As the adage states, “history repeats itself’. It seems that’s true in the tech world, as a Hong Kong-based startup is attempting to bring back the iconic Walkman cassette player.
Dubbed “it’s OK,” the humble tape player can be connected to wireless headphones or speakers via Bluetooth. It also runs traditional batteries and is being sold for just AED275 (US$75). First deliveries are expected this December.
Hong Kong-based NINM Lab only put up the Kickstarter page yesterday, and within a few hours had exceeded its target of AED36,750 (US$10,000). The cassette player will be available on Kickstarter for another four weeks and has already raised AED196,800 (US$53,580).
While sales in audiocassettes are still barely worth registering, in the UK alone, they more than doubled last year.
Some artists continue to realise new work in this format, however, outdated that may be. Technology consultants also say there is a ‘Stranger Things Effect’ in play that has brought back nostalgia for the now-defunct Walkman player.
The Sony Walkman recently celebrated its 50th birthday just last week.
Sony came out with the first Walkman on July 1, 1979. It was the first time a compact, portable music player had hit the market, and it allowed its users to enjoy music privately via headphones plugged directly into the device.
A music revolution at the time, the Sony Walkman continued to rule portable music players right up until the digital music revolution, and the iPod came about.
Counting all versions altogether, more than 220 million Walkmen were sold around the world.
And if NINM Labs continue to be successful, that number might continue to rise.
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