The Sony Bean??

Sony released its competitor to Apple’s iPod called the Walkman Bean. The Bean? C’mon. I thought “iPod” was a dumb term when it was first introduced, but the bean is worse!

The Bean is flash-based in 512 MB or 1 GB sizes. Don’t know what music format it uses, Sony’s proprietary ATRAC? Probably coolest thing about the Bean is the electroluminescent display and quick charge feature. The Bean has an FM tuner that the iPod doesn’t, but I think Sony’s missing the boat with the tuner. Apple’s got the iTunes Music Store that provides fresh content for the iPod (at a cost). With a radio tuner, Sony’s missing the chance to make more sales on music files since users can listen to free radio broadcasts.

The true test comes this Christmas. What would you be more excited at getting, an iPod or a Bean? Tell the truth now.