I noticed that my question on the underlying technology for the connect store was not answered. To understand how bad it was check out this page:
http://news.com.com/How+Sony+failed+...3-6078659.html
The Sonicstage software that I was using at the time to go to minidisc was just horrible. Based on the continued dalays of the Sony reader, and the non-replaceable battery, it is a decent thing that Jinke is shipping evaluation units now. Not to the general public, but to their business partners according to the last email I recieved. And the battery is user-replaceable! I used to love Sony. But since Morita died, the downhill path has been quick and fast. Rootkit DRM's, lousy software, lower quality in manufacturing trying to save a buck and live on the name