IFA 2014 Preview

Link for Live Stream on September 3 @ 16:15 CET

We are at that time of the year again when tech is front and centre in the news. When I was posting the preview for 2013, I was not expecting much of anything from the Walkman but Sony threw a surprise and introduced the updated F-Series and the ZX1.

From earlier posts (1, 2, 3) Sony will again expand and introduce new Walkmans at this year's IFA.  Three new Walkman devices, new A-Series, new WS-Series and M-Series, but there there are faint rumours of 2 more devices, a ZX2 or a new device to slot between the ZX1 and F880, nothing confirmed, perhaps more information will come later on in the year before CES 2015.

I will mention this as a teaser, the new A-Series has a new button design, no more mickey mouse, and it will be non-android for sure.

Times for the press conference for other regions after the break.

Budget Headphone Review: Sony MDR-V150 and Sony MDR-EX15

A family member needed a good cheap pair of headphones for a flight back home.  There was not much on offer at the Sony Centre but I decided to grab 2 different models, the MDR-V150 and MDR-EX15 in case the person would have wanted in ear or over the ear.  Prices were 79PLN (19 Euros for the V150s, and 49PLN (11 Euros) for the EX15s.  Rest of review after the break.

Korean RRA Certification for Sony M-Series

Although Sony Europe has not officially released the M-Series, it is already present and ready to pre-order on the various EU Sony sites.  I have checked other Sony websites around the world and found nothing yet but the Korean RRA have certified the M-Series.

If anyone finds any other Sony Websites, non-EU that have the new NWZ-M500, please leave a comment or email me.

I am a little late with this news, since the certification is from July 25th but still best to post it.

Source: RRA Korea, rra_bot

Sony Europe Introduces the M-Series, quietly (NWZ-M504)

Sony Europe has quietly introduced the M-Series Walkman that is already on sale in Japan.  Unlike the model in Japan which tops out at 16GB, the international model will only ship in 8 GB and black.  The international model is identical to the Japanese one, except no ATRAC support.

Features include:

• S-Master MX Digital amp
• OLED display (128 x 36 px)
• Ultra-clear Digital Noise Cancelling technology
• Bluetooth connectivity via NFC
• FM tuner
• Dynamic Equalizer, Clear Phase, Clear Bass 

The device will support MP3, WMA, AAC and linear PCM. 

Battery life is rated at:

• Digital noise-canceling function OFF: 15 hrs (MP3)
• Digital noise canceling function ON : 12 hrs (MP3)
• Bluetooth with digital noise canceling OFF: 10 hrs
• Bluetooth with digital noise canceling ON: 9hrs

Availability will be beginning of October on the Sony Store website.  I have checked Sony Malaysia, Sony Hong Kong, Sony Korea and Sony Taiwan, but nothing so far.  Price for various EU countries after the break.

Korean RRA Certification for New Sony A-Series

The Korean FCC, the RRA, has certified the new A-Series (A10) this week.  Hopefully some images leak soon, but I doubt it.  I can't seem to find the new devices on any retailer sites as I write this, this could indicate a much later availability date, either late September or early October.

Translation of the text via Google Translate. 

Sony Korea Mutual Inc.

Device name specific low power wireless device (wireless device for wireless data communication systems)

Model: Nwz-A15

Model derived: Nwz-A17

Certificate No. MSIP-CMI-SOK-nwz-A10

Manufacturer: Sony Corporation

Country: Malaysia

Certification Date: 2014-08-19

Source: Moveplayer.net

Sony WS-Series to come with a remote?

I stumbled upon a certification from a Russian website for the new WS-Series and it seems there might be a remote for the new Walkman.

The same remote was certified on e-POSTEL at the same time as the NWZ-WS615.  Same situation on the FCC, both the remote and Walkman appeared on the site on the same day.  More photos after the break.

Sony to introduce cheaper MDR-ZX550BN headphones?

This past April, Sony introduced the new MDR-ZX750BN headphones with Bluetooth and built in noise cancellation.  At 149 euros, they are not that expensive but reviews have not been that stellar regarding the noise cancellation feature.

At this moment in time, I have no more information regarding the new MDR-ZX550BNs except that it will ship with bluetooth and noise cancellation, and that they should be at IFA.  Otherwise not much more information, hopefully Sony has fixed the NC issue.

I just wish Sony would decide to release an updated version of the MDR-NWBT20Ns.

Source: e-POSTEL

Sony Japan releases 'GazettE' edition S and F-Series Walkmans

Starting today, August 4th, Sony will begin accepting orders for the limited edition GazettE S and F-Series Walkmans.   The models will be available in Sony store retail locations starting August 5th, at Ginza, Osaka, and Nagoy.

3 Models will be available:

NW-F887 - 64GB at 42,500 yen (310 euros)

NW-F885 - 16 GB at 30,000 yen (218 euros)

NW-S785 - 16GB at 20,000 yen (145 euros)

The F-Series will only be available in black, where as the S-Series will come in colours, pink, white and black.  Both walkmans feature unique designs on the back and ship with the music video 'Last Heaven, unique photos and wallpapers.

In addition, the F-Series will be loaded with 2 unreleased songs by Gazette, 'Inside Beast' and 'Fadeless', both in High Resolution audio.  Finally it appears that the limited edition walkmans could/will be released in Europe due to the bands rising popularity here.  If anything, such a release would be during IFA2014 or who knows when.

More photos after the break.

Sony ZX1 Coming to Canada in Mid September

Good news for Walkman fans in Canada, it appears that the new ZX1 will soon be on sale and available in mid September, 16th September according to Sony.ca.  Unfortunately the price is also rather high as with other countries, at 749.99 CAD, it is not cheap but much less expensive than in Europe, where it retails at 689 euros, or slightly above 1000 CAD.   The difference in price is around 200 CAD, but this is rather significant and either means the European model is overpriced or the Canadian model is underpriced.

I'd grab one if I wasn't waiting for the new A-Series coming this September.

Thanks to Khaled for sending in the info about the ZX1.

B-Series on sale in Canada

It looks like Sony Canada introduced the new B-Series recently since it is on sale and available in red or black, at 2 GB for $39.99.  A quiet introduction follows the European launch as well.  Not sure why only 2GB, guess the larger capacity models didn't sell that well in the past.