"The Sony Mylo Personal Communicator I've been testing is a tough sell. Short for My Life Online, Mylo is a cool-looking palm-size black or white gadget aimed at the college crowd. With its slide-out "qwerty" keyboard, Mylo is easily mistaken for another gizmo targeted at youthful customers: T-Mobile's Sidekick 3 cellphone.

But Mylo is not a cellphone, though you can use it for free calls through the popular global Skype Internet service. Still, virtually nobody, Sony included, expects students to swap a cell for a Mylo. For one thing, Mylo can't dial 911.

So, given Mylo's $350 price, it has to offer extra goodies (and perform them well enough) to justify carrying it in addition to a cell, an iPod and other gizmos. Even though Mylo doesn't require monthly fees, as cellphones do, I'm not convinced Sony has made the case.

I do appreciate using Skype without a computer. To access Skype and other communications tools, Mylo has built-in Wi-Fi capability. Starting soon, the unit will come with a year of free T-Mobile hot-spot service. You also can use open Wi-Fi networks at home, work or school, though campuses that require high levels of Virtual Private Network security may not work with Mylo. The device has a hot-spot locator database, but a number of states were missing.

Mylo also can handle instant messaging and pictures, play music and let you browse the Web, all within certain limits." Via USA Today, click here to read more.