SONY DEBUTS ITS FIRST WIRELESS CYBER-SHOT DIGITAL CAMERA

Sony is advancing wireless digital photo sharing with today’s introduction of the 6-megapixel Cyber-shot ® DSC-G1 digital camera.

The G1 model is Sony’s first digital camera with the ability to view photos wirelessly on other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices, such as another camera or a PC.

“This is a step towards realizing a platform for networked photo communication,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “We will continue to explore the possibilities for networked digital imaging as broadband Internet becomes more pervasive in American homes.”

The G1 unit is the ideal vacation camera with 2GB of internal memory, saving you from having to manage extra media cards. It becomes a virtual photo album in your pocket as it can store up to 7,500 VGA-quality photos or 600 6-megapixel pictures. If additional storage is needed, the camera's capacity can be expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo ™ media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo ™ card, now available in capacities up to eight gigabytes.

In addition to storage capacity, it incorporates an auto image management system with sophisticated search functions. You can organize your photos by events, such as vacations or birthdays, and retrieve them later by keywords or labels. It’s also possible to select an image and search for other photos with the same face, same color, or a similar composition.

Armed with features for optimal shooting and sharing, the new model also integrates built-in technologies to minimize image blur, including Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization. It also has high light sensitivity, up to ISO 1000, to facilitate shooting at higher shutter speeds, as well as low-light conditions for more natural exposures or for settings where flash is not permitted.

This new Cyber-shot model also features a distinctive design. Its Carl Zeiss® 3x optical zoom lens is wrapped in an elegant metal body. You slide the lens cover across, instead of down as with previous models, and you’re ready to shoot in less than a second.

The DSC-G1 digital camera will ship in April for about $600. Additional accessories will include lenses, filters, batteries, travel chargers, sports packs and cases. All can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Feb. 28 at www.sonystyle.com/newcameras.

We, Pro-face, the top manufacturer of programmable displays, have opened two branches in India as of the 1st of September for wider sales activities. Secure support system will be provided to Japanese companies in India as well as local companies. We believe that it leads to improvement in customer satisfaction and aim at the target of one billion yen in sales in five years.

The one of two branches is placed in Bangalore, where is famous as IT technopolis for its machine industry, and the other is in Mumbai, where is another concentrated Industrial area. Eight of local and Japanese staff members in Bangalore and Mumbai conduct support services and sales activities. Expansion of the area and increase of human resources will be carried out as needed. Channel partner network has been already established and it covers entire India, therefore, Pro-face is able to provide the enhanced support services and shorter delivery time.

Since 2002, we have been focusing on sales activities in BRICs, including China, for our global business strategy. As for our domestic activities in programmable display business, we have responded to high demands in FA field in Japan by offering "Visualization", which is an information networking connected to production sites, in addition to the conventional display functions. The demands for Pro-face's products have been increased overseas in past several years, as well as the recognition. It has accelerated, and the market size of our global business is now almost the same as the size of our domestic business.

In developed countries, such as Europe and the U.S., semiconductor and machine industries have largely grown, but in BRICs countries, expectation for large growth in automotive and machine industries and development of IT technology is high. Therefore, to meet the expectation, we established branches: in China (Shanghai) in 2002, in Russia in April 2007, in Brazil in May 2007, in China (Shenzhen) in June 2007, and in India in September 2007. In India, IT technology is advanced and rapid industrialization is required. Therefore, we are sure that our high-value added displays will become successful.

Pro-face will aim at the total sales of 6 billion yen in BRICs by the year of 2010, and 22 billion yen in our global sales.

Toshiba Corp., Sony Corp. and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) reported today that they intend to create a semiconductor joint venture to produce high-performance chips including ones based on the ‘Cell Broadband Engine’ (Cell/B.E.) and the ‘RSX’ graphics engine, confirming reports last month. The companies also said Sony’s 300-mm wafer fab from Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corp.’s Nagasaki Technology Center (SKC)’s Fab 2 will be transferred to Toshiba by the end of March 2008.

Following the transfer, production on the line will be operated by the joint venture, the companies noted.

Toshiba expects the collaboration to allow it to expand its system LSI business by increasing order volume and securing regular orders of high-performance semiconductors for PlayStation, while Sony Group will aim for the further growth of the PlayStation business by achieving process migration of high-performance semiconductors.

The companies reminded that they already have a solid partnership in the development and production of high-performance semiconductors for game consoles, including the Sony Playstation 3, with this new joint venture building on their existing relationship by utilizing the 300-mm wafer fab facilities that Toshiba will acquire from Sony, where most production will focus on chip manufactured at the 65-nm process node.

Further, the Japanese semiconductor giants said they will jointly migrate to the 45-nm process node.

The joint venture’s name is still to be determined, but an establishment date has been planned for April 1, 2008, with a capitalization of approximately (100 million yen).Toshiba will own 60 percent, Sony will hold 20 percent, and SCEI will own the other 20 percent.