Sony NW-A800 gets reviewed

While we wait twiddling our thumbs in the States to get ahold of Sony's new supposed hotness, the NW-A800, French DAP site GenerationMP3 has snagged itself the first review of the player. They seem to have good things to say, but unfortunately they're all in French. From what we gleaned, there's some good stuff going on here, with the 2-inch QVGA screen setting it well apart from the nano, and a good feel to the controls and shape of the player. The battery is apparently much easier to get at than that of the iPod -- though still a bit of a chore to replace. On the software side, Sony's made some big improvements, since they've not only spruced up SonicStage, with transcoding and the like, but also allow you to manage your player completely without it. Sony also has a new RSS app, for subscribing to podcasts, photo streams and videos to place on your player, but GenerationMP3 ran into some trouble areas with it. Battery life isn't quite at the 30 hours Sony was promising, but 22 hours for ATRAC and 5 hours for video ain't too shabby. Of course, codec support is quite commendable for Sony, with AAC, WMA and MP3 (all non-DRM) in addition to the regular ATRAC. The GenerationMP3 folks gave this player a 4/5, we'll be keeping an eye out for a review we can actually comprehend.

[Via dapreview]

[jamma @ Apr 4th 2007 1:46PM]

here's one from CNET UK, which they posted over a month ago.

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/digitalmusic/0,39029995,49288721,00.htm

they gave it 8.3 as well, looks good!

[Andrew H. @ Apr 4th 2007 2:21PM]

over a month? march 27th was like 8 days ago

[Anthony @ Apr 4th 2007 2:31PM]

I know the 80/20 rule applies in all things but being left handed I always key in on things that are developed for right handed people.

If you're holding this in your left hand it's bound to be awkward because the scroll menu's on the left & the buttons are on the right.

"The nail that sticks out must be hammered in" applies to left handedness in Japan so it likely never even comes up. They're making progress: They even have a Left Handed Golf Society - though I don't know if it's affiliated with the World Association of Left Handed Golfers.

As long as iPod's the only game in town w/ a single navigation wheel I'll be sticking w/ it (no matter how much I like Sony).

[lol. @ Apr 4th 2007 4:29PM]

I'm left handed.

Surely, you can't be so completely clumsy with your right hand that you can't operate a device like this. Maybe I'm taking my experience as a gamer for granted, but aside from writing and the obvious issues of strength and preference, I have no problem operating a device with my right hand.

I just don't see it as a stumbling block, more of a pebble you can kick away...hardly an inconvenience, I'd say.

[zoku88 @ Apr 4th 2007 2:38PM]

The iPod isn't the only mp3 player with a single navigation wheel...

Look at the Sandisk players.

I agree this Sony really needs one, though.

[kaztm @ Apr 4th 2007 2:59PM]

Here's one from March 9:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20070309/np001.htm

[Anthony @ Apr 4th 2007 4:46PM]

Not that I want to get on a "who's more left handed" battle, but my right hand is virtually useless when it comes to single use activities (plus I can't figure out how to get out of the opening screens on the new Zelda, but that's probably because I'm just slow).

I *could* learn to use a controller right handed, but why should I? That's the beauty of proper design- it doesn't require compromises for the user.

[Omar @ Apr 4th 2007 7:36PM]

There is an option in the menu to rotate the whole UI for left handers.

[ranga @ Apr 4th 2007 11:55PM]

A video review from Silva Bokis...

http://silvabokis.typepad.com/silva_bokis/2007/03/new_sony_nwa800.html

I am kinda impressed... though it could be a little more slimmer like the nano... and features like mini usb for charging and music management....

[SHoe @ Apr 4th 2007 11:59PM]

Hmmm. If they keep at this, refining the design to add PIM software, support for 3rd party software such as games, MS Office doc compatibility, and syncing with outlook, they'll have....a Clie
:)

[Galley @ Apr 5th 2007 10:18AM]

If I wasn't such a big apple fanboy, I'd buy one.

[Golgo @ Apr 5th 2007 12:35PM]

O...M...G!!
What have they done!? That is one of the ugliest players Ive seen to date.
The NW1000 was a beauty but this is just... wrong

[Dev @ Apr 5th 2007 5:12PM]

It's available in Canada also:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/CategoryDisplays?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&categoryId=100363&navigationPath=n46881

[Gonzague @ Apr 5th 2007 7:01PM]

We also had a review online here : http://www.journaldugeek.com/index.php?2007/04/02/6305-test-sony-nw-a800

:)

[Panathas17 @ Apr 6th 2007 12:54PM]

Any idea on US release date???