Sony Corp said on Thursday it is developing a video-capable Walkman, playing catch-up with Apple Computer Inc’s market-leading iPod.
Sony created the market for portable music players with its epoch-making Walkman more than a quarter of a century ago, but in recent years it has trailed far behind Apple, whose iPod holds more than half the global digital media player market.
“We are developing a product that handles images, but I cannot make any comment on specific plans,” Sony Senior Vice President Hiroshi Yoshioka told a news conference that unveiled upcoming Walkman models.
Apple launched a video-enabled iPod last October.
Yoshioka also said on the sidelines of the news conference that he aims to double Walkman’s share in the global portable digital music player market from the current 10 percent, without elaborating.
