Innovation key for PC makers

JoongAng Daily. May 20, 2004
By Wohn Dong-heeGiven the fast-paced evolution of technology, developers of personal computers should think “outside the box” for new, innovative ideas, a senior Sony official said yesterday.
Kunimasha Suzuki, senior general manager of Sony Corp. in Tokyo, was visiting
Korea to attend a launching ceremony for Sony’s new VAIO laptop computer.
“Seven years ago, when we launched VAIO, the personal computer was regarded as a business tool, an extension of the office PC,” Mr. Suzuki said. “Using computers for audio and video content has become mainstream these days, but it was not always so. That is why we must advance PC products so that they are not held back by the constraints of conventional concepts.”
He said that
Korea was a good place to apply emerging technologies. “
Korea is a growing market that is based on an infrastructure which has a high broadband penetration rate. New products that have just been announced in
Japan will be brought here immediately to be adapted,” he said.
He said that Sony is taking further steps to converge audio-visual and information technologies. The main change is that the VAIO, originally a laptop brand, will be expanded to include entertainment and networking solutions.
In addition to two new laptop computers, Sony Korea introduced the VAIO type U, a micro-mini Windows XP computer, and the VAIO Pocket, the Sony version of the Macintosh iPod. These next-generation high-tech gadgets support large music and digital image files, and can be used interactively with existing audio and video media.