Dive bomb Sony MP3 player (4GB) (Sony Walkman NW-S706F 4 GB)

Member Name: bikerchris

Product:	Sony Walkman NW-S706F 4 GB
Date:	29/01/07 (1319 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks pretty, high solid state storage (4GB)

Disadvantages: Pedantic to use, small display, fiddly, not universally connectable (S/W req'd)

I’ll have to make this quick, but to summarise I’m getting a refund on this (after getting from amazon for £125) because:

-It is not possible to just copy and paste songs onto it from windows explorer, the software IS needed, the instructions confirm this. In part I expect this is to avoid you going round your mates house and ‘borrowing’ a few MP3’s in a convenient way. Instead you’ll have to carry with you a copy of the S/W and as most know, music software just wants to take over your music collection and you have to be very specific in the initial set-up to avoid it ruining your system – no matter how good or bad it is.
-The display and general navigation is incredibly poor and too small although innovative. Without sounding like I’m blowing my own trumpet, I have perfect vision and young eyes, and I know I would never be able to focus on this on a train or bus.
-The connection cable is a very delicate fit and not something that can be rushed like tubular phone charging type connectors or mini USB.
-A cable is required to transfer songs, so no USB jack integrated.
-There are far too many bad points to mention in honesty.

WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

-It does feel like the traditional robust quality and finish we’ve come to expect from Sony.
-It does give you confidence that it will last for a long time, even if your music collection exceeds 4GB.
-The noise cancelling device in the headphones is a clever adaptation to those fitted to light aircraft, the instructions state that it’s best at reducing low frequencies = Aircraft vibration / noise (I wonder if they’ve been lent the patent on that?)
-the Music listing system is very clever, providing options such as “most recently transferred” and a whole host of other options such as album, artist, genre, etc.

CONCLUSION:

If you want to look flash, buy it…just be prepared to look like a prat while you’re trying to read the display and DON’T expect to find that track you want your friend to listen to in a hurry!

All in all I’m not impressed and feel bad for Amazon for having to return it. I feel it may be best to simply use my mobile phone once I’ve upgraded the memory card. Then I can simply copy and paste songs in a flash AND carry the cable around to ‘borrow’ other peoples songs if need be. Or even if a friend has one on his phone he can Bluetooth it to me… come on Sony, you’re better than this!!! Imagine Firewire/bluetooth connections, imagine the option of simplicity - you make these devices, but don't use them...

Summary: Sony have not done well, producing an MP3 player that is flash and not ergonomicall.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Features:
Sound quality:
Download speed: