“Turn your iPod music player into a full-blown stereo system with the CPF-IP001 iPod audio docking station. Enjoy rich, deep sound from your iPod in virtually any room of your home,” Sony’s SonyStyle.com website trumpets.
Sony, trampled, abused, dominated, and now thoroughly humiliated by Apple at home and abroad, finally seems resigned to reality and takes to their rightful place in the portable digital music world: maker of premium iPod accessories.
Sony: like.no.other. (if.you.ignore.ten-thousand.other.ipod.accessory.makers.that.is.)
Boom.
Anyway, Sony’s new, yet-typically-horribly-named, CPF-IP001 iPod audio docking station features a connector that is compatible with a variety of Apple iPod models (1st and 2nd generation iPod nano, 4th and 5th generation iPod, and 1st generation iPod mini models) and allows users to plug in their iPods and just press play to stream the entire library of stored music from your iPod through the attached speaker system.
Sony says, “The system’s powerful S-Master amplifier and included subwoofer provide superior sound while the compact and lightweight design allows you to place this docking station in virtually any room of your home. Control everything from song selection to volume with the supplied remote. An additional line input enables you to connect a second audio source.”
The unit retails for US$249.99. More info here.
Now, if the boys at Microsoft were smart… But, they’re not.
Note to tech writers and pundits: the next time you get the itch to proclaim Apple’s demise due to some sort of “killer” that you imagine, reread this article first.
Related articles:
Fortt: Apple becoming the Sony of this century, not with Mac or iPod, but with iTunes – January 19, 2007
Beleaguered Sony’s profit plunges 94% after battery recall – October 26, 2006
Sony copies Apple Macbook with shockingly derivative VAIO N10 – September 20, 2006
Newsflash: Sony says Walkman sales are slow – June 26, 2006
The unmitigated disaster story of Sony Connect – May 31, 2006
Sony bows to Apple with plan for AAC format compatibility – May 09, 2006
Recurring joke: Sony preps ‘iPod Killer’ – again – April 28, 2006
BusinessWeek: Apple’s iPod+iTunes Store ‘kicking the stuffing out of Sony’ – March 03, 2006
Apple iPod causes paradigm shift, home stereo makers like Sony to add iPod connectivity – March 01, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Sony’s Walkman Bean is cooked – February 13, 2006
Sony BMG caves, signs on Apple’s dotted line for Australian iTunes Music Store – January 18, 2006
Resistance is futile.
I am Locutus of Sony, prepare to be assimilated.
The list is long and distinguished. Another one falls to the iPod hegemony. Sony is right where it should be–making nice gadgets that accessorize, they’re good at that.
err…. first post??
“Now, if Microsoft was smart… But, they’re not.”
I hope MS stays on their current path of self destruction. Keep Ballmer right where he is. Lets see that ship sink a little. Maybe some humility and some real competition will make them start producing better products. I doubt it, because they dont have creativity engrained in their corporate culture like Apple does.
Don’t you just love the way some equipment manufacturers name their products:
I want my CPF-IP001! I want my CPF-IP001!
Just rolls right off the tongue. You think they would catch on by now….
This is great news because there’s a shortage of crap on the market already.
Resistance is NOT futile.
Compare this to Apple’s ridiculous stereo speakers cinder block and, you have to admit, Sony gets it right – again.
If only Apple could make something to match the Vaio Laptops that wasn’t warped, defective and troublesome. Did someone say Chinese assemblers are not match for the Japanese?
I recently was in the market for a new receiver and bought a Yamaha, even though the last 3 receivers I bought have been Sony. I chose the Yamaha due to iPod connectivity. This will be a moot point though soon when my AppleTV arrives.
Mac User Since 1984 is right about the “roll off the tongue” name, but it’s an interesting one… can we expect CPF-IP002 , and 3, and 4 in the near future?
Anyone experienced a Sony Reader?
“Compare this to Apple’s ridiculous stereo speakers cinder block and, you have to admit, Sony gets it right – again.”
That is if they don’t sound like sh!t next to the iPod hifi. . .
Apple could do something this good if it wasn’t for the distractions Steve and his boys are fighting off as described in this disclosure to its shareholders:
The internal review, the independent investigation, and related activities have required the Company to incur substantial expenses for legal, accounting, tax and other professional services, have diverted management’s attention from the Company’s business, and could in the future harm its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
While the Company believes it has made appropriate judgments in determining the correct measurement dates for its stock option grants, the SEC may disagree with the manner in which the Company has accounted for and reported, or not reported, the financial impact. Accordingly, there is a risk the Company may have to further restate its prior financial statements, amend prior filings with the SEC, or take other actions not currently contemplated. Additionally, if the SEC disagrees with the manner in which the Company has accounted for and reported, or not reported, the financial impact of past stock option grants, there could be delays in filing subsequent SEC reports that could subject the Company’s common stock to potential delisting from the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
macbones…
Must have parted with the $350 for the cinder block. After purchase remorse?
This Sony product looks like a couple of bricks.
If it was from Microsoft, it would look much better, and come in a pleasant, earthy brown.
Welcome to the Socal.
UH OH…too bad…Dude is off-meds
You’re a fake Zune Tang, aren’t you?
Sony and Apple Corps both throw in the towl in the space of three days.
And there is no way speakers that size can sound good enough to be worth $250 — not even if B&W or Magneplanar made them, let alone Sony. At least there’s a controlling remote.
Actually, I kinda like my new inadvertent spelling of “towel.”
The CPF I POO?! How does marketing NOT catch that. You don’t put Poo in your product name.
Typical, the power brick is twice the size of the actual device. Can’t we make things that run on 240volts so they dont need the step down converter (brick). I’m trying to save the planet here.
Curiously, this is one of the few portable speaker systems that I actually like, way to go, Sony?
Terry: The “power brick” is the sub. Why would they show you the power brick in their marketing material? And yes “Power line transmission subwoofer keeps main unit small without sacrificing bass reproduction.”
It looks nice. Although you cannot not get good stereo separation from two little speakers placed that close together. This is the common problem all of these things have. Convenient yes. I guess when everyone is so accustomed to listening to music on silly little computer speakers why not charge $250 for some 1.5″ drivers and a tiny little sub woofer?
I apologize. 1.2″ drivers and a tiny/tinny 70mm sub.
I love the Apple Hi-Fi. It sounds good, is easy to set up, works well, plays pretty loud.
If you’re just a broke ass that can’t afford one then shut the fuck up!
It’s fine that you don’t care for the box but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it except that some stinking ass wipes can’t afford it.