CEDIA Expo 2009 San Diego – Sony
introduced a new portable video/MP3 Walkman series that adds FM recording
capability and offers built-in stereo speakers so users can share music out
loud.
The new S series claims to retain a slim form factor that is 0.5 inch
thick, in spite of the built-in speakers. “By outfitting this Walkman with
internal speakers, we feel that we are adding a new social element to the world
of digital music and video,” said Katie O’Brien, Walkman manager for Sony.
Users can also record favorite songs heard on FM radio and can
also make voice recordings.
S-series models have a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD screen (measured
diagonally). They allow drag-and-drop
transfer of music from a PC or via iTunes 8.1 using Content Transfer. They are also the first budget-priced Sony
Walkman units to offer 16GB of storage.
Battery life is rated at up to
42 hours of music playback and 6.5 hours of video playback through headphones, or
17 hours of music and up to five hours of video playback using the internal
speakers.
Also new are budget-priced E-series Walkman video/MP3 players
with 2-inch QVGA LCD screens and a battery life of 30 hours of music playback
and four hours of video playback.
The S series will be available in 8GB and 16GB in September for
approximately $110 and $130, respectively, in colors including black, red,
violet and pink. The E series will be
available with the same storage choice at approximately $80 and $100 in red and
black.
Sony will phase out its B
series of MP3-only Walkman models while the high-end X series with OLED
touchscreens remain in the lineup.
