Sony software is crippling

Author's Rating:

Pros: The device is clever packed full of features for the budget range of mp3 players.

Cons: The SonicStage software that you the consumer is forced to use.

The Bottom Line: 
Don't buy. The Sony software you are forced to use is crippling. It is called SonicStage.

Author's Review
Unfortunate that Sony feels the need to play big brother to the point of oppressiveness. The device is really great BUT- you can not put files onto it without using the software they supply in the package SonicStage. It takes forever to install and the list of items it installs is extensive- a bunch of things which who knows what they really are. Can anyone say ROOTKIT? Sony needs to learn a lesson in creating consumer electronics. The inclusion of this cumbersome and invasive software is furthering their bad pr status like their previous issue in 2005 with the ROOTKIT that was being put onto anyone's computer that played a Sony cd. Their computers [vaio] have proprietary plugs on the keyboards and mouse as well, making it difficult to replace these items when they wear. I would not suggest any Sony MP3 player because of the software. The device is really clever which makes it a bittersweet encounter. I wanted to keep the device but the software was just too limiting. I had problems installing it on a Vista machine. Even after a call to the Sony help desk with a newer version of SonicStage 4.3, it did not work.

I bought this device for $59.99 on 6/2/07 at Circuit City in Enfield, CT. I returned it on 6/3.