Sony has also announced a "iPod Killer." I can shrug off Dell's attempt because their bread and butter is PC's, not peripherals. But Sony on the other hand does have a history of innovation and top notch "gadgetry." From the original walkman to their latest discmans, Sony portable devices have a solid history and reputation. While no one may trade in an iPod for a Dell, I think there are many out there who would buy a Sony over an Apple, especially if Sony can undercut Apple's price by $100 as they are planning to do.
Sony has also announced a "iPod Killer." I can shrug off Dell's attempt because their bread and butter is PC's, not peripherals. But Sony on the other hand does have a history of innovation and top notch "gadgetry." From the original walkman to their latest discmans, Sony portable devices have a solid history and reputation. While no one may trade in an iPod for a Dell, I think there are many out there who would buy a Sony over an Apple, especially if Sony can undercut Apple's price by $100 as they are planning to do.
It's a smoke and mirrors comparison. They compare their 20GB player against Apple's 40GB player and make no mention of sound quality of 64kbps ATRAC vs. 128kbps AAC.
From a hardware standpoint they are selling their player at the exact same price as Apple's 20GB player. So Apple is overcharging how?
ps - not to dieregard the Sony device entirely I am interested in how they achieve their claimed battery life of 30 hours. That would be nice if Apple could get more battery life.
pps - *ATRAC only* seals this device's doom even before it is released...
pps - *ATRAC only* seals this device's doom even before it is released...
Agreed... if it forces everything to go through ATRAC then it probably will not succeed. Even iTunes allows MP3 and WMA to MP3 conversion. Still, those guys at Sony are geniuses at making things small. Perhaps the phrasing "iPod Killer" was a bit melodramatic, but I DO take notice that the guys who made the original walkman and now make all those tiny camcorders have set their bullseye right on the iPod. But that's what happens when you are on top: everyone else tries to knock you down.
Agreed... if it forces everything to go through ATRAC then it probably will not succeed. Even iTunes allows MP3 and WMA to MP3 conversion. Still, those guys at Sony are geniuses at making things small. Perhaps the phrasing "iPod Killer" was a bit melodramatic, but I DO take notice that the guys who made the original walkman and now make all those tiny camcorders have set their bullseye right on the iPod. But that's what happens when you are on top: everyone else tries to knock you down.
Competition is good. The Sony seems to boast much better battery life but I remain skeptical until I see it.
The form factor of the Sony device seemed less than optimal. Unless the display changes orientation based on how the unit is held it seems only suited to "righties".
Sony has nice industrial design but ergonomics fail them sometimes. Some of the Clie models had some of the most godawful buttons I have ever seen as far as tactile response and ease of use are concerned.
I am fairly certain Apple can handle whatever is thrown at them in this arena. The Sony certainly *isn't* competing on price.
No, I meant a review directly comparing both untis, testing the actual battery life, easy of use, etc. Just curious. I would never get a Dell or listen to Victrola quality audio.
Please...don't try to justify high prices for NOT being greedy. I think iPods should sell for at at least $50-100 less than they do now.
You don't get it...it's ok, few do.
We are at the point in history where a company is practically not allowed to make a profit at all on a quality device. We expect them to lose money on it.
People see free or $29.95 MP3 players and think any profit over a few dollars per unit is outrageous.
The largest companies can afford to dump prices below profit for many quarters until enough of the competition dies off. All you see is "Apple's iPod costs too much". Except that some people do want better quality. Hence iPod's success despite high prices.
Whatever, go ahead, Apple is greedy blah blah blah...it's fun to do.
The addiction to the lowest-price-at-all-costs is in your blood now...
They're not undercutting anything. Aren't they comparing their 20 gig player to Apple's 40 gig?
Yeah, that's true. I didn't RTFA before posting. This is from the article:
"It is expected to sell for around ¥53,000, or $487, in Japan and less than $400 in the United States, Sony said, undercutting Apple's 40-gigabyte device, which sells for $499 and can hold up to 10,000 songs."
and then "Because Sony uses the same 20-gigabyte hard drives across many of its product lines, including computers, it stands to benefit from massive price discounts for buying these devices in volume."
So comparing it to a 40gb iPod is ridiculous. Why? Because the 20gb iPod costs THE SAME THING. So, Apple isn't being undercut. How stupid.
This doesn't change that the sony player has a 30 HOUR battery life though. Competition indeed.
it all depends on how you use it. if you use it all the time like me, then it will drain faster. my iPod jsut hit the dreaded fall off in life not too long ago, but it's not a big deal at all. it still lasted me all the way from indianapolis to grand cayman
Comments
Originally posted by Kishan
Sony has also announced a "iPod Killer." I can shrug off Dell's attempt because their bread and butter is PC's, not peripherals. But Sony on the other hand does have a history of innovation and top notch "gadgetry." From the original walkman to their latest discmans, Sony portable devices have a solid history and reputation. While no one may trade in an iPod for a Dell, I think there are many out there who would buy a Sony over an Apple, especially if Sony can undercut Apple's price by $100 as they are planning to do.
It's a smoke and mirrors comparison. They compare their 20GB player against Apple's 40GB player and make no mention of sound quality of 64kbps ATRAC vs. 128kbps AAC.
From a hardware standpoint they are selling their player at the exact same price as Apple's 20GB player. So Apple is overcharging how?
ps - not to dieregard the Sony device entirely I am interested in how they achieve their claimed battery life of 30 hours. That would be nice if Apple could get more battery life.
pps - *ATRAC only* seals this device's doom even before it is released...
with one shot
Originally posted by Bancho
pps - *ATRAC only* seals this device's doom even before it is released...
Agreed... if it forces everything to go through ATRAC then it probably will not succeed. Even iTunes allows MP3 and WMA to MP3 conversion. Still, those guys at Sony are geniuses at making things small. Perhaps the phrasing "iPod Killer" was a bit melodramatic, but I DO take notice that the guys who made the original walkman and now make all those tiny camcorders have set their bullseye right on the iPod. But that's what happens when you are on top: everyone else tries to knock you down.
Originally posted by Kishan
Agreed... if it forces everything to go through ATRAC then it probably will not succeed. Even iTunes allows MP3 and WMA to MP3 conversion. Still, those guys at Sony are geniuses at making things small. Perhaps the phrasing "iPod Killer" was a bit melodramatic, but I DO take notice that the guys who made the original walkman and now make all those tiny camcorders have set their bullseye right on the iPod. But that's what happens when you are on top: everyone else tries to knock you down.
Competition is good. The Sony seems to boast much better battery life but I remain skeptical until I see it.
The form factor of the Sony device seemed less than optimal. Unless the display changes orientation based on how the unit is held it seems only suited to "righties".
Sony has nice industrial design but ergonomics fail them sometimes. Some of the Clie models had some of the most godawful buttons I have ever seen as far as tactile response and ease of use are concerned.
I am fairly certain Apple can handle whatever is thrown at them in this arena. The Sony certainly *isn't* competing on price.
Originally posted by johnq
There's no frigging choice. iPod only.
No, I meant a review directly comparing both untis, testing the actual battery life, easy of use, etc. Just curious. I would never get a Dell or listen to Victrola quality audio.
Originally posted by dferigmu
Please...don't try to justify high prices for NOT being greedy. I think iPods should sell for at at least $50-100 less than they do now.
We are at the point in history where a company is practically not allowed to make a profit at all on a quality device. We expect them to lose money on it.
People see free or $29.95 MP3 players and think any profit over a few dollars per unit is outrageous.
The largest companies can afford to dump prices below profit for many quarters until enough of the competition dies off. All you see is "Apple's iPod costs too much". Except that some people do want better quality. Hence iPod's success despite high prices.
Whatever, go ahead, Apple is greedy blah blah blah...it's fun to do.
The addiction to the lowest-price-at-all-costs is in your blood now...
Originally posted by johnq
The addiction to the lowest-price-at-all-costs is in your blood now...
I beleve the technical term for that is WAL*MARTidus, it is hereditary, the cheap-ass-consumer gene.
Originally posted by Kishan
if Sony can undercut Apple's price by $100 as they are planning to do.
If Sony, of all companies, can undercut apple by $100, we know apple is gouging.
Originally posted by progmac
If Sony, of all companies, can undercut apple by $100, we know apple is gouging.
They're not undercutting anything. Aren't they comparing their 20 gig player to Apple's 40 gig?
Originally posted by PBG3
They're not undercutting anything. Aren't they comparing their 20 gig player to Apple's 40 gig?
Yeah, that's true. I didn't RTFA before posting. This is from the article:
"It is expected to sell for around ¥53,000, or $487, in Japan and less than $400 in the United States, Sony said, undercutting Apple's 40-gigabyte device, which sells for $499 and can hold up to 10,000 songs."
and then "Because Sony uses the same 20-gigabyte hard drives across many of its product lines, including computers, it stands to benefit from massive price discounts for buying these devices in volume."
So comparing it to a 40gb iPod is ridiculous. Why? Because the 20gb iPod costs THE SAME THING. So, Apple isn't being undercut. How stupid.
This doesn't change that the sony player has a 30 HOUR battery life though. Competition indeed.
Originally posted by djmb
how longs ipod battery last?
it all depends on how you use it. if you use it all the time like me, then it will drain faster. my iPod jsut hit the dreaded fall off in life not too long ago, but it's not a big deal at all. it still lasted me all the way from indianapolis to grand cayman
the iPod will continue selling.