Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Walkman Turns 30; Sony Isn't Celebrating

Share

(Newser) – The Walkman turns 30 today, but Sony isn’t exactly celebrating, writes Peter Kafka of All Things Digital. Apart from a special exhibit at Sony’s archive in Tokyo—which seems more like a funeral than a birthday party—Sony’s letting the milestone pass quietly. The device has been badly outsold by the iPod in recent years, and with a restructuring looming, partying probably seemed gauche.

"Sony views the Walkman’s birthday as a lot of middle-aged people view their birthdays," Kafka theorizes, "Markers of bygone eras and missed opportunities."

In this Feb. 2, 1982 file photo, Sony Corp. Chairman Akio Morita laughs during a meeting where he displays a Walkman in Tokyo, Japan.
In this Feb. 2, 1982 file photo, Sony Corp. Chairman Akio Morita laughs during a meeting where he displays a Walkman in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Neal Ulevich, File)
Posters advertising Sony Corp.'s Walkman are exhibited at a special display that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.
Posters advertising Sony Corp.'s Walkman are exhibited at a special display that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Sony Corp.'s first Walksman is shown at a special display commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.
Sony Corp.'s first Walksman is shown at a special display commemorating the Walkman's 30th anniversary that opens Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
A Sony employee looks at Walkmans at a special display commemorating the handy music player's 30th anniversary, opening today at the Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.
A Sony employee looks at Walkmans at a special display commemorating the handy music player's 30th anniversary, opening today at the Sony Archive building in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
djferrick
Jul 1, 09 12:54 PM CDT
still they dont make em like they used to. I got my first one with confirmation money circa 1990. It then spent the next 5 years being dropped at every available opportunity until wires were hanging out of it and it still played tapes ! Then i got one of the new slimmer slightly bigger than the tape models which after a mere 6 months of being banged off the ground, gave up the ghost. We'll draw a discreet veil over the minidisc and sadly no more sony for me. iRiver ( why have you stopped making many GB MP3 players ?) and Cowan ( looks great - needs more space though ) these days. Sony I'm guessing are all about PS3 and blu ray these days Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 1, 09 2:56 PM CDT
I bought a Walkman in the late '80s or early '90s and it broke within six months of light use and careful handling. Bought another one a year or two later with the same result. And I haven't bought another Sony product since.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Altoecko
Jul 2, 09 3:58 AM CDT
I was kinda sad that Minidisc players didn't catch on. I bought mine cheap for $40 and I got enough discs to carry all my music for about $20 bucks more. Sure it was bulkier than an iPod but I beat the living hell out of that thing and it worked regardless.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

242 Stories

OPINION

Your Birthday Wall Post Isn't Impressing Anyone

Technology makes it too easy to send insincere greetings

Nov 2, 09 2:35 PM CST
(Newser) - Vikki Ortiz Healy got a birthday kiss from her husband, a call from her sister, baked goods from her co-workers. She figured that’d be it. Then she logged onto Facebook—and found more than 60 messages from random acquaintances. She started to suspect that maybe, just maybe, they were... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • Facebook • birthday • social media

 Men in Black 3 Gets Green Light 

It's unclear if Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are in

Oct 30, 09 2:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Men in Black are back … at least, Sony hopes they will be. The studio is moving forward with a third installment in the franchise and has tapped Tropic Thunder writer Etan Cohen for the script. Barry Sonnenfeld is willing to return to the director’s chair, sources tell... More »

MORE ABOUT:
film • Sony • Tommy Lee Jones • Will Smith • movies • Tropic Thunder • Men In Black • Etan Cohen

 Asterix, France's Favorite 
 Comic Gaul, Hits 50 

Paris awash with celebrations of the indomitable Gaul

Oct 25, 09 1:04 PM CDT
(Newser) - A comic-book series beloved in France and translated in 107 languages is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, and Paris in particular will be awash with all things Asterix. The indomitable Gaul—who pals around with Obelix, obtains his magic strength potion from druid Getafix, and answers to chief Vitalstatistix—... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • France • birthday • comic books • Asterix • Gauls

 Feds Tear Into 
 Ticketmaster Merger 

Antitrust officials weigh concessions for Live Nation deal to pass

Oct 16, 09 1:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - Concerned Justice Department are considering blocking a deal that would create a music industry behemoth—unless major concessions are made. Antitrust officials are worried about the effect the proposed Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger would have on consumer cost and may require the companies to make major concessions, insiders tell the Wall ... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Department of Justice • music industry • mergers and acquisitions • merger • antitrust • Ticketmaster • Live Nation

 The New 
 Video Gamer 
 Is a Chick 

Females now constitute 40% of players

Oct 13, 09 8:23 AM CDT
(Newser) - In 2001, women and girls constituted just 12% of video gamers; now, fully 40% of game players are female, and the gaming industry has taken notice. EA, Sony, Nintendo, and several other companies are rolling out new products catering to girls, from a dancing game to a Hannah Montana adventure... More »

MORE ABOUT:
women • Nintendo • Sony • girls • Electronic Arts • video game developers • video games

242 Stories


Read about the Walkman's history
Sony


Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserTech on Twitter

 
music industry • Sony • birthday • Walkman

from our news partners