You know, my very first digital audio player was in fact a Sony Network Walkman. This was a few years before the Apple iPod came out and I remember the player being a thin cylindrical unit which was actually pretty cool looking. The problem? It actually didn’t play MP3s but ATRAC files. Ugh.. anyhow, years later, Sony finally realized it was better to natively support MP3 files and here they are – trying to catch up to Apple. PC Magazine reviews the latest small digital audio player from Sony – the Sony Network Walkman NW-E505. This Walkman features:

• Plays back ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus format and MP3 files, and supports WMA and WAV
• Built in FM Tuner
• A three minute charge will provide up to three hours of playback
• One Handed Jog DialOperation
• Up to 50 Hours of Playback Life with Rechargeable Embedded Battery

50 hour battery life? Wowzers. The verdict?

The Sony Network Walkman NW-E505 offers good sound quality in a very attractive package. The battery life can’t be beat, but the required SonicStage software and lack of WMA support hold it back a bit.

[Check it out]

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