Everythings about Thailand: GYM Gadget

GYM Gadget

Sony has crammed a media device into some ears, but is it exercise-friendly?

Published: 2/05/2010 at 04:24 AM
Online news: Tech Scoop

Nowadays, with everyone harbouring an MP3 player in their mobile phone, the impetus has been placed back on manufacturers to create innovative designs and uses for such media devices.

Sony has taken up the challenge with its NWZ-W202, which is short on features but nails down the exercise market.

Let's take a look at the unit to see why Sony has gone to the gym.

DESIGN

The current trend sees portable media players (PMPs) becoming more complex, but Sony has gone against the grain here and kept things simple.

The big choice for PMP designers is how to connect the player and the ears _ traditionally either wirelessly (Bluetooth) or with cumbersome cables.

Sony has innovated with the NWZ-W202, cramming the player right into the ears themselves to form a compact one-piece design that is simple to use and tangle-free, setting it apart from the pack.

There is no display or on/off switch, but the player slickly activates when the two magnetic earpieces are separated prior to use, and goes to sleep when they are reconnected, which we liked.

To add or remove music, the unit comes with a docking station that sits prettily on a desk or desktop PC.

Overall, it feels solid enough to tumble around in a gym bag.

COMFORT

Another major factor of such a device is how comfortable it is to wear _ at 35g, the player is barely noticeable to the user.

The level of comfort largely depends on the method of use _ whether it be exercising, driving or sitting. My test unit remained snugly in the ear when tested in all of these conditions.

Sony supplies three sizes of earbuds, which will fit most ears _ but not all _ so it is important to ask the sales assistant for a quick demonstration, if possible, bearing in mind the hygiene issue.

PERFORMANCE

While a mobile phone can be used as a media player in a pinch, the intended use of this device is during physical activity, particularly exercise.

Hence, the biggest potential problem with the unit is it falling off your head while running or engaged in vigorous movement. While it might be dislodged during a game of rugby, it stayed firmly in place during jogging. And even while exercising, the unit is simple to operate.

It supports WMA (DRM), MP3 and AAC file types, and has a capacity of 2GB, or about 500 songs.

And while it is low on features, the Zappin mode lets a listener sample the crescendo or chorus of a track and then plays it from the start if the Jog button on the right earpiece is pressed. It might be useful for some users, but the shuffle function will be enough for most.

Another more useful feature is the quick charge option that quickly boosts playback by 90 minutes from only three minutes of charge, while a sufficient 12 hours of playback is on offer from a full charge.

In terms of sound quality, the unit offers good performance, but depends a little on how well the multi-sized buds seal your ears.

They are loud enough for outdoor use, and sensitive enough to give a quality indoor listening experience.

CONCLUSION

Some users will struggle with the unit's small capacity, lack of display, limited functions and unusual design, but sporty audiophiles should take note.

The NWZ-W202 makes a perfect addition to any gym bag, and its light weight, quick charge function, lack of annoying cables and moderate price tag will draw many fans.

The Sony NWZ-W202 MP3 player is available for 2,990 baht, in black, white, pink and green at Power Mall, Emporium shopping complex; call 02-269-1000 for more information.