Review Comparo--iPod Trounces Coming Sony Network Walkman

Sony will shortly release its "iPod-killer," the Network Walkman NW-HD1 in attempt to attain the market position in digital music that its Walkman CD player once held in CD music. But a comparative review conducted by the Associated Press concludes that Sony's entry will fall far short of its goal:

"Sony's Network Walkman NW-HD1 is as clunky as its name. The gadget looks great, but it's ruined by a bizarre insistence on a proprietary file format, a confusing navigation scheme and software that tries to be flashy but is incredibly frustrating."

"And the Sony, which works only on a Windows PC and will be available later this month, costs $399. That's $100 more than an iPod which can run on either a Windows or Macintosh machine while providing the same 20-gigabyte music capacity."

[Dana Baggett]