"AIBO" Entertainment Robot second anniversary * New software applications compatible with wireless LAN card * Special "AIBO" 2nd Anniversary Colour Models avail

BERLIN, May 9 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Sony Europe todayannounced the introduction of 3 additional titles of "AIBO-ware"application software to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of thelaunch of "AIBO" entertainment robot on April 11, 1999. The 3 new"AIBO-ware" will provide a variety of exciting ways for owners toenjoy interacting with "AIBO". In addition, three special 2ndAnniversary Colour Model "AIBO"s will be offered for a limitedperiod (3 colour variations: Everest White, Sapphire Violet,Mazeran Green).New Wireless LAN Compatible Application Software Increases (ERS-210) InteractivityBy connecting the 2nd Generation "AIBO" (ERS-210) to a PC via awireless LAN card, two new software applications make it possibleto enjoy new exciting forms of interaction with "AIBO".

Title

Rec. Price

Order Taking

Point ofSale (1)AIBO Messenger Product No. ERF-210AW04

euro 150

From

SonyEntertainment

(+ VAT)

May 11, 2001

RobotEurope (2)AIBO Navigator Product No. ERF-210AW05

euro 150

From

SonyEntertainment

(+ VAT)

May 11, 2001

RobotEuropeNOTE: In order to enjoy application & , above it is necessary tohave a IEEE802.11b wireless LAN card (sold separately) installedin the PC and a special "AIBO" wireless LAN card (ERA-201D1)(sold separately, recommended price: euro 200 + VAT) installed inAIBO. Compatible PC OS - Windows 98SE/2000/ME.(1) AIBO MessengerWhen connected to a PC via a wireless LAN card, "AIBO" can informowners that email has arrived, read the contents of a message andgive text based information such as news and weather data from ahome page in response to a special key word. Also it is possibleto manipulate mail software by using the voice recognitionfunction and sensors. MAPI compatible mail software is necessary(Outlook Express5.5).(2) AIBO NavigatorThis software enables owners to manipulate "AIBO" from a remotelocation. "AIBO" can be instructed to move forward, backwards,left or right while the camera located in its head sends picturesback to the computer screen. It is also possible to make "AIBO"dance, do a variety of different movements, kick a ball, sendvoice data and take a still photograph using the picture capturefunction.Application Software for the (ERS-111)Special application software enables the first generation "AIBO"(ERS-111) to play 'Scissors, Paper, Stone' and other games.

Title

Rec. Price

Order Taking

Point ofSale

Party Mascot

euro 90

From

SonyEntertainment Product No. ERA-102M

(+ VAT)

May 11, 2001

RobotEuropeNote: Same functions as (Party Mascot (for ERS-210)) nowavailable for the (ERS-111) models.Sony aims to expand the ways of interacting with "AIBO" bydeveloping new "AIBO-ware" application software in order to beable to offer an exciting new type of home entertainment.2nd Anniversary Colour Model AIBOFor a limited period the 2nd Generation "AIBO" (ERS-210) will beavailable in a special paint finish that reflects differentcolour tints in bright light. Normally such limited editionproducts would carry a premium price. While stocks last, theseare being offered at the same price as standard colour models ateuro 1500* (+VAT).

Model Name

Order Period Rec.Price

Entertainment Robot "AIBO"

(ERS-210)

2nd Anniversary Colour Model

From May 11, 2001euro 1500* Everest White, Sapphire Violet, Mazeran While stocks last

Green (+ VAT) (Customers should choose their preferred

colour)The gold, silver and black "AIBO" (ERS-210) will continue to besold without any limitation on the order period or number ofunits available.Additional application language software availableFollowing the success of the English language versions, SonyEntertainment Robot Europe is pleased to announce two newlanguages supported in AIBO-ware "AIBO Life" and "Hello AIBO!".German and French speakers now have an option to interact with"AIBO" in their preferred language. This means now "AIBO"can support three European languages; English, French and German.- "AIBO Life"

German Edition

ERF-210AW01

euro 90 (+VAT)- "AIBO Life"

French Edition

ERF-210AW01

euro 90 (+VAT)- "Hello AIBO!"

German Edition

ERF-210AW02

euro 80 (+VAT)- "Hello AIBO!"

French Edition

ERF-210AW02

euro 80 (+VAT)Viewing OpportunitiesSpecial anniversary colour models will be seen for the first timeat the series of events in London. The largest event will be heldat the Broadgate Arena near Liverpool Street station on the 17thof May, from 11:00 to 19:00 (GMT).Sales InformationOrders can be made by telephone only.Application software can be ordered from May 11 (Friday) 2001 andproduct delivery is planned from the beginning of Junecorresponding to the order in which applications are received.Delivery of 2nd anniversary "AIBO" is scheduled to start fromJune.AIBO Customer Link EuropeEnglish line: +44-20-7365 2938German line: +49-69-9508 6310French line: +33-1- 5569 5118Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 (CET)"AIBO" and the "AIBO Logo" are registered trademarks of SonyCorporation.Other product names used in this release are the registeredtrademarks of their respective company.Catalogue Requests & Customer InquiriesInformation can be obtained by telephone & email.TELEnglish line: +44-20-7365 2938German line: +49-69-9508 6310French line: +33-1- 5569 5118Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 (CET)E Mailaibo@sonystyle-europe.comReference"AIBO" Background

Date

Event

SalesResults

Announcement of first consumer May 1999

use entertainment robot

(ERS-110) "AIBO"

Sale of (ERS-110)

Total sale of5,000 units June 1999

(Limit to number of units

sold in Japan &USA

available)

Sale of Special Edition

Total sale of10,000 units Nov. 1999

(ERS-111)

sold in Japan,USA & Europe

(Limit to number of units

available)

Additional sale of (ERS-111)

Total sale of30,000 units Feb. 2000

(Limit to time period orders

sold in Japan,USA & Europe

accepted)

Announcement of 2nd Generation Oct. 2000

(ERS-210) "AIBO" entertainment

robot

As ofApril 2001: Nov. 2000

Start of sale of (ERS-210)

Total sales of50,000 units

sold in Japan,USA & Europe

plus otherareas.

(Includes2,000 Colour

Variationunits)

Sale of Special Colour Variation Feb. 2001

(ERS-210)

(Limit to time period orders

accepted)(As of April 2001 "AIBO" total sales approx. 95,000 units)Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and informationtechnology products for the global consumer and professionalmarkets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses,Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leading personalbroadband network company in the 21st century. In Europe,Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of close to EUR 14.42billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Sony Europe,headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, isresponsible for the company's European electronics business andregistered consolidated sales of close to EUR 8.5 billion for thefiscal year ended March 31, 2000.Sony Europe's homepage can be found at http://www.sony-europe.comFor further information regarding Sony Europe, please contact:Georges Gerard - Corporate Communications Europe - Sony EuropeGmbH tel:+49 30 2575 5155fax: +49 30 2575 5174 email: georges.gerard@eu.sony.com -www.sony-europe.com/presscenterIn addition, for any queries about Sony in your respectivecountry, please contact your local Sony PR officeFor further information regarding Sony Europe, please contact:Georges Gerard - Corporate Communications Europe - Sony EuropeGmbH tel: +49 30 2575 5155fax: +49 30 2575 5174 email: georges.gerard@eu.sony.com -www.sony-europe.com/presscenterIn addition, for any queries about Sony in your respectivecountry, please contact your local Sony PR office

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