Typical price: £159
What is it: A 6GB portable MP3 player
What we think: A unique design and improved software from Sony make this the most convincing reason yet to buy an MP3 player from 'the other guy'
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 21 December 2005
Tags: Sony, Sony Walkman NW-A1000 (6GB), edge, headphones, travel
We like:
Sleek design; improved transfer software
We don't like:
Low maximum volume; 'magic' LCD effect doesn't quite work
CNET UK judgement:
This is certainly Sony's most impressive player yet. With a little more attention to detail and some more work on the much improved bundled software, Sony may yet have a chance in this market
Full review:
Sony has suffered hardest of all in the MP3 player wars. Though the company's Walkman ruled the 80s when it almost single-handedly established a market for portable music players, it has lagged in recent years. Conflicts of interest between Sony's music publishing and consumer electronics businesses have meant that while Sony's product designers may long for a more open approach to portable music, Sony Music is still utterly paranoid that online music will bring about its death. Continue Reading...
Sony Walkman NW-A1000 (6GB) History
20 Jan 2006 in Crave
Franz Ferdinand join the themed MP3 player club
Bands come and go, but band-endorsed MP3 players hang around for decades. Though your affections for Franz Ferdinand may waver, here's an opportunity to have them emblazoned on your Walkman forever
8 Dec 2005 in Crave
MP3-playing pebble: Sony NW-A1000
The latest weapon in Sony's slow assault against Apple is, tellingly, grenade-like and smooth as a window pane. So have the Japanese struck a fatal blow against Big White's dominance of the MP3-player scene?
11 Nov 2005 in Crave
Sony Walkman struts around posh London gallery
In which Crave explores the world of celebrity-thick gallery openings, touches the new Walkman, drinks wine from little plastic cups, gets crushed between gyrating Toni&Guy models and brushes past Rebecca Loos
Latest user reviews
December 3, 2006
Posted by: lurk _a_lot
"Beautiful design, great sound quality, marred by unusable software"
October 20, 2006
Posted by: Anonymous
"Avoid like the plague"
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