Sony has gone all out officially introducing the VAIO P on SonyStyle.com. Hidden among the sections of information about the premium netbook is mention that the VAIO P will feature an instant-boot sub-OS that will give you limited access to photos, web browsing, email, and more. It is nice to hear that it will be based around the Xcross media bar interface, similar to what you find on the PSP or PS3, which is a graphically nice looking interface with intuitive controls. The Xcross media bar picture above is from the PS3. Update: ultra mobile PC Portal reader gentux has pointed out an actual picture of the XMB sub-OS on the VAIO P from Gizmodo.

So… the VAIO P [Portal page]. Sony says it is Pocketable right? A flash animation which you can see here shows a girl walking along, shaking her thang’ (if you will), with the VAIO P in her back jeans pocket. And guess what? It keeps sliding out, and she has to push it back in to place. I don’t quite understand how this demonstrates pocketability. It is strange especially because Sony’s VAIO UX series was probably more pocketable than the brand new VAIO P.

The mystery has been solved. The VAIO P is a laptop form-factor device that carries a pretty heavy pricetag compared to similarly sized devices. I think I’ll call it a premium netbook. I generally reserve ultra mobile PC for computers that aren’t laptop form-factor. Why premium? The price of course. Most people associate the term netbook with small, simple, and low-cost.

Anyway… Engadget has some of the first hands on videos of the VAIO P in action. As you might notice, the high resolution 1600×768 screen prompts a very wide screen. Adding to the perceived width is the lack of trackpad space due to the mouse nub. Have a look at the videos below:

It’s very thin and about as wide as most netbooks. The slim depth makes it look a little too long but even so, its not badly proportioned.

Here’s the Vaio P500 with a Gigabyte M528 and an ASUS Eee PC 901.

The design is very slick though. Undeniably stylish.

No specs and not even 100% confirmation that this is the Vaio P but Engadget seem to be confident that they’ve snapped the first photo-of-an-image of the new Vaio P.

I’ve corrected the image perspective although it’s still not perfect. The original must have been taken at a strange angle. You can see it at the link below along with the rest of the images.

If Engadget are confident, then i’m confident…

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/sonys-vaio-p-ultraportable-revealed/

Our podcast partner, Sascha, from EeePCNews.de (which has just relaunched as netbooknews.de) reports that he’s secured some new info on the Sony UMPC.

Wie ich schon auf Eeepcnews.de berichtete, wird der Sony Vaio P eine Atom Z520 CPU (1,33 Ghz) aufweisen, 2GB RAM, HDD und optional SSD, GPS, UMTS und das alles zu einem Preis, der sich wohl im Bereich um die 700 Euro einpendeln duerfte.

The Sony Vaio P will run on an Atom Z250 (1.33 as we’ve tested on the WiBrain i1 and Kohjinsha SC3) with 2GB RAM, an HDD and optional SSD, GPS and UMTS with a price around the 700 Euro (970 dollars) mark reports Sascha. The 2GB RAM hints at Vista (or ‘Windows 7 ready’.)   Apparently, the Asian source indicated that the image, now confirmed as photoshopped, is actually very close to the real-deal.

In addition to the above, a new teaser has appeared in Japan Hong Kong. With these teasers appearing at different times in different places and with strange placeholders on Sony websites, you have to hope that the quality of the product is better than the marketing program which seems somewhat dis-jointed from a web perspective. Even the launch dates seem to vary between the 7th and 9th of Jan. The first CES press events are on the 6th Jan with the Sony ‘invitation only’ Press event planned for 4:15pm on Press day, the 7th in Las Vegas.

Update: Some specs were sent to us. Apparently they’re from a ‘reliable’ source. See below.

If you scroll down on this CNET Asia article you’ll see an image of an ultra-wide Sony UMPC. There’s no confirmation that it’s the real deal but it looks like its about the right dimensions to match previous leaked info.

Also in the article is a mention of a new Q1. Are these just CES wishes or does Kevin Kang have some inside info?

Sony P-series, “Netbook” design finally leaked? – CNET Asia Blogs: DigiHunter by Kevin Kilmo Kang, Korea.

Update: The image is, apparently photoshopped but i’m hearing that it’s close to what the device really looks like. I also got some specs sent in: $800, Z520, 2GB RAM, GPS and UMTS. Unconfirmed of course, but apparently via a trusted ‘relay’ and apparently from a reliable source.

Theres a new Sony teaser ad live on the Sony New Zealand website which promises a product that will change the way you look at laptops. It could be the product that went through the FCC a few weeks ago.

Sony teaser site says “revolutionary new VAIO” coming January 9th – Engadget