Thursday, July 1, 2004
Sony Introduces 20GB iPod Challenger
Posted by Kent Pribbernow in "NEWS" @ 03:00 PM
"Sony Electronics will begin selling two hard-drive music players this fall which, combined with its new music download service, will create an iPod-like parallel universe.
The consumer electronics giant announced two products late Wednesday: the $400 20GB Network Walkman NW-HD1 and the $500 40GB Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1L. Both players will be available in fall for use with the Sony Connect music download service, which was launched in May. The devices and the service will make Sony the latest to compete with Apple Computer's iPod and iTunes products. Sony's belated arrival compares poorly with its historical leadership position in the portable music player business, said Susan Kevorkian, an analyst with research firm IDC."
Sweet! I like the industrial design. But can this media player really challenge the iPod? Sony still doesn't have the software to compliment its hardware product. In order for this device to succeed it will need top notch jukebox software and a well implemented online music store. Walkman NW-HD1 has neither.
The consumer electronics giant announced two products late Wednesday: the $400 20GB Network Walkman NW-HD1 and the $500 40GB Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1L. Both players will be available in fall for use with the Sony Connect music download service, which was launched in May. The devices and the service will make Sony the latest to compete with Apple Computer's iPod and iTunes products. Sony's belated arrival compares poorly with its historical leadership position in the portable music player business, said Susan Kevorkian, an analyst with research firm IDC."
Sweet! I like the industrial design. But can this media player really challenge the iPod? Sony still doesn't have the software to compliment its hardware product. In order for this device to succeed it will need top notch jukebox software and a well implemented online music store. Walkman NW-HD1 has neither.
