Sony struggling as Walkman hits 30th anniversary

Published: Sunday, July 5, 2009 1:22 p.m. MDT TOKYO — When the Sony Walkman went on sale 30 years ago, it was shown off by a skateboarder to illustrate how the portable cassette-tape player delivered music on-the-go — a totally innovative idea back in 1979. Today, Sony Corp. is struggling to reinvent itself and win back its reputation as a pioneer of razzle-dazzle gadgetry once exemplified in the Walkman, which Wednesday had its 30th anniversary marked with a special display at Sony's corporate archives. The Japanese electronics and entertainment company lost 98.9 billion yen ($1.02 billion) in the fiscal year ended March — its first annual loss in 14 years — and is expecting more red ink this year. The manufacturer, which also makes Vaio personal computers and Cyber-shot cameras, hasn't had a decisive hit like the Walkman... [read full story]                    

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