I've owned many Sony Walkmans from their NetMD days to the newest one they had.

I downloaded Media Manager for Walkman v1.1 when it came out for my NWZ-A818. I can honestly say that I thought this software was complete and utter JUNK. Vista detected it as a MTP device, so I just dragged shit into the photos/music/video (converted with Nero) folders and was on my way.

I don't know what the whole fuss about SonicStage was. Was it just because of the (somewhat) restrictive DRM? I found that SonicStage was super easy to use, and the ATRAC3plus format sounded great, even at lower bitrates.

I agree with you Mr. Ricker, Sony should have done more bundles with BT headphones . Of the current lineup only the NWZ-A828K has them bundled.

I own the NW-S706F (4GB ATRAC capable) and the NWZ-A818 (8GB Windows Media capable) players, both of which utilize the same WM-Port that the NWZ-A829 uses. I bought their bluetooth adapter and connected it to their hi-end DR-BT50.. The audio with that is leaps and bounds better some other bluetooth headsets I've tried.


I'm going to go pick one of these NWZ-A829s up and I'm going to get the DR-BT21's while I'm at it. It'll be a good pair of bluetooth headset that'll be much more portable than my other ones, with some sacrifice in sound.


Now it'll be interesting how Sony will market this (if at all). At least Sony America doesn't -- Their walkmans are more commercialized in Asia and in Europe. They make great devices but can never seem to market it correctly. But then again they're not a marketing company :cough:apple:cough: lol

I was not defending their poor decision. I am pointing out the fact that Nilay and others here on Engadget always do a negative spin regarding the PS3 or any other product Sony puts out.

As for the PS3, the 80GB SKU still has BC compatibility. This 40GB is a great choice for people like me who NEVER owned a PS1 or PS2, so saving some money on something i dont have use for is great.

I really don't get all this bitching and moaning... This system is GREAT for people that DO NOT own any PS1/PS2 games.

I bought the 60GB right before the 'price drop' and I am satisfied with my purchase. It makes a great center for your home theatre system. I loaded up Ubuntu linux onto it for OS/shitting around, and in PS3 mode I have an external harddrive with a crapload of music, movies, and videos, and I can play it right off from the external. I'm not a hardcore gamer either, so so far the PSN games have been sufficient. I've tried a few PS2 titles on it just for shits and giggles, and to me it looked really nice... even on a 46in HDTV

Since I never owned a PS1 or PS2, this option really would have been the best one for me. If you want backwards compatibility, go get one of the other SKUs. Simple as that.

The Artist

Known for her elaborate, colorful and often humorous imagery, Maya Hayuk utilizes an unpredictable matrix of sources, mediums, and styles to deliver works ranging from massive, multi-story wall murals to intricate drawings on paper. In keeping with her pioneering spirit, Hayuk has crafted a beautiful print for this line of limited edition VAIO notebooks.

Conceptualized and designed exclusively for Sony Electronics with only 600 produced, this VAIO notebook is literally a functioning work of art—unavailable anywhere else in the world.
Limited Edition features:

* Certificate of authenticity with artist's signature
* Desktop wallpaper to match cover art
* Individually crafted for a permanent cover design
* $25 from each sale will be donated to Hayuk's charity of choice, "Creativity Explored," which is a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art


I would not bring that into a business setting... I wouldn't mind using it for my personal use though. I too wish there was an integrated webcam in it too, otherwise the specs look pretty good. This is a sony FZ series laptop, so it's more of a multimedia one and less of a 'businessy' one

Joshua,
Um.. where have you been? Sony's had their "NetJuke" line out for a few years now. Even Engadget has reported on em before. I've been eyeing one for a while now, except japanese radio frequencies don't play nice with US ones, and they don't have a "Oversees Model" of it, I dont think.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/13/sony-intros-three-new-hdd-based-netjuke-stereos/

blu-ray players DO play "regular DVDs", so that's a non-issue

@ TJF

you *DO* know that blu-ray players DO PLAY BACK STANDARD DVDs, right?

There seems to be a common misconception that blu-ray players aren't compatible with DVDs, when this in fact, is completely untrue. All blu-ray players are able to play back that extensive collection of dvds that you currently own

@ sdevera,

even the cingular EDGE based Vaio SZ 3x/4x had direct sim card placed under the battery as well. Just now it appears they went WWAN and are making the antenna internal

From the San Francisco Chronicle online:

As part of the contract, Google, the Web search giant based in Mountain View, would offer free Internet service at 300 kilobits per second, a speed slower than what broadband access provides but fast enough for a user to surf the Web and send e-mail.

EarthLink, the Internet service provider, would own the network and offer a faster service, at 1 megabit per second, for $21.95 per month


Read more here:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/06/MNGOMNE4RM1.DTL