Whenever an upgrade to an existing device is released, many consumers are faced with a confusing purchasing decision: buy the new model at full price or pick up the deeply discounted original?
If you’re experiencing this quandary over the Sony mylo (COM-1) introduced in 2006 and the new mylo 2 (COM-2) launched at CES 2008, I’ve put together a specs comparison chart and a round of photos of the two personal communicators to help make your choice a little easier.
| Sony mylo COM-1 | Sony mylo COM-2 | |
| Launch Price |
$349.99 | $299.99 |
| Current Price |
About $150 | $299.99 |
| Colors | Black, white | |
| Storage |
1GB internal + Memory Stick Duo slot | |
| Dimensions |
4.8" x 2.5" x 0.9" | 5.1" x 2.5" x 0.8" |
| Weight |
5.3 ounces | 6.8 ounces |
| Display |
2.4" TFT (320 x 240, 64K colors) |
3.5" touchscreen (800 x 480, ?? colors) |
| Connectivity | 802.11b | 802.11b/g |
| Browser
|
Opera (no Flash support) |
NetFront (with Flash Lite 3) |
| Messaging
|
Google Talk Yahoo Messenger Skype |
Google Talk Yahoo Messenger Skype AIM |
| Camera | None | 1.3 megapixels w/macro |
| I/O Ports |
Speaker, microphone, mini USB, proprietary headset | |
| Keyboard | 39 keys | 45 keys, backlit |
| Audio
|
MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM, ATRAC, WAV |
MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM, ATRAC, AAC |
| Video
|
MPEG4/AAC (30 fps, 384/768kbps) |
MPEG4-SP, AVC Baseline (30 fps, 384/768kbps) |
| Photo |
JPG, PNG, BMP | |
| Extras
|
Text viewer, file manager |
Text viewer, file manager, widgets, photo editing, RSS, upload/download content |
| Battery | Removable li-ion (3.7V 1200mAh) | |
| Estimated Runtime
|
Audio: up to 45 hours Video: up to 8 hours Web: up to 7 hours VoIP: up to 3.5 hours |
Audio: up to 20 hours Video: up to 7 hours Web: up to 6 hours VoIP: up to 6 hours |
Stay tuned for a similar post pitting the mylo 2 against the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet later this week. I’ll include website load times in that one, as both units have 800 x 480 displays and support Flash.
looks to me like the com-2 is the best package. sure, less battery life, but more features in the software. but no bluetooth makes it a no go for me…
What is OS?
Great idea, Jenn. Question: What’s the difference in how the keyboards feel? Is there a difference, with those extra keys, in how quickly you can ‘type’ on each?
Also, how cruddy is NetFront on this? I never enjoyed it on my ancient Clie’ and would think Opera’d be far better for tiny/mobile computing.
As for the widgets — whose widgets?
Thankee!
@ turn_self_off: Agreed. Bluetooth is definitely a disappointing omission. At least mylo 2 owners/users get free wi-fi until the end of 2010 at Wayport hotspots. I think there’s something like 10,000 location throughout the country, including a mess of McDonald’s. Certainly not as good as Bluetooth DUN would’ve been, but better than nothing.
@ Allen: Both mylos run on Qtopia Linux. Sony has locked off access to it, but they’re supposed to giving the SDK to people who register as a developer.
Hey there, Bush!
I haven’t taken my standard typing test on the mylo 2 yet (I’ll do that after I hit the 2-week mark), but I’m positive that I’m already typing much faster than on the original mylo. The COM-1 has a membrane keyboard and rather small keys, so it’s not as easy to type on as the COM-2′s chiclet board.
NetFront is actually pretty good and quite usable with the fingertip. Scrolling is clunkier than I’d like it to be (kinetic scrolling would be heaven), but it can be done in several ways so at least there’s some flexibility and choice involved. I haven’t done the load-time tests yet but have been generally pleased with performance. I don’t know what version it is, but it seems on par with the 3.4 I tried on Windows Mobile (test results here).
Sony preinstalls some widgets (YouTube, FaceBook, Google search, etc.) but also allows users to create their own and share them with the world. I think the SDK I mentioned to Allen above is just for the widgets, but I’m not 100% sure. There’s supposed to be a developer website somewhere, but it only seems to be redirecting to the Sony Style product page right now.
Are you thinking about buying one?
Oh, I’m always in the market for a lovely small device. As I said, I’m still limping along with my Clie’ and while I”m not thrilled to have to replace all that palm-based software, much less reformat my eBooks, I recognize I’ll have to make a move, someday.
Right now, it’s a toss-up ‘tween an iTouch and…. whatever comes along provided the Clie’ continues to hold out. I’m not thrilled with these little keyboards –use a pop-out one for extended typing on the clie’ — so having one doesn’t necessarily make a device a winner.
The backlight on the com-2 is a plus, though, as is the Sony brand; I’ve been quite pleased with the quality of my Clie’ (NX-80, although the NX-70 it replaced still runs, as well).
So.
btw, I continue to adore the eee, to the extent I may NOT buy Apple’s 7-10″ offering if/when it comes out.
i will like to know how i can purchase this sony milo com1, and i will like to know method of payment, i will need to use
@Ralph Brown– The COM-1 is 109.99 at sonystyle.com, here’s the link
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCatalog?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644529353&searchType=outlet¤tPath=All+Products%2F%2F%2F%2FMP3+%26+Portable+Electronics%2F%2F%2F%2FSony+Outlet+%26amp%3B+Refurbished+Products%2F%2F%2F%2Fmylo+Personal+Communicators%2F%2F%2F%2FUserSearch%3DInventory+%3E+0+and+Price+Ss+%3E+0
i’d hold out for the com-2 tho, its worth it
I just bought a Com-1 for $120. The keyboard is nice, facebook mobile is sufficient, skype is crystal clear…
Cons: No AIM or Flash support.
Still, it’s a fun little device that has now replaced my Zune (what a waste of wireless hardware)
OK so this might sound dumb but can the the Mylo 1 play facebook games like farmville?
, The chipset seems to be irrleevant..as the Nexus S is listed..in their blog they claim they will support ost Android devices..so my guess is next batch..I mean Evo shift isn’t on the list and its same as a G2..