Sony's iPod
After watching Apple eat into their market share with the success of the iPod, Sony have unveiled a rival product.
The Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1 (catchy name) has a 20Gb hard drive and a 2.2" color LCD screen (capable of 320 x 256 pixels). The unit is slightly heavier and larger than a 20Gb iPod, though it beats the iPod comprehensively on battery life (20 hours compared to the iPod’s 8 hours). It’s only available in Japan just now, but is priced at ¥35000, which is the equivalent of $472, making it more expensive than a 20Gb iPod ($400).
Music is transferred and managed using Sony’s own software (Sonic Stage or Music Move) — which is only compatible with Windows systems. The music format also seems to be proprietary — a format called ATRAC3 — requiring either Sonic Stage or Music Move to convert your MP3, WMA or WAV files. There’s no indication that it’s compatible with either iTunes or AAC.
Posted 7 years, 9 months ago
They’ve got no chance of diminishing the iPod’s market dominance (in the US/Europe at least) if they’re going to use a (yet another) proprietary format like that. The best thing they can do is make it support as many formats as possible, make it do things that the iPod can’t (or Apple daren’t). Sony also seem to have failed to notice the success of the iPod Mini and that storage space isn’t necessarily what people want.
I think Sony are the only company that can produce an mp3 player that’s small and stylish enough to compete with the iPod, I just think this isn’t it.
Matt · www · 7 years, 9 months ago
Yeah, strange move going down the proprietary technology path – I guess they’re expecting many loyal Sony followers to buy into it, in a similar fashion to Apple’s original thinking with the iPod. Brave move though, considering they’re arriving to the market around 2 years late.
Also, interface looks to have too many buttons for me (compared the iPod’s slick scrollwheel and 4 buttons). The color LCD is nice though (wonder if it can playback video?)...
Phil · 7 years, 9 months ago
I personally do not think that any other manufacturer can beat the dominance of the iPod now. It has been the leader for such a long time.
The icing on the cake would be an iPod with a colour screen to play movies as well view photos and album art.
Some Interesting designs for the next generation iPod:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/giveaways/ipodgiveaway.php
http://homepage.mac.com/hansingehagen/ipod_av/index.html
Berb Brown · 7 years, 9 months ago
The good people at New Links and I are talking about some kind of blogmeet in the Toon.
Drop me an email if you fancy it and I’ll keep you posted on planning.
I’ll contact a few of the other blogger to see if they are up for it also.
cheers
bykersink@gmail.com
BykerSink · www · 7 years, 9 months ago
Ugh blogger meets, what would there be to talk about? We all know bloggers have no forthright opinions ;)
Andrew
Andrew · www · 7 years, 8 months ago
Back in my PC days I used to love Sony. I had a little Vaio portable and I bought a so-called Sony "MP3 player". It didn’t play MP3s. It used a proprietary format with all kinds of nasty restrictions. Needless to say, I wasn’t a happy bunny being misled and returned it immediately. This player has more storage and more battery life, but it’s the same old crud.
Berb, there won’t be a video iPod. Steve Jobs has ruled out the possibility on numerous occasions. Video is foreground activity whereas music can be a background activity. You’d get arm-ache from holding the iPod in front of you for long periods of time. Thought has to be put into the use of products for them to be great, rather than just implementing what seemed cool at the time. ;)
Tommy · www · 7 years, 8 months ago
i really dont think this can even compete with the apple i pod but im willing to try anything
kevin
kevin · 7 years, 8 months ago
Sony have made a very big mistake here and underpinning this mistake is GREED!
As Phil said, why lock customers into proprietary formats like ATRAC3, and convert from equally poor MP3, WMA and WAV formats? Answer, GREED and CONTROL.
Sony want it all, from performance to listener hence their ëDr Evilí business plan!
Sony do not understand the paradox of ëopennessí. Allow your customers to decide what to do with their legally obtained music. If there are genuine benefits to be had by the technology, both hard and software, customers will flock (witness the success of the iPod for Mac and Windows ñ though first rate design also played its part here!).
The only way for Sony to get any ëmaterialí impact on the market is to embrace an inclusive, open and sharing philosophy. New customers, loyal to Sonyís (usually) high standards of design and innovation can become part of the best (legal) music downloading community, namely iTunes music store.
In this way they could have focused on the technology and linked into (and maybe shared) a hugely successful business model that Apple have.
Sony should focus on the ethical way forward and do not be swayed by base, negative emotions such as greed and wanting control through dominance.
Paradoxically, it is the user and not the producer that has all the power through their choices. Make it easier for customers to choose by having inclusive products and services!
OldVillain · 7 years, 8 months ago
Sony have dominated the market for such a long time and I oersonally have to say that Atrac3 and Atrac3plus is the superior format to MP3, WMA and AAC. The sound that you get is not only more realistic but more natural I feel. Converting from the above formats is just sill though.
I have on the other hand heard that the New Net ‘Hi-MD’ walkmans that are coming out are compatible and will actually be able to play all formats placed on the Hi-MD - does anybody have news on this??
OK · 7 years, 8 months ago
I just wonder if anyone knows where i can buy one other than japan... i’ve looked everywhere and i cant seem to fing one... if anyone knows of anywhere.. then email me on manicrocker69@aol.com ... Thanx guys
Phil · 7 years, 6 months ago