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Crutchfield is currently offering the Sony Mylo COM-2 for just $199, which comes along with free shipping.  Although the Mylo COM-2 is typically available in either white or black, this deal applies only to the black model.

The Mylo COM-2 is branded as an “Internet Device” and offers a nice way to get online, that is assuming you have a Wi-Fi connection available.  Bottom line, $199 is not a bad price for a device that was introduced less than a year ago and originally sold for $299.  Of course, with Wi-Fi being included into more and more devices these days, the small form factor of the Mylo COM-2 is making it much less desirable than it was just a year ago.

The Mylo COM-2 features a 3.5-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution, a back-lit slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel camera and 1GB of internal memory with support for additional storage via Memory Stick Duo media.  This now lowered price is coming after a $100 instant rebate, and at least at the time of this posting makes no mention of any expiration.

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Sony has recently begun selling the mylo under a slightly different name, the COM-2 will no longer be know as a “personal communicator,“ but instead will be the Sony mylo Internet Device.

The new name makes sense, as it seems to better represent what the mylo actually is. The original COM-1 focused more on instant messaging, however thanks to the improved web browsing experience and direct YouTube uploads the COM-2 offers more of a complete Internet experience.

Keeping in mind that even though the new “Internet Device” name does make more sense, I cannot help to think that “personal communicator” always sounded a little funny, even if the device was intended for those “who use instant messaging as a primary form of communication and networking for their social life.“

While the new name may help to spur some sales, the biggest barrier seems to be the price tag, at $300 its a little expensive, especially considering lots of people can get these same features from low-cost notebooks and even plenty of mobile phones nowadays.

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Coming just a few months after the last software update for the Mylo COM-2, Sony has just released yet another update. This brings the version up to 1.201 and should be well worth the time it takes to update. The new version of software offers a few big items which include support for video recording and the ability to support Memory Stick Duo memory cards up to 16GB in size. In addition the update also includes some other notable items which include:

• Adds a new menu option for easier photo and video uploading
• Provides an “Optimize” option in Task Manager for system memory
• Adds a function to format Memory Stick Duo media
• Adds the ability to display thumbnail images in the Game menu
• Improves Flash playback of YouTube videos

Coming in at just about 60MB, the update is slightly large, but like I mentioned it seems to be a worthwhile update. Hit the update link below to find the download.

Update [Sony]

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Sony has recently begun shipping the mylo com2 with a free charging cradle. While its certainly not a must have item, and I am not sure it would push me over the edge and make me run out to purchase a mylo, its always a nice deal when you are getting a $29.99 item for free.

A dock or charging cradle is one accessory that I consider a must have for most gadgets. It looks much nicer sitting on the desk, it helps to keep your device from getting bumped and knocked to the floor and is much easier to stick your device in the dock or cradle as opposed to fiddling with a loose wire.

Sony has not made any mention of whether this is a permanent or just a limited time offer, but if you were already considering a mylo purchase, this sounds like as good a time as ever to make that purchase.

Product [Sony Style] Via [pocketables]

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It may have been a bit slow to come out, but Sony’s one-of-a-kind Mylo 2 portable communicator has received its very first software update, with version 1.100 now available for download from Sony’s eSupport web site. The update adds “system stability” improvements, as well as support for WMV files, quicker access to installed Flash games thanks to a Game item in the home menu, and something new—compatibility with a new SHOUTcast widget.

MyloForums users also note that there are several other improvements, including:

• Faster launch/load of camera
• Improved memory management
• Smoother YouTube playback
• Ability to view YouTube videos in full-screen mode

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to confirm these claims, but Jenn Lee over at Pocketables.com says she can vouch for them, although she has so far failed in making that last feature work—full screen Youtube video viewing.

If you own a Mylo 2 unit yourself, why don’t you just download and install the update to see how it goes? Instructions are included here in the Version 1.100 Official Download Link, and you can find the new SHOUTcast widget here.

Via [Pocketables]

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When Sony first announced the Mylo Com2 during CES, they also announced the upcoming availability of Mylo Labs. The labs will allow users to join the developers community and create their own personal widgets that they can then share with other Mylo users.

The Mylo Com2 comes with a few widgets pre-installed to include Google Search, Facebook Notifier, My Contacts and YouTube. In addition to the opening of the Mylo Labs, Sony will also be adding other “official” widgets on a regular basis.

Currently there are some additional widgets available for download to include a calculator, world clock and to-do list. The Developers page will be opening in March for you to begin creating your very own.

Read [SonyStyle]

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Sony has added the Mylo Com-2 to the online Sony Style store. The updated device will feature a 3.5-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, a slide-out back-lit QWERTY keyboard, 1GB of internal memory with support for up to 8GB of additional storage via Memory Stick Duo media. The Mylo Com-2 will also have a 1.3-megapixel camera with the ability to upload and edit pictures, Adobe Flash Lite 3 support, widgets, RSS and podcast support and instant messaging via AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger or Skype. In addition to the upgraded features the Mylo Com-2 will also come with free Wi-Fi access to more than 10,000 hotspots through Wayport; the Wi-Fi access will be free through December 31, 2010.

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Sony has just announced the follow up for the Mylo Com1. They are looking to bring the fun PC parts to a portable device and have made some nice improvements with the Com2. The newly updated device will be available in either black or white and feature an 3.5-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, and a slide-out back-lit QWERTY keyboard. Memory wise it includes, 1GB of internal memory,with support for up to 8GB of additional storage via Memory Stick Duo media. There is also a 1.3-megapixel camera and the ability to upload and edit pictures. 

The Mylo Com2 will be offering a much improved web experience with Adobe Flash Lite 3 support and will also allow you to upload and download content directly from the web. For communication you will have your choice of AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger and Skype.

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In January, two of my best friends are traveling to Europe. One friend is backpacking around the continent with no specific plans, and the other is studying as a foreign exchange student in Wales. Both friends have gigantic powerhouse laptops. What is the end-all gadget for people who won’t want to carry around their laptops, but need portable communication with friends overseas? A cell phone? No, too expensive. A Mylo!

Okay, at $350, the Mylo isn’t cheap, but it offers some very unique features:

• Skype, Google Talk, and Yahoo Messenger
• Opera web browser
• 320x240 2.4” screen
• 802.11b Connection
• Slide-out Querty Keyboard
• fText Editor
• Support for Atrac3, WMA, and MP3
• Support for JPEG images and MPEG4 video playback

Thoughts: the Skype connectivity almost makes this a viable phone replacement, and the ability to avoid lugging around a laptop all the time seems like a great idea. I do think a built-in camera would be nice, though, as well as more storage.

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