Sony is capitalizing on its love of all things retro with a new Walkman, more than 40 years after the original cassette version went on sale.
The Walkman NW-A306 allows users to access the internet to download and stream music from services such as Spotify and YouTube.
It features a 3.6-inch touchscreen along with physical controls on the side, allowing users to change volume or change tracks without even taking 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 launched a new Walkman (right), more than 40 years after the original cassette version (left) first went on sale
The Walkman NW-A306 allows users to access the internet to download and stream music from services such as Spotify and YouTube
Sony TPS-L2 (2023)
Price: £349
Format: streaming and file storage
Dimensions: 2.2″(W) x 3.8″(H) x 0.4″(D)
Weight: 113g
Battery life: 36 hours
Color Options: Blue and Black
The NW-A306 runs on Android and offers access to a few basic apps including the main music apps and the Google Chrome browser.
It comes 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 stylish and compact music player that lets you download and stream more of your favorite music,” Sony says of the new device.
“With full Wi-Fi compatibility, a longer-lasting battery, and a sleek and sleek design, you can play and find new music anywhere.”
The “stylish and compact” new player can not only access the Internet, but also connect to a PC, allowing users to transfer music from the computer to the device the old-fashioned way as well.
The NW-A306 also uses AI (artificial intelligence) to “upscale” compressed digital music files to higher quality.
Physical controls on the side mean users can adjust the volume or change tracks without having to take them out of their pocket
The NW-A306 also uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to upscale compressed digital music files to a higher quality
The metal-bodied blue-and-silver Walkman TPS-L2, the world’s first low-cost personal cassette player, was launched in Japan in July 1979 and sold for around 33,000 yen (US$150).
Sony TPS-L2 (1979)
Price: ¥33,000 ($150)
Format: Cassette
Dimensions: 3.5 inches (W) x 5.9 inches (H) x 1.3 inches (D)
Weight: 391g
Battery life: 8 hours (with two AAs)
Color option: Blue/Silver
Sony claims this is a device for true music lovers as it offers sound quality not found on most flagship smartphones.
Now smartphone manufacturers are much more focused on cameras and picture quality, often to the neglect of sound.
The sound quality also depends heavily on the accompanying headphones that an owner opts for.
Sony’s new Walkman doesn’t come with headphones, although the company offers a range of wireless, in-ear and head-band options that are compatible.
The NW-A306 has a battery life of up to 36 hours, runs Android 12 operating system and is available in two colors, blue and black.
It also makes retro lovers happy by keeping the headphone jack, which is fast becoming a rarer feature.
Smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung have largely ditched the headphone jack in favor of wireless headphones that connect via Bluetooth.
Sony’s new Walkman doesn’t come with headphones, although the company does offer a range of wireless, in-ear and head-band earphones that are compatible
The NW-A306 also has a battery life of up to 36 hours, runs Android 12 operating system and is available in two colors, blue and black
Sony already has a list of various Walkman products on its website, including some that only offer music file transfers and no internet access – so no music streaming.
Those offering music streaming have some amazing “premium” price tags, including one that costs £3,299.
At £349, Sony claims the NW-A306 is affordable, although several smartphones with more features are around the same price.
Sony’s new device follows Apple’s announcement last year that it was discontinuing the iPod, the company’s line of portable media players.
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The Retro Pod App turns your iPhone into an iPod – including a classic scroll wheel
First released 22 years ago, the iPod is still considered one of Apple’s most successful products, revolutionizing the way we listen to music.
And while the product was discontinued last year, app creators are now trying to find ways to ensure we can still access the classic iPod home screen when we’re feeling nostalgic.
An app called Retro Pod, available on the App Store, converts an iPhone screen into the iPod Classic home screen, with four options appearing on the home screen – Shuffle, Music, Settings and Playing Now.
It even has the classic scroll wheel, with tactile features generated by haptic feedback, so it feels bumpy as you scroll through your music options.
The catch is that it only works for those using Apple Music and not for other streaming services like Spotify.
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