Yesterday Sony unveiled its top-of-the-line Walkman Video MP3 player – the X-series Walkman.   This is a premium portable entertainment device that Sony hopes will rival Apples iPod and Microsofts Zune.  The X-Series  is Wi-Fi enabled and features an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) touch screen, Sony’s Digital Clear Audio Technologies, as well as embedded content provided by Slacker Radio and YouTube.  That’s right…..Slacker comes standard!  This will give the Internet radio provider even more exposure, and is sure to bring more Slacker fans to the forefront.

“The new X-series leverages Sony’s engineering heritage and integrates the latest advances in OLED and other innovative technologies.  We focused on enhancing audio and video playback to develop a device that
allows consumers a deeper, more interactive way to enjoy content, as well as discover new content, for a truly unique entertainment experience.”

The X-Series Walkman boasts a 3-inch OLED touch screen, delivering outstanding video, exceptional color reproduction, extremely high contrast and a rapid response rate.  The 180-degree viewing angle and the next generation display allow for amazing video playback and photo viewing.  Additionally, when watching
movies on the device, the image on the screen can be adjusted based on the user’s preference, while navigation has been simplified via a feature called scene scroll. Utilizing the scene scroll feature, users select their preferred time increment and simply swipe across the screen to scroll forward and backward through scenes.

If you have ever bought noise cancelling headphones, you know the benefit they deliver.  Sony’s X-series Walkman is the industry’s first video MP3 player to offer integrated digital noise canceling technology. The new model uses a unique, built-in digital noise canceling (DNC) software engine to block out ambient noise, while providing a high-quality audio experience.  This is accomplished via 13.5mm EX headphones which house a small microphone to measure intrusive noise so the DNC filter can create an optimal inverted sound wave that reduces up to 98.0 percent of the noise. Sony’s DNC software engine makes it possible for the digital noise canceling technology to work in all environments, but custom settings can be selected to enhance the experience. Users can select airplane, bus/train or office modes which use different filters in the digital signal processor specifically tuned for these surroundings.

As an added benefit, users can turn on the noise canceling feature for peace and quiet even without listening to music. On airplanes, travelers can also connect the X-series player directly to a plane’s audio / video
system with the included accessory cable, and enjoy regular in-flight entertainment with the bonus of digital noise cancellation.

What goes into your X-series?  Sony thought of that as well.  The X-series Walkman broadens options for enjoying content from multiple sources, including many download stores, the FM tuner, personal collections and embedded services like Slacker Radio. Using Slacker, music lovers select up to three stations and hundreds of songs will get pushed to the device at no charge. When the stations are refreshed in a Wi-Fi
area, the content is buffered and cached on the Walkman player so those tunes can be enjoyed anywhere and everywhere. Slacker also features rich metadata allowing users to access artist info while listening to a song
and customize channels with “favorite” and “ban” buttons for the service to suggest content.

Support for popular audio and video codecs is enhanced because the X-series Walkman devices play protected Windows Media Video (WMV) files, and supports other video codecs such as AVC Baseline (H.264) and MPEG-4, allowing you to enjoy movies and video clips from your other media collections as well as paid music services. It also comes with Content Transfer software which simplifies “drag and drop” transfer of non-DRM music, videos, podcasts and playlists from online music services such as iTunes to Walkman players.

The battery life is up to 33 hours of music playback and up to 9 hours of video playback giving users plenty of entertainment between charges.  The X-Series marks Sony’s first Walkman product with Wi-Fi integration, making it a smart device for consumers who want to stay connected at all times.  Utilizing built-in Wi-Fi technology, the X-series Walkman Video MP3 players let you access an Internet web browser, subscribe to and refresh podcasts, and search for and playback content on YouTube, all without using your PC. In addition, a “Related Links” function found when playing your favorite songs allows for quick searches
of complementary content via YouTube using metadata associated with the song.

We all know the iPod is all about function.  Sony is as well.  The device utilizes a hybrid interface with both touch panel operation and a hard key system to improve upon the navigation experience. Select buttons like volume, play/pause, rewind/fast forward, lock and noise canceling enhance usability when the device is in a backpack, purse or pocket for quick operation without looking at the display.

The Sony X-Series Walkman is expected to be available at retailers in mid-June and will be priced about the same as the iPod Touch. The 16GB model will be $299, and the 32GB will cost $399.

Features:

• Unlimited free music on your BlackBerry
• Over 100 expert-programmed genre stations
• High-quality stereo sound over any connection
• Listen even when not connected
• Music plays even while using other applications

If you missed your shot at the 2GB Slacker portable back on the first of the month, now is your chance to upgrade for only $20. For today, and today only, you can get your hands on the Slacker 8GB WiFi Internet Radio Player with 40 Stations for only $69.99 at woot.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 2.76 x .67×4.2” (70mm x 16.5mm x 109mm)
• Player Weight: 4.6oz
• Screen Dimensions: 4” diagonal (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
• Screen Resolution: 480×272 TFT-LCD
• Audio Formats: MP3, WMA
• Wi-Fi: 802.11B/G
• Battery Type: Li-Polymer
• Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
• Battery Charge Time: about 3 hours

For those of you who may be looking for an affordable gift this Holiday season look no further then woot.com. For today, and today only you can grab a 2GB Slacker WiFi Internet Radio Player with 15 Stations at woot for only $49.99.

• Dimensions: 2.76 x .67×4.2” (70mm x 16.5mm x 109mm)
• Player Weight: 4.6oz
• Screen Dimensions: 4” diagonal (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
• Screen Resolution: 480×272 TFT-LCD
• Audio Formats: MP3, WMA
• Wi-Fi: 802.11B/G
• Battery Type: Li-Polymer
• Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
• Battery Charge Time: about 3 hours

When you are the audio entertainment of audiophiles, you have to deliver and that is just what Slacker has done. They, like Santa, understand that one size does not fit all, and because they are eager to give you the listener something you’ll love, they developed a host of choices in your holiday music. Who knew that one holiday could give so many musical choices!

It is October, and Halloween is fast approaching.  Get into the Halloween spirit with Slacker’s Halloween Radio.  Slacker’s Halloween station is so good, it’s scary!   Catch an interesting mix of classic Halloween tracks and hot new music with a dark twist. Halloween Radio on Slacker will make any party a spirited success.

- Choose “edit” while playing one of your stations
- Click the new tab titled “Request Songs” (see photo).
- Type in an artist/band you like, and then “request” songs by clicking on the heart beside each song.

As with everything Slacker does, it is that simple. Slacker will play these songs more often, making your custoimized radio experience even better.

Slacker is sweetening the pie with an offer of free shipping with the order of any Slacker portable device. The offer is available for a limited time, and is a great opportunity to try out what others already know. Customized radio stations that meet your taste because they learn from you.

The portable player is available in three configurations. A 15 station, 25 station, or 40 station model. Slacker says that it is what radio was meant to be, delivering over 2 million songs, over 100 professionally programmed stations, more than 10,000 artist stations, and an unlimited number of personally created stations – all for free. The Slacker Portable plays all of your personalized music everywhere you go.

As if that was not enough, your Slacker Portable can be preloaded with your favorite Slacker stations for free. Fully customized, free preloading, and free shipping!!! How much easier could it get. Want to know more? Visit Slacker

Catch your Slacker news here at Slacker Active, and share your experiences in the Slacker Forums.

This build includes:

- General enhancements
- Additional features such as auto-pause & resume when you plug and unplug headphones

You can update the Slacker Portable simply by doing a standard station refresh. It’s best to have the player charged while doing this. Once you’re done you can check to make sure that firmware build reads 1.4.100 by going to Settings ; About.