http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 5:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
The E factor is like the force...]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 7:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 5:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Oh, and open up UMD too, Sony. What's the "U" stand for, huh?

. . . and let's not forget the rootkit. Still haven't forgiven you for that one.

. . . and oh yeah, ATRAC.

Am I leaving anything out?]]>Mar 21st 2008 8:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 10:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
1. Conversely, I wish my Cybershot took SD cards.

2. The "U" stands for "Unfriendly".

3. I can't forgive them about the rootkit, either, but I defeated with Ubuntu. However, I know people who actually used those CDs on their Windows machines and they had a hella tough time getting rid of that shit.

4. ATRAC had its advantages/uses/appeal to a niche market.

You are forgetting MiniDisc, i.Link (IEEE 1394), and the compact disc but I figure those are successes, not failures.]]>Mar 21st 2008 10:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 5:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Why bother installing most of this crap anyways? This frustrates me because most "general" users won't know how to wipe their hard drives. They deal with all this junk slowing down their computer while making their lives a living hell. Windows gets the blame and they turn to Apple.]]>Mar 21st 2008 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Though I'm a Hindu. I respect Christianity for forgiving some of the gravest sins. But somehow we can't seem to forgive a ridiculous $50 charge once corrected.

As far as being upset about all the "crap" that is placed on computers, its been said many times, It allows them to lower cost of their products since the companies that produce the crappy software pay to have them loaded onto computers. Fact: Computers have a very low margin. To remain competitive they have to do this. Its actually very cool that Sony is doing this.

Pouting with your arms crossing saying this is unforgivable is a bit childish.]]>Mar 22nd 2008 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 26th 2008 5:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 22nd 2008 4:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Then, when you order Fresh Start they have to pull a computer from the assembly line and have a tech guy spend those same hours to remove the software.]]>Mar 21st 2008 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Instead of paying $50 to remove all the crapware, you will be paying $50 less if you choose not to remove the crapware. Which is technically exact the same, altough is sounds nicer. You still pay $50 more for a Fresh Start compared to the uhhh not-so-Fresh Start.

I love you Sony.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
"Crap they caught onto us! Hurry and change the wording!"]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
That's why we all love Sony. All your money are belong to them.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
- Forcing your crappy ATRAC3 format to your customers? Check.
- Removing the rumble function from your next-gen controllers? Check.
- Adding rootkits to your audio-cd's? Check.
- Let your customers pay $50 so their overpriced Vaio's actually work the way it should? Check.

That's why I love Sony. Everytime I think it's impossible to fuck something up even more, Sony comes out swingin'.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
What was their old slogan again? Ohh yeah, I remember:

Only Sony]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 8:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
This was exactly my point. My comment about you being sarcastic should've been made clearer to point to the fact that Sony has but ANNOUNCED the change. Obviously Engadget does not possess the new webpage (yet) and therefore cannot have a new screenshot of it. Your first comment which is now 'Highest Ranked' is based solely on that screencap and that is why I said I hoped you were being sarcastic. I am, by all means, against all forms of bloatware on pre-assembled PC's, just like Dell's disgusting stuff, or HP's. ]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 22nd 2008 12:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
crapware drops the price of your computer, that is the blunt truth that people need to deal with.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/They have a (somewhat) new line called "Vostro" for small business customers versus their Inspiron line for home users. The options are the pretty much the same, save the small difference in case design. Dell says that the Vostro small business line comes free of any pre-installed trial software.

So, knowing this I priced a 17" Vostro 1700 vs an 17" Inpiron 1720 with EXACTLY the same processor, RAM, HDD, video card, wifi card, bluetooth, same limited warranty, etc, etc. I compared the specs three times to be sure I got everything right. And how did they compare? drum roll... The Vostro was $159 MORE! Yep, what a deal! Only $160 required to keep that factory drone from installing 6 music jukebox apps, 4 cd-burning apps, 13 dial-up ISP connections, 2 conflicting wall paper changer programs, every version of Real player since 1994, and 9 different webcam plugins on Vista sidebar.
My god, seriously, I want to know how many man hours have been wasted on this shit! its crazy


]]>Mar 21st 2008 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 10:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
You want to know why you pay a premium on a mac...beyond the OS and the included apps is the lack of this "crapware." You aren't subsidizing the price of the laptop with in-OS adspace. And frankly if people don't like it they should pay that $50 or get someone to reimage the system for them to remove that crap....oh or use.
http://pcdecrapifier.com/

But Sony blinking isn't the right move. This all comes back to the concept that consumers have, that a good laptop should be sub $1000 for some reason. guess what...the cost has to go somewhere and Dell, Gateway, HP, toshiba, Sony can't always eat it for the hell of it.
So grow a pair and pay the $50 to remove that crapware and pay for just the OS and the hardware...or don't because its optional anyways.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Or you just do it with the free removal tool Sony offers. Hard decision.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
Now, let me point out that I hate the crapware and always do a fresh install once I get my computer.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 9:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 6:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/
I'd dig seeing exactly how much the OS costs the consumer at the end of the process. ]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-is-giving-fresh-start-a-fresh-start-losing-the-50-fee/Mar 21st 2008 7:13PM