I've always wanted a Sony MP3 walkman; the hardware is fantastic. But the deal-breaker for me is that God-awful SonicStage software! Why can't Sony wake up and let us have USB Mass Storage (yes, I know that's alot to ask!). Until then, I'll stick with my venerable Iriver H320 that I can use on my Linux machine!

Does anyone know if they are doing a 20Gb or 30Gb (or bigger I guess) ??

I got an email from Sony connect today that they will stop using their own ATRAC music format and will be switching to WMA. Further, the CONNECT music store will be phased out. This is a major step for Sony, because previously (AFAIK) all Sony Walkman, walkman branded phones, and in car CD players devices would not support WMA format music.

Still using my trusty old 20GB NW-HD1 (had to pay £15 for the upgrade to support MP3 natively).

I use a tool/utility from Sony called 'MP3FM' (MP3 File Manager), run directly from the HD1 (once it appears as a folder on my PC), and it lets me import MP3s directly to the device without the slightest hint of Sonicstage on my PC.

Mines 2.0.0.6240 - no idea if it'll work on these newer models, though.

There are alternatives to the truly terrible Sonicstage, and this one is even from Sony themselves!!