New android based Sony Walkman Z series is rock solid!

[ronin67]

One advantage of living in Japan is seeing the new tech come out before it hits anywhere else. On December 10th, Sony released there first android based (Gingerbread) Walkman. The Z series is the best MP3 player Sony has put out in some time. I picked up the black in color/32 GB version. Observations so far:

Pros:

Sony's noise canceling technology, brings the music clarity level to something that is well beyond any Apple iPod based player this audiophile has ever heard.

In ear headphones that come with the Z series Walkman are far superior to the earbuds that Apple supplies with any of it's iPods.

Dual core integra processor makes the player fly thru applications. Gingerbread moves without hesitation whether going between audio files or multi-tasking with the Internet.

Construction is very solid. Aluminum construction is top notch.

Cons:

Had a few shut down errors when I first started using it, but as soon as I went to the android market place and updated the flash player, it has been working great.

Battery life still not as good as a iPod Touch. 5 hours while viewing some videos and listening to music. I used to usually get 6-7 on iPod touch.

Very pricey: The 64 GB version taps out at about $580. The version I bought cost me about $520.

Overall:

I think this could be the iPod killer Sony has been waiting for. So far in Japan, the sales have been pretty good.

Ed

 

[UssjTrunks]

Sony has always been the leader in this field. Comparing it with the iPod is just unfair, for the iPod. However, it won't be an iPod killer because most consumers genuinely believe that iPods are the best media players (which couldn't be further from the truth). These people don't know the first thing about sound quality, which is where Sony (and other) MP3 players have always shined. Apple has always lagged behind in this department, yet that never hurt its sales. That's not about to change.

 

[ronin67]

Sony has always been the leader in this field. Comparing it with the iPod is just unfair, for the iPod. However, it won't be an iPod killer because most consumers genuinely believe that iPods are the best media players (which couldn't be further from the truth). These people don't know the first thing about sound quality, which is where Sony (and other) MP3 players have always shined. Apple has always lagged behind in this department, yet that never hurt its sales. That's not about to change.

Thanks for the input. Yes, it is sad but I got all caught up in the iPod fervor. I still like many of there products (computers and the iPad), but now I will defineately look at Sony as a primary source to fulfill my audiofile needs.

Thanks and may God bless.

Ed

 

[sohguanh]

I believe a good contender would be the now forgotten Creative. They make the term sound card famous in the PC world back in the 80's. That was way before motherboards come with sound card integrated. Unfortunately, their fortunes have fallen a lot. I was still thinking instead of pushing their own products running on their own OS, why not jump onto the Android bandwagon? They are sound experts in the audio field too!

 

[UssjTrunks]

I believe a good contender would be the now forgotten Creative. They make the term sound card famous in the PC world back in the 80's. That was way before motherboards come with sound card integrated. Unfortunately, their fortunes have fallen a lot. I was still thinking instead of pushing their own products running on their own OS, why not jump onto the Android bandwagon? They are sound experts in the audio field too!

Creative products were phenomenal too.

Apparently they are running Android now:

http://us.creative.com/products/welcomenew.asp?category=948

 

[Deleted User]

Only problem is trying to track down docking speakers for non apple products. Even Sony don't do good ones for their own products ....well not last time I looked anyway.

 

[ronin67]

Only problem is trying to track down docking speakers for non apple products. Even Sony don't do good ones for their own products ....well not last time I looked anyway.

Good point. I would love to have my Sony Z series work on my B&W Zeppelin. You would think that some company by now would have a docking device with many of the different MP3 adapters. What are some of the other popular MP3 player producing companies besides Apple and Sony? Microsoft's Zune is gone (which is a shame, I had the original Zune and I kind of liked it).

Happy New Year to all.

Ed

 

[UssjTrunks]

Good point. I would love to have my Sony Z series work on my B&W Zeppelin. You would think that some company by now would have a docking device with many of the different MP3 adapters. What are some of the other popular MP3 player producing companies besides Apple and Sony? Microsoft's Zune is gone (which is a shame, I had the original Zune and I kind of liked it).

Happy New Year to all.

Ed

Philips just released the first universal Android speaker dock. hopefully we'll be seeing more devices like this one.

Philips Builds the First Universal Android Speaker Dock

 

[sohguanh]

Creative products were phenomenal too.
Apparently they are running Android now:
Creative Labs: Products - X-Fi, Sound Blaster, MP3 Players, Speaker Systems, Web Cameras

Thanks for the info. Seem Creative finally onto the Android bandwagon. The ZiiO 7" is out of stock! Look like audiophile fans can take a look at this device. Unfortunately they did not release a smart-phone kind of device which I prefer as it is smaller and more mobile for me.
http://us.creative.com/products/welcomenew.asp?category=948

 

[Saltine713]

Does the Sony have a camera on it? Either way, it seems like a great device, I'm just taken back by the price. Samsung also has an Android-powered device similar to this.

 

[ronin67]

Does the Sony have a camera on it? Either way, it seems like a great device, I'm just taken back by the price. Samsung also has an Android-powered device similar to this.

No. I know many people like the camera on the device, to me I don't need it. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but so far it has been working great. I also picked up the red version (64 GB). They are both great.

Take care and may God bless!

P.S. What is the make and model of the Samsung player? Thanks!

Ed