Sony Z Series Walkman Player review

Since it was announced last August, we've anxiously been waiting for Sony's flagship Walkman Z (the first to feature Android) to hit US shores. (It made it here well after the holidays passed. Better late than never, right?) While Sony is billing the Z as a Walkman first and foremost, its spacious 4.3-inch display and 1GHz Tegra 2 SoC ensure it's powerful and well-sized for playing games and generally making the most of Gingerbread. The device will be available in a variety of flavors, with up to 32GB of storage ($330), though for the purposes of this review we've been rocking the entry-level 8GB model ($250). Although we haven't exactly been charmed by similar devices vying for a piece of the iPod Touch's market share, the Walkman Z has plenty of promise. The question is, does it deliver? And does it deserve your $250 when it goes on sale in March? Let's find out.

Sony Z series Walkman player review

Hardware

Unboxing the Walkman Z you won't find much included; there's a set of earbuds and a USB - WM-port cable for syncing and charging. Once you get the player in your hands, you'll quickly be taken aback by what a gorgeous piece of kit this is. Along the device's front, you'll find a glossy black finish that blends in with its 4.3-inch screen -- as a splashy touch, it extends over to the edges of the device. Although we love the accents, it turns out that the corners easily scuff thanks to the PMP's bold edges. Users with smaller hands may find that the device digs into their palms when held in the landscape orientation. Furthermore, the device could use some nipping and tucking. According to Sony, it measures in at just about 2.88 x 5.38 x .44 inches (70.9 x 134.4 x 11.1 mm when you factor in the bezel and folds).

The Android App Inventor Introduction

I noticed that the Android App Inventor was being further developed by MIT and Google. I inquired about it to one of the co-directors of the project, Hal Abelson. After a phone conversation with MIT Professor Hal Abelson, I am personally thrilled with the latest developments in the new MIT Media Lab. My original inquiry to the professor was intended for use of some of the information he had personally posted. However, after seeing my original article, Professor Abelson informed me that there were some major errors in my facts. In light of his concern, the professor and I discussed the project and I now have a clear view of what they are preparing at the MIT Media Lab… I think. In any case, I offer my deepest appreciation for the professor’s time, which has been extremely well-spent other than when correcting naive journalists.

In August of 2011, MIT welcomed a new mobile learning center. The MIT Center for Mobile Learning is rigorously being developed for its release; which will likely be sometime within the first quarter of 2012. In late 2009, the Android App Inventor originally implemented by Google was made available to the public; attracting around 100,000 students, educators and hobbyists. MIT’s innovations in open software and education technology research make the collaboration of Google and MIT ideal for furthering the App Inventor.

The Center for Mobile Learning is co-directed by three of the finest minds at MIT: Professor Hal Abelson, Professor Mitchel Resnick and Associate Professor Eric Klopfer. In 2008, Professor Abelson proposed the idea that eventually sparked the development of the Android App Inventor. His proposal was inspired by Professor Resnik’s Scratch software and the fundamental programming blocks were created in Professor Klopfer’s lab. Formerly under the sole control of Google, the Andriod App Inventor has been shifted to the developers at MIT; although, Google is still significantly aiding in the development process and the funding.

Great Minds Think Ahead: Android App Inventor