LONDON--(Marketwire - January 7, 2009) -

WALKMAN X Series Video MP3 Player

-- Super clear 3-inch OLED wide touchscreen

-- Best-ever WALKMAN sound quality with S-Master Digital Amplifier and Clear Audio technologies

-- World's first MP3/video player with Digital Noise Cancelling for the most effective noise reduction

-- Open support for all popular music and video formats

-- Hybrid controls (touchscreen plus buttons) for simple operation

-- Wi-Fi connectivity for easy YouTube™ streaming, podcast direct downloading and internet browsing

WALKMAN W Series MP3 Player

-- Headphone-style WALKMAN keeps you free from cables

-- Superior sound quality with 13.5mm EX headphones

-- New function ZAPPIN™ for easy searching of and listening to songs

-- Compact and lightweight means its comfortable to wear

-- Sony's unique spiral form headphones for comfortable fit

WALKMAN X Series

The new WALKMAN X series delivers the ultimate personal entertainment experience. Packed with latest Sony audio and video technology, it's the perfect choice for anyone who's serious about enjoying their digital media collection on the move. The slim, compact and beautifully styled X series fits easily into your pocket.

The X series is also the first WALKMAN to feature a 3-inch widescreen OLED touchscreen meaning videos and digital photos stand out with incredible colours and contrast, while response time is super-quick for breathtaking results with fast-moving action like sports.

The 'hybrid' combination of large touchscreen plus dedicated music player buttons makes operation simple and intuitive. If you're watching videos, it's easy to find the right moment in longer videos with the touchscreen's new 'Scene Scroll' function.

The 3-inch OLED touchscreen is also perfect for flicking through your photo collection in sharp detail, complete with music soundtrack if you wish.

Audio quality is everything you'd expect from the flagship in the Sony WALKMAN range. The new X series is packed with digital Clear Audio technologies by Sony for rich, wide bandwidth audio with clear, commanding bass and enhanced stereo separation.

In another WALKMAN first, S-master Digital Amplifier technology assures rich, lifelike ultra-low distortion sound. Already featured on Sony hi-fi and home theatre products, S-master amplification puts you centre-stage in the studio or concert hall, while maintaining a crisp and clear sound.

A handy switch activates Digital Noise Cancelling, immersing you in a world of beautiful WALKMAN sound without intrusions. There's a choice of three settings to cut background noise whether you're onboard a plane, bus/train or in the office. Also, air travellers can connect the WALKMAN directly to the plane's AV system with the supplied connector, in-flight, to benefit from the WALKMAN's noise cancelling capabilities.

Loading up your WALKMAN with music and video content is seamless, easy and fun. On-board Wi-Fi connectivity lets you stream YouTube™, podcast direct downloading and internet browsing.

While you're enjoying a track, you can expand your knowledge of a genre. The X Series offers a choice of related links, pointing you directly to artist-related resources like YouTube™ [NB: depends on country/region].

WALKMAN W Series

Sony takes the WALKMAN legend another step forward with its wearable MP3 player. The new W Series has a fresh new design, delivering brilliant WALKMAN sound quality and fabulous value in a fun, funky all-in-one design.

Light and easy to wear, the Sony WALKMAN W Series is available in five fashionable colours [black, white, pink, green and violet]. Sound quality from the comfort-fit 13.5mm EX headphones is rich and clear. New ZAPPIN™ mode offers a fun new way to browse quickly through your music collection. It automatically detects and plays the main chorus part of each track, helping you find the song you want with just a few touches of the player's jog dial.

The supplied 'Content Transfer' software enables easy 'drag and drop' transfer of non-DRM music files to your WALKMAN from online music services such as iTunes™.

The WALKMAN X and W series will be available from Spring 2009.

Sony and WALKMAN® are registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners. YouTube™ is a trademark of Google, Inc.

Key technical specifications for W series

Features                           W Series
Capacity                             2GB
Supported file format       MP3/AAC(Non DRM)*/WMA
                              (DRM)
Audio technologies          ZAPPIN™ (music search
                          method)13.5mm EX Headphones
Charging time               Quick charge: 3 minutes
                            charge 90 minutes play**
Battery life               12 hours music playback***
Colour****                           Black
                                     White
                                     Pink
                                     Green
                                     Violet
Supplied accessories       Charging and transfer stand
                            with USB cable/Holder/Ear
                                piece(S,M,L) / QSG

Key technical specifications for X series

Features                           X Series
Capacity                         16GB or 32GB
Display type                  3.0" Wide OLED display
                                wide touchscreen
Display resolution               432 x 240 dots
Supported file format       Multi audio and video codec
                            support:MP3, AAC (Non DRM)*,
                              WMA(DRM), Linear PCM,
                          AVC(H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile,
                          MPEG-4 Simple Profile, WMV Main
                              Profile/Simple Profile
Internet                  Direct internet connectivity via
                          WIFI, streaming YouTube™, podcast
                        direct download and browsing websites
FM Tuner                              Yes
Audio Technologies        S-master, Digital Noise Cancelling,
                          Clear Stereo, Clear Bass, DSEE and
                                  EX headphones
Colour                               Black
Supplied accessories       13.5mm EX headphones/Ear piece
                        (L,M,S)/Attachment/USB cable/Audio-in
                          cables/Connector for airplanes/QSG

*AAC format audio files that are copyright protected cannot be played back
**90 minutes of music playback is approximate in MP3 128kbps
***12 hours of music playback is approximate in MP3 in 128kbps
****Different depending on countries

NOTES TO EDITORS

Environmental Information

Sony is engaged in a constant review of its manufacturing, operational and business practices to ensure that its products are developed in an environmentally responsible way. This approach can broadly be divided into three areas:

Environmental Information: 3Ps

Product: Halogenated materials can pose a risk to the environment if disposed of improperly. To minimize this risk, halogen-free flame retardants are used for certain printed circuit boards.

Process: The extended user manual is provided electronically on CD-ROM or product itself to reduce paper use. The packaging uses recyclable paper to reduce the impact on the environment.

Planet: Sony is determined to lead the way as a responsible manufacturer, and as a result we are focussing on three key areas of investment:

1. Reducing CO2 gas emissions
2. Increasing the percentage of renewable energy used in manufacturing
   facilities
3. Minimising the resources used by our factories in manufacturing

About Sony:

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world's leading digital entertainment brands. Sony recorded consolidated global annual sales of EUR 55.44 billion (yen 8,871 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 160.0 to the EUR. It employs approximately 180,500 people worldwide.

In Europe, the Sony Group recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.73 billion (yen 2,328 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 9.55 billion for the same period.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter

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