Sony is apparently working on an idea for a next-generation audio-visual product called Netman, similar to its Walkman portable stereo products and Watchman portable televisions, but with networking functions, according to a Reuters report. It’s still a vague concept and no specifics have been decided on for the product. But Sony plans to take the first step by registering Netman as a trademark. Those in the know say Sony hopes to connect the Netman product with the wideband-CDMA (code division multiple access) system planned by Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp’s mobile phone unit, NTT Docomo, and others. The W-CDMA system will be designed for multimedia services such as voice, data and visual images. NTT Docomo has said it plans to launch those services in around 2000 in Japan.