Sony Group(US:SONY) Bloomberg Televisionยท2025-07-01 21:42Product History & Evolution - Sony introduced the first Walkman cassette player (TPSL2) on July 1st, 1979 in Japan, priced at approximately 33,000 yen, equivalent to $150, or about $700 adjusted for inflation [1] - The Walkman, initially branded as the Soundabout in the US, was unique for allowing users to listen to their own music on the go, unlike transistor radios [2] - The Walkman weighed 14 ounces and required two AA batteries, contrasting with boom boxes that could weigh over 20 lbs and needed a dozen D batteries [3] - The Walkman led to a boom in cassette sales, surpassing vinyl in the 1980s [3] - Sony halted production of the cassette tape Walkman by 2010 after selling over 200 million units, due to the rise of MP3 players [4] Cultural Impact & Legacy - The Walkman ushered in a new category of personal devices, influencing the development of laptop computers, PDAs, and smartphones [3] - The Walkman brand still exists as a digital media player and has experienced a renaissance, being featured in TV shows and movies [4]