Sony X1000 Series Walkman has NetFront Browser
The last time the upcoming Sony X1000 Series Walkman (NWZ-X1050 and NWZ-X1060) showed its OLED touchscreen to the world, it was under glass at CES 2009. The WiFi-equipped player was always known to have direct access to YouTube and the internet, but exactly which browser would allow us to surf the web on a 3-inch WQVGA (432 x 240) display was anybody's guess.
Given Sony's history with using the NetFront browser on the mylo 2 internet device, however, it should come as no surprise that the official X1050 and X1060 product pages now up for perusal at the Sony Style Hong Kong website reveal that WEP/WPA/WPA2-secured browsing will be handled by the "NetFront Browser for Walkman."
There's no mention of Flash (the mylo 2 supports Flash Lite 3), but browsing should be decent considering that the full list of specs includes a line about a "podcast direct download" application and NetFront has never been a slouch. It also probably wouldn't be a stretch to assume that some touch gestures will be involved to improve the surfing experience on that low screen resolution. Tap to zoom, perhaps?
Complete specs and more info on the Sony X1000 in the database.
Thanks, scrambledpete!
My old Sony Clie UX50 used netfront and it was pretty darn good back in the day, but I haven’t seen their browser really make any splashes since then.
NetFront’s come a long way since then! It wasn’t too bad on the mylo 2 and I’m guessing/hoping that this new “for Walkman” version has been optimized.
Always liked NetFront on both Palm OS, and WM. Like a prior poster, I used NetFront on the Clie UX50, and a later version on the last Clie model, the TH-55. In both cases, NetFront did an excellent job displaying then current full webpages, and mobile pages. NetFront was particularly nice on the TH-55 with its 3.5″ 480 x 320 screen.
Have also used NetFront 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.5 concept on WM. All versions did a fine job displaying full/mobile webites, and with 3.3, was able to view secure banking sites, including displaying copies of cancelled checks.
As long as Sony includes a good processor, and enough program execution memory, NetFront should be a fine full web browser for both full/mobile pages, and should look real sharp on the OLED screen.
Hey Jenn, sadly the X1000 doesn’t have flash support. If you check out the footnotes at the bottom of the HK page you’ll find the following:
“Contents may not be shown properly depending on the web site. The device is not able to show flash contents or download contents from web site.”
Thanks,
Michael
dapreview
For such WiFi device, don’t waste money on anything else other than the iPod Touch. If Apple adds Bluetooth DUN to it, it will kill even the iPhone.
I tried NetFront and all other browsers on my HTC Diamond, nothing is close to Opera Mini yet. The Mini opens sites in few seconds, while all others take at least 30 seconds. Other fast browsers such as SkyFire run too hot. NetFront runs hot too, and slooow.
Good catch, Michael. Thanks! Depending on the browsing speed and general experience, the lack of Flash shouldn’t hinder the player too much. I just hope the resolution doesn’t get in the way.
It’s a Walkman, meaning at some point, you’re going to want to actually listen to music. The iPod Touch has terrible sound quality. Expect this device to have device to have above average, to good sound quality. It is above all, a music player first. I think you may have lost sight of that.
Do you guys think the X1000 will come equipped with VPN? I’m a huge non-fan of apple, but the ipod touch has vpn and I would be extremely disappointed to find out that the X1000 lacks it.
Do you think it would be possible to maybe put games into it or sth? and If i want to go on facebook, I use the mobile facebook,right?