Filed under: Hardware, iPod Family
Sony sells iPod dockable speakers
Eagle-eyed reader Mark spotted this product as it was being added to the display racks at his local Sony Style store: the Sony iPod Audio Docking Station CPF-IP001 is a $250 desktop speaker set featuring the ubiquitous (at least, on gear from other manufacturers) iPod dock connector, onboard DSP, separate line-in, and 15W subwoofer.
If this is the first Sony product that bears "Made for iPod" certification -- and it's the first I can find before my coffee is ready -- it emphasizes the passing of the audio torch from the 20th century's top consumer electronics brand (the Sony Walkman) to the 21st century's equivalent (guess what).
Hello, Sony. So glad you could join us! Welcome to the social; enjoy your ice cream.
Update: Commenters have noted that some Sony car stereo products (recent XPLOD models in particular) may include iPod dock connectors. I am still looking for any prior home-audio products from the Big S that have the dock.
Thanks Mark!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SubGenius said 10:53AM on 2-02-2007
I'm shocked to see SONY finally give in.
I have to give them pops for going with a brushed aluminum look that should look nice next to Apple's computers.
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Don said 11:09AM on 2-02-2007
Sony was showing off car stereos with some degree of iPod compatibility at the 2006 CES.
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sam said 11:21AM on 2-02-2007
Wow, this is just sad considering how dominant Sony used to be. But then again a Sony/Apple partnership would result in beautiful products. Imagine if Sony had gotten their shiz together and had released a joint media store with Apple along with products that worked interoperably. Or VAIOs running OSX out of the box. I definitely dig their designs but too bad their management sucks. I could do without the rookit and misguided DRM as well.
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tundraboy said 1:33PM on 2-02-2007
It begins with a small step. I always said, Sony will eventually embrace Apple's home entertainment software platform. Whether Apple acquires Sony's consumer electronics division or just settles for a strategic partnership remains to be seen. I suspect the latter. With Apple on the driver's seat of course.
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mcloki said 12:21PM on 2-02-2007
iTunes for PS3. That's what Sony really needs. That and a few more casual games. Where's solitaire, freecell, minesweeper, Euchre.Bridge. There's a ton of games that need to be made. Especially online Chess, Monopoly, Risk. Sorry off topic.
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Ray Valdez said 5:01PM on 2-02-2007
Yeah, actually made Sony has had Made-For-iPod labels on some other products. I just bought a new Sony Car Stereo Headunit (2006) which supports an optional iPod Adapter. Since I got the iPod adapter at the same time, I checked out the box and sure enough that label was on there.
Also, that unit can play AAC files as well as ATRAC. This is only found in 2006+ models.
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Dave Chartier said 2:13PM on 2-02-2007
"welcome to the social."
HAH!
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Grover said 3:26PM on 2-02-2007
Sony is also probably willing to make nice with Apple as they'll be a big partner for Blu-Ray in the upcoming.
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Kai Howells said 7:12PM on 2-02-2007
As a reader above mentioned, it was their Xplod car audio division that were first to switch to the dark side =).
I recently purchased a XA-110IP, an iPod adapter for Unilink compatible headunits (selected 2006 models and onwards).
Not only was I very surprised to see the "Made for iPod" on the box, but the other surprise was the price, especially compared to some 3rd party ipod adapters, it was just $49.95 USD.
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Andy said 5:45PM on 2-02-2007
"Hello, Sony. So glad you could join us! Welcome to the social; enjoy your ice cream."
I love the Mac too but good God, do you guys never tire of this petty bragging? Every time I venture over to this site it's just one smug post after another.
No doubt you've got your Apple shares to bolster but please just ease off on the flag waving.
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Michael Rose said 9:11PM on 2-02-2007
#9 -- it was a joke. You want to hear petty bragging, check out Bill Gates' Newsweek interview:
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/02/02/bill-gates-security-guys-break-the-mac-every-single-day
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Phil said 10:15AM on 2-03-2007
That speaker set looks remarkably similar to a previous product from Sony Ericsson. I guess they just adapted the MDS-70 with an iPod connector.
http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=global&lc=en&ver=4001&template=pp4_1_1&zone=pp&lm=pp4_1&pid=10346
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