Sony unveils two new 24-bit/196 KHz audio capable Walkman portable media players running on Android

It appears the Walkman brand is not dead just yet.

Sony has unveiled new Walkman devices, the high-end ZX1 and the F880 series.

Both media players have 1GHz dual-core processors, 854 � 480 touchscreens, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and "S-Master HX" digital amp along with HQ audio playback (192kHz/24bit) in AIFF, ALAC, FLAC and WAV. Both players run on slightly modified Android 4.1 bases and have access to the Google Play Store.

The ZX1, with its 4-inch screen, has 128GB internal storage and will be priced out of this world at 75,000 yen ($750 USD) when it launches in December.

A more budget-conscious option, the F880 has a 3.5-inch screen and 16,32,64GB options priced between 27,000 and 40,000 yen ($270-$400).

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 29 Sep 2013 11:46

Ryoohki

This is total fail. With those prices you could just get a high end (or low end for the second one) android smartphone and be able to make calls with the thing too. No one in their right mind would pay 750 bucks for what is essentially an android tablet (only smaller).

These devices are about 6 years too late (ipod touch is still alive and kicking).

29.9.2013 12:42 #1

Bozobub

I completely agree. The more expensive model is about $100 more than an unsubsidized Galaxy S4, FFS. The ONLY upside is the large internal storage.

29.9.2013 15:14 #2

DVDBack23

All about the high quality audio with these devices.

AfterDawn News
AfterDawn Guides
AfterDawn Downloads
AfterDawn Hardware Section

29.9.2013 15:24 #3

A5J4DX

meh

29.9.2013 17:37 #4

Bozobub

Originally posted by DVDBack23: All about the high quality audio with these devices. Bah.

There are already several Android media players out there that can play all of these formats at high bitrates; there's nothing groundbreaking at all about these "Walkmen". Hell, since 4.1 (ICS), Android natively supports FLAC!

Even if you bought every damn (non-free) Android player out there + a decent phone, it wouldn't approach the cost of one of these devices.

Damn, Sony gets dumber by the minute.

29.9.2013 18:42 #5

mukhis

Originally posted by Bozobub: Hell, since 4.1 (ICS), Android natively supports FLAC!
agree. android mobiles (phones/tabs) are now capable of even playing DTS/AC3/AAC with high bitrates along with high bitrate MKV videos, let alone FLAC/WAV.

30.9.2013 04:34 #6

xtago

Ah sweet exactly what I've been after for the last 1 year+

This should be able to output a decent amount of sound out to a stereo system, the Samsung phones are crap for outputting sound they barely output any sort of sound at full volume and need an EQ to boost the sound up so that you can hear it via a stereo system.

A iphone will blow away any Samsung phone at half volume and the HTC phones will do the same I'm not sure about the SOny phones main reason why I've held off just in case they can't complete against the iphone or HTC.

And having access to the store will allow spotify and tunes to stream radio from around the world I'm not overly fussed about the media storage but could be handy.

I have a Galaxy S and it cooks when charging all the time, I play around 8 to 10 hours worth of streamed music from the US and Australia and sometimes the UK even streamed some of the philippines radio stations they are a laugh at times with the oddball music they have like play flash dance then have black eye peas then play a filipino song then back to some real old songs.

I even got some gold batteries 2480 just to make the phone last longer on a charge, which seem to be good if anyone is wondering, phone still cooks but at least I can do 1 or 2 charges of a few hours rather than have it charging for 7 hours straight.

STD Samsung batteries won't last and will lose their charge over time as they have been cooked out. my STD battery usually only charges to 80% and will only keep the charge here and there for about 1-3 hours with light usage like a phone call can fully drain it in 1/2 hour from full.

This would output much higher than any mobile phone would output.

30.9.2013 10:45 #7

AfterDawn: News