Would love to see a head-to-head against that. Was it expensive? Yes. Is it the best, most thought-out Internet Radio/Alarm Clock yet? Without doubt. Buyer's Remose? ZERO
http://www.touchmyradio.com/
@darex
I should explain: Chumby's Internet Radio experience is distilled down to a few channels of their choosing. A "real" internet radio allows unfettered access to all internet radio stations, not just those that "someone" has chosen for you, plus supports all streaming formats (aac+, mp3, etc...)
If you have some loot burning a hole in your pocket I could think of worse things to spend it on.
@Waltah
Just found the specs here
http://buyaslate.net/specs/sony-dash-specs
and watching a video here...
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644695998
It seems it is a very capable 7-inch slate.
@NewBie
another thing you can't watch on an ipad
sony should've made this a carputer. then the DASH moniker would've made sense and i might have considered buying one.
as it stands now who wants a $200 alarm clock?
Sony does alarm clocks very well, perhaps better than anyone else, so I have faith that this might be a good product, but after hearing it's based on (is?) a Chumby, I have doubts it will be all it could have been. 90% of Chumby widgets are pointless and juvenile.
Id get it if it had video out for Netflix...
@clos1084
There is a Netflix widget which will allow you to watch your on-demand Netflix playlist. This was a huge selling point for me. I will use it as a bed-stand device only so I think it could be a great product. Of course, it might end up being lame, but I'll never know until I try it. If it is, there's always e-bay!
- Mr. Moo
Its similar to the Logitech Squeezebox which goes for $150.
There are plenty of micro-apps and even websites you can go to to turn your netbook into an alarm clock though. You can set it not to sleep upon closing the lid, or set to lowest brightness and it uses little power (low brightness is 6 watt on my Mini 9).
If you were to leave it on 24x7x365 in Houston at least thats a $5.12 anual electricity bill. I usually bring my netbook w/ me though after I wake, so its less than that.
No battery, so you're stuck tethered to a power outlet. That's a major deal-breaker for me.
I think I'll just stay with my Livio Internet Radio featuring Pandora.
the thing is great!
I just don't like they switch from Picasa @ CP-1 to PhotoBucket @ Dash
This little toy is THICKKKKKK! Why not make it thinner for that high price?
@xcomme Because she likes it THICKK
@xcomme Especially in the morning...
why does this seem like the answer to a question no one asked?
Well! A little pricey but might not be a bad alarm clock. Does gmail, stream music from Pandora etc. Yeah. it's pricey but it could own one. Would look pretty good on my night stand too.
Dr. Oz gave away about 100 of these this morning :)
You can *view* email, just not *reply* to email?
SRSLY?
Why, all of a sudden, do I feel that I can't live without one of these all of a sudden? Wait... for $3, i can get this: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nightstand-weather-clock-music/id347843970?mt=8
Is it flash 8 or flash 10?
When and where will this be available in Canada
CBS, Netflix & Pandora? What good will that do Canadian consumers when we aren't permitted to see/hear US content. I still like the idea of the device but its a bit steep for a clock radio that can fetch your gmail