Ok sounds good but have Sony done their usual trick of making everything proprietary in a very Betamax kind of way, well for once the answer is no, the NW-E99 supports native MP3 playback, yep that's no need to convert to the Atrac3 format although Sony still push it as a means to squeeze more files on the device.

The software that has been developed for native MP3 support of Sony's products will be available for owners of the smaller NW-E55 and NW-E75 to download to make their devices MP3 capable although there is suspicion that this will include some form of DRM (Digital Rights Management) as Sony strive to protect their copyrighted music business.

Sony's style is evident in the new NW-E99 MP3 Player which boasts a diminutive shell clad in silver and light grey with a proven rocker selector switch which is easily thumb operated, with skip track and shuttle operated by a flick of the control and play / pause on the centre of the rocker. Both volume control and the all important hold switch are relegated to the side of the unit with the remaining menu controls on the face.

Getting media onto the 1Gb of flash storage is achieved by a USB connection to a host PC equipped with Sony's Sonic Stage software, the NW-E99 can hold 46 CD's encoded @ 48kbps ATRAC3Plus which of course won't sound too great but you could expect to get 20 CD's worth in native MP3 128kbps which is about par for the course for a 1Gb device.

The lower end models in this range have not typically be equipped with a rechargeable battery or AC charger,  Sony package this NWE99 range topper with the good old AAA battery which can drive the NWE99 for 70hrs playback..

The Sony NW-E99 Mp3 Player retails around the £130 mark which as always looks like a good deal with Apples Ipod Mini at £134 and the all new Zen Micro at £139.

More Sony Reviews -

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