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Sony takes aim at iPod with new players
July 1, 2004 - 00:30 EDT
by Larry Angell - Sony has announced two new hard drive-based digital music players that appear to be the closest thing to a threat that Apple's iPod has encountered. Sony's NW-HD1 Network Walkman weighs less than 4 ounces, making it the world's smallest portable audio device built with a 1.8-inch, 20GB hard drive, according to the company. (The iPod weighs in at 5.6 ounces.) Sony claims the device's internal rechargeable battery provides up to 30 hours of continuous playback, while the iPod offers up to eight.
 Sony has also announced a portable multi-media device that features a 40GB hard drive and a 2.2-inch color LCD that can display full-color photos and album covers while you listen to music. Sony's VAIO Pocket hard drive digital music player weights 7 ounces, provides 20 hours of continuous playback and sports a "Grid Sense" touchpad for more precise menu navigation. Users can also transfer digital photos from a Sony Cybershot digital camera onto the player via its USB 2.0 port.
Both devices have one major drawback -- they only play music in Sony's proprietary ATRAC format. Apple's iPod, on the other hand, is compatible with MP3, AAC, Audible, AIFF, Apple lossless and WAV. Sony's players do, however, come with software that lets you convert music files to the ATRAC format. In addition, the devices will only work with the Sony Connect online music store.
The NW-HD1 Network Walkman digital music player will be available in mid-August for "less than US$400," while the VAIO Pocket will be available in September for "about $500," according to Sony.
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