Sony Dash

This article is about the personal internet viewer. For the 1980s digital audio tape format introduced by Sony, see Digital Audio Stationary Head.
Sony Dash
Sony Dash at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show.
ManufacturerSony Electronics
Introductory price$199 [1]
Operating systemModified Chumby software
StorageNo user accessible memory
DisplayWVGA resolution (800x480) 7.0" (measured diagonally)
SoundStereo speakers; variable output headphone jack
InputMicrophone, accelerometer,
digital ambient light sensor
USB 2.0 (Mass Storage Class)
CameraNone
TouchpadProjected capacitive single-touch touchscreen[2]
ConnectivityWi-Fi : 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz WPA, WPA2, WEP(Open only) encryption WiFi certified
PowerAC 120 V, 0.6 A,60 Hz,
battery only functions as clock backup
DimensionsApprox. 7-7/16 x 5-5/8 x 2-3/8" (WHD)
MassApprox. 1.2 lbs (.54 kg)
RelatedWalkman X Series
Sony Reader
Chumby

The Dash was a device manufactured by Sony that connected using Wi-Fi to the Internet. It had a touch screen which the user could use to browse information or listen to music. It was not a portable device since it did not have an internal battery. It was positioned as a personal internet viewer which could act as an alarm clock, Internet radio, digital photo frame and many other uses. It had applications which were downloaded onto the device. These were the same as those supported by the Chumby device.

History

Sony announced the Dash at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show.[3] It was made available for sale in late April 2010.[4] Originally the device was only usable in the United States, with users in other countries being locked out with the message "Error: Missing XAPI Service Mode". On June 25, Sony released a software upgrade allowing Dash to be used in other (if not all) countries, however subsequently restricted international service again in November 2011. The device does not have international power settings, and can only be powered by mains electricity of 120 volts, at 60 Hz.[5]

Sony introduced two updated versions of the Dash hardware in September 2011. The HID-B7[6] and HID-B70[7] refreshed the hardware, with the HID-B70 adding a battery backup.[8] This revision of the Dash device removed Netflix and YouTube streaming support.

On March 14, 2015 the Sony Dash stopped supporting all streaming content, including Netflix, Pandora, Slacker, and YouTube, although the device continued to authenticate with Sony and act as an alarm clock.[9] While there has been no public response from the company, such service returned on April 24, 2015.[10]

As of March 2016, Sony continued to provide limited support for the Dash, such as promised fixes for a leap year issue[11] and a firmware update to address a problem with the control panel.[12]

In April 2017, Sony announced that it "will no longer support dash devices and functionality will terminate" as of July 2017.[13]

Chumby.com has initiated a program to try and offer continued support after Sony discontinued service.[14]

Chumby.com released their Dash patch on August 6, 2017 not to allow Dashes to connect with the ukrainian servers.[15]

References

  1. ^ ""Sony Dash features"".
  2. ^ "HID-C10 | Dash™ | Sony | Sony Store USA". Archived from the original on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  3. ^ "Sony announces Dash Internet application viewer - The H Open: News and Features". www.h-online.com.
  4. ^ "The Sony Dash is now available (for real this time) | TechCrunch". Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  5. ^ Application Error Archived 2010-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Wi-Fi Alarm Clock with Apps | Dash Information Alarm Clock | HID-B7 | Sony USA".
  7. ^ "Wi-Fi Alarm Clock with Apps | Dash Information Alarm Clock | HID-B70 | Sony USA".
  8. ^ Sony's Dash gets a new lease on life, we stop to wonder why | Engadget
  9. ^ http://community.sony.com/t5/Dash/HID-C10-error-a-network-error-has-occurred/m-p/498305#M5911
  10. ^ http://community.sony.com/t5/Dash/HID-C10-error-a-network-error-has-occurred/m-p/500682#M6021
  11. ^ https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/72653/c/65,66/ [dead link]
  12. ^ esupport.
  13. ^ "Support for Sony products | Sony USA".
  14. ^ "Sony dash (Page 1) — chumbysphere forum".
  15. ^ "Chumby Software for Sony dash™ (Page 1) — Sony dash — chumbysphere forum". forum.chumby.com.

Notes