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Examines the market performance of Sony in Japan in 2005. Launch of the W800 walkman-brand digital-music-playing mobile phone; Impact of the launch of the Apple iPod digital music player on Sony; Creation of an all-digital library for Sony videos by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

This article discusses the downloading of music into iPods music players, a popular practice in the United States, unlike in Japan, where most music is stored on cellular phones. The implications of the launch in the U.S. of cell phones capable of playing music and the decision by telephone service providers Sprint and Verizon to offer music services is discussed. The supremacy of the iPod as a personal music player in the United States is likely to continue for some time.

The article offers information on the investigations conducted on the overheating of iPod Nanos in Japan. According to Apple, the first-generation iPod nanos that was sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat. It was found that less than 0.001 percent of the first-generation models possess batteries that can overheat, thus the company advised owners of iPods who experienced overheating to contact AppleCare for its replacement batteries.

The article reports on the competition between Sony Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. in the portable music market. In January 2006, Apple had 45 percent of the Japanese market for digital music players versus 15 percent for Sony. Sony plans to introduce its digital Walkman in the U.S. Sony is attacking Apple in Japan with its Mora online music stores.

The article reports that Apple Computer's iPod outsells other rival digital music players in Japan, as of February 24, 2006. Despite an array of well-entrenched Japanese rivals, such as Sony and Matsushita, the iPod had cornered 51.3% of the digital-music player market as of the end of 2005, up from about 32% in 2004, according to research firm BCN. Sony was a distant second with 16.2%, while Panasonic grabbed just 8.2% of the market.

This article reports on the rapidly growing mobile-music market in Japan. Mobile phones are overwhelmingly the digital-download medium of choice for Japanese consumers and will likely remain so as new music services and bigger capacity handsets are launched during the next several months in 2006. Japan's three major telecoms, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Vodafone, along with such companies as Apple, Microsoft and Softbank are forging alliances and jockeying for position in the market.

Reports on the plan of Vodafone Group for third-generation (3G) handsets and services in Europe and Japan, which was announced on November 10, 2004. Investment of Vodafone to secure 3G licenses; Entertainment options to be offered by the 3G technology; Benefits of the 3G system to customers; Delay in the introduction of the 3G technology in Europe; Advantages of 3G technology over digital portable music players.

This article reports on the efforts of the Japanese music industry to lobby government for a levy on sales of portable digital music players dubbed the iPod tax by local media. The controversial proposal has attracted widespread attention. Public-interest groups such as the Consumers Union of Japan have been swift to voice their opposition to the idea.

Discusses the actions taken by Japanese and South Korean electronics companies to compete with the popularity of the iPod digital music player from Apple Computer. Impact of the iPod on the market share of Sony Walkman; Features added to the H10 digital music player from South Korean audio company ReignCom; Sales of the MP3 players from Samsung Electronics in 2004.

The article presents information on a poll, of young Japanese consumers, by HFN to find out what catches their eye in the exploding digital music category. It was found that Japan's young consumers do not compromise style when it comes to MP3 players. Style and attractive color schemes top the list, with features like noise reduction and, of course, price not far behind. One of the consumers said that he was looking for an MP3 player that is pink, compact and light enough to carry in his bag.

Discusses the popularity trend of the iPod portable music player from Apple, in Japan as of September 2004. Estimated number of people who waited for the Apple store to open in July 2004, when the smaller iPod mini went on sale; Description of the appeal of the iPod as a fashion statement; Competition between the iPod and the Network Walkman product of Sony.