Conclusions

Sony's Mylo Internet based personal communicator offers some interesting design concepts. It differs in many ways from Nokia's 770. Whether either the 770 or Mylo succeeds in a market over crowded with wireless communication devices is an open question.

The Sony Mylo, not the Sony PSP with a slide-out keyboard. Really!

The Mylo and 770 are built for teenagers and those in their early twenties. This is the group that is most likely to relate to a wireless device that lacks standard mobile phone functionality and instead relies on the Internet for everything including phone calling and instant messaging.

This is also a group that is likely to appreciate the "no-cost" aspects of Internet based activities such as phone calling. As both Nokia and Sony make clear in their advertising, WiFi connectivity means no monthly cell phone plan charges. So, Internet based voice communications aren't always perfect. Who cares? It's free except for the cost of WiFi services if you're the one paying for the latter.

Now indulge me while I discuss Sony's marketing campaign for the Mylo. Aware that its biggest market is going to be among the high school and college crowd, the company created what it calls the "Mylo Rush." We're not talking drug rushes here, rather fraternity and sorority rushes. Using a graphical cartoon-style college town theme, Sony invites anxious potential Mylo customers to rush for Mylo House and provides a variety of entertainments to keep them busy and coming back to the site until the Mylo actually is available for sale. A lot of people on the Internet have criticized this approach as kind of lame. Check out the opening scene on the website below and see for yourself at RUSH. For more on the Mylo see Sony Mylo.