Walkman
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Sony grows its Xperia line by two with the 6-inch T2 Ultra and Walkman-centric E1
You'd think a company that very recently announced two new flagship smartphones at CES would slow its roll and hold off on the product announcements for a bit. But no, Sony's introducing two more handsets to the mix with the Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia E1, albeit for very specific markets. Neither the T2 Ultra, which gains its 'Ultra' distinction by virtue of a 6-inch, 720p display, nor the diminutive 4-inch E1, with its 100Db speaker and focus on music, are going after the early adopter crowd. Instead, Sony's crafted these devices for those with less champagne tastes; the T2 Ultra's aimed at "emerging markets", while the E1's a mid-tier take on Sony's Walkman legacy. And both arrive with dual SIM variants.
Sony unveils bevy of Walkman devices, puts premium on hi-res audio playback
If you prefer Walkman hardware to Sony's corresponding app, the company's got a fleet of new models for you to consider. Headlining the new lineup are the ZX1 and F880 series, which boast 1GHz dual-core processors, 854 × 480 touchscreens, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, an "S-Master HX" digital amp and high-res audio playback (192kHz/24bit) in AIFF, ALAC, FLAC and WAV. Since they both run full-fledged Android 4.1, they also have access to Google Play and can run games, as well as other apps. A silver ZX1 will hit Japanese shelves on December 7th with 128GB of storage, and a lofty price of 75,000 yen, or roughly $760. The F880, meanwhile, will arrive in Japan in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB options -- each available in black, blue, pink or white -- priced at 27,000, 30,000 and 40,000 yen (about $273, $304 and $405), respectively. Sony's positioned the new S series Walkmans as its most battery-conscious option; the thing is said to last through 77 hours of music playback with a 320 × 240 LCD and up to 32GB of space. Music listeners will be able to snag the device for as little 18,000 yen (approximately $182) come October 19th. Also available is the E line, which has just 4GB of storage and starts at 11,000 yen (around $111). The M series packs 16GB worth of tunes in a tube-like form factor, and it'll be available December 7th 18,000 yen, or roughly $182. Finally, the Walkman parade is rounded out with an update to its waterproof in-ear Bluetooth headphones, doubling capacity to 8GB. When October 19th rolls around, they'll go for 15,000 yen (or around $152). No word on when the barrage of new products will make it stateside, but you can dive into the source for more in the meantime.
Sony's 3-in-1 Walkman WH series can be headphones, MP3 players and speakers
Sony's just amped up its Walkman line with the WH series of headphones, though the term "headphone" fails to capture the essence of the new models. The company's also stuffed a 16GB MP3 player into the high-end NWZ-WH505 and a 4GB unit into the NWZ-WH303, giving you up to 4,000 tracks without any other device. It's also compatible with a Mac, PC and other playback devices via a supplied cable. To top it off, you can take the cans off and flip a switch to turn them into xLoud tech speakers with Virtualphones surround sound. The NWZ-WH505 will deliver 20 hours of 1000mW, 5-25,000Hz headphone playback (30-20,000Hz for the WH303) on a full charge and an hour's worth with a three minute quick charge. As for the speakers, we're not sure how well they'll fill in for a dedicated unit, but it's gotta be better than those on your smartphone, no? Sony's still mum on pricing and availability, but you can hit the source for more info.
Sony Walkman F886 offers hi-res audio, 32GB storage, full Android 4.1 for £250
Gone are the days when you needed a niche media player just to handle hi-res music. Phones and tablets are already starting to support higher bit-rate standards and Sony has just announced that its latest Walkman does too. The Walkman F886 handles WAV, AIFF, FLAC and ALAC playback up to 192KHz/24-bit and sports an "S-Master" digital amplifier that Sony claims has been customized for precisely these sorts of files. The F886 also houses a 4-inch Triluminos (854 x 480) display, which should do slightly more justice to Android 4.1 (with full Google Play access) than last year's smaller F800. Sony conveniently glosses over the impact that playing 192KHz tracks will have on battery life, and how few of those files will actually fit on the 32GB of onboard storage (with no microSD expansion), but the company does promise 26 hours of playback of more reasonable 96KHz files on a single charge. Just bear in mind that, at around 1GB per hour of 96KHz/24-bitcontent, your playlist may well expire before your battery does. Expect the F886 to arrive in Europe in October for 319 euros or £249.
Sony rolls out updates for its Walkman, Movies and Album apps (video)
Starting today, Sony is rolling out updates for three of its media apps: Walkman, Album and Movies. Across the board, the most notable change is that each of the apps will now have enhanced integration with your media in the cloud. For example, Walkman app users will now be able to search both locally stored and cloud-based content through Music Unlimited. Similarly, Movies, which is getting a minor facelift with a tweaked interface, has been synced up with Video Unlimited to provide more content accessible from Sony devices. Lastly, the Album app is getting its share of upgrades, including PlayMemories Online integration, intelligent recall playback and a new favorites feature. The updates are being introduced gradually for owners of Xperia devices running Android Jelly Bean 4.2 via an over-the-air download through the Update Center. For more info, check out the video after the break.
Sony launches two new E-series Walkmen with big batteries and bigger bass
Samsung and Apple aren't the only companies out there still making PMPs. (Well, there's also Cowon, but those are rarely seen in the west.) No, Sony is still a chip off the ol' dedicated media player block. Unlike its two biggest competitors though, Sony has forgone the addition of smartphone like features and a mobile OS with apps, instead choosing to keep the focus on the music... man. The introductory level model, the E380 (above), has a rather small 1.77-inch display, but that's plenty of room to navigate the up 8GB of music with the D-pad on the front. And you can be sure that while you're kicking out the jams for 30 continuous hours on a single charge your tunes will sound top notch thanks to the five-band EQ and bevy of sound-enhancing technologies like Clear Bass and Clear Stereo. The E580 takes things up a notch, pretty much across the board: storage maxes out at 16GB, the screen moves to 2 inches and battery life more than doubles to 77 hours of audio playback. Plus, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones are included for blocking out the world around you. But, again, the big focus here is on audio quality. You get all the same sound-enhancing tech as you do on the 380, plus a few new additions like DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), which tries to restore those precious high frequencies lost to audio compression. Though, if you'd rather not deal with audio compression at all, the E580 supports both Apple Lossless and FLAC. We're left guessing on price for the moment, but both models should land on European shelves before the months end. %Gallery-193490%
Sony upgrades Music Unlimited to 320Kbps streaming on Android, PS3 and the web
Higher quality audio is a staple of the experience for a growing number of streaming music services, most notably Spotify. Sony won't let itself become the exception to the rule: Music Unlimited now has an option for a much more detailed 320Kbps bitrate. The quality upgrade is staggered and is initially active on Android devices, the PlayStation 3 and the web player, while desktops, iOS, the PlayStation Vita and home theater gear will get improved tunes later on in the year. Music Unlimited won't appease those who want a consistent experience in the near term, then -- still, it might be enough for listeners whose Xperia serves as a primary jukebox.
Sony unveils NFC-enabled Bluetooth speakers, waterproof Walkman MP3 headphones at CES (eyes-on)
With Sony's CES press conference literally just starting, we're pleased to give you a look at the latest sound pushers from its Personal Audio Division. The company's still aiming for that classicly subtle, retro-futuristic look on these new devices, so you might not be swayed if you've never been a fan of the aesthetic in the past. That said, we're pretty impressed with what's inside of 'em. To start, there's a duo of new NFC-packing speaker bars intended for use in and around the house -- think of them as wireless replacements for your old docking speaker. Monikered as the not-so catchy SRS-BTX500 and BTX300, both can handle AAC and apt-X streaming over Bluetooth, staying charged for eight and six hours, respectively. Naturally, NFC handles pairing and powering the devices on for seamless tap-to-start playback. Both systems will house "damperless" drivers, which Sony claims reduces vibration and increases clarity. Each system also features a USB port that'll charge your devices and speakerphone capabilities, as these are becoming the norm. While the bars we handled were dummies, we aren't fond of the fragile kickstand found on the smaller 300. We managed to easily knock the speaker over trying to fiddle with its clumsily locking switch. Otherwise, these might make a nice addition around the house in March if the sound matches up to the $300 (BTX500, in black) and $200 (BTX300, in white or black) price points. Beyond those, Sony's announcing US availability during the same month for its smaller -- also NFC and Bluetooth-packing -- SRS-BTM8 ($99, in black) and BTM5 ($69, in black, white and pink) speakers. The BTM8 is begging to be taken on your next picnic thanks to its carrying handle, while the BTM5 is a palmable orb with one up-firing speaker for when you need a speakerphone in a pinch. Lastly, the company is highlighting its newest Walkman-branded MP3 fitness headphones, the NZW-W270. While the Bluetooth in-ears look similar to previous models, Sony's made them completely waterproof this time around (previous models were only water resistant). You'll get 4GB of non-expandable onboard storage, as well as up to eight hours of use from its internal battery. Better yet, a three-minute quick charge from a dead battery will yield up to an hour of run-time. Expect it to hit shelves in black, white, pink and blue this March for 100 bones. Check out the galleries above for a closer look in the meantime -- bonus points if you manage to recall the product names after you move on to more of our CES coverage. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Sony reveals 3.5-inch Xperia E single or dual-SIM Android phone, coming early next year
Sony has just announced the new Xperia E smartphone sporting a 3.5-inch HVGA 320 x 480 display and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (though the specs indicate ICS), available with single or "Xperia Edual" mode SIMs. It's touting the new handset as a way to "stay on top of your data and battery usage," sporting special software that disables WiFi and data traffic when the screen has been asleep for more than a few minutes. With the dual-SIM option, you'll also be able to switch between carriers with a single touch "to stay on the most cost effective plan." It'll come with HD Voice and Walkman xLOUD technology for optimal sound quality, according to Sony, and other specs include a 1GHz processor, wireless DNLA connectivity, a 1500 mAh battery and black, white or pink color options. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it'll launch in Q1 2013 according to the PR, which you can find along with a video right after the break.
Sony unveils Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series, fills it with the marathoner's coaching wisdom
NBC may have retired its Olympic spirit by repurposing its dedicated app, but Sony's sporting fever hasn't broken, as its just announced the Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series. A special edition orange hue graces the third-time Olympic marathoner's device and, like the other players in the line, it features a water resistant design, a quick-charge mode and an eight hour battery life when fully juiced. Twenty-four minutes of audio coaching by Meb himself are preloaded into the player's 2GB memory, which is estimated to store roughly 470 songs. Eager to hear the athlete's dulcet tones as you pound the pavement? You can pick up the player for $69.99 at Sony's online and brick-and-mortar stores, or wait until October for its arrival at Walmart.
Sony unveils in-car receivers with App Remote, taps into your smartphone music from October
Sony has been big on smartphone integration for car audio lately, having already launched its MirrorLink receivers earlier in the year for the more well-heeled drivers among us. The company is bringing that mobile tie-in down to Earth through a new quartet of in-car CD receivers. The MEX-GS600BT, MEX-BT4100P, MEX-BT3100P and CDX-GS500R all bring in App Remote, which lets the faceplate buttons steer local music or Pandora streaming radio coming from Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Walkman devices paired through a Bluetooth wireless link. The old-fashioned USB connection is still on offer for these and the HD Radio-toting CDX-GT710HD, while the whole collection can graft on the optional SXV200V1 tuner to carry the full Sirius XM satellite radio lineup. Differences across the line aren't completely clear from Sony's wording, although both the MEX-GS600BT and CDX-GS500R carry two USB ports as well as 5-volt RCA preamp outputs. You'll be waiting awhile to slip any of these receivers into a DIN slot, regardless of which one you pick: the GS500R ships in October for $199, and the rest hit the shops in November for between $149 to $249. %Gallery-162517%
How would you change the Sony Z Series Walkman?
Sony's Walkman Z had a frustratingly delayed journey to western shores, and when it arrived it offered a solid, if uninspiring portable media player. It certainly bested the competition in some areas, but the easily-chipped bodywork and closed-off Walkman apps that wouldn't play nice with Google Music didn't help those already invested in the rival service. Still, those you were desperate to avoid buying an iPod Touch who splashed out on one of these, how did you find it? If Kaz Hirai was asking your opinion on how to build the world's greatest Walkman PMP, what would you say?
Sony's Walkman F PMP hits the FCC mere seconds after being announced
It was mere seconds after Sony's Walkman F was publicly announced to the baying hordes of PMP fans that the dismantled remains of one was found outside the FCC's headquarters. The autopsy report unsurprisingly passed the Android-powered media player safe for human consumption, only clarifying that the unit's WiFi radio is of the 802.11 b/g/n variety. Sony's flagship media player will hopefully arrive on American soil soon, we've got a whole season of Breaking Bad to catch up on.
Sony Z Series Walkman Player review
Since it was announced last August, we've anxiously been waiting for Sony's flagship Walkman Z (the first to feature Android) to hit US shores. (It made it here well after the holidays passed. Better late than never, right?) While Sony is billing the Z as a Walkman first and foremost, its spacious 4.3-inch display and 1GHz Tegra 2 SoC ensure it's powerful and well-sized for playing games and generally making the most of Gingerbread. The device will be available in a variety of flavors, with up to 32GB of storage ($330), though for the purposes of this review we've been rocking the entry-level 8GB model ($250). Although we haven't exactly been charmed by similar devices vying for a piece of the iPod Touch's market share, the Walkman Z has plenty of promise. The question is, does it deliver? And does it deserve your $250 when it goes on sale in March? Let's find out.
Sony reminds Japan that Walkmans still exist, new E series packs built-in noise cancellation
The latest addition Walkman series continues the petite styling we've seen over the years, and Sony's cheerleading that it's both thinner (9.1mm) and lighter (37g) than its predecessor. The E-series includes a 1.4-inch colour LCD display, while we're promised at around 30 hours of music playback per charge. Alongside the standard NW-E060 model (9,000 yen, $116) the NW-E060K (11,000 yen, $142) throws in a plug-in speaker. Both models offer noise-cancelling features and promise to cut surrounding noise by around 98 percent, with train, flight and indoor modes hopefully able to absorb most audio irritations. The new music players are joined by a pair of new docks. The RDP-NWG400B (13,000 yen, $181) can connect to devices through Bluetooth, while the RDP-NWM7 (8,000 yen, $140) wants to take your music outside, bigging up the built-in handle for that very reason. Both are available now in white and black. No news on whether the player refreshes and docks will travel beyond the Land of the Rising Sun, but we'd imagine it's pretty likely. Check out the docks after the break and get the whole (Google-translated) picture at the source below.
Finally: Sony's Walkman Z is coming to the US
We've been waiting for this device to arrive since August last year and finally, Sony's Walkman Z range of Android-running PMPs is arriving on these shores. Gingerbread runs the show on these devices that pack 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth radio and will throw your media to Sony's DNLA connected range of TVs and home audio equipment. The 8GB model retails for $250, 16GB for $280 and the 32GB for $330. Head past the break for the press-release.
PlayStation Vita design rooted in the Sony Walkman
We spent years carrying around cassette tapes, then another bunch of years carrying around compact discs, and most of that time said media formats were played through one of Sony's various Walkman devices. It looks like the Japanese hardware company is looking to recapture some of its past success by employing the man who designed the original Walkman to put together the company's latest handhled: the PlayStation Vita. When the US PlayStation Blog descended upon Japan for the Vita's recent launch, the site found out that Tokashi Sogabe, a 27-year employee of Sony, was heading up the company's "corporate design center." That same team lead development of the Vita, which apparently went through a variety of different forms before the team decided on the current unit. "The team went through various designs, including one with a sliding back like PSPgo and a clamshell, before settling on the final model after discussion with developers," the post explains. Even weirder? Apparently, one of the prototype models had touch pads in place of the dual analog sticks like an Xperia Play -- we're pretty glad that Sogabe's team ended up cutting that bizarre choice. Regardless, given Sogabe's past with Sony, we've got high hopes that the Sport and Mini versions of the Vita aren't far off. [Image credit: 'rockheim']
Sony's Music Unlimited cloud service comes to limited non-cloud Walkmans
Sony's connected Music Unlimited offering is already available online, on gaming devices, on Android phones and tablets, so nice to see it's finally available on its, you know, Walkman music players. In what feels somewhat like an afterthought, "compatible Walkman devices" (currently just the NWZ-E465) can play your favorite channels and playlists on the move -- no connection required. Only those paying the $9.99 premium, however, get to add songs from the actual Unlimited music catalogue. Plug-in at home, sync the music, and listen at your leisure offline via the dedicated app, but with so many other competing ways of enjoying your music from the cloud, on a plethora of connected devices, it really is surprising this wasn't already possible. Still, if you own an NWZ-E465, and subscribe to the Music Unlimited, you can feel all gooey knowing Sony has your back. Hit the PR after the break for more info.
Sony Walkman Z gets FCC approval, reveals no 64GB model forthcoming
We played with Sony's Walkman Z back when it was still called the "Walkman Mobile Entertainment Player" -- with the power to wirelessly push your media to a compatible Bravia TV. Fortunately the range has just stopped by the FCC's underground bunker, where its 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth radios were soundly prodded. Sadly, it looks like we won't be getting the 64GB edition on these shores, Sony is cheaping us out with a low-end 8GB model instead. In Japan, the 16GB model retails for 27,800 Yen ($360) and the 32GB for 32,800 Yen ($420) -- but given the company's penchant for releasing products after we've emptied our wallets for Christmas, we doubt it'll matter much.
Sony Ericsson to become Sony in mid-2012
Sony and Ericsson's decade-long partnership may have humbled Kim Kardashian, but dwindling market share and an over-reliance on feature phones signaled the end of the affair. Ericsson will have until "mid 2012" to clear its things from the spare room before the electronics giant begins a new solo venture. The revitalized enterprise will leverage its parent company's brand strength, R&D and content (since it owns a massive chunk of the entertainment industry) and in comments made to Times of India, company Vice President Kristian Tear said there would be a "fierce" advertising push to restore the company's reputation as a major player worldwide -- before taking a Pilates class to try and fit back into its bachelor pad.
