Sony has finally released a hard-drive based music player, though for now it’s only in Japan. The device, which goes by the name of VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1, has a 20 gig hard-drive, transfers tunes via USB 2.0, and most impresssively a 2.2″ QVGA+ 320×256 screen, on which photos can be viewed — unknown if it supports video. It’s not quite as slim as an iPod, but at 4.5″ x 2.5″ x 0.66″ it’s pretty close. It also uses a cool-looking control called the G-Sense, which seems to be modelled on one of those rubber things you put in your bathtub. Oh, one more thing. Did I mention that it doesn’t look like it will play MP3?
Like most music players from Sony, it seems the VAIO Pocket only plays ATRAC format tunes, and MP3s have to be translated by the included Music Move software. F’get it Sony. We don’t want your stinkin’ HD player.