Reiter's Camera Phone Report: Sony's sexy Vaio UX Micro PC includes VGA, 1.3 megapixel camera, EDGE

Sony’s very interesting 1.2–pound Vaio UX Micro PC (see below) with Cingular’s GSM EDGE, 802.1b/g/a and Bluetooth, incorporates two cameras: VGA on the front and 1.3 megapixel on the back.

Sony’s Japanese site for the Vaio UX Micro PC offers videos including one about the "blog/camera" features (see below). There’s no audio on any of the videos and I couldn’t get an accurate translation of the text from Babel Fish, but it seems Sony is promoting the ability to take photos and post them on a blog.

One the surface, this new Vaio looks like a very hot and useful device. But I wonder about the usability of the keyboard that seems to have tiny, flat keys.

Wireless limitations

I’m also not a fan of a built in cellular modem in today’s computer devices because it limits your choices.

EDGE definitely is faster than GPRS but (1) CDMA 1xEV-DO is several times faster than EDGE, (2) Cingular is upgrading EDGE to the faster UMTS and (3) the Vaio only supports, I think, the more expensive Sony Memory Stick slot so your chances of inserting a PC Card modem for another cellular data protocol are slim to none.

(However, you could conceivably use a 1xEV-DO modem with an adapter attached to a USB port, when they are available, as noted by EVDOinfo.com.)

Despite the limitations, the Vaio offers very useful capabilities, such as an Intel Core Solo processor, 30GB hard drive, 4.5–inch SVGA screen and optional docking station. It’s not cheap, though. The price is around $1,800.

More information

For more opinions, read the comments on Engadet’s article.

Also, check out jkOnTheRun where James Kendrick compares the new Vaio to Microsoft’s new “Origami” (Ultra Mobile PC) products (see left) as well as the new OQO ultra portable computer (with Tablet PC).

James says the Vaio is an OQO-killer.

The Vaio incorporates Windows XP, not XP + Tablet PC. James wonders when someone will hack Tablet PC for the Vaio. He also notes that Microsoft’s new operating system, Vista, will include as standard the Tablet PC functionality.

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