Speaker-Lamps, 4K Action Cams, The Next-Gen Walkman & Other Highlights Of Sony’s New Product Line
Sony CEO Kaz Hirai opened today’s event by thanking Sony employees for their work in the wake of the recent attacks against the company. He also thanked consumers who supported the efforts to release “The Interview” in the face of threats against theaters.
One item that immediately drew our interest — though we were divided on our personal opinions about its design — was the Symphonic Light Speaker, which is currently just a prototype in the Sony UX Lab display. But essentially, it combines two products that have been growing in popularity among web-connected household devices — wireless audio and lighting.
We’re going to get more time with the prototype when we tour the UX setup tomorrow, but it makes some sense to combine a music source with a lighting source as the two are often adjusted to control the mood of the room.
With everyone pushing 4K TVs, manufacturers are trying to preempt one of the concerns that kneecapped the widespread adoption of 3D TV sets — the lack of content. Sony first announced that it plans to bring on multiple new partners — and more content from existing partners — for streaming and downloadable 4K video in the coming year:
And since the easiest way to get 4K content is to make it yourself, Sony introduced a new 4K Handycam that it plans to retail for $1,000 (“4K for 1K,” the company explains):
More interesting — at least to us daredevils — was the introduction of a 4K version of Sony’s Action Cam, which is portable and durable enough to attach to things like helmets, surfboards, bikes, cars, and — since skating legend Tony Hawk was on hand to talk it up, skateboards:
Another item that might of interest to consumers on the go who don’t like to be weighed down by multiple devices is the Smart B-Trainer, another prototype that combines everything you’d need for a smart jog — sensors and music — into one headset, eliminating the need for having to bring along a secondary device like a smartphone or smartwatch.
Speaking of music and headphones, Sony is really hoping to breathe life into the Walkman brand, this time by appealing to audiophiles who want the portability of digital audio devices but who want the sound quality of Hi-Res Audio:
The Walkman NW-ZX2 supports digital music files up to 192 kHz/24 bit and compatible file formats are MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, WAV and ALAC including DSD. It also uses DSEE HX technology that upscales non-hi-res audio from streaming sources.
And because Hi-Res Audio takes up more storage space than the lower-res files many of us are used to, the device comes with 128GB of built-in memory, and a micro SD card slot. Sony claims that the Walkman’s Lithium-ion battery provides up to 60 hours of music playback per charge.
We’ll be bringing you more from Sony and lots of other companies after CES officially opens in the morning.
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