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I have had this video/mp3 player for about a month so thought this was an adequate time to review the product.  I should note that I am a bit of a Sony fangirl but will try and keep the tinted glasses off, and give a fair perspective.

Firstly the specification (taken from the Sony website):

On first appearance the player is a nice size, similar to an iPod Nano¹, just not as slim.  The packaging it comes in is nice and compact but no charger is supplied so you’ll either have to purchase one or stick with the USB.  Quite light but the weight is noticeable when strapped or hooked onto the body.  On the touch screen is a sticker, with no important information, just be careful when peeling that you’re not trying to peel the protective layer off…like I did. -_-  Oh yeah, and there is no CD for the software included.  Probably for the best really it having downloaded it from the Sony website I found Content Transfer absolutely pants and unnecessary.  The interface doesn’t leave a good impression either, a little bit like Winamp in it’s early stage².  I should also note that files can also be transferred via bluetooth so you’re options are open.

Right, onto the more technical stuff.  Though is is a touch screen player it still has a “Home” button with the volume, play and hold button on the left side of the player.  The player is quick starting up and the touch screen is very responsive.  To transfer files is literally as simple as drag-and-drop.  The sound is beautiful, with the option  to set the VPT (i.e. studio, arena…).  If you’re into karaoke you can set the track to that mode and sharpen or flatten the keys of the songs.  Note that with karaoke mode you can still her the main vocals of the songs, they’re just more subdued.  The downside is you can’t create playlists on the go, playlists can only be created with  a computer – just sync a playlist from your computer to the player.  Again, don’t bother with Content Transfer.

I haven’t put any videos onto the player but from the default ones provided the quality seems quite impressive for an mp3 player – this is only in comparison to the Zen Mosaic, Sony S2 Sports Walkman and Zen Micro, which I have previously owned.

Hmm…what’s this?   SensMe™ channels is interesting and quite brilliant.  If you’re feeling in a certain mood (e.g disco, emotional, extreme…) the player will play the songs according to the chosen mood type.  Clever.

What else…there’s also voice recording.  Oh and despite popular belief³ you can easily sift through song/artist/etc lists, the letters denoted by dots on top of the screen.  There is also a “123″ icon and “etc” before and after the dots.  The only issue you will find, not surprisingly, is trying scan through songs which are more characters-based than letter.

Overall this Sony Walkman is nifty with great sound, as you would expect from a Sony product.  However, the price might be off-putting as it does seem dear for what it includes.  Currently, the price stands at £259⁴.  Also, if you were to buy the charger that would set you back another £8, roughly.

1. Having to mention an Apply product really hurts…
2. That’s an injustice to Winamp though.
3. Well, in short reviews I’ve read.
4. It was £299, mind.

With that said though I did enjoy the film and it was worth the money.  Have to say I was more captivated as I was watching; it grew on me more and more, especially the Troy-like battle scene.  Guess the saying, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it” fits here.  Being 3D probably made the watch more enjoyable, and embarrassing in some cases¹ but I suppose that’s why it was originally created, to be seen in IMAX rather than Macs.

I found the storyline mildly similar to Atlantis, by point of view of the main characters (Milo and Jake).

Maybe it’s just me but did anyone’s phobia come to haunt them?  The flying² scenes did not make feel at ease. XD

1. Like the time I almost ducked when something came hurling towards me.  Thankfully I didn’t though.
2. Read: vertigo.

Since I have a tendency to say too much I’m just going to quote a synopsis:

“Corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is the consummate modern business traveller, a man totally content with his unencumbered lifestyle of airports, hotels and rental cars. A pampered and privileged elite member of every travel loyalty scheme in existence, he can carry all that he needs in one wheel-away case – and he’s moving ever nearer to attaining his lifetime goal of 10 million frequent flier miles. There’s even romance in the air when Ryan meets the beautiful Alex (Vera Farmiga), who shares his world-view. However Ryan’s boss (Jason Bateman), inspired by Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a young, upstart efficiency expert, is threatening to permanently call Ryan in from the road. Faced with the terrifying yet exhilarating prospect of being grounded, Ryan begins to contemplate what it might actually mean to have a home.” (Cineworld, 2010)

The film got a lot of good ratings and reviews but I can’t comprehend how.  Okay, there were a couple of funny bits and some form of romance to categorise it in the romance/comedy – chick-flick if you will – genre but other than the couple of chuckles the film just seemed to go on…and on…and on.  I was willing for something exciting to happen but it never came.  It was so surprisingly dull that the couple sat in front of my friend and I fell asleep, that and an old lady walked out; just left.  To be honest I almost snoozed away, were it not for my friend who talked to me now and again.  It’s a film that resembles a children’s fiction in that it has a moral but I remember children’s fiction being less bleak.

My highlight was the nachos and cheese I ate. :9

What are your thoughts if you’ve seen it?