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RIP Sony cassette Walkmans

End of an era for Sony’s iconic portable tape players

Before anyone had heard of iPods, there was another name just as synonymous with portable music. Walkman became the generic name for a generation of pocketable tape players. But there was only one genuine maker of the iconic machines – Sony.

Not any more – the Japanese electronics behemoth has axed production of its cassette Walkmans after selling more than 200 million of them to date. Its April shipment was its last, according to the official announcement, though some Sony-branded tape Walkmans will still be available via third-party manufacturers in parts of Asia.

We’d like to say we’re shedding a tear, but we were slightly surprised to find out Sony was still making tape Walkmans at all. Even so, it’s worth taking a minute to reflect. Why not start with our history of the Sony Walkman?

Profile image of Dan Grabham Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home