Sony packs pedometers into upcoming Network Walkmen

Watch out Apple and Nike, because Sony's got a new set of Network Walkmen waiting in the wings that pack a pedometer right into the players themselves, eliminating the need for a separate kit and expensive pair of sneakers. Although it doesn't sound like the cigar-shaped, 2GB NW-S205F and 1GB NW-S203F will offer the same online experience as you'd find at the Nikeplus website, you're still getting calorie, step, and distance counter functionality right out of the box, along with a stopwatch and FM tuner -- plus an armband to keep everything secure. The nano still holds the edge in screen quality -- and capacity, obviously -- as the new Sonys sport but a one-line OLED display. Pricing here is pretty attractive, with the black S205F and silver S203F going for $150 and $120, respectively, when they hit stores in either September or October.

[dave95 @ Jul 21st 2006 11:23AM]

Said it before and I will say it again. Sony makes great electronics like 'MP3' Players. Can't say the same about their software. The only thing holding me back from purchasing their players. Imagine if you could use their players with say WMP11.

[Kendrew Leung @ Jul 21st 2006 11:26AM]

Is it just me or does the mp3 player look like a tampon?

[dcstimm @ Jul 21st 2006 11:28AM]

Looks complicated

[Taylor @ Jul 21st 2006 11:29AM]

"looks like a cigar"... hmmm, not what I was thinking.... sex toy perhaps...

[RickDom @ Jul 21st 2006 11:31AM]

The new Sony lightsabre!

[Ed @ Jul 21st 2006 11:33AM]

I dunno, definately looks like a vibrator of some sort..

[Nick @ Jul 21st 2006 11:35AM]

With all the news about the new MS media player, I'd like to see Sony come out with something big this Christmas to pair with their PS3. We all know that Sony has the technology to make something really great. Unlike Apple though they focus on 3-5 different designs a year for media players. I love it that they give us a choice, but I'd rather see them cut down on quantity and give us somethign that is really news worthy.

[xf55 @ Jul 21st 2006 11:37AM]

looks more like a test tube

[Feisal Adatia @ Jul 21st 2006 11:52AM]

It is a pretty nice looking player. I would like a larger capacity flash player from Sony though.

[Kevin Mogee @ Jul 21st 2006 12:21PM]

I love Sony products. I am not what you'd call a fanboy, but I think they make some really great stuff. However, what is the deal with their flash mp3 players? Do the engineers in Sony have hands that are shaped different than everyone else on the planet? C'mon Sony, why can't you make a player that is easy to hold with one hand AND operate ALL the buttons? I used to own the NW-MS70D, which had a titanium housing, was smaller than even most of today's players and was cool to hold, but the stupid little controller was the worst. It required both hands to move from one position to the other. If the player was just a LITTLE bit more ergonomic, it would have been perfect. Unfortunately, Sony seems to have employed the same designers for this player, and like all their other designs, will be phased out, and replaced by some other crap design in 6 months. What a waste of good technology.

[Paco @ Jul 21st 2006 12:37PM]

Great... a walkman dildo

[blackout @ Jul 21st 2006 12:41PM]

tampon? sex toy?

wtf?

it looks like an mp3 player thats about a year too late.

[rgk-nyc @ Jul 21st 2006 12:46PM]

The new sony connect software (called CP) is a HELL of a lot better than that junk they used to push on you (Sonicstage, Connect Player). I just upgraded from SS 3.4 to CP and everything works perfectly and more importantly, quickly and without crashing my computer. It still isn't where iTunes is, but its getting better. And with the w950i coming out with .oma support, it will be a no brainer for those Sonicstage suckers. A little bigger than a Nano with 4GB of flash goodness, A2DP and a PHONE!!!

[Finished.Law.School @ Jul 21st 2006 12:52PM]

I remember when Sony used to be innovative. Now they suck.

[Raaaaaah! @ Jul 21st 2006 2:20PM]

pedometer measures how many children you touch inappropriately...?

[Poopmaster @ Jul 21st 2006 2:37PM]

Sony just doesn't get it. They're "me tooing" Apple with something that doesn't have the ecosystem, doesn't have the looks, doesn't have the ease-of-use, and doesn't have the software. Why do they even bother? At least Creative's Zen gives the iPod a run for its money.

[Hollowterrapin @ Jul 21st 2006 2:43PM]

They should have this adveritised by Bill Clinton. "If I can't find my cigar, I use the new Sony Walkman...with built in pedometer! eh eh"

Seriously, I like this as I was going to buy the NWA 2gb series (comes with FM tuner in Canada) but I already have the NW-HD3 (20 gigs, great machine, better than Ipod for sound and battery life). But this being with a pedometer, great for hiking, I might just get it.

[ned @ Jul 21st 2006 3:25PM]

"Nike and Apple could have just put the accelometer into thedock connector, but they put it in the shoe, right?"

Then how would they sell you new shoes you don't need?

[DM @ Jul 21st 2006 3:48PM]

"pedometer measures how many children you touch inappropriately...?"

lol, good one :P

[inthesphere @ Jul 21st 2006 4:00PM]

Its clearly for women only, its a discreet pedometer that provides the user with music, info, and pleasure.(though the headphone placement might look somewhat odd)
hope its water/(fluid)-resistant

[Callum @ Jul 21st 2006 4:41PM]

MP3 Player / dildo. great, isn't it?

[jon @ Jul 21st 2006 5:02PM]

So it still is trying to compete with the ipod/vibrator market.

It is such a rip off of this vibrator:
http://www.ohmibod.com/

[Ian @ Jul 21st 2006 7:50PM]

Is it waterproof?....

[Sp1n @ Jul 22nd 2006 2:00AM]

wow...looky looky at the haters...yall never even used a walkman(especially recent one`s) and you hate on it? i call that kind of people - dumbasses.

If you dont have anything good to post, why post then? bleh...yall should stick that ipod up ur asses...besides apple tooling you to buy a system that dies out with time(you cant change batteries), it tools you into buying clown shoes...what a joke....

I personally think that player looks pretty nice and inovative and with sony`s amazing sound i doubt any ipod would come close.

Besides that yall hating on software that was done years ago and had been updated since into a good piece of work. I personally like latest Sonicstage(4.0) which none of you mentioned - since yall fanboys of paperweight bricks called ipod. It`s ok though...lets just see what sony come`s up with - previous works were pretty good(im HD5 owner - beside`s being able to controll the player from a remote with a display, that player has amazing sound quality - read CNET reviews...yall know you want to). Sony just needs time.

Recently Sony guys have been looking through atrac forums and actually making changes to their software in accordance with people`s advices.

anyways...keep on hating:)

[Justin @ Jul 22nd 2006 3:13AM]

although pretty much everyone has bagged this new sony mp3 player i quite like it.

theres nothing worse than buying something that everyone else has. too many people buy an ipod just because everyone else has one.. the only flaw to my comments is that the nano is actually pretty sweet. damn u apple!

[tekdroid @ Jul 22nd 2006 3:28AM]

Can't say the same about their software. The only thing holding me back from purchasing their players. Imagine if you could use their players with say WMP11.

Posted at 11:23AM on Jul 21st 2006 by dave95 [ ! ]
--------------
I'd rather not imagine Windows Media Player 11. Drag-n-drop / direct saves in the OS (like Cowon does with their range, not to mention glorious FLAC and Ogg support) would be far better.

http://global.cowon.com

Windows Media Player is just as bad as SonicStage, IMO. Hopefully the cylindrical shape means it can accomoodate a removable AA or AAA battery, otherwise I see very little utility in the shape (like someone mentioned, there are more ergonomic shapes for one-handed operation).

[Others @ Jul 22nd 2006 4:02AM]

Poopmaster, how are they me tooing apple? Apple already stole their jog dial idea and made a click wheel out of it. Does everything that Apple steal from others mean that originals become copies, because Apple is doing it? You're pathetic. Apple has always been trying to be like Sony, but without the popularity, until the ipod show up. So you can see, Apple hasn't been any innovative since they innovated on Sony's jog dial controls. After that, they made devices thinner. That is not innovation.

[suki @ Jul 24th 2006 4:32PM]

Its almost as nice as the new OhMiBod !!

[Garrett Vonk @ Aug 26th 2006 12:59AM]

I'd imagine that Nike's solution will be more accurate... At least, it SEEMS like putting it in the shoe would make it more accurate. Nike and Apple could have just put the accelometer into the dock connector, but they put it in the shoe, right?