Sony's Cocoon Launches

[Gregg Lengling]

Sony is launching an anticipated new line of digital media products in Japan called CoCoon, a cute way of saying COnnected COmmunity On Network. The first product is a non-Windows-, non-Intel-, and non-Tivo-based personal video recorder (PVR). If a user selects from 44 keywords, the device can access information online and record TV programs matching his preferences. Sony says the widget will be capable of analyzing previous user choices and items stored on its hard disk to tailor the user profile to what its owner likes.

Formally called the Channel Server CSV-E77, the device has two TV tuners and a 160GB hard disk capable of recording 15 hours of high-definition programs or 100 hours of standard programs. Sony says it might expand the drive to 320GB. It also plans to offer a fee-based service that would let users program the PVR from a mobile phone.

Available initially only in Japan, Channel Server retails for about $1,100. (See TOR 314-01 Sony Shows New Piece of its Digital Media Strategy.)

With a broadband connector, all the products in the CoCoon line will be networkable. Most CoCoon products will include: Sony's WEGA line of high-end TVs, its PlayStation 2 game consoles, its VAIO computers and "mobile devices" like phones and hand-held computers. CoCoon products will use Linux as their operating system, and MIPS-based RISC microprocessors.

No Windows! No Intel! No Tivo! Hmmm.