Processors Toolkit

Sony Clie gets USB upgrade

Winston Chai CNet Asia

Published: 30 Jan 2003 11:01 GMT

Sony handheld computers will soon be able to exchange data with other digital devices via a universal serial bus (USB) port without PC intervention.

The Tokyo-based electronics giant said future Clie PDAs will come equipped with Philips' USB On-The-Go chip.

USB On-The-Go is a way for gadgets like mobile phones to link and exchange data directly with other computer peripherals.

While existing wireless data transfer modes such as Bluetooth promises similar benefits, these standards are not ubiquitous and backward-compatible. USB slots, on the other hand, are commonly found in existing devices such as printers and audio players.

Although the USB On-the-Go standard is not new, Sony is among the first gadget makers to detail concrete plans for its adoption.

One analyst believes Sony is on the right track by tapping into the large installed base of USB-enabled peripheral devices.

"It makes sense for Sony (to do this) because of the breadth of devices they have and their close relationship with Philips," said Bryan Ma, research manager for personal systems at IDC Asia-Pacific.

Implementing USB On-The-Go is also a cost-effective option compared with other connectivity solutions, Ma said.

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