Sony NW-A840 Walkman - the thinnest ever
Now that Sony’s latest portable media player, the NW-A840 Walkman Series has been launched in Japan to wide acclaim, we can’t wait to get our hands on it. Unfortunately, we have to wait a bit longer – when we spoke to Sony in November, we were told that as yet no date has been announced for the launch in the UK or US – but never fear – we’ll keep you posted.
That doesn’t stop us from telling you what delights you have in store once the OLED Walkman is eventually released. Sony has brought the portable media player bang up to date – albeit with retro styling. Available in mahogany brown, reminiscent of wartime radios or in sleek black, the NW-A840 is the thinnest Walkman on the market at 7.2mm. Its slim build doesn’t mean a compromise on display however as it comes with a 2.8 inch OLED and up to 64GB of flash storage.
It ships in three models – the 16GB NW-A845, the 32GB NW-A846 and the 64GB NW-A847. With a 720×480 resolution option to playback video through your TV, the battery lasts for 29 continuous hours of music or nine hours of video. The Walkman incorporates an S-Master digital amplifier and FM radio for crystal clear sound quality but Sony’s digital noise cancellation MDR-EX300SL ear-buds mean that you won’t be annoying anyone next to you on the tube. Note that support Wi-Fi networks are not provided.
With dimensions of 104.9 x 7.2 x 46.8mm, the Walkman weighs approximately 62g and is available in Japan at prices ranging from £160 to £266 – a rival to Apple’s iPod Shuffle if ever there was one.
Chronos iDock Series II on sale now
The leading manufacturers of radio, PURE have launched Chronos iDock Series ll – a stereo DAB/DAB+*FM bedside clock radio that works with iPods and iPhones with an SRP of £99.99.
Following on from the award-winning Chronos iDock, the Chronos iDock Series II combines all the features, choice and user-friendliness of DAB digital radio with the added convenience of iPod docking. With equally stylish looks, the Series II is available in an elegant black or white. Sound quality is greatly enhanced with upgraded audio, a digital amplifier and custom-wound stereo speakers and visible controls with a rotary dial and accessible buttons. You can even listen or wake up to your iPod or iPhone while it charges. A set of front-panel connectors also enables users to connect to an MP3, CD player or headphones.
The Chronos iDock Series II is perfect for the study or bedroom and enables the sleep befuddled to wake up in the best way possible – i.e. very slowly. This is achieved by means of a subtle and dimmed display activated by a light sensor, adjustable snoozers with an ability to set for as many days as required and a total of four independent alarms linked to radio, iPod, iPhone or tone. So now you can surface to consciousness gradually whilst listening to news, sport, music or your own favourite tracks; the Chronos iDock Series ll ensures that you start each day in the best frame of mind possible. Even better, with a clear display for track and ‘now playing’ information on a screen, users can use remote or radio control to alter settings and don’t even have to get out of bed – not immediately anyway.
And more good news – for those without multiple power points next to the bed, the Chronos iDock Series ll includes PowerPort that allows the user to connect USB accessories – these could include mobile phone chargers, cup warmers, electric fans, bedside lights, smoothie makers, moustache clippers – as soon as you wake, the world is at your fingertips.
Designed to minimise environmental impact, the Chronos iDock Series II, like all PURE products is manufactured in ethically approved and audited facilities with reduced power consumption in operation and in standby, recyclable packaging and components selected for their eco-friendliness.
Where to get it >>
Elan ll Portable Radio
Getting up in the morning is going to be so much easier with the new Elan ll, the latest portable stereo DAB/DAB+/FM radio with pause and rewind ReVu technology from PURE, the world’s leading manufacturer of radios.
Radio has never been so cool and the luxury touchscreen wireless is to be released in time for Christmas at a price that is much lower than you would expect for such a stylish, high-tech model.
Following the design of a traditional radio, the stereo is available in a black, satin-touch finish made out of aluminium with an anodised fascia and a chrome handle with rubberised grip.
That’s where any similarity to your old tranny ends because the Elan ll can pull off some pretty clever audio stunts too including the DAB-tastic ReVu tech that enables you to pause and rewind live radio and a textSCAN feature that means you can control the scrolling text and store useful bulletins like traffic and sports reports so you can get to those football results that bit quicker. There’s also in put for an iPod or MP3 player – or alarm and kitchen timer with 30 DAB and FM presets.
And the Elan ll doesn’t compromise on sound either – with digital amplifiers and custom wound 3” speakers, you’ve got 35 hours of unadulterated, environmentally friendly and high-quality listening with the optional chargePACK rechargeable battery.
At a price of £99.99 you won’t be breaking the bank either.
Revo iBlik Radiostation
Revo has scored the hat trick with the iBlik RadioStation heralding in a new generation of digital radios; not only does it have the conventional FM and DAB tuners, it also has internet connection with wireless music streaming.
Called the ultimate “one box” radio device, its stylish interface accesses around 11,000 radio stations from around the globe, or you can listen to tracks stored on your PC or Mac connected to the local Wi-Fi or LAN network. There’s no complicated set up or software to load either; the radio is very light and easy to operate, measuring 19.7 x 8 x 47.2 inches.
Although the sound comes through a single speaker the quality has a clarity and resonance. With its black plastic body and Morse code patterning and minimalist hi-tech appearance, the Revo iBlik RadioStation has set the benchmark for internet radio for the foreseeable future.
Where to get it >>