Back to the future as Sony reinvents the Walkman

Sony is bringing back the Walkman, with a new model of the music player pioneer that comes with high-resolution playback and Bluetooth-connected headphones.

The new Walkman, targeting audiophiles and set to cost about $1,200 (€1,000), is a high-end version of a model Sony released in 2013 after retiring the classic cassette player in 2010.

The first-generation, now clunky-looking Walkman went on sale in July 1979, redefining the way people listened to music.

The NW-ZX2 Walkman was among products unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Sony also presented an ultra high-definition action camera that uses the 4K video format it’s trying to push, a challenge to GoPro Inc. (GPRO) in the market for filming extreme sports.

Sony is developing more content for 4K video — the resolution of which is about four times that of high-definition models — to help drive customer adoption of the technology.

The company produced popular shows such as The Blacklist and Masters of Sex in the format.

“4K will continue to be an important area of development and distinction for Sony,” a spokesperson said.

“Looking at what’s currently in production or has recently wrapped, we’re seeing a fantastic rate of adoption of our 4K capability among our Sony Pictures colleagues.”

Other products unveiled by Sony included the SmartWatch 3, with its own built-in GPS and the Smart B-Trainer headset for runners.

All of Sony’s web-connected TVs will run this year on Google’s Android platform with Sony planning models from 43in to 75in (1.9m). The X900C TV is just 0.2in deep at its thinnest point, the company said.

Meanwhile, Netflix has no plans to make televisions, but it is planning to tell other companies how to make theirs.

The company is starting a “Recommended TV” programme, where it will put its seal of approval on certain televisions.

At the moment, the criteria to get a blessing from Netflix is vague. The programme will pick out internet-enabled TVs that offer “better performance, easier menu navigation, and new features,” says Neil Hunt, the company’s chief product officer.

According to Netflix, that includes TVs from Sony, LG, Sharp, Vizio, and the makers of Roku TVs.

Notably missing from that list, as of now — Samsung, which happens to be the biggest TV manufacturer.