auvi_joe

I picked up a pack of Fellowes WriteRIGHT PDA screen protector from either CompUSA or OfficeDepot 3 years ago in a clearance bin. I am not sure exact same item is even still available today. You will prob. find similar stuff in PDA section still but not sure about the cost. PDA screens have also gotten more sophisticated and so have the screen protectors over past 3 years, may cost you a bit more these days.

Happy birthday m8 Ahhhh..... nothing like the smell of newly unwrapped leather. I am sure it will go away in time. Screen protector sheets are fairly cheap. I am using one made for color PDA screen which I spend $10(for a pack of 12) some time back. Vaio screen looks a little sharper without but still very nice. As for the case, I go cheap with my old Zing neoprene camera bag. It fits like a glove. I will treat myself to a good set of headphones with the $ saved.

Sure thing Ishi I was already inside anyway so took some quick snaps.

I am all for a small footprint (USB data sync/charger) cable. But looking inside the cradle, it will be tough to do without a proper understanding of this circuit board and pin assignment to the interface connector. Proper circuit diagram detailing the circuit is almost a must me think. For those interested, this is the inside of Vaio Pocket Cradle - Circuit Top and Bottom While selection of proper headphones is highly personal, I can assure you that you can CERTAINLY do a lot better for $150 than "the BOSE" cans. I myself use Koss KSC 35/75 and Shure E2c for portability depending on need for isolation(the price of all these 3 headphones combined is still only about $100 for me, just to give you an idea). Be sure to take a look on headfi.org on this topic as possibilities are almost endless.

Additional resolutions to ATRAC3 devices will be the most welcome news for current and future ATRAC3 device owners/users. I hope Sony will give us a treat by releasing the appropriate firmware updates about the same time they send out the NorthAmerican version of SS3.2, for Hi-MD as well as HD/flash players. I can imagine the power and impact of being able to record in high quality 320Kbps on Hi-MD portable recorders, instead of just 256kbps and PCM(?) at the present time. Relaxing DRM restrictions is also a very welcomed news.

cradle VGF-AP1(20G version) is not listed on Sony DPAC parts webpage. Make sense since 20g version is not sold in US. If you were to buy a spare cradle, a remote, and a replacement battery from Sony part store, it would easily be more or less $199. I am tossing a coin to make a decision to pick up another kit. Now, where is that coin?

Well..... Found a good place to buy extra cradle and the remote for the Vaio Pocket. It is at eCost again.... For $199 plus shipping(and applicable sales tax), you can get your spare cradle and the remote...... and it comes with a almost free 40gig Vaio pocket unit with a el-cheapo earplugs. Oh, almost forgot. I think you prob. get some 50 or so of free Connect music clips(worth $50) with the purchase also, if you don't mind the 132kbps singles from the Connect store. If you didn't get the joke..... eCost is lowering the price of the complete kit to $199. Two weeks after I just paid $239. @#$%^&* Here is the ..... LINK

It doesn't look too complex to open up the cradle. I will take a peak and see(I may not rip the cables apart since I kind of need this to operate my Sony at the moment). If the connector piece can be isolated and there is a part number for it(Sony will sell it for modest cost) and pin assignments are published somewhere in the service manual, then we can possibly make ourselves a 3rd party cable. Perhaps Stay tuned. The Powerche-V1 looks very slick. I was thinking of getting this (link) instead since I can also use it for my Dell Axim X50v as well as recharge AA batteries for other portable needs as well.

I will NEVER spend my hard earned $$ for ATRAC3 132kbps music. Feeling stupid enough just having to put up with their Sonic Stage DRM limitations, but to be able to purchase ATRAC3 at 132kbps ONLY is just insulting. Let us buy Lossless music or if I am desparate enough may be at least 256kbps. Hope Oricon Style will be more receiptive to listeners like myself.

I am looking for a 3rd party Sync/Charger cable(combined or separate) to replace the cradle for road trips. I don't necessarily need a line-out function so much. There is no chance Sony will come up with one but if there is enough demand, a 3rd party cable may be possible? I may even try hacking a spare cradle to turn it into more portable size/shape if I can find one reasonably priced. $70 for a Vaio Pocket cradle is just nuts!

My current fav. Utada Hikaru Namie Amuro