Network Walkman NW-S700F/S600 to Debut on October 21/November 18 in Japan

So, it’s official. The buzz surrounding the advent of Sony’s new Network Walkman – NW-S700F/S600 – series has culminated with an official release date in Japan today. The NW-S700F (as we have reported recently) along with its non-FM variant, the NW-S600 series will debut in Japan on October 21, 2006 and November 18, 2006 respectively.

NW-S706F: 4GB, approx. ¥29,000 (USD$243)
–> available colors: Black, Violet, Gold, Pink
NW-S706F/T: 4GB, approx. ¥30,800 (USD$258) *Special SonyStyle Japan Limited Ed.
–> pre-order via SonyStyle Japan on October 12
–> Color: Ebony Brown with chrome-plated die-cast frame
NW-S705F: 2GB, approx. ¥23,000 (USD$193)
–> available colors: Black, Violet, Gold, Pink
NW-S703F: 1GB, approx. ¥18,000 (USD$151)
–> available colors: Black, Violet, Gold, Pink

NW-S605: 2GB, approx. ¥20,000 (USD$167)
–> available colors: Black, Blue, Pink
NW-S603: 1GB, approx. ¥15,000 (USD$126)
–> available colors: Black, Blue, Pink

More pictures and details after the jump …

Special SonyStyle Japan Limited Ed. NW-S706F/T

In addition to the inclusion of Noise Cancelling feature (we have discussed earlier) within the new Walkman, Sony has incorporated two new audio technologies as well: “Clear Stereo” and “Clear Bass”. The former implies efficient management or separation if you will, of the L/R channels and the latter produces better bass with very minimal distortion.

Navigation via “Jacket Search”

The new Network Walkman also features a new WM-PORT – which enables direct recording from CD/MD –> NW-S700F/S600 using an optional WMC-NWR1 cable, which is equipped with a recording level switch. The cable is about 60cm in length.

NW-S700F/S600 | Basic Specifications

Display: color OLED screen display.
Connection: Hi-Speed USB / WM-PORT (multi-connection terminal)
Supported format: MP3/WMA*/AAC*/ATRAC/ATRAC Advanced Lossless/Linear PCM
★ MP3: 32-320 kbps and VBR compliant; sampling frequency: 32, 44.1, and 48kHz
★ WMA*: 32-192 kbps and VBR compliant; sampling frequency: 44.1kHz
★ AAC*: 16-320kbps and VBR compliant; sampling frequency; 11.025/12/16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48kHz
★ ATRAC: ATRAC3 – 66/105/132 kbps; ATRAC3plus – 48/64/96/128/160/192/256/320/352kbps; sampling frequency: 44.1kHz
* does not support WMA/AAC files with DRM
Noise Cancellation: built-in feature
Sound Quality: Noise Cancelling function, Clear Bass, Clear Stereo, 5 Band Equalizer, VPT Acoustic Engine and Dynamic Normalizer
FM tuner: Reception frequency is FM:76.0～90.0MHz; TV:1～3ch Power source: built-in lithium ion chargeable battery and USB power
Charge method: USB bus power charge
Charging time (USB charge): approx. 120 minutes
Battery life: approx. 50 hrs (measured with built-in chargeable battery use, ATRAC 132kbps mode, and power saving mode super-time VPT/clear Noise cancelling *only the NW-S700F series, and stereo/equalizer OFF)
I/O interface: headphone/WM-PORT (multi-connection terminal: 22 pins)
Dimensions: 87.2mm (d) × 27.4mm (h) × 14.9mm (w)
Mass: approx. 47g (inclusive of built-in lithium ion chargeable battery)