cswallow

I know I don't get LF on the iPod Touch, BUT... Apple is releasing an SDK next month that could possibly be used to create a client for it.... All we need is TAXAN or Access to create a client for it. (Rumors has it SlingMedia got ahold of an early SDK and is porting the SlingPlayer client to it.) I'm sure with the iPod Touch/iPhone's customer base (and as long as Sony keeps supporting) that a iPod Touch/iPhone client will appear.... It's just Sony didn't necessarily do much with the Mylo 1, which Frys/Outpost.com is now selling new for $129.99 in prep for the Mylo 2. I mean for the price of the Mylo 1, I'd thought I'd get something more. $349.99 x 2 is a lot of money for such a device at the time. I'll just buy PSP's from now on, if I want to be guaranteed a feature rich firmware update here and there at a cheaper $169.99 price tag, I can handle. Yeah, the iPod Touch's keyboard does take some getting used to... I do not want to leave Sony pastures. They are the number 1 electronics manufacturers in my mind, but Apple is number 2, at least to me.

I'm the owner of a Mylo 1. Actually 2 of them... Beyond AIM, AAC and H.264 support, I'm not too thrilled about the Mylo 2 seeing as Sony released SOO MANY FIRMWARE UPGRADES for the COM-1, NOT!!! I'm not about to invest in a COM-2 for kicks. I asked for Location Free support (and was even told it was brought up in meeting within the LocationFree/VAIO division) but it never came to fruition on the Mylo 1, and it still hasn't with the Mylo 2. I'm investing in an iPod Touch. As big as Sony fan as I am with 2 HI MD players, a VAIO Pocket, 2 PSP's, 2 Mylo's, 1 Sony Ericsson W580i, 4 Location Free base stations, 2 of the new Walkmans and a VAIO Notebook and been using CONNECT since launch 2004 with 160 ATRAC3 purchases, I did not make this decision lightly. Once upon a time I swore off the Apple iPod (not computers) for Sony, but now DRM-Free came around so I can tolarate them again. Plus all the new Sony devices work on a Mac via Mass Storage Drag & Drop and AAC!!! I will not abandon Sony, but my iPod Touch will be sitting on a Sony iPod dock with a Sony iPod Bluetooth Dongle next to my NWZ-S610 4GB Black and PSP...

Well, verify that you have a memory stick pro duo inteserted into the left side. Check that you've formated that memory stick pro duo (thus adding the) proper/required file folders the PSP looks for. It should create a "pictures", "video", "music" folder, among others. To format the mspd going to XMB-Settings-System Settings-Format Memory Stick. (Note this will erase anything currenty on your memory stick. Drag-&-Drop m4a, mp3, wma files into the music folder, via usb. XMB scroll into music and your songs should be there.

Just FYI... I don't know how many people here care for RealNetworks, but IF YOU DO WANT another DRM provider, beyond FairPlay, Windows Media DRM and OpenMG, there is always Rhapsody DNA (Helix DRM) from RealNetworks. The Sansa e200R series from Sandisk works with both Windows Media DRM 10 (PlayForSure) and Rhapsody DNA, so you have best of both worlds. Also both DRM's are subscription capable. And the e200R series supports both RealAudio 10 (AAC) and M4A (AAC). That's the path I went, since Sony dropped the ball on CONNECT. I get 2 subscription/purchase DRM's to choose from and AAC. Not bad in my opinion. All of my 163 CONNECT purchases have been converted to WMA and AAC and archived WAV. (As far as I know, Real Rhapsody & the e200R series are only sold in the U.S. via Best Buy or Real.com only.) I'm not going back to iPods & and am tired of Sony changing connectors on their Walkmans. I'm just... Done! So long MagicGate & OpenMG DRM!!!

SonicStage (for quite sometime now) installs an ATRAC3 Directshow filter, which WMP can use, even with CONNECT purchases... But WMP doesn't support ATRAC3 management/tagging/burning etc. The filter does feature some protection for secured ATRAC3 files, for those users trying to convert CONNECT purchases to any other format using something like WinAMP. It will only convert a portion of the audio, last I checked.

Okay, I assume this "NEW" software will be based on Sony Creative Softwares' Media Manager For PSP, right? Does that mean it will support both the Media Transfer Protocal and USB Mass Storage Controller protocals for both new and old devices? I mean if Sony doesn't release new firmware for older devices, then I would assume that they would maintain the proprietary database, there-in, especially because, music stores are going DRM-Free and that would still allow those older Walkmans to be used. I mean most of the Walkmans within the last 2 years support AAC, WMA and MP3, so they aren't entirely un-usable. All Sony needs to do is provide software that can read/write to the proprietary file databasing system used in the previous Walkmans and we're home free. Preferably, by discontinuing SonicStage altogether and creating a "Media Manager For Walkman" application. Add support for ripping/encoding music into WMA, AAC and MP3. Better music management features and device support with Mass Storage (prop database) and MTP device exportation, and you'd have an app. Honestly, I don't know why Sony never dumped SonicStage and over-hauled their Media Manager For PSP software to work with CONNECT and Walkman lines. I mean the "CONNECT Player" software crapped, but they still had other options by which things could've happend. The hardest things to do would've been to integrate CONNECT into it and OpenMG/MagicGate DRM, plus device driver support. You know, even though Sony is now using Windows Media Audio and DRM in their new Walkmans, if they ever launched ANOTHER store, somehow I could imagine it being DRM-Free AAC, instead of WMA. Sony does have a stake in the development of AAC and AAC is included on just about every Sony player they've shipped in the last few years. From Sony Ericsson to SCEA to Sony Electronics. AAC is much better supported in ALL of Sony's product lines. The only recent Sony device that does not have AAC is the Mylo, and that's always just a firmware update away. They may offer WMA w/ MSDRM, but I think Sony is ultimately AAC. Notice there was no WMV support in the recent Walkmans. WMA is to WMV as AAC is to MPEG-4 (H.263 & H.264). Sony's video format is MPEG-4. Thus, I believe Sony's new favorite audio format is AAC. But... They have yeilded defeat to WMA support. The PSP uses MPEG-4 video. The PS3 uses MPEG-4 video. The Mylo uses MPEG-4 video. Sony Ericsson phones (of course) use MPEG-4 video. Video Walkmans use MPEG-4 video.

So is everyone atleast happy that you'll be able to use these Walkmans with: Real Rhapsody Real Player Windows Media Player Yahoo Music Unlimited F.Y.E. Downloads Unlimited Napster WinAMP Or any other music jukebox that supports Microsoft's Media Transfer Protocol, as MTP support is a requirement for To Go services??? I'd say Sony CONNECT's days are numbered after this. Hey, I have 160+ purchased ATRAC3 tracks a VGP-AP1L, a A-1200, A NW-003F, a PSP and a Mylo AND a VAIO. But unfortunately, though... This isn't so much of a shock for me, just kinda sad. :-( I've already converted my CONNECT purchases into WAV's and backed them up, since the first day Engadet ran the article of Sony Pulls Plug On Connect. Atleast my Mylo's covered with MTP. I wonder if Sony's gonna work with Microsoft on enabling Memory Sticks embedded DRM (MagicGate) to work with the MSDRM? Though, I doubt it, since everyone thinks Microsoft is slowly killing Windows Media DRM competitors and focusing on the Zune. So what's to happen with CONNECT? Relaunch with MS-DRM? Go DRM-Free? Close It Down???

Well from process of elimination we can deduce.... The TXT on the box is in English, therefore for sale in English speaking countries. Napster (according to Wikipedia) is only in the U.S.A. Canada, UK, Japan (probably not) and Germany. The Napster logo on the box means it support Napster (To Go), because of the gray underneath the word Napster in the logo. Meaning the device supports the Media Transfer Protocol AND possibly the standard Mass Storage Device standards, if they wish to maintain SonicStage/ATRAC compatibility. The Mylo supports both protocals. The PlayForSure logo is green for Audio, so it doesn't support Windows Media Video. (Officially atleast.) I'm just wondering if this device holds the key to the future of SonicStage & CONNECT. If it doesn't support CONNECT, then we can take some pretty big leaps forward, as to what Sony might do with their service. Either they'd convert CONNECT to MSDRM OR just abandon the service.

First off, In my opinion, Sony and Microsoft don't really care for each other. Second off, SonicStage can only playback un-encrypted Windows Media Audio files as it does not have access to the MSDRM libs. Sony could change that someday, but it's doubtful. Third off, All Sony Walkman devices that can play DRM music, utilize OpenMG/MagicGate DRM. Not Windows Media DRM. (So, only Sony CONNECT) Fourth off, Sony only utilizes the Mass Storage Class drivers/protocals. Windows Media DRM 10 requires another driver/protocal for media DRM licensing called Media Transfer Portocal, developed by Microsoft and it is not a standard. Atleast not one that everyone (Apple) wants to jump onto. Pre-DRM 10 equipment did work over the Mass Storage standard, but MSDRM was still needed on the actual devices itself. Currently SonicStage only recognizes Sony equipment. Fifth off, There is no LEGAL way to strip Windows Media DRM off of WMA content and convert to MP3, AAC, OGG, ATRAC3. I would suggest burning and ripping, if you have burn rights to the content in question. The only device in existance by Sony that can playback Windows Media DRM (WMA) and secured OpenMG DRM (ATRAC3) at the same time is the Mylo, and it's not a Walkman. Dude, I love my Mylo. I use both DRM's actively.

The same editor @ PaidContent.org posted this on Wed... "We broke the story last week about Sony Connect’s changes (and eventual phasing out of the service) and layoffs planned...now Sony corporate PR has finally come out and says that they are they are not killing Sony Connect music service imminently. Well, this is a short term spin, and our sources have again confirmed that the service will be phased out in the matter of months (maybe not two months, as I originally reported, but it will be within a “few months”, the sources reiterated). So Sony PR is saying it won’t be shut down immediately, which is technically true for now. Short term spin versus our sources...take your pick. And of course, AP did not credit us by name, and made it sounds as if they had some extra details about layoffs, something we reported on as well...well, what else can we expect?" http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-sony-...short-term-spin The guy seems intent that his sources are indeed accurate. I don't know what to make of this. I wish I knew what's going on. I have already pointed a CONNECT customer care associate (U.S.) to this article in chat session and have already e-mail customer care. I don't know what else to do?

(AP) -- Internet music retailer Sony Connect Inc. is eliminating some positions as part of a restructuring plan to shift resources to other online services, but it intends to continue operating, the company said Tuesday. Sony Connect is shifting emphasis to other network services, specifically one for users of the PlayStation game console, the company said. http://www.physorg.com/news101537588.html http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Sony-Connec...id=11000A5R7DK8 http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-br...ines-technology I can't wait until CONNECT comes to the PlayStations Store/PSP. That'll be sweet! I'd be surprised if something wasn't mentioned @ E3, in regards to CONNECT. I didn't even think about contacting CONNECT Europe or Mora in Japan. (I could've translated the question/response with Google.) Good Idea, though! I GUESS THE WORLD CAN START SPINNING AGAIN!!!

Well I have a 155 song investment in CONNECT. So, I'm trying to keep the best attitude. I want CONNECT to succeed. I've tried just about every music store that is or was ever available in the U.S. Circuit City/AOL MusicNow (gone), Virgin Digital (gone), Napster Rhapsody/Real Music Store URGE, Walmart Digital Downloads, F.Y.E. Download Zone, MSN Music Downloads (gone) MusicMatch Digital Downloads (merged in to Yahoo MU), Yahoo Music Unlimited Liquid Audio (gone) CRY-Tunes (Never Again for FairPlay tracks. I will not be stuck to an iPod. I convert my iTunes Plus re-purchases into ATRAC3 256kbps.) I signed up for a CONNECT account in launch 04. CONNECT (and Napster) are the only 2 that I know allow you to get your downloads back whenever you need them. (I think MSN did, and URGE/Zune may, never looked too much. Been using CONNECT.) I Own: VGF-AP1L (40GB Vaio Pocket Player) COM-1B/W (2 Mylo's) NW-E003F (1GB Flash Walkman) NW-A1200 (8 GB HDD Walkman) MZ-NH600D (2 Hi-MD players) MSAC-US40 (2 MagicGate Card Reader/Writers. 1 for BootCamp.) PSP (Of, course) Those were also CONNECT investments. They were all bought with the purpose of utilizing CONNECT (and only) CONNECT in mind, along with my prevously purchased CD library. I haven't bought a physical CD in years.

THIS IS PARTIALLY WHY CONNECT GOING BYE-BYE DOESN"T MAKE SINCE TO ME! WED, JUNE 13, 2007 "Rick Clancy, head of Sony's US public relations, quickly reminded reporters that Sony would still innovate in this category, but when discussion turned to the Sony Connect service, Glasgow said that, looking to the future, it would be more focused on movies and books. (It is currently the content hub for Sony's E-Ink Reader.)" http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/son....php?mail2=true This piece was taken from Gizmodo.com on the June 13th. So you're telling me 2 days later Sony decided to end CONNECT? Something doesn't add up... They would't just do movies and books with CONNECT in my opinion. Sony wants to be so badly like iTunes with CONNECT. Why would they trash it? Soo many of their Walkman devices support SonicStage and depend on it, because of the Walkman proprietary file structure/formatting etc. And the only place a person with a Walkman device can purchase online music is CONNECT. When Sony started supporting AAC, WMA and MP3 on most all their devices, they gave themselves a way out of ATRAC3, just in case, I'm sure. If music labels go DRM-free, CONNECT could still be used for unencrypted music purchasing in any of the aformentioned formats, most likely AAC, since they had a hand in the development of it. Or, they could just sale in un-encrypted ATRAC3. ANOTHER THING I contacted CONNECT Customer Care/Service 4 times Monday. 1. They themselves had no idea what was going on. 2. I pointed a Customer Service representative to the original source of the article, paidcontent.org. 3. They have not heard anything about this, and until a press release comes down the wire, they're not believing it. 4. Probably all of CONNECT Customer Care knows about the story at paidcontent.org by now. - Even though the PlayStation stuff sounds slightly accurate, my gut feeling leans toward CONNECT going to be merged into the PlayStation Store, probably by this Fall, but I don't think CONNECT is going away. - My other gut feeling says something is going to be mentioned come E3. I'll believe it when a PR comes out. Until then... I've got all my music in WAV/MP3/WMA format, just in case, but I'm not going to worry about it. P.S. CONNECT has never had a chance of PS3/PSP integration, but I would think Sony would try that (at the very least) before they terminate CONNECT. Yes, CONNECT/SonicStage can be currently used with the PSP, but I'm talking about purchase/download directly on the PSP/PS3 itself all from a PlayStation Store web interface within the handheld and console.