Sony Dash: Wi-Fi touchscreen planner cuts a dash

We need a name for this kind of digital organiser, photo frame, alarm clock and Interweb browser thingy. This is the Sony Dash, a 7-inch touchscreen... thingy.

The Dash is kind of a tablet, kind of an alarm clock and kind of a Web browser. It's rather like the O2 Joggler, or perhaps more like the Internet-enabled Toshiba JournE Touch. Sony envisages it in the kitchen, showing off recipes, or in the bedroom, acting as an alarm clock.

The Dash displays widgets, calendars and RSS feeds via its built-in Wi-Fi. It runs the Chumby operating system, and will also have Sony apps to play music and film trailers. It supports different profiles for different family members, and you'll be able to check out Facebook updates, or manage services such as your Netflix queue, if you're a Yank.

The Dash also flips over, lying on its back with the display automatically turning upside down. We can see it sitting unobtrusively on a coffee table, displaying a TV guide or rolling through Twitter updates.

We're yet to confirm if this doohickey will make a dash across the Atlantic. It will ship in the US in April for $200 (£125).

Meanwhile, our indefatigable US coworker Brian Tong has had a play with the Dash and committed his wisdom to video for you: