It has been over a month since Sony introduced the new E-Series and I am puzzled as why I am unable to purchase one here in Poland or even in Germany. The device seems to be in stock at amazon.co.uk and sony.co.uk but is not available for purchase on either amazon.de or sony.de.
On amazon.de it states " Dieser Artikel ist noch nicht verfügbar." which means "this item is not yet available" and on Sony.de it states "Verfügbar ab Ende August' or "available from end of August. This is unacceptable, Sony stated in the press release as follows
The new Walkman® NWZ-E580 and NWZ-E380 video MP3 players from Sony are available in Europe from July.
Last time I checked, both Germany and Poland were in Europe and July has long gone passed. I checked some other European Sony sites and the end of August seems to be a universal date of availability. At times it feels is if Sony has set the Walkman brand aside as a separate entity and would rather it be absorbed into its smartphone lineup. With the new Honami smartphone debuting at IFA and supposedly sporting a S-master amp but who knows if it will be as good as the one on the Z and F series.
If no new walkmans debut at IFA, be it android or the stock walkman OS, then perhaps the hopes of a stand alone walkman brand may be history.