Sony to launch hand-held device

TOKYO: Sony Corporation said on Thursday it would launch two pocketbook-sized personal digital assistants in Japan on September 9, joining the hotly contested global market for hand-held computing devices.

Sony set an initial monthly production target of 50,000-100,000 of the new devices, which it expects will retail for about 55,000 to 60,000 yen each, a spokesman said.

The devices, which will use application software developed by Palm Computing Inc , will be introduced in the United States later in the year, said Sony.

The company struck a licensing agreement with Palm last year.

Mobile devices are considered a strategic piece of Sony's drive to lead the development of home digital networks that link digital televisions, set-top boxes and other devices.

Sony's shares ended the morning session down 2.31 percent at 10,570, in line with general weakness in the Tokyo stock market, partly reflecting Wednesday's unexpected bankruptcy announcement by department store Sogo Co Ltd.

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