Sony announced a new instant-messaging handheld today, the Mylo (short for "my life online"). Aimed at "techno socialites," the pocketable gadget surfs the Web, connects to IM networks, and makes Skype calls over Wi-Fi networks, but it isn't a cell phone – and it doesn't support AIM, the most popular instant-messaging system.

The Mylo connects to any Wi-Fi network using an 802.11b Wi-Fi radio supporting WEP and WPA encryption, so it should work even in for-pay hotspots. The rounded design has a vague flavor of PlayStation Portable to it, with a slide-down QWERTY keyboard, cursor pad, and 2.4-inch, 320-by-240 LCD screen. Coming in black and white versions, it's about 4.8 by 2.5 by 0.96 inches.

Along with its communication features, the Mylo plays MP3, ATRAC, and both protected and unprotected WMA music files, and MP4 video files. The device's 940MB of available memory is plenty for media, though you can also add a Memory Stick.