For some reason, this didn’t come as a surprise at all. Maybe it’s native product loyalty? (shrugs)I totally agree about the disadvantage of exclusive software. Is the concept of ISO9000 just lost on these people?

First of all. This is my first comment. Love the name of your site. Just bookmarked it so I dunno if I love the site itself yet. No updates in a week?? You better be at a beach with a drink in one hand, and a woman in the other and some music on.Everyone (who browses this site) knows that Ipød sucks. Japaneese have always had a loyalty to Søny products over Americano ones(e.g. PlayStation vs Xbox). An sony is a better player. Got a NW-HD3 meself. Yes, sonicstage doesn’t get a nobel price in customer friendly, but the battery time and sound quality just blasts the apple product away. This does probably the same.

Yep no suppriseespecialy with sonys Alternitive sonicstage programs (2 of them @ their support website) and many more popping up. im seeing the trend of sony steping up in this gig now

Sony’s got their “MP3 File Manager” thing, which brings the file-transferring experience closer to drag-n-drop (but I’ve read that you still need SonicStage to remove files).Anyway I’ve been sending suggestions to Sony (though I’m not getting my hopes up that they’ll read any of them, let alone respond). If they can loosen up about their ATRAC3 standards (fat chance of that happening) and be a little more user-friendly I’m sure they can overtake Apple someday.If they do the latter without doing the former, though… well, then, it’ll be the Sony Age, won’t it? Maybe better than the Apple Age though, no one knows.

Sony’s got their “MP3 File Manager” thing, which brings the file-transferring experience closer to drag-n-drop (but I’ve read that you still need SonicStage to remove files). @ David: you don`t have to install sonicstage to operate/delete files. The drag n drop feature is standalone – you install file manager onto you player and you are set. Anyway I am sooooo pleased with my E507 – battery time is AMAZING – up to 50 hours of listening; I had a record of 63 hours of constant usage – and you recharge it fully in under 2 hours. It also has quickcharge; 3 minutes of charging for few hours of listening; just amazing!Did I mention it looks awesome and sounds fantastic too?It has few drawbacks:-It is charged only through USB (ultra long battery life solwes that problem however)-Cannot delete mp3 files without pluging the player into PC-Cannot transfer mp3`s from player via softwer. But you can do it if you use you sony as regular USB key. Once MP3`s are are transfered onto E507 via sony software you can only delete them.-Uses mini usb cable for connection; no proprietary usb connector.If you can live with that it is the bes mp3 gizmo if not go and check out almost-same-but-more-practical Philips; 512 mb same size mp3 playerOverall this is the best

I have this Mp3 player, and no matter what the restrictions of the software I find the 50 hour battery makes up for it. I’ve dropped this Mp3 player several times and filled it with water and it still hasn’t broken. I’ve yet to find another more suited to my needs.