pmp

Android won't save media players

Sony pulled off a surprise yesterday when it added the Android 4.0-powered F800 and E470 to its popular and long-running Walkman series of personal media players.

It isn't Sony's first Walkman to run Android (in January the company unveiled the Z series) nor is Sony the first company to use Android for media players. Samsung and Archos, for example, have used the OS, with the Galaxy Player 4.2 being Sammy's most recent example.

Yet, for all the success that Android smartphones have reaped, there are no top-selling media players running Google's OS at its … Read more

Sony's latest Walkman lineup sizzles

Editor's note: For CNET's initial impressions of the F800 and E470 please see our First Take.

Sony, as is typical for this time of year, has refreshed its Walkman lineup for the fall. Take a look at our breakdown of the new devices:

Sony F800 series Android Walkman At first glance, Sony's F800 Walkman, due in the U.S. this August, looks uninspiring, but it actually packs a feature never before seen in a Walkman. We'll discuss that later.

First, the basics. The Walkman F series features a 3.5-inch multitouch-capable LCD screen and a Tegra 2 (dual-core) processor running Android 4.0. In its press release, the company wastes no time mentioning Google Play and Music Unlimited support. Unfortunately, it appears Sony decided to play capacities conservatively with 16GB ($269) and 32GB ($299) options (Europe gets an additional 8GB model). CNET queried Sony as to why it didn't go with a 64GB option F series for music aficionados, and a representative said that "if there was expressed demand for it, we could consider it, but it was not offered at this time due to current demand statistics."

The F's aesthetics look typical for Sony's current design mantra: minimalism across the board, thin profile (2.23 inches wide by 4.5 inches high by 0.3 inches deep), and a thoughtful throwback Walkman logo to please the reminiscent. … Read more

Sony's 64GB white Walkman Z

Say hello to the white Sony Walkman Z.

Chances are slim we will see this device stateside, but the faithful Sony enthusiasts in Japan get a special 64GB platinum white version (NW-Z1070/W) on February 17. Japan already has access to the regular purple and red 64GB Walkman Z versions as well. A description of the color on Sony's Web site says this special Walkman shines like a pearl and is easier to wipe clean. It also carries a hefty 45,800 yen price tag (about $533).

The Android-equipped Sony Walkman Z arrives in the U.S. around March, but Sony is only playing a conservative lineup with capacities ranging up to just 32GB.

Does Sony have what it takes to pull off an Android media consumption device and audio powerhouse? CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell answers these questions and more in his full review of the Sony Walkman Z. … Read more

Sony adds digital noise-cancelling to entry-level Walkman

This year, Sony's refresh of its entry-level E-Series Walkman line is much different from previous generations.

The new NW-E060 series--due in Japan on February 11--will only come in 2GB (NW-E062) and 4GB (NW-E063) options, which is far less capacity than its predecessor (which went up to 16GB). What is truly noteworthy is the inclusion of digital noise-cancelling, which is a feature previously only available in its high-end Walkman audio players. Music playback with this option enabled is rather amazing, as it nearly removes disruptive ambient noise in its entirety.

Battery life is a healthy 30 hours for MP3 playback (24 hours with noise cancelling on), but that figure is 20 hours less than the previous model. Similarly, the screen is only a 1.4-inch LCD, once again a downgrade from the 2.0-inch screen used in the past. I am wondering if the cost of integrating digital noise-cancelling contributed to these cuts. On the other hand, maybe the gurus at Sony finally realized they were selling several MP3 players that were too similar and wanted to differentiate.… Read more

Sony Walkman Z review: Does audio quality still matter?

One of the quickest ways to make me nostalgic is to talk about the pre-iPhone days--the days when MP3 players still mattered.

While today's biggest forum battles all seem to revolve around Android versus iOS, there was a time when the mere mention of iPod earbuds would send us all into frothy fits of anger. Everyone, it seemed, cared deeply about the audio quality of a preferred MP3 player and would evangelize the merits of the latest iPod-killers from Sony, Cowon, Creative, and SanDisk.

Those were fun days. As a self-described audio geek, I took comfort in the thought that so many people cared so passionately about their music experience.

But then, like two alien mother ships dropping from the sky, the arrival of the iPhone and the iPad dwarfed these audio quarrels and offered dissenting and opinionated geeks a far more worthy subject to rally around. Amid this frenzy of iClouds, Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Kindle Fires, concerns over music playback and audio quality often feel as antiquated as discussions of the VCR.

But for those music lovers who have felt lost in this era of OS-fixation, Sony's Walkman Z ($249) is an Android-based portable media player that elevates the audio experience above all other concerns.… Read more

Sony officially updates Walkman line

Sony officially launched three new portable media players today: the NWZ-A860, NWZ-S760BT, and NWZ-E460 series.

The A series isn't much of a surprise as we already exposed a lot of the details from FCC listings and leaked placeholder specs and images from a major U.K. retailer.

The Walkman made for audiophiles features a 2.8-inch LCD touch screen (not OLED as previously reported). As we said before, A series will have Bluetooth to stream audio to other devices. Sony's press release confirmed the mysterious file transfer capability--now officially known as "Photo Transfer"-- allowing users to share photos via Bluetooth between compatible devices.

Battery life is said to clock in at 25 hours for music, and 5 hours for video playback.

FM radio and built-in voice recording in the A series are a nice touch. Sony also included an S-Master MX digital amplifier, promising to "reduce noise level and distortion." Two capacities will be available in the U.S.: an 8GB model for $179 and a 16GB version for $219. Sadly, we're not seeing any mentions of the 32GB or 64GB versions, which are most likely destined for other regions. … Read more

Sony Walkman A series images, specs leaked

A major U.K. retailer has exposed pictures and previously unannounced details of Sony's next-generation Walkman.

Play.com set up a placeholder for the upcoming NWZ-A860 series, revealing a device that appears to differ greatly in design than its predecessors. This Walkman looks wider and curvier, and the circular button arrangement of yesteryear is replaced by a single half-moon-shaped Home button.

Related link • Sony prepping for Walkman refresh

A large bezel surrounds the 3.4-inch OLED touch screen, as confirmed by a CNET source familiar with the device who asked not to be named. … Read more

Sony's new waterproof wearable Walkman

Sony has revealed the next generation of wearable waterproof Walkman portable music players.

The new W260 series is an incremental update to the line of small, screen-less MP3 players, which have been reviewed fairly well by CNET editors in the past.

Two models will be available this August: the 2GB NWZ-W262 ($59) and the 4GB NWZ-W263 ($79). The newest version of the Walkman W "weighs about 24 percent less and is about two-thirds smaller than previous models," according to the press release. Sony has improved bass frequencies in this latest model as well, for those fitness junkies listening … Read more

Sony prepping for Walkman refresh

Sony is preparing to launch an update for several of its high-end Walkman devices, according to FCC certification documents filed last week by the company.

The unannounced music players include models in the Walkman A and S series, which have had advanced features in the past such as an OLED screen, long battery life, and noise-cancelling technology. The Japanese company often refreshes its line of portable music players around this time each year.

What is most surprising could be the introduction of the Walkman A series in the U.S., as it sold in other major territories around the world for several years but has been missing stateside for several product cycles.

What we know is that Sony will offer four models of the luxury audio/video player: NWZ-A864 (8GB), NWZ-A865 (16GB), NWZ-A866 (32GB), and NWZ-A867 (64GB). The A867 would be the highest-capacity PMP Sony has ever offered in North America.

CNET has also learned that the refreshed A860 series Walkman will feature a large OLED touch screen, noise-cancelling technology, and integrated Bluetooth 2.0. There is no indication that Wi-Fi will be integrated. … Read more