Next Generation Sony Digital Music Players Help Fitness Enthusiasts Keep the Beat

Whether you walk or run, Sony's new digital music player can provide the appropriate soundtrack for your workout. The newest S2 Sports® Walkman® devices, which are jam-packed with features for your preferred exercise program, are available today for pre-order online at SonyStyle.com.

Since the first Sports Walkman was introduced in 1984, Sony has built a legacy of durable, water resistant music players for active lifestyles, and these devices are no exception. The flash-based S2 Sports Series Walkman music players include popular components that Sony customers have come to expect, plus new tools specifically designed to enhance your workout program.

Based on Sony's G-Sensor technology, which recognizes speed variation, the Music Pacer feature integrates music into the workout experience. With the Music Pacer feature, the player gauges your speed, tempo and acceleration, automatically switching to the appropriate personalized walking or running playlist to match your stride. The Shuffle Shake feature lets you easily and quickly switch to shuffle mode by shaking the player three times within two seconds.

Pick Up the Pace

If you want to increase intensity when walking or running, the step, distance and calorie counter features (in sports mode) enable you to track the number of steps taken, the distance traveled and the calories burned. The set target feature allows you to input the amount of time, calories or distance you want to achieve for your workout, so the music will play until the target is accomplished.

The player will record the step count, distance and calories burned history from your last seven workouts, so you can track your progress. You can also use it as a stopwatch to time yourself.

Ode to Gym Rats

For life at the gym, the FM tuner and quick charge features are essential. The built-in FM tuner not only lets you listen to your favorite radio stations and sets the most visited stations so you can easily and quickly find them, but it can also be used to tune into TV programs playing in many gyms. If you're running late but still want to fit in your workout, all you need is three minutes to charge your player to get up to three hours of playback. At full battery capacity, enjoy up to 18 hours of listening.

The MP3 player is cylindrical in design and fits into the included armband, which straps securely and comfortably around your arm. About the size of a tube of lipstick, the device is water resistant and made of aluminum, weighs about one ounce, and won't weigh you down. Though compact, the players can store up to 1,350 songs on the 2GB model and 685 songs on the 1GB model.

"This is a runner's best friend. You don't need a running buddy because it makes your workout fly by," said Allan Jason, vice president at Sony Electronics. "Research shows that music motivates people to stick to their exercise schedules and lose more weight. With this player, you'll look forward to your next walk or run."

Music Management 101

To simplify the music management process, these new devices support AAC (non-DRM), MP3, WMA (non-DRM), and ATRAC® music files. They are compatible with CONNECT™ Music, the Sony CONNECT online music service and include SonicStage® CP software to import, manage and transfer music collections. To make it as easy as possible to quickly download a running and a walking playlist, CONNECT™ Music offers themed music mixes, including the fast-paced "Sizzling Summer." These playlists are located in the Essential Mixtapes section of the site, available from the home page at www.connect.com.

For added flexibility, the new Walkman player's distinctive one-line organic electroluminescence (OEL) display accommodates both left-handed and right-handed users alike. With its ability to rotate the orientation of the display, track and title names, the time and date, plus other information can now be viewed how ever you prefer.

The devices come with black, sports style headphones and an armband. To enhance the sound, you can set the equalizer to match the type of music you are listening to (jazz, pop, heavy or custom) or simply turn it off.

                         Pricing and Availability
  The S2 Sports Walkman music players come in two different capacities:

  * The NW-S203F player has a total capacity of 1GB and will cost around
    $120, and

  * The NW-S205F player has a total capacity of 2GB and will cost around
    $150 dollars.

The players will be available in September at www.sonystyle.com, in Sony Style retail stores nationwide, and at authorized dealers across the country.

SOURCE: Sony Electronics Inc.

CONTACT: Linda Barger of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-2986,
linda.barger@am.sony.com; or Joslyn Beloff of Burson-Marsteller,
+1-212-614-4664, joslyn.beloff@bm.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.

Web site: http://www.sony.com/news

Web site: http://www.connect.com/

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/