Having read the other posts about the PressPlay announcement and having thought about the likely design of Project ICE AXE [or whatever the code name is for the as-yet-unreleasedTM box will be that runs(or is based on) the same v2.0 empeg software as the empegs do].

My suggestion is that SB should do to the music industry with this new product precisely what they are doing to the TV industry with the ReplayTV 4000.

I think this is best done by a merging of the Rio Receiver technology with a inbuilt hard disk [to act as a buffer during the burning stage and possibly for music playback ala the empeg], and a recordable media device [like CD-R and CD-RW].

This should be able to work stand alone using analogue or digital [e.g. coax or optical inputs] and also have network interfaces [Ethernet and USB2.0 and possibly FireWire] so that you can download and burn your music to the removeable storage element, and when its not burning CDs it can be used to play back content from the hard disk and/or the removable stroage device - getting around the problem of needing a PC to listen to your MP3s.

And of course, like the ReplayTV4000 it shouldn't bother too much with worrying what the RIAA, MPAA or anyone else thinks about this device.

Let consumers and those who buy the music be the judge of whats acceptable in this area.

Whether this device will be linked to a on-line downloading service to provide content I'm not sure - it would certainly have the capability of being internet connected.
Coupled with always on internet links [cable/DSL etc], it could certainly be used to rip your current CD collection to MP3 or whatever format you want and/or download new music on a subscription basis from online providers.

Being able to copy the content to removeable storage devices would allow you to take YOUR music to your friends house.

Thats my pick for what SB should be doing in this area.

Of course maybe after CES we will all know what the actual device does.