Sony's NW-A1200 8GB Walkman straight outta Japan

We know some of you have been counting the days on you calendar for this one, and now it looks like Sony's NW-A1200 MP3 player is finally getting a release in the US after previously being exclusive to Japan, and will launch here in two new colors: violet and pink. Better get used to 'em cause they're also the only colors available, which is all the more curious since Sony already released a slick-looking black version in Japan -- is it really so hard to release it here too? Style preferences aside, the player still looks like a solid enough device, with MP3, WMA, and AAC support, 20 hours of promised battery life (on AAC, of course), and a 1.5-inch OLED screen. Sony's taking pre-orders now for $199.95 with an expected ship date of July 20th.

[Thanks, decemberice]

[Paul @ Jun 28th 2006 8:11AM]

We have had them in out UK shop for about 1 week, and in 6 colours. Its odd your guys in America are getting them now and only in 2 colours

[Galley @ Jun 28th 2006 8:50AM]

Nice to see some AAC lovin'!

[Frank @ Jun 28th 2006 9:22AM]

Well, the only NW-A 1000 & 3000 models have been available for almost 1 year now over here in Germany.

I bought the 3000 model in december and returned it to Amazon. I didn't like at all. Hard to operate buttons, horrible software and very heavy.

The player does look gorgeous though!

[bob @ Jun 28th 2006 9:52AM]

they are an improvement but i wouldnt count on seeing them for long if the sales figures are right, bit of an underachiever

[rgk-nyc @ Jun 28th 2006 10:00AM]

if the Connect software is the same piece of crap as before...i'll pass. even if they have improved it, i'll pass...i still see no reason to have an mp3 player and a phone when you can combine them into one device. my w810i is the absolute best...

[chris @ Jun 28th 2006 10:03AM]

Does Sony even listen to their customers?
Everyone I talk to cringes at the thought of using SonicStage. I mean, I hate iPods but I'm already on my third iPod (3G, 4G, 5G) and I have one of each of the little iPods (Shuffle, mini, nano). Why? Because iTunes software is incredible. WMP and SonicStage don't hold a candle.

[Dave @ Jun 28th 2006 10:09AM]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I don't see it mentioned in the story whether this is a flash device or HD. Thanks.

[Slider @ Jun 28th 2006 10:43AM]

8GB of flash would be pretty damn expensive. I think it's a safe bet that it's a hard drive player

[Israel @ Jun 28th 2006 12:13PM]

I'm pretty sure it's a hard drive. I had the previous version and it's pretty much the same.

I love the battery life on these things (way better than an ipod). However, the software is not that great. If you mostly listen to full albums all the way through this thing is great.

[Cliff @ Jun 28th 2006 1:41PM]

Do you have to use the Sony software or can you just drag & drop mp3's into this using Windows Explorer?

[Jay @ Jun 28th 2006 2:02PM]

When are Sony going to get off their asses and give as video?

[Rob @ Jun 28th 2006 2:20PM]

i imported one from the uk about 6 months ago and LOVE it, Im in the us. the one i have is Violet, but its awesome. an IPOD KILLER! love it. awesome battery life and the intellegent shuffle feature is the best.

[David @ Jun 28th 2006 6:30PM]

So they've had them in Europe for a while, and we've had the NWA1000 and NWA3000 in Canada since Christmas. So I don't think the A Series was exclusive to Japan, just exclusive to everywhere BUT the States...

[Ron @ Jun 28th 2006 7:17PM]

You kidding me right?!!!
Reminds me of the Bean that was discontinued.
Violet and Pink.... hmmm.... I don't think so. I'll stick with my 5th Gen iPod + iTunes. Sorry, but iTunes is only way to go no matter what the player is.

[lithium @ Jun 28th 2006 8:57PM]

no the way to go is a sony ericsson walkman phone like the w800i, w810, w850 etc. just pump in a 2-4g msdp and there's handy walkman phone.

[decemberice @ Jun 28th 2006 9:17PM]

When I saw this all I could think was- "... and Sony misses the mark again." This thing is expensive for what it is, and the consumer should be the one getting money for suffering through the Connect music experience. I keep hearing tale that Sony wants to get back on top again... they sure don't show it.

[Michael @ Jun 29th 2006 2:50AM]

got a pink one for my wife for her birthday (we're in ireland) .. she really really likes it.. its only the 6gb version.. but its a very nice size, the screen looks nice, the thing sounds very very good.. all in all for the price its a nice piece of kit, the new version of sonic stage cp, is very solid.. much improved over older versions although its been pretty stable since version 3.2.

[Pauluz @ Jun 29th 2006 6:54AM]

No comment on the player. MD all the way ;-) for me.

But a comment about the question why it is that a lot of products are released a lot sooner in Japan, before it hits the shores @ the rest of the world.

As far as I know from a other commercial buisness. The Japanese customers got the habit to want new gadgets and other products exclusive for them selfs before others. If they don't got it first it won't be a succes.
So all manufactures who consider Japan a big commercial factor for a worldwide product just release it sooner there then elswhere.

[DAC @ Jun 30th 2006 8:43PM]

I hate sony, their products are no good. Never would buy it.