Sony Dash Now Available

The Sony Dash, a device with a 7 inch touchscreen with access to personalized Internet content via Wi-Fi, is now available to US consumers at SonyStyle and various retailers for $199. Think of it as the alarm clock for the 21st century. After being introduced at CES 2010, it was quickly apparent that the Dash was the biggest hit of the show and easily generated the most interest. And there’s a good reason for that – this is the adult version of a Chumby device (as twitter follower @glynnjamin put it). I’d have to agree – if you look at the current Chumby product, which the Dash is based on, there is something left to be desired in its design.

Sony changed that with the introduction of the Dash – it is a black, monolithic looking product with minimalistic styling that compliments nearly any environment it is placed in. Looks aren’t everything, either – the Dash is full to the brim with functionality.

We wish the Dash was portable (it requires a power source), was a little slimmer in size, and had a iPod/iPhone dock. Regardless, the 7 inch color touchscreen on this device utilizes Wi-Fi to serve more than a 1,500+ free applications, many provided by chumby; examples of apps include news, calendars, weather, sports, and social networking. This is great for people who are tired of waking up to the same old alarm clock that has remained relatively unchanged for decades. You can now wake up, quickly check the essentials online and not have to activate the laptop or phone. Every morning when I wake up I have to check my e-mail, twitter, weather, and baseball/football scores like many of you out there.

However, the applications aren’t just limited to those simple examples; the Dash is actually quite advanced for its $199 price tag. Through BRAVIA Internet Video, Dash can bring you TV episodes, films and additional video content and music from providers such as CBS, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker and more. That’s pretty amazing.

And fortunately it’s not a one application at a time ecosystem, unlike other products currently on the market. Sony has noted, “Dash can multitask. For example, if used on a kitchen countertop, internet radio can be playing in the background while you use your Dash to follow a recipe step-by-step.”

Here’s the rest of today’s press release which highlights some other things I didn’t mention above –

With Dash, a playlist of your own personalized internet world is constantly refreshed and pushed to you, reducing the need to search for your favorite content or to log onto your favorite sites. Dash also allows you to “wake up a whole new way” with music videos, internet radio, or any video content available on the Dash instead of a traditional alarm clock buzzer.

Further, Dash can multitask. For example, if used on a kitchen countertop, internet radio can be playing in the background while you use your Dash to follow a recipe step-by-step.

Adding to Dash’s impressive content offerings, CNBC(TM) and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will each be offering apps for the Dash, displaying business news and market information as well as enabling you to access the highest quality simple recipes. In addition, Dr. Oz will provide a series of video health tips for Dash users.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s app for the Sony Dash, titled “Dinner Tonight(TM) Recipe of the Day,” will come pre-loaded on the device and will provide a daily recipe from Martha Stewart’s vast library of Everyday Food magazine recipes consisting of eight ingredients or less, as well as allow you the ability to utilize any of the daily “Dinner Tonight” recipes from the past month.

CNBC’s app will also be pre-loaded in the Sony Dash and will feature real-time financial and business news, market information, stocks to watch, and more.

The video health tips provided by Dr. Oz are especially well suited for your wake-up experience. Each video is approximately one minute in length and provides specific steps you can take to live a healthier life.

In the coming weeks, Dash will be highlighted on several national broadcasts including Dr. Oz, Martha Stewart, CNBC, as well as in music videos from several high-profile Sony Music(TM) artists.

Check out the offical Sony Dash website, or the Dash fan page on Facebook.