The eVilla features a 15-inch FD Trinitron portrait display with a resolution of 800 x 1024 pixels. This unique portrait design offers a larger viewing area for Web pages, which means less scrolling. It has built-in speakers and an audio output jack for connecting the eVilla to a home stereo system. The unit measures 11.81 x 16.18 x 15.82 inches, weighs 31.5 pounds, and comes with a PS-2 keyboard and mouse.

The eVilla has a 266 MHz National Semiconductor Geode GX1 processor, 64 MB DRAM, and 24 MB flash. It has a 56K v.90 modem for network connections and an Ethernet port for future broadband connectivity. It lacks a hard drive, but offers a Memory Stick Reader which can be used with a Memory Stick to store digital content such a photos, music, and videos. Memory Sticks for the eVilla are sold separately in various sizes, but cannot be used with Sony’s Memory Stick Walkman. The eVilla is also equipped with two USB ports that can connect to a printer or Iomega zip drive for additional storage.

Sony’s eVilla runs on the BEIA 1.0 operating system, uses the Opera 4.0 Web browser, and includes RealPlayer for BeIA and Macromedia Flash multimedia browser plug-ins. Private IMAP email accounts with an online and offline composer are set-up for up to four individual users. The eVilla can be set up to go online during off-hours to update news and email to avoid tying up phones lines. For online transactions, the eVilla offers 128-bit encryption.

The device comes exclusively bundled with EarthLink online service, for which users pay a monthly fee. Consumers cannot use other existing service providers with the eVilla, and current EarthLink customers will still need to switch their EarthLink accounts over to eVilla accounts.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony eVilla Network Entertainment Center is currently available for $499. Charges for the required EarthLink online service run $21.95 per month.

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Product Name Sony eVilla Network Entertainment Center Dimensions 11.81 x 16.18 x 15.82 in 300 x 411 x 402 mm Weight 31.5 lbs 14.3 kg Processor 266 MHz National Geode GX1 Operating System BeIA 1.0 Memory 64 MB DRAM 24 MB Flash Display 15-inch portrait FD Trinitron CRT display 800 x 1024 Input/Output PS-2 keyboard and mouse (2) USB ports RJ-11 phone connectors RJ-45 Ethernet connector (for future use) Built-in speakers Audio out Communications 56K v.90 modem Storage Sony Memory Stick Browser Support Opera 4.0 EarthLink service HTTP 1.0/1.1 HTML 4.0 CSS 1&2 FTP JavaScript Personal Java 3.0.1 Cookies Email Services IMAP 4-users per inbox Online and offline composer MultiMedia Macromedia Flash Real Player for BeIA MPEG-1 MP3 Security SSL 2 and SSL 3.0 (40 and 128-bit) TLS Other Features Instant-on Internet access Web-based email Email indicator 7-NetGuide keys Offline mode and automatic off-hours email and news updates Printer and zip-drive support

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