Sony Debuts dash Personal Internet Viewer. It’s Not a Tablet

Kind of like a alarm clock on steroids, Sony’s latest touchscreen device is called the dash Personal Internet Viewer. This 7-inch device will cost only $199 when it goes on sale in April. That’s pretty cheap, but what do you get for your money? According to Sony, this Wi-Fi-only device is targeted towards home users who want to stay connected to the Web, whether you’re using it in the bedroom or kitchen. It offers access to over 1,500 apps, including social networking sites, news, weather, and sports, and it supports Internet radio.

Where are those apps coming from? A lot of them are available for free from Chumby, makers of that wacky Internet alarm clock. The dash also includes audio and video content from Sony’s Bravia Internet video platform, including YouTube, Pandora Internet radio, Epicurious, Crackle, Livestrong, Blip.tv and more. Parents will dig the Cozi app for syncing family calendars.

Other features include two viewing angles (flat and upright), a USB slot, headphone/audio input, and built-in stereo speakers. The dash also has an accelerometer. There are some things we don’t know about the dash, though. Does this thing handle multitouch? What kind of browser is it? And does it support full Flash and Flash 10.1. Oh, and what processor is powering this thing? We hope to get some more answers and do a full hands on with the device.