Sony's 2008 MP3 players priced for U.S.
Sony's latest NWZ-A820 MP3 player includes Bluetooth audio and a 2.4-inch screen. An identical-looking NWZ-A720 is also being sold, minus Bluetooth.
(Credit: Sony)
After last week's UK announcement, it should hardly comes as a surprise that Sony's got some new MP3 players heading to the ol' U.S. of A. For those of you convinced that the Walkman will rise again, here's the skinny on Sony's American imports.
By the end of March, Sony will be shipping the NWZ-A820 (pictured) in an 8GB ($270) and 16GB ($320) capacity, available only in black. Both versions of the NWZ-A820 include Bluetooth audio, high-quality Sony EX earphones, and a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD, but the 8GB version also comes bundled with a set of around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones.
The Sony NWZ-S710F includes built-in noise-cancellation technology.
(Credit: Sony)If the NWZ-A820 sounds too rich for your blood, or Bluetooth just isn't your thing, you can save some money by shopping for the NWZ-A720 series. The NWZ-A720 is identical to the NWZ-A820, but excludes Bluetooth. Expect to find the NWZ-A720 in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities, priced at $150, $200, and $300, respectively (4GB and 8GB versions will be available in pink, as well as black). Both the NWZ-A720 and NWZ-A820 support MP3, AAC, WMA (including DRM), and WAV audio formats, as well as MPEG-4 (H.264) video playback, and neither include an FM radio. Considering that both players are modeled after the stellar NWZ-A818 released last year, my expectations are high.
Sony is also giving us a refresh of the NWZ-S610 (another excellent player we saw from Sony last year), by throwing in the noise-cancellation feature found in their SonicStage-era NW-S705F MP3 player. The new player is called the NWZ-S710F series (are you remembering all these catchy model numbers?), and will be available in 4GB and 8GB capacities priced at $150 and $200, respectively. Aside from the addition of active noise-cancellation, the NWZ-S710F is essentially unchanged from the NWZ-S610, and will be available in silver, red, and black.
All of Sony's newly announced MP3 players are due out at the end of March.
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs. 
SO... Crave guys, if you're reading, in the future PLEASE review the means of transfering files to and from the hardware as thuroughly as you to the actual devices, because I am basing my decisions on that factor hevily and I don't think I am alone on this!
Formats, functions, options.
I mean I dont need to touch my music, I want to listen and watch things without having to jump through loops. And I want to do it while listening with no wires (stereo bluetooth)
Personally I don't like touch screen because while carrying around there are instances where unwanted "touch" resulting in unwanted function.
It's sound is better than anyother makers and I am going to get this as soon as it's available.
At the 16 gigabyte size, it becomes a great MP3 player for Linux users or even anyone who hates iTunes (I'm not the only one). The 2007 Walkmans are drag 'n' drop - yay! I hope the 2008 models are too. I think they will be, as a Sony rep told me once that "drag and drop is the way things are going".
- This thing is great but,................
- by trkwkr179 March 17, 2008 8:27 AM PDT
- I have a NWZ-S618 walkman and it beats all the mp3 players in sound quality - hands down , no competition! The problems w/ the new lineup are that they are a bit over-priced and they top off @16gb for $300.00. 32gb is a better capacity for their top price point (should be $300.00). They are not bringing these into the market at a realistic price point and are going to prevent a real breakthrough in the market - and I REALLY want 1 of these in 32gb (willing to sell ALL of my mp3 player stock).
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