The Sony B-Series Walkman in all it's multi-hued, torpedo-shaped glory.
(Credit: Sony)No one knows if the "B" in B-Series stands for budget or boring, but both are fitting descriptions for Sony's lowest-tier Walkman MP3 player. Still, in these troubled times, the world needs cheap, pretty things, and Sony is doing its best to breathe some new life into the wallet-friendly Walkman.
The latest refresh of the Sony B-Series Walkman has only been announced for Japan (so far) and lacks pricing and release date information. Typically, the B-Series sells in the U.S. at around $45 to $60, and judging from the latest specs, we wouldn't expect anything different from these new models. You're looking at the same 2GB of storage, FM radio, integrated USB stick, and limited file support (MP3, WMA) as the previous model, with slightly improved battery life (18 hours) and the same Zappin' song preview technology used in Sony's head-hugging W-Series Walkman.
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Features come and go in the rapidly evolving MP3 player space. One that has enjoyed fluctuating popularity is the built-in USB interface, which lets you connect a device directly to a computer without a cable. This "plug and play" capability is currently out of fashion, but Sony is trying to keep the dream alive with the B-Series Walkman.
The entry-level offering is aimed at active users and is priced competitively at $44.99 for the 1GB model and $59.99 for the 2GB. Battery life isn't as impressive as other Sony Walkmans and the screen is tiny, but the B-Series hits the mark with an array of features suitable for on-the-go use. Plus, like any true plug-and-play player should be, it's compatible with both Windows and Mac.
Sony S-Series Walkman
(Credit: Sony)The first sign of fall in CNET's San Francisco office isn't the turning of leaves--it's the ever-increasing waves of new product announcements. MP3 players in particular start cropping up in late summer, perhaps in an attempt to get a jump on Apple's typical September iPod announcement.
Creative got an early start with its new Zen players a couple of weeks ago, and now Sony is joining the fray. Today, the company announced a rev to its Walkman line of MP3 players in the form of the B-Series, E-Series, and S-Series.
The S-Series represents the top of the line and is arguably the most exciting of the bunch. This new Walkman, which is available in a gunmetal black finish, comes with the integrated noise-canceling capability found on the Sony NWZ-S710.
A pair of complementing, high-end earphones are included in the package, along with an accessory cable that allows the player to be used as a standalone noise-canceling module for use with other audio devices--a unique feature that's ideal for use with in-flight entertainment systems.
Sony has also added support for WMV video (including DRM files from the likes of Amazon Unbox), an FM tuner, and a separate podcast menu item for easier management of the content. In addition, the S Series is the first Walkman to feature a customizable interface that includes a variety of themes and the ability to set personal photos as wallpaper.
Sony E-Series Walkman in red.
(Credit: Sony)Perhaps the coolest feature, however, is the SensMe Channels function, which is a "smart" DJ that uses an algorithm to analyze songs in order to create custom playlists (up to 11) based on each track's speed, mood, and rhythm. Other features include a 2-inch color screen and a rated battery life of 40 hours for audio. The S Series, which is available in 4GB and 8GB capacities for $149.95 and $179.95 (respectively), is expected to hit online shelves in the next three to four weeks.
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