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Sony Moves Walkman Products to Microsoft Windows Media Technology

by Jason Bean on September 1st, 2007

Received this e-mail letting me know that Sony announced their decision to move their Walkman products to the Windows Media Technology platform.

Today Sony announced its intent to move to a Windows Media Technology platform for Walkman® products in the United States, Canada and Europe. We strongly believe that the decision to embrace a more open platform for these devices will enable us to provide you with a better overall experience. As a result of this change, we will be phasing out the CONNECT™ Music Service based on Sony’s ATRAC audio format in North America and Europe. Specific timing will vary by region depending on market demand, but will not be before March 2008.

I think this is a good decision in the long run. I love Sony products and their interoperability. But at some point you need to stop investing money in something that you don’t intend to be your core functionality.

What I would like to see though is Sony investing some of their knowledge and research into the Windows Media Technology format to make it even better. Will that happen?

Keep up to date on Sony’s moves here.

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POSTED IN: Corporate News, Home User, Music & Entertainment, Students, User Experience, Windows Media Player