Sony is tapping into the love of all things retro with a new Walkman, more than 40 years after the original cassette version went on sale.
Walkman NW-A306 allows users to access the Internet so they can download music and stream from services such as Spotify and youtube.
It has a 3.6-inch touchscreen, as well as physical controls on the side so users can change the volume or switch tracks without having to take it out of their pocket.
But the new device costs £349 – more than some smartphones on the market – and it can’t make calls or send texts.
Sony has released a new Walkman (right), more than 40 years after the original cassette version (left) went on sale
Walkman NW-A306 allows users to access the Internet so they can download music and stream from services like Spotify and YouTube
The NW-A306 runs on Android and gives you access to some basic apps, including the important music apps and the Google Chrome browser.
It hits the market 44 years after Sony released the first Walkman, the TPS-L2, which went on sale in Japan on July 1, 1979.
‘Enjoy high-quality sound from this sleek, compact music player that lets you download and stream more of the music you love,’ says Sony of the new device.
‘With full Wi-Fi compatibility, a longer battery life and a sleek, modern design, you can play and find new music wherever you go.’
As well as being able to access the internet, the new ‘stylish and compact’ player connects to a PC, so users can also transfer music from computer to device the old-fashioned way.
The NW-A306 also uses AI (artificial intelligence) to “upscale” compressed digital music files to higher quality.
Physical controls on the side allow users to change volume or change tracks without having to take it out of their pocket.
The NW-A306 also uses AI (artificial intelligence) to “upscale” compressed digital music files to superior quality.
The metal-cased blue and silver TPS-L2 Walkman, the world’s first low-cost personal cassette player, went on sale in Japan in July 1979 and retailed for about 33,000 yen (US$150).
Sony claims that this is a device for true music lovers as it offers a level of sound quality that most flagship smartphones don’t.
Smartphone makers now focus much more on cameras and picture quality, often neglecting sound.
Sound quality also largely depends on which headphones the owner chooses.
Sony’s new Walkman doesn’t come with headphones, though the company does offer a range of compatible wireless, in-ear, and headband options.
The NW-A306 has up to 36 hours of battery life, runs the Android 12 operating system and comes in two colors, blue and black.
It also keeps retro lovers happy by retaining the headphone port, which is quickly becoming a rarer feature.
Smartphone makers including Apple and Samsung have largely eliminated the headphone port in favor of wireless headphones connected via Bluetooth.
Sony’s new Walkman doesn’t come with headphones, though the company does offer a range of compatible wireless, in-ear, and over-the-ear headphones.
The NW-A306 also has up to 36 hours of battery life, runs the Android 12 operating system, and comes in two colors, Blue and Black.
Sony already has a list of several Walkman products on its website, including some that only provide music file transfers and don’t provide Internet access – so no music streaming.
Those that offer streaming music have some surprising ‘premium’ prices, including one from £3,299.
At £349, Sony claims the NW-A306 is affordable, although a number of smartphones with more features are priced the same.
Sony’s new device follows Apple’s announcement last year that would be to retire the iPodthe company’s series of portable media players.
If you liked this article…
The iphone turns 15! Apple’s iconic device celebrates a milestone
sony presents its electric vehicle prototype called Afeela at CES
2007 factory sealed iPhone 1 sells at auction for $39,000
.
Comments
Post a Comment