Sony said the 30-anniversary mark Walkman

Sony Walkman music players sold in over 30 years. The first device with the inscription Walkman was marketed in Japan 1 July 1979. It was a cassette player TPS-L2, which is sold in Europe under the name Soundabout. The model was developed by an engineer Nobutoshi Kihara [Nobutoshi Kihara] for the general director of the company that he could listen to opera at the time of flights. In the first two months of receipt of TPS-L2 in the sale were sold 30 thousand players. By 1989, it has already sold 50 million devices with the name of Walkman. A total of 30 years, the number of sales exceeded 385 million units. And, although the recent Players Sony Walkman models were potesneny iPod, which Apple company for eight years, managed to sell over 200 million, is still an absolute record.

Positions Sony were shaken severely in 1990. The company, which at one time made great efforts for the implementation of the cluster of players, not to rush the introduction of digital devices. In addition, Sony has long tried to use the conventional standard MP3 and attract listeners to its standard ATRAC, which also had a negative impact on sales.

Entering the fourth decade, Sony Walkman looks potesnit Apple. Emphasis is placed on a new series of Walkman H1000 shown at CES 2009. Also, as players and iPod Touch, a model from Sony is available in 16 versions and 32 GB, but in addition it has a touch 3-inch OLED-display, supports Wi-Fi-connection, and allows you to listen to FM radio and Slacker.