Sony's Laptop Can Also be a 3G Wireless Hotspot

By Marcus Yam
published

Nice feature to have, but most of you can get it on your own laptops through extra software.

Sony this week launched new Vaio Z and Y Series laptops that can also act as mobile hotspots. Sony calls its embedded wireless technology Share My Connection (SMC).

Sony's feature is aimed at those with wireless broadband subscriptions with Verizon, who will then be able to share the internet access with up to five other PCs or networked devices, such as smartphones, mp3 players, and cameras.

The Z model offers premium portability and serious power. A breeze to carry at about 3.0 lbs, this PC features a durable carbon fiber and aluminum casing and delivers up to seven hours of battery life for true mobile freedom. It incorporates a 13.1-inch high-resolution LED backlit widescreen display, delivering a bright picture with 100 percent color saturation. The extremely thin unit also comes with an optical drive (Blu-ray optical drive optional).Just in time for back-to-school season, the Y Series laptops comes in five new exciting colors including purple violet, fuchsia pink, pear green, teal blue and black. With a thin 1.2-inch profile and 13.3-inch LED backlit widescreen display, the sleek Y model offers lower power consumption for improved battery life for that active student lifestyle.

Prices start at $770 for the VAIO Y Series and $1950 for the VAIO Z Series.

It's important to note that the ability to turn your laptop into a hotspot isn't a new idea. Internet Connection Sharing has been built into all OSes over the past few generations, but Sony's is aiming to put the feature right in the box so all that its customers can have it out of the box.

Anyone running Windows 7 on a compatible laptop can do the same thing with Connectify.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • JamesSneed
    So to your final statement this essentially saves a person from a 3.1MB download of Connectify and a 2 minute install. So this is just an advertisement masquerading as news?
    Reply
  • rocket_sauce
    JamesSneedSo to your final statement this essentially saves a person from a 3.1MB download of Connectify and a 2 minute install. So this is just an advertisement masquerading as news?If these laptops come with Windows 7 only...then yes, I would agree with you
    Reply
  • zodiacfml
    It's not even 3G, just plain WiFi.
    Reply
  • ordcestus
    Even though the functionality is already available. i like that companies create a system that does it in an "idiot-proof" way; that is very necessary with todays computer consumer nowadays
    Reply
  • quantum mask
    My Droid's been doing that since January.
    Reply
  • IFLATLINEI
    I can see this feature getting used almost never.
    Reply
  • applegetsmelaid
    Makes sense. I can see why you would want this feature if 3G is the only option. There is no point if there you have a Wifi connection because the devices already have an access point to connect to.
    Reply
  • quantum mask
    IFLATLINEII can see this feature getting used almost never.Except on the sneak by anyone sitting within a 30 ft. radius of you!
    Reply
  • andyviant
    Only way this is useful (and unique) is if it somehow allows you to share a wifi connection you are consuming - somehow doing double duty on the wifi antennae. If this is the case, then one person with a boingo subscription (or whatever other public wifi pay service) can share with friends family. Pretty sure this is not the case though. Boo.
    Reply
  • joebob2000
    andyviantOnly way this is useful (and unique) is if it somehow allows you to share a wifi connection you are consuming - somehow doing double duty on the wifi antennae. If this is the case, then one person with a boingo subscription (or whatever other public wifi pay service) can share with friends family. Pretty sure this is not the case though. Boo.

    Did you really ignore the second paragraph? This is for laptops connecting via 3g to share their connection with local devices via wifi. Although, I am baffled at the notion that you would set up your wifi enabled smartphone to use the laptop for internet access instead of just switching on it's own 3g (unless, perhaps, you are friends with iPhone users in one of the many oversaturated areas).

    It can be very helpful for mobile teams (in case anyone here was thinking about actually getting a job), since only the boss needs to having sharing ability (like this laptop, or the Verizon MyFi box) and everyone in the area will get internet access. Well worth it for road warriors.
    Reply