10 September, 2005

Like tortoises in Galapagos

I love you, Sony. But I cannot accept this. What the hell is this? This is just one of...

Sony introduced a new Walkman model just a day after Apple revealed its new iPod nano. Obviously, the release timing is planned being strongly aware of Apple.

Why this shape? Why this colour? There are many points that I cannot understand. Having seen iPod nano, I can tell that Apple has focused on size and shape. But they are originally Sony's strengths, aren't they??? Walkman, MD players, portable radio, tiny laptop computer and so on...

However, look at this. Round shape like a giant tortoise painted in incomprehensible violet. And what is worse this ugly colour is used for a main advertisement, which should be the most important thing for launching a new product. The release timing is plausive, but the product itself can be open to question.

This is as disappointing as the last model.

9 September, 2005

Hello nano, Goodbye mini

There have been so many things I want to write about.

First of all, Apple introduced a new iPod model called "iPod nano". Absolutely stunning and beautiful, isn't it?

Reportedly the sales of iPod mini isn't not bad. But Apple says that it has decided to replace the mini with the nano to go ahead of other rivals. In fact, the mini wasn't that mini and the portable music player market was full of mock-iPods of other companies.

Having seen this attractive nano, the nano can make it worthwhile that Apple bravely gave up the lovely mini and can convince Apple fans. It will also attract iPod minis owners and make them envy those who are planning to buy their first iPod - which can be the nano. And someone who has just bought a mini will have to endure their great mistake for the next few months.

I bought an iPod mini three months ago and still have payments pending for it. Hahaha.

24 August, 2005

Sushi, Harakiri, Nintendo

Nintendo will release GAME BOY Micro on 13th Septembet celebrating the 20th anniversary of the birth of Mario, character of a famous video game, Super Mario Brothers. Ummm it looks cool. I think it's gonna be one of the must-buy products of 2005. I'm not a hardcore computer game nerd and usually don't play video games much. But, to me, this appears attractive and approachable, even though I didn't get thrilled by Sony's PSP.

» HAPPY! MARIO 20th

30 June, 2005

Podcasting - radio reborn

Apple introduced iTunes 4.9 which enables us to enjoy thousands of free radio programmes, called Podcasts. By synchronising them to iPod, we can listen anytime and anywhere.

I'm, in fact, playing around with podcasting. Start with BBC News programmes. Me, new to this system, I haven't figured out how to use it yet. What I can say at this moment is that sound quality is not good. It IS cool, if I can enjoy radio shows, updated everyday, on the way to the office. But I don't know if it's worthwhile to take care of it (like updating podcasts, connecting iPod to PC and so on) everyday. Yes, I AM busy. Too busy to handle those sorts of tasks. Well, it's early to tell. I need more time to play around with it.

Apple also released new iPod models with a full-color display. The 20GB or 60GB models can carry up to 15,000 songs or as many as 25,000 photos. But they are not called iPod Photo.

» Apple | Podcasting

24 April, 2005

Nikon D70s

Nikon is releasing D70s, the successor of last year's award-winning model D70 on 27th of this month. D70s is designed based on D70, but has upgraded some functions. Larger LCD monitor, improved AF functions, high-capacity battery, and so on.

Nikon has achieved sales of more than a million units of D70 all over the world since March 2004.

Nikon is also planning to release beginner's SLR digital camera, D50, in this June.

» Nikon | D70s

7 April, 2005

Not as charismatic as that

Having thrown away its pride, Sony has openly announced a new network walkman, NW-HD5. It is equipped with a 20GB hard-disk which can store up to 13,000 songs and a long-lasting battery that can last for up to 40 hours.

And what I want you to look at is this long-lasting battery, which is one of Sony's strengths. Although Apple's iPod has become popular, there have been some claims against iPod's unreplacable battery. Don't know whether Sony knows this secret, but Sony exaggerates the long-lasting battery as one of the selling points of this NW-HD5.

Finally Sony has started to move forward for regaining a position in the portable audio market that Apple snatched with iPod. But the memorable kick-off product is far from surprising and is not nearly as charismatic as iPod. I love Sony, but I have to say this is an authentic MOCK iPod.

11 March, 2005

iPod shuffle for Sony maniacs

This could be another step for Sony which tries to revive the company.

Sony introduced new Walkman, NW-E505/E507 and NW-E405/E407, equipped with 512MB or 1GB flash memory. NW-E505/E507 series has a FM radio tuner. And Sony is pleased to adopt MP3, which is a widespread format, and ATRAC3plus, which is an unknown format but Sony has been sticking with. As you noticed, except for an FM tuner, basic specs are pretty similar to Apple's iPod shuffle.

Ummm... Can Sony get back its lackluster Walkman brand? The sudden personnel reshuffle, which appointed Wales-born Sir Howard Stringer as CEO, made headlines around the world. So, 2005 will be an important year for the electronics empire to strike back. auspicious is going to support Sony more strongly than ever before.

5 March, 2005

The end of the MD era

Do you know Hi-MD? It's a new type of MD, which has a huge memory capacity and can store mp3 files. You can store about 250 songs, 17 hours long in total, in a 1GB Hi-MD (mp3/128kbps).

Recently, Sony introduced two new MD Walkman models for Japanese consumers. Yes, they both are Hi-MD models. One of them is, to my surprise, equipped with a digital camera and can display the jacket image of an album, which you are listening, on a tiny screen of the body. Wow, MD has got a digital camera?

Sony introduced Hi-MD last year in Japan, featuring a young pop singer for its promotion. Hi-MD players were to fight against other hard-disk music players and mp3 players, especially Apple's counterpart. Sony must have wanted to keep young consumers who would be influenced by the iPod boom. In addition, it might have been Sony's loyalty to the owners of old MD players. In fact, it was just a decade ago that MD got a top position as a recording medium from cassette tape in Japan. It was in 1993 or something, I guess. Too soon to disappear. I think Sony knows that point.

So, in order not to make MD short-lived and to keep existing MD consumers, Sony names a new format Hi-MD. But it's not the same. Completely different object, except for its shape. So you need to buy a new Hi-MD player to use it, even if you have already had a MD player, because it's not compatible with existing MD. So, how many MD player users switch to this out-of-date product. If there are some, they are some like Sony mania (that's me) or someone who loves anachronistic act.

This is definitely a counterplot product against iPod. Seeing the popularity of the iPod series, I must say the MD era is over. But at the same time, Sony also understands the MD's deadlocked destiny and the potentiality of hard-disk/mp3 music players. Nevertheless, Sony likes to walk its own independent way and to release unique products. This Hi-MD Walkman with digital camera is no exception. Yes, this is pretty hard-core.

Although I cry over the end of the MD, I respect Sony's strong product development capability and hope it will keep its own style.

2 March, 2005

Walkman + Mobile = Sony Ericsson W800

Sony Ericsson has introduced the first Walkman mobile phone, W800. The new model is equipped with not only a high quality digital music player but also a 2.0-megapixel-digital camera function.

With this Walkman branded mobile phone, Sony is going to win a place, which iPod holds currently, in the competitive digital music player market. It comes with stereo headphones and a 512MB Memory Stick Duo. In addition, it is compatible with MP3 and AAC music file formats... Bla, bla, bla... but I want iPod.

6 February, 2005

iPod attracts Microsoft's staff

Like others, Microsoft's workers want an iPod, too.

Microsoft's leafy corporate campus in Redmond, Washington, is beginning to look like the streets of New York, London and just about everywhere else: Wherever you go, white headphones dangle from peoples' ears.

1 February, 2005

Sony's Locationfree TV

Sony has introduced a small portable TV "Locationfree TV", suggesting a very innovative idea. People can watch TV programmes everywhere by setting up Base Station (left in the photo) at home and connecting this to the internet. Sony suggests it can enable tourists to watch Japanese TV programmes abroad, but who wants? The estimated price will be around ¥125,000.

» Sony News and Information | Locationfree TV LF-X5