Sony Ditch Connect and ATRAC

[MiG(TM)]

Quote:

To Our Valued Sony CONNECT Customers, 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 will enable us to provide you with a better music enjoyment 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. All of Sony’s new Walkman music and video devices will be supported by a very wide range of third party services around Europe. We are fully committed to helping you through this important transition away from a proprietary music service. In the coming weeks and months, we will keep you closely informed of the status of the CONNECT Music Service phase out in your country, and provide you with the best possible guidance on how to successfully transfer your music library to an MP3 or Windows Media-compatible format. Periodic updates will also be posted on the CONNECT music store and on the Sony Europe customer service site, http://support.sony-europe.com We recommend that you use any outstanding promotional vouchers or account credits prior to March 2008. Thank you for all your purchases and feedback so far, and for your continued support as we work to complete this transition with as little disruption to you as possible. Yours sincerely, Sony CONNECT Europe Team

Source: www.AtracLife.com

Sorry if its already been posted, skimmed the first page and couldn't see it, and think its huge news.

Looks like Sony are going to get the game back sooner or later.

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiG™ /img/forum/go_quote.gif Source: www.AtracLife.com Sorry if its already been posted, skimmed the first page and couldn't see it, and think its huge news. Looks like Sony are going to get the game back sooner or later.

Too little, too late? Hard to believe Sony has fallen so far behind in the game. The inventor of the Walkman and Discman is now an afterthought.

 

[darkangel9685]

damnit!!! No point now for all my ATRAC files seeing as Sony wont be releasing another ATRAC based device
::sigh::
and i kinda liked SonicStage as well, much preferred over iTunes

 

[tman1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Too little, too late? Hard to believe Sony has fallen so far behind in the game. The inventor of the Walkman and Discman is now an afterthought.

I'll be getting one. Sound quality, tactile buttons, search by folders.

 

[DJShadow]

Its been fun while it lasted friend....

Hooray! Maybe Sony will actually get off their arses and regain their former glory.

 

[Schalldampfer]

ATRAC was the first format I've ever encoded to... And then my CD's got stolen.

 

[Danielj]

So, sony guys, what should we do to protect our music libraries and players?

If sonicstage crashes on my computer, and I reload the software, will the software work without authenticating it via online i.e. sonicstage webpage, which eventually will not exist. I hope sony makes some provisions for us who have atrac players and want to keep using them.