Sony's nano Rivalling E Series MP3 Players Revealed

Good points Gareth, but I still prefer great sound quality, solidly built players and being able to use software that isn't effectively spyware over having an easily recognizable name and a higher price tag then they deserve.

Juxtah, fair point but consider the average consumer. We buy things that are not as good as something else not because they are worse but because they have managed to make the market think of their product as the defining the market. Like the Walkman®, Windows®, Ford Fiesta, Coca Cola, yadda yadda yadda.... they may not be the best option but they own the market through customer consent. The point I am trying to make is this is what Apple has done. If anyone wants to take a slice of this back they will have to offer at a bare minimum everything the Apple range of products does including having a simple naming convention and very attractive product design.
As for for the spyware thing - if you are using a PC then the whole machine is a DRM monster as XP® and far worse in Vista® flavour so what's the problems? You are complaining about a little prison inside a maximum security prison that you happily choose to use.

yann - fair point but as above, you may be able to reel off a load of numbers and letters (well done) but the average consumer really isn't interested in that. Name a Flat panel TV - the only 2 I can name off the top of my head or the Vierra and the Bravia - both ranges of TVs but the simple name is the thing I remember. As for the battery life, like above, we don't necessarily buy the best product - we buy the product we THINK of as best.

BTW - Just so nobody thinks I'm a fanboy, I don't even have an MP3 player I'm still a CD kinda guy.