Yesterday the Internet seemed to be stepping over itself to break the news that the Sony Walkman — the handheld icon of the mix-tape era — had finally died a quiet death. Only problem is… that’s not exactly true.

Yes, Sony has stopped making and selling the Walkman in Japan. But the company is continuing to produce the portable tape players in China for sale in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.

Our older sibling Consumer Reports waxed a little nostalgic when it heard rumors of the Walkman’s demise and posted this PDF of its November 1981 coverage of the Walkman and its early competition.

Sony (mostly) bids adieu to the cassette Walkman [ConsumerReports.org]

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