Sony Walking the Walkman to Android

Starting next year, Sony's Walkman line of multimedia players will be based on Android, according to a report coming out of Japan.

Details are sketchy at this point, but this company is apparently planning a wide collection of products using Google's operating system. As they will run Android, surely at least some of these upcoming devices will be smartphones.

The first of these will be released in 2010, according to to Japan-based Nikkan.

Sony vs. Apple
Apple has been very successful with its iPod line and its combination phone and music player, and Sony looks to be trying to walking in its footsteps. Sony  Walkman players and Sony Ericsson phones with Walkman technology have enjoyed some success, but nothing like Apple's products.

Apparently, Sony is planning to step up the competition with Android, This operating system offers all the features of a full smartphone -- web browser, email, PIM software -- and its multimedia players could be enhanced with features from Walkman players.

Via Engadget