Sony reveals initiatives to create a "Ubiquitous Value Network" * Company in joint efforts with AOL Time Warner and Nokia

LAS VEGAS, Nov 13 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - Sony CorporationPresident and COO Kunitake Ando today gave a keynote presentationat COMDEX in Las Vegas, focusing on the company's vision tocreate an open "Ubiquitous Value Network."Ando said that Sony aims to build a powerful, new hardwareplatform where both PC and non-PC consumer electronics deviceswill be seamlessly connected, leading to new forms of consumerenjoyment. He said that Sony's strengths in intuitive humaninterface development and digital technologies will be furtherenhanced with the interconnection of products that generate avariety of new consumer services and business opportunities.At COMDEX, Sony demonstrated this new concept through network-compatible TVs, a prototype wristwatch terminal, and the "FEEL"(preliminary name) user-interface technology that allows devicesto recognise each other as they come into proximity."The Ubiquitous Value Network concept is one where devices andproducts can seamlessly access the network and connect with eachother at any time, from any place," Ando said. "As the broadbandnetwork society reaches a sophisticated form by the year 2005, wewill establish a hardware platform where users will connect witheach other and with Sony, creating a completely new lifestyle."Sony believes that to make the Ubiquitous Value Network areality, an open platform environment -- comprising hardware,content and applications from diverse sectors -- is essential.During the keynote, Sony announced agreements with AOL TimeWarner and Nokia as initial steps in creating this open,broadband network environment. AOL Time Warner and Sony to co-operate on open broadband networkenvironmentTop executives from Sony and AOL Time Warner announced that in aneffort to build an open broadband environment they will work todevelop easy-to-use home gateway technologies and an openInternet browser compatible with networked consumer electronicproducts.Sony and Nokia to jointly develop a common middleware platformfor mobile handsetsDuring the keynote, there was also an announcement that Sony andNokia will work to develop open middleware and service platformsthat will allow mobile handsets and other electronics devices toconnect and easily share content. Through the rapid developmentof an open Ubiquitous Value Network, Ando said that Sony intendsto expand the network business sector as a whole.Editor's Note: For a schedule of press activities at COMDEX,along with contact information, press releases and digitalimages, please go to http://www.sony.com/newsMatthias ColliCorporate CommunicationsSony Europetel +49-30-2575-5158matthias.colli@eu.sony.com

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