Sony intros B100 Walkman, drops ATRAC and SonicStage
updated 02:10 pm EDT, Mon July 23, 2007
Sony B100 Walkman Official
Sony's European branch on Monday quietly unveiled its B100 Network Walkman music player. Marking a turning point for the company, the player confirms early reports that Sony would drop the need for the proprietary SonicStage jukebox for loading music in at least one player. Listeners can load up the player simply by dropping songs into it through the computer's file browser, which also allows for transferring raw data when space allows. ATRAC support is also absent, according to Sony; songs must be in the more universal MP3 and WMA formats.
Like the earlier E010, the B100 plugs directly into a computer through a capped USB connector and contains a suite of extras sometimes left out of players its size, such as a three-line LCD for navigating tracks, optional FM tuning, and a voice recorder. Battery life is rated at 12 hours.
Shipments begin to Europe in August with 1GB and 2GB models arriving in August for prices to be established later in one or more colors, as well as with or without the FM radio. American counterparts are probable at a later date but have not been confirmed by Sony. [via Engadget]
