nice, I have seen a few companies going this route, but honestly, why not just have an external USB link only for a any type of device one would like to plug into it that becomes a HD for general storage. Its not like Sony can't just opt to navigate folders instead of using a full mechanism that is totally and completely bound to fail in the future - in which it EATS your Ipod.....
A USB connection right on the face for that matter - you can already buy 64GB usb flash drives now....