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Sony Announces two new PMP's - The M70 and U50
comment: 29 | Monday, May 21 (2007) 04:08PM | Posted by Michael
Earlier this year, Sony announced the NW-800 series; their first true attempt at a DAP with video playback. Now they plan on taking the PMP market by storm. This Summer, Sony China will be releasing two new flash PMP's, the M70 and U50.



They each offer something a little different, but both feature the lovely Cross Media Bar interface (shown above), which was first popularized by the Sony PSP. Here's what each has to offer:

PMX-M70



The M70 has the design of your typical PMP, featuring a 4.3" Widescreen display and video recording capabilities:

  • Capacity: 2, 4, and 8GB
  • 4.3" TFT display
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, and AAC
  • Video: MPEG-4 , AVC (H.264/AVC), and AVI
  • Direct Video Recording
  • FM Tuner and Recorder/Voice Recorder
  • Built-in speaker and Memory Stick expansion slot
  • Battery Life: 20 hours for audio
  • Dimensions: ~116.7 x 74.4 x 12.7mm
  • Available in Black, and Red


PMX-U50



The U50's design is anything but typical. It has a slim and curvaceous design that allows you to stand the player up:


  • Capacity: 512mb, 1, and 2 and 4GB
  • 2.4" TFT display
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, and AAC
  • Video: MPEG-4 , AVC (H.264/AVC), and AVI
  • FM Tuner and Recorder/Voice Recorder
  • Built-in speaker and Memory Stick expansion slot
  • Battery Life: 12 hours for audio
  • Dimensions: ~68.3 x 86.4 x 6.8mm
  • Available in Black, White, and Pink


Know what the best thing about these two new PMP's is? They don't require any software. That means full UMS support for your dragging and dropping pleasure. On the surface, that might not sound like a big deal, considering most PMP's are UMS compatible, but this is Sony we're talking about here. As of right now, these two players will only be available in China, but I have a feeling they'll be making a world tour in the future. Pricing has not been set.

Sources:

M70 specs
U50 specs
Sony China Press Release

(via, GMP3, ABi, engadget, and iMP3.net)

Thanks to all those that sent this in!
Comments

Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2405
 		May 21 (2007) 04:51PM  

I find the battery life on the U50 to be absolutely unacceptable for a flash DAP of its size, regardless of how thin it is. Otherwise it sure is an interesting take, kinda like that philips PMC player



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2798
 		May 21 (2007) 04:55PM  

Yeah 12 hours is pretty low, especially since Sony has been known to provide excellent battery life in their players.



pecker

Comments: 501
 		May 21 (2007) 05:07PM  

i love the red trimmming on the black plastic, looks stylish!!


for flash thats quite bad batt life but u cant win 'em all!! Slim and good battery life



enigman

Comments: 216
 		May 21 (2007) 05:10PM  

Low battery because this one doesn't support atrac , I guess
[ edited May 21 (2007) 05:10PM ]



Steve

Comments: 1197
 		May 21 (2007) 05:55PM  

Only available in China? CHINA???
[ edited May 21 (2007) 05:56PM ]



rockinamigo14

Comments: 188
 		May 21 (2007) 07:36PM  

aww. Sony's growing up! A gold star for Sony!

If that PMP was more than just 8gb, I would seriously consider the possibility of the thought of maybe looking into it.



Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2405
 		May 21 (2007) 08:09PM  

the W10, and/or X7 are still on course to be my next big buys...



Design Fabulous

Comments: 1038
 		May 21 (2007) 08:21PM  

The M70 would be nice if it had a hard disk. Having just 8GB for such a large device seems a bit disappointing. And the U50 just wastes too much of the real estate and the fact that it actually has a 512mb option is just dispointing... It would have been nice 2 years ago.

They both do look pretty but not very practical.
[ edited May 21 (2007) 08:22PM ]



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2798
 		May 21 (2007) 08:24PM  

I was actually pretty surprised that it wasn't a HD PMP. I'd have to see more pics of it, but it looks too big to be a flash player.



Utew
Location: Oregon USA
Comments: 351
 		May 21 (2007) 08:25PM  

Still with the Memory Stick nonsense... but the trend away from SonicStage and MTP seems to be continuing... who da thunk it?



thundat00th
Location: Louisville
Comments: 73
 		May 21 (2007) 08:29PM  

dominic
ill add the a3 and q5 to that list

at least the batt life on the m70 is decent
[ edited May 21 (2007) 08:31PM ]



DaHarder

Comments: 523
 		May 21 (2007) 08:40PM  

Ok,

Personally, I absolutely love all of my SONY DAP units, (especially my NW S705/S706F) and Sonic stage has seldom been an issue for me, so I'll certainly be picking up the M70 upon its release.

What I'm not liking here is that SONY is abandoning ATRAC, which I think sounds every bit as good as OGG in most cases, and is so darned energy efficient.

Oh well, I understand that I am in the minority on this one...


FatalAce

Comments: 34
 		May 21 (2007) 10:20PM  

oooh snazzy design. i'm glad that sony decided to get rid of that proprietary business



bloodycape

Comments: 725
 		May 21 (2007) 11:05PM  

wait 8gigs? The UX device which looks about a similar size had the option of 16gig of flash at one point and now has the option of 32gigs of flash. Now if sony can some way give us that 16gig and 32gig option at nice price let say 400 I may get one.



dap_pad

Comments: 519
 		May 21 (2007) 11:38PM  

the M70 has a pretty nice design. But why flash, Sony? Say if you put in 32GB flash, that would make more sense... but just 8GB? Put in a HD, then we'll talk LOL but UMS... i'm impressed, but this step is still 3 years too late...

the other one... i just don't like... the design is pretty ugly to me too LOL



MrCookie989
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Comments: 33
 		May 22 (2007) 12:48AM  

I'm disappointed with Sony ditching ATRAC as well. I just got that woot deal on the NW-S705F and so far I'm pretty pleased with the CDs I've ripped in ATRAC. And their claims of it being more energy efficient are very true. No doubt that is why these players have pretty blah battery life.



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2798
 		May 22 (2007) 01:05AM  

I agree with that too. Leaving ATRAC there doesn't really hurt them. It's just an extra codec, and it's obvious there are those that actually like it. These were my same thoughts when I first heard of the B100's specs.



pata2001

Comments: 141
 		May 22 (2007) 02:09AM  

Before everybody gets their hopes up, remember that this is Sony China ONLY, just like the B100 (did we even ever see that again other than the announcement on atraclife?). As many knows, the competition of PMPs in Asia is very rough, so it makes sense Sony has to follow what the market wants (UMS). All Sony needs to do is add divx/xvid. This thing will not be released in the US, ever. So, no gold star/cookie for Sony yet.

As for the exclusion of Atrac, none of Sony Ericsson Walkman phones have Atrac either (outside Japan that is). Besides, it seems that Sony is focussing on AAC for most of their devices now (PSP, PS3, Network Walkmen, SE phones, etc), so I think it's obvious where Sony is heading.



MrCookie989
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Comments: 33
 		May 22 (2007) 02:20AM  

Good points pata. I suppose I'm fine with Sony dropping ATRAC in favor other codecs, but only on the condition that their future players will play them back gaplessly like ATRAC.



tonysunshine

Comments: 3
 		May 22 (2007) 12:01PM  

It would be awesome if Sony went with UMS with their DAP's. I always found their hardware to be superior, like the HD5, but crippled by the software like connect and sonic stage. Of course its highly unlikely as Sony is one of the leaders of the anti-pirating movement =(



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2798
 		May 22 (2007) 03:13PM  

Their last 3 players have been UMS (B100, U50, and M70), and I think this will happen worldwide with all of their future players. The NW-800 is UMS for photos and videos. Clearly, things are progressing.



ralphb

Comments: 154
 		May 22 (2007) 05:09PM  

On the surface, that might not sound like a big deal, considering most PMP's are UMS compatible, but this is Sony we're talking about here.

Pretty amazing, true, but probably too late. If it it hadn't been for SonicStage they could have been iPod by now.

As of right now, these two players will only be available in China

Heh, I still remember when Sony used to be a Japanese company.



pata2001

Comments: 141
 		May 23 (2007) 03:27AM  

MrCookie989: The S705 is gapless with AAC (ripped through Sonicstage)

By the way, the PSP is UMS for everything, so clearly Sony can do it if they want to. Problem is, Sony Music and Sony Pictures execs might not like it. IMO, Sony Music and Sony Pictures are the reasons of Sony's downfall.



MrCookie989
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Comments: 33
 		May 23 (2007) 02:00PM  

Wow that is awesome news pata. Just ripped some Tool in AAC; gapless on the ol' ipod and the S705. BLISS!



Donnie

Comments: 247
 		May 24 (2007) 12:55AM  

Sony is on their way back. The look of the U50 and M70 are definitely interesting (like some of Sony's older landmark designs), but the company should try to release them here in the States or the EU.


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Step666
Apple, perhaps, is a bad example for the reason Pondy points out.

But the point in general stands, most people don't want to carry round multiple devices, especially not two that are near-identical in terms of features.


In other news, the Eels are amazing live.

Pondlife
largely=larger

See atrocious.

Pondlife
cab=can.

Damn my typing sucks atm.

Pondlife
Well that was partly in what I said

But the Touch comes in largely capacities too doesn't it?

For the touch and iphone I think we cab assume a fair amount of ibuyanythingfromapplesyndrome.

bloodycape
From what I can tell from visiting mac forums, there are quite a few users with the Touch, and the iPhone. Partially for the reason Pondlife said. Not to mention it the case of Apple the Touch cost less for more space(v. iPhone).

Pondlife
So you only have to deal with the one interface but have a music back up on your phone for when mp3 player battery goes. Cheaper than buying two phones.

Well hopefully.

Step666
You wouldn't buy a Touch if you had an iPhone though, would you?

So, if you have a high-end Android handset (which a number of people here either do or are looking at getting), why would you then buy a second device that gives you the same functionality sans the phone element?

bloodycape
It is partially the same reason why the Touch is doing well.

TheDarkSide
Not everyone wants a phone, so what's so hard for some of you to comprehend?

Step666
I don't see why you'd buy either of them over a Galaxy S (or one of it's sister devices).


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