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Lancer409 · Oct 1, 2004, 05:55 AM

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09...y_vaio_pocket/

linky =P

drive-thru · Oct 1, 2004, 06:41 AM

+24 hours battery life, WOW!

I'm not sure about the UI though. It looks complicated, not too complicated to use, but too complicated to be able to use instinctively/without looking. How many 'features' does this thing have to warrant needing a cursor to operate it.
Did I read correctly the part about only being able to have one playlist?

The colour screen looks cool & the cover art display is a bonus. My problem with a colour screen iPod would be that you don't spend enough time looking at the screen, nor is the interface complicated enough, to need colour & the hit to battery life would be more important to me. The Sony still gets amazing battery life with the colour screen, but I like the way that Apple kept the interface simple because of the monochrome screen (or maybe they used the monochrome because the interface was simple enough). I worry that having a colour screen may have allowed Sony to over-complicate their interface, we'll see.

For the sake of being able to say the name of my mp3 player I think I'll stick with my iPod, over the Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1L, for now.

CD Hanks · Oct 1, 2004, 06:47 AM

I like it. It won't dethrone the iPod, but it will spur some competition, which is always a good thing.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 07:13 AM

:cough: ugly

yeh, competition will be good for the iPod; it will make Apple push it to new levels. I don't think it will dethrone the iPod; iPod is like the definition of coolness.

ManOfSteal · Oct 1, 2004, 07:29 AM

Bah.

starman · Oct 1, 2004, 07:30 AM

Maybe we'll finally get a color screen with album cover views.

Mike

Mastrap · Oct 1, 2004, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by starman:
Maybe we'll finally get a color screen with album cover views.

Mike

What for? Serious question.

I use my iPod to listen to music, 99% of the time it lives in my pocket.

starman · Oct 1, 2004, 08:02 AM

I see your point. I look at it two ways:

1) Apple will feel the need to add a color screen to compete with the Sony, and other units like the Creative Zen.

2) The color screen will make units like the Sony overpriced and people will stick with the B&W iPod.

Mike

ManOfSteal · Oct 1, 2004, 08:11 AM

I'm sure a $99 iPod/mini would garnish more sales and attention compared to a more costly colored screen iPod at this point...

Mastrap · Oct 1, 2004, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by manofsteal:
I'm sure a $99 iPod/mini would garnish more sales and attention compared to a more costly colored screen iPod at this point...

It's currently impossible to manufacture at that price point. But yes, it would be nice...

Randman · Oct 1, 2004, 08:20 AM

iPod killer? Hardly.
Besides, Sony's format requirements are a killer no matter what else is considered. And even then, it's barely competes with Creative, much less an iPod.

Gussy · Oct 1, 2004, 08:34 AM

Quote: It's currently impossible to manufacture at that price point. But yes, it would be nice...

Get real mate, apple would pop these out at under $50 meterials less probly.

chris v · Oct 1, 2004, 08:52 AM

VGF-AP1L

?

With a name like that, it'd better be good...

Mastrap · Oct 1, 2004, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Gussy:
Quote: It's currently impossible to manufacture at that price point. But yes, it would be nice...

Get real mate, apple would pop these out at under $50 meterials less probly.

Go and look up the price point of the drive alone...

cold_reality · Oct 1, 2004, 09:13 AM

It looks ugly and a bit awkward, but, hopefully some competition will come of it...

mdc · Oct 1, 2004, 09:43 AM

the _mouse_ control thing does not sound fun. but i will reserve proper judgment until i play around with one.

FulcrumPilot · Oct 1, 2004, 09:48 AM

Actually after a bit of hesitation I feel I can trade my pb180 for this one as well!

Anyone know which dept I should contact Sony for this?

rozwado1 · Oct 1, 2004, 10:01 AM

I hope Apple plans on making an LCD remote...

ryju · Oct 1, 2004, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by FulcrumPilot:
Actually after a bit of hesitation I feel I can trade my pb180 for this one as well!

Anyone know which dept I should contact Sony for this?

Customer Service

Xeo · Oct 1, 2004, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by starman:
I see your point. I look at it two ways:

1) Apple will feel the need to add a color screen to compete with the Sony, and other units like the Creative Zen.

2) The color screen will make units like the Sony overpriced and people will stick with the B&W iPod.

Mike

Agreed. There is no actual need for a color screen. No one will be watching DVDs on the thing. Previewing pictures COULD be useful since there are now multiple ways to connect a camera to the thing, but how often would you use your iPod for this? I mean, don't you preview the picture after you take it? The iPod's screen size won't help you see if it's good any more the the camera's.

But, people will cry out, and people will get what they want. If B&W looks like the past and people want the future, then Apple will be forced to go for it.

Now, if the iPod had video out so you could connect it up to an external monitor or TV, that would be cool. I find myself hooking my iBook up to the TV enough that the iPod taking over this functionality would be nice.

Sealobo · Oct 1, 2004, 11:14 AM

maybe it's the conservative color... that thing looks pretty "old".

Landos Mustache · Oct 1, 2004, 11:25 AM

Colour screens suck in the sunlight. I bet most people use the iPod outside.

FulcrumPilot · Oct 1, 2004, 11:40 AM

OLED screen will be nice

macaddict0001 · Oct 1, 2004, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Gussy:
Quote: It's currently impossible to manufacture at that price point. But yes, it would be nice...

Get real mate, apple would pop these out at under $50 meterials less probly.

whatever this guy's on I want some
besides even if apple could they wouldn't because they are still recouping R&D from it.

Originally posted by xeo
Agreed. There is no actual need for a color screen. No one will be watching DVDs on the thing. Previewing pictures COULD be useful since there are now multiple ways to connect a camera to the thing, but how often would you use your iPod for this? I mean, don't you preview the picture after you take it? The iPod's screen size won't help you see if it's good any more the the camera's.

But, people will cry out, and people will get what they want. If B&W looks like the past and people want the future, then Apple will be forced to go for it.

Now, if the iPod had video out so you could connect it up to an external monitor or TV, that would be cool. I find myself hooking my iBook up to the TV enough that the iPod taking over this functionality would be nice.

everything is good except that I would rather connect my ibook to the tv because I mostly play dvd's anyway.

Landos Mustache · Oct 1, 2004, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by FulcrumPilot:
OLED screen will be nice

Why?

Xeo · Oct 1, 2004, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
everything is good except that I would rather connect my ibook to the tv because I mostly play dvd's anyway.

For me, I have a DVD player for that. I use it to play computer formats. The iPod would need to support DivX (yea right, that'll never happen) for it to really be worth it though.

macaddict0001 · Oct 1, 2004, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
For me, I have a DVD player for that. I use it to play computer formats. The iPod would need to support DivX (yea right, that'll never happen) for it to really be worth it though.

I would completely agree if I owned a dvd player.

Sandbaggins · Oct 1, 2004, 02:57 PM

me no like.

Powaqqatsi · Oct 1, 2004, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by rozwado1:
I hope Apple plans on making an LCD remote...

Me too, and while they are at it. Make use of better quality materials and construction for the remote. The current one is a total joke, quality wise.

RGB · Oct 1, 2004, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by Powaqqatsi:
Me too, and while they are at it. Make use of better quality materials and construction for the remote. The current one is a total joke, quality wise.

Yup, two weeks ago my remote's circuitry got stuck on 'Volume Down' so whenever it's plugged in, the volume on the iPod shoots down to mute and stays there. Had to buy a new remote this weekend.

FulcrumPilot · Oct 1, 2004, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
Why?

I hear OLED's are very efficient while highly functional even for smooth motion videos!! who knows the next thing apple may want to sell together with the music maybe the music videos!?? or maybe nintendo like functionality? Just a guess!

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
What for? Serious question.
I use my iPod to listen to music, 99% of the time it lives in my pocket.

One day, consumers might want a portable video player, and with broadband internet technologies becoming more and moreso popular, this is likely not far away. Whether consumers want it or not, marketing is sure to convince them that they do. Someone will create a marke.

Then, the iPod will have to evolve. it wouldn't be that expensive - look at the price of colour screen mobile phones.

Landos Mustache · Oct 1, 2004, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
I would completely agree if I owned a dvd player.

Well perhaps it was time you took the giant leap into 1997 and shell out that $49.

olePigeon · Oct 1, 2004, 05:28 PM

It can't play MP3s, by the way. Nor will there be. Sony says there will be no firmware upgrade to allow MP3 playback due to hardware limitations.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
It can't play MP3s, by the way. Nor will there be. Sony says there will be no firmware upgrade to allow MP3 playback due to hardware limitations.

Oh. The Vaio pocket doesn't play Mp3s? hell, thats the end of it then. It wont even factor in as competition for the iPod.

Mastrap · Oct 1, 2004, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
It can't play MP3s, by the way. Nor will there be. Sony says there will be no firmware upgrade to allow MP3 playback due to hardware limitations.

You sure? As far as I know Sony has made an about turn on that issue and now suppors mp3 files.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
You sure? As far as I know Sony has made an about turn on that issue and now suppors mp3 files.

that turnaround was too late for the release of the Vaio Pocket.

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 06:05 PM

If I had a nickel for every iPod killer that failed to kill an iPod, I'd have enough quarters to... buy an iPod :-)

ReggieX · Oct 1, 2004, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by starman:
Maybe we'll finally get a color screen with album cover views.

n:
A dubious "feature" at best.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by l008com:
If I had a nickel for every iPod killer that failed to kill an iPod, I'd have enough quarters to... buy an iPod :-)

MMM, i suppose.

your sig is heaps too big...

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 06:13 PM

Its much smaller than yours, i just put my text next to my image so its even smaller and less obtrusive.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by l008com:
Its much smaller than yours, i just put my text next to my image so its even smaller and less obtrusive.

true, but it sort of defies the guidelines cos its an image. but oh well.

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 06:18 PM

Well I could make it inline with the guidelines by making the text real text, and making the whole thing much taller and more obtrusive. Or, who cares? Back to the next iPod wannabe

rozwado1 · Oct 1, 2004, 06:29 PM

I like this derail. I also like the image in the text next to the pic instead of underneath.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by rozwado1:
I like this derail. I also like the image in the text next to the pic instead of underneath.

mmm, its not a bad idea.

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 06:58 PM

I hate derails. Lets talk iPods. I bought a new adapter thingie at AutoZone today so I can hook up my iPod and my Navigation at the same time, without having wires all over the place :-)

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 06:59 PM

your navigation? like in your car or something. (sorry, a bit of an iPod noob.)

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 07:02 PM

Yeah yeah ipod, aftermarket nav, and a radar, they all need power so i had to be creative and i bought a few things and now everything is going to plug in underneath my center console out of sight and its all going to look great.

storer · Oct 1, 2004, 07:07 PM

Cool. I've seen some really mad car mods to include iPods. Can you post pics? It would be interesting to see what you have done.

l008com · Oct 1, 2004, 07:15 PM

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8 :-) Make sure you click some ads