The Sony Group is primarily focused on the Electronics (such as AV/IT products & components), Game (such as PlayStation), Entertainment (such as motion pictures and music), and Financial Services (such as insurance and banking) sectors. Not only do we represent a wide range of businesses, but we remain globally unique. Our aim is to fully leverage this uniqueness in aggressively carrying out our convergence strategy so that we can continue to emotionally touch and excite our customers.

 

Sony Corporation, Sony Ericcson Mobile Communications Japan Inc., and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. have won, respectively, 769, 12, and 7 Good Design Awards.

 

Sony Corporation

6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0001, Japan

Phone: +81-3-5448-2111

 

 

The HDW-F900 is a high-definition camcorder for professional use in multiple formats, including 24P. The HDW-F series was used in all the filming of Star Wars Episode 2, playing a key role in promoting the popularization of digital cinema production. These camcorders, marketed under the product family name of "CineAlta," are the end result of knowledge and technology accumulated by Sony through years of broadcasting equipment development, and they have contributed to advances in broadcast production and to the development of the film and content industries. The camera plays a central role at film-making sites. Acutely aware of its importance as a tool for professionals, the designer has carefully considered the positioning of all knobs and switches to arrive at a product of great functional beauty, down to the most minute details.

 

Designer: Hiroki Oka

 

Digital HD video camera recorder supports the world's first HDV standard in the 1080i format, for recording and reproduction of highly detailed Hi-Vision images on digital video cassette tape. Comes with three newly developed 1080i-compatible HD CCDs, which can record images with superior color reproduction at higher resolution. With the design centering on the large lens to express the character of the first HDV camera in the new high quality format, the EVF (Electric View Finder) has been moved away from the main camera body and positioned on the back of the grip, to achieve easier use in a new never-before-seen configuration.

 

Designer: Shin Miyashita

Digital HD video camera recorder offers highly detailed Hi-Vision  images in the 1080i format. The design emphasizes ease of use, based on simple lines that flow diagonally from the large aperture lens to the EVF (Electric View Finder). Features most commonly used are arranged with special buttons along the camera body, while the complex of switches comes in an efficient array. Designed to ensure camera stability despite its compact size, this product ensures relaxed operation without fatigue, even during long shooting sessions.

 

Designer: Kaoru Sumita

VAIO Type T is a notebook computer mounting an ultra-thin LED backlight display. To achieve the thinnest and lightest model possible, multilayer carbon fiber consisting of carbon material hardened in resin was used for the cover. The operating area features a sleek, unified design that also heightens ease of use in detail after detail. The hinge section is finely treated so that the ultra-slim LED appears to be beautifully balanced on the main unit, with a slight slope up to the hinge. The keyboard is level with the palm rest to deliver a solid appearance, as if the keyboard were engraved into a solid panel. This produces an uncluttered image, while the expanded key pitch enhances ease of use.

 

Digital still camera with a CCD of an effective 6 million pixels. An optical image stabilizer that compensates for shaky hands and high ISO setting of 640 ensures high picture quality without blurring. The 2.5-inch liquid crystal display offers shooting pleasure and viewing fun. The smoothly curved body surface emphasizes a soft touch and metallic feel. And the lens cover doubles as a power switch, for a beautiful carry-around feel even when the camera is not actually being used to take photos. A band sculpted in relief across the lens cover boosts the look of quality and accents the overall design, as well as providing a place for the fingers when shooting.

 

 

A portable linear PCM recorder optimum for high sound quality recordings, this device uses an uncompressed, digital audio format (linear PCM format) and an optimal low-noise design for faithful recording of original sound in an audio quality superior to that of a CD. While featuring the most advanced digital technology equipment, the design also incorporates a monocolor liquid crystal display and analog level meter for ease of use. For the body, a shaped titanium material achieves enhanced toughness and a special high-quality feel. The design embodies a careful attention to detail for an optimum recording environment, as well as distinctive styling and superior performance.

 

The Network Walkman® packs advanced performance into a compact size with stylish design. Also includes an organic EL display capable of showing up to three lines of text. The 512MB/1GB memory can hold up to 23/46 CDs worth of music. A low consumption power system coupled with high-speed recharging means that a three-minute recharge is enough for three hours of replay. Moreover, continuous music reproduction can extend for up to 50 hours. The translucent design, like a bottle of perfume, gives the appearance of liquid music being poured into a bottle. And with the organic EL display showing animated bubbles, the main body design merges with the display interface design into a unified whole.

 

Designer: Takayuki Kobayashi

The W900, the first UMTS handset to join the Walkman® family of music phones, is a high-quality fully specified music player, phone and imaging device capable of super-fast downloads of all types of multimedia - music, video and graphics. As the flagship model of the Walkman® music-phone family, the W900 is designed with great attention to the high-quality feel of the material, while also expressing the pleasure and casual fun of listening to music with its organic form and use of the colour orange as an accent. The versatile swivel design secures a firm grip and makes it easy to multitask among the various functions: listening to music, making a call, or taking photos.

 

Designer: Shigeaki Suzuki

 

While retaining the key design elements of the former model, such as the grooved front panel and the architecture made up of two boxes, one large and one small, the redesigned PlayStation® 2 incorporates dramatically downsized components, resulting in a significantly smaller, lighter, slimmer form. The new unit is less than one-quarter the cubic volume and less than half the weight of its predecessor. Where the previous model was 7.8 cm thick, this one is only 2.8 cm. Almost as small as a hardcover book, the new PlayStation® 2 can be set up anywhere, making it easier than ever for users to enjoy games and DVD videos. Its super-slim, compact styling, while inheriting the authentic PlayStation® 2 look, creates an appeal designed to generate additional purchases.

 

Designer: Teiyu Goto

PSP(TM)(PlayStation® Portable)is a new handheld entertainment system that incorporates advanced image processing capabilities with stereo output of live courtside seat quality audio into game software with 3D-CG capability, for casual enjoyment of high-quality animation and music anytime, anywhere. The easy-to-use, highly symbolic design offers multiple performance packed into an extremely compact body. The system body features curved surfaces that offer a natural fit in the hands of both adults and children, and the front panel design features a unified configuration with an operations control zone that allows the user to focus on the audiovisual content.

 

Designer: Shinichi Ogasawara

 

AIBO is an entertainment robot aimed at "coexistence between humankind and robots," that can create and offer new pleasures and lifestyles. The hardware (the AIBO body) uses its software functions of emotion, instinct, learning, and growth to think and act for itself. ERS-7M3 uses a set of LEDs with electrostatic sensor that responds to petting, in an experiment at natural communication between person and robot. This interface design creates an "appliance with emotion," expressive of an advanced, gentle technology. A cutting-edge, three-dimensional design achieves a balance of cute and cool expressed in complete facial expressions and in body shaping lines.

 

Designer: Daisuke Ishii

* Walkman® is the registered trademark of the Sony Corporation.

* "PlayStation" and "PS2" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

   ©2006 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

   Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

* "PlayStation" is a registered trademark and "PSP" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

   ©2006 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.