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It does seem like the perfect device physically, but the article talks a lot about storage space, CPU speed and screen resolutions doesn't include the word "str

It does seem like the perfect device physically, but the article talks a lot about storage space, CPU speed and screen resolutions doesn't include the word "streaming" and only mentions one streaming service in passing in the last paragraph, unrelated to actual features. Am I supposed to understand that since it's 2023 a music player does indeed mean "something used to listen to streaming services, not files", and that the fact that it's Android means that the regular streaming apps can be used without issue? It's not obvious to me (And I'm a geek and regular Ars reader) that this thing even plays streaming music!

gsora 4y ago
I’m 99% sure you can stream Spotify and similar on it. The last generation of Android-based Walkman can do that just fine. I think they mention streaming briefly because the target demographic for this device is the kind of people who have their own hi-res files available. I hope Sony fixed the battery life on those, because the last gen was underwhelming on that front.
- rospaya 4y ago
  If it only has wifi then you can only stream what you saved beforehand in areas where there's no wifi access. But if it has a SIM slot with 4G/5G access then it's nothing more than a repackaged phone.
  - gsora 4y ago
    It doesn’t have cellular network AFAIK. But again, the target users don’t bother with streaming much, the device just so happens to run android, and that makes running streaming apps possible.
  - sangnoir 4y ago
    Is there a streaming service in existence that doesn't offer offline playback? It's probably requires a subscription, but a streaming service that can't be used in deadspots or tunnels is kinda useless, don't you think?
    - SSLy 4y ago
      > Is there a streaming service in existence that doesn't offer offline playback? Youtube Music :^]
      - sangnoir 4y ago
        The YouTube music app has offline playback, if you have a subscription. It can proactively download recommended tracks to a local cache only when connected to WiFi
    - rospaya 4y ago
      For me the streaming part is important - I usually don't choose what to listen to before leaving home. > a streaming service that can't be used in deadspots or tunnels is kinda useless, don't you think? I think all of them have buffering to pass any dead spot. Also bad reception is a thing of the past where I live and and 30 GB of data makes it all very seamless.
      - sangnoir 4y ago
        I explicitly mentioned downloads - I didn't mean buffering. > For me the streaming part is important - I usually don't choose what to listen to before leaving home. Pre-downloaded mixes are a compromise of discovery and offline playback
  - izacus 4y ago
    So click the "Download" button in Tidal/Spotify/Apple Music? I mean, if you need cellular, then you're better served with your phone and this isn't for you. It also doesn't have to be for you - use your phone and move on.
  - SECProto 4y ago
    > But if it has a SIM slot with 4G/5G access then it's nothing more than a repackaged phone. A repackaged phone with a quality headphone jack and physical buttons? I'd love to buy that (but unfortunately it doesn't seem to have a SIM slot)
plq 4y ago
It's an Android device. It has wifi. I really don't see how Sony could prevent its owner from using Spotify (or any other Android app for that matter) on it.
pedrogpimenta 4y ago
That's why it has Android! For that exact reason, so that you can stream from any service! And you can also have files, yes!
Tams80 4y ago
Mate, it runs Android. Of course you can stream music as you can just download the apps to do so. That's the whole point of it running Android and not some other OS (because Android is a bloated hog, but it has apps). I find it bizarre that you are into technology yet can't infer that.

gsora 4y ago

I’m 99% sure you can stream Spotify and similar on it. The last generation of Android-based Walkman can do that just fine. I think they mention streaming briefly because the target demographic for this device is the kind of people who have their own hi-res files available. I hope Sony fixed the battery life on those, because the last gen was underwhelming on that front.

rospaya 4y ago
If it only has wifi then you can only stream what you saved beforehand in areas where there's no wifi access. But if it has a SIM slot with 4G/5G access then it's nothing more than a repackaged phone.
- gsora 4y ago
  It doesn’t have cellular network AFAIK. But again, the target users don’t bother with streaming much, the device just so happens to run android, and that makes running streaming apps possible.
- sangnoir 4y ago
  Is there a streaming service in existence that doesn't offer offline playback? It's probably requires a subscription, but a streaming service that can't be used in deadspots or tunnels is kinda useless, don't you think?
  - SSLy 4y ago
    > Is there a streaming service in existence that doesn't offer offline playback? Youtube Music :^]
    - sangnoir 4y ago
      The YouTube music app has offline playback, if you have a subscription. It can proactively download recommended tracks to a local cache only when connected to WiFi
  - rospaya 4y ago
    For me the streaming part is important - I usually don't choose what to listen to before leaving home. > a streaming service that can't be used in deadspots or tunnels is kinda useless, don't you think? I think all of them have buffering to pass any dead spot. Also bad reception is a thing of the past where I live and and 30 GB of data makes it all very seamless.
    - sangnoir 4y ago
      I explicitly mentioned downloads - I didn't mean buffering. > For me the streaming part is important - I usually don't choose what to listen to before leaving home. Pre-downloaded mixes are a compromise of discovery and offline playback
- izacus 4y ago
  So click the "Download" button in Tidal/Spotify/Apple Music? I mean, if you need cellular, then you're better served with your phone and this isn't for you. It also doesn't have to be for you - use your phone and move on.
- SECProto 4y ago
  > But if it has a SIM slot with 4G/5G access then it's nothing more than a repackaged phone. A repackaged phone with a quality headphone jack and physical buttons? I'd love to buy that (but unfortunately it doesn't seem to have a SIM slot)

plq 4y ago

It's an Android device. It has wifi. I really don't see how Sony could prevent its owner from using Spotify (or any other Android app for that matter) on it.

pedrogpimenta 4y ago

That's why it has Android! For that exact reason, so that you can stream from any service! And you can also have files, yes!

Tams80 4y ago

Mate, it runs Android. Of course you can stream music as you can just download the apps to do so. That's the whole point of it running Android and not some other OS (because Android is a bloated hog, but it has apps). I find it bizarre that you are into technology yet can't infer that.