Fujitsu updates its LifeBook B notebook, & Sony connects its Vaio to Cingular's network

- Gary Thayer, Editor

updated May 24, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Fujitsu and Sony this month unveiled the latest in their ultra-portable notebook lines, with Fujitsu replacing its LifeBook B3000 with the B6000, and Sony announced its VAIO T-series notebooks, which can connect to Cingular's cellular EDGE network.

Fujitsu updates its LifeBook B series

Fujitsu today (May 24) announced its new LifeBook B6000 series of ultra-portable touch screen notebooks, to replace the LifeBook B3000. The 3.3 pound B6000 features a larger, 50% brighter screen, longer battery life (up to six hours), and is powered by the Intel's Pentium M ULV 753 processor. The notebook also has a 12.1-inch XGA touch screen display for entering data with a stylus or fingertip, and a built-in microphone enables convenient dictation.

The LifeBook B6000 offers a variety of security capabilities: it comes Smart Card ready, incorporates embedded Trusted Platform Module technology as a standard feature, offers an optional biometric fingerprint swipe sensor, and integrates the Fujitsu Security Application Panel with over 800,000 possible combinations with supervisor and user password levels.

For connectivity, the LifeBook B6000 offers both built-in modem and Gigabit Ethernet connections, along with optional Bluetooth for wireless connections to Personal Area Networks or Bluetooth-enabled devices such as PDAs, smart phones, printers and other peripherals. Atheros Super AG WLAN is offered as an option.

The LifeBook B6000 notebook starts at US $1,649 and is available through the Fujitsu direct sales force, web site and channel partners. Users can choose from a recommended configuration or they can customize their system. The LifeBook B6000 is backed by a three-year or one-year warranty for U.S. and Canadian customers.Users can also add Fujitsu Premium Care Service Plans, which include an on-site service or a screen protection plan.

Sony's new Vaio connects to Cingular

Sony next month will ship its new ultra-portable VAIO T-series notebooks, which are the first to be able to connect to cellular networks. A combination of hardware and software automatically links to Cingular's high-speed EDGE network in the U.S. (See below for a link to a review by Laptop magazine.)

Sony's built-in SmartWi technology lets users toggle between various connectivity options by using the function keys. Users can choose WLAN / Wi-Fi connections, Bluetooth for peripherals, or WWAN for access to Cingular's EDGE network.

VAIO T-series owners will receive free 30 day trial of Cingular's Wireless WAN Service when they sign up through Sony for a Data Connect plan of US $49.99 with a two-year service agreement, or the $79.99 Unlimited Data Connect plan with a one-year service agreement. When customers sign up for the $79.99 Unlimited Data Connect plan with a two-year agreement through Sony, customers receive 60 days of free service, according to Sony.

Cingular's EDGE network is available in 13,000 U.S. cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of Interstate highways, at typical speeds of 70 to 135 kilobits per second (kbps), according to the carrier.

This VAIO T-Series notebooks weigh 3.04 pounds and promises 3.5 hours to 9 hours of use on a single charge, according to Sony. The notebook has a DVD+R double layer DVD+RW drive, Sony's Click to DVD software for one-click DVD burning, a 10.6-inch wide-format LCD with XBRITE display technology, and built-in Dolby technology for headphone surround sound.

Sony's VAIO Entertainment Software Suite includes applications for video editing, digital photo and music management, and VAIO Media software, an application for sharing digital content among PCs or compatible consumer electronics devices on a home network.

VAIO T-Series notebooks with a midnight blue chassis will be available in June starting at about US $2,200. Silver and burgundy color options will be only available online at sonystyle.com or at SonyStyle stores.

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