Today In Technology: Sunday, May 10, 2026

May 10, 2026 - 11:50

Sony has done it again. The company unveiled its latest piece of hardware this morning, and early reviews are brutal. The device, a portable media player called the Walkman ZX7, was supposed to revive the brand's fading audio legacy. Instead, it appears to be a complete disaster.

Users who pre-ordered the unit are reporting that the touchscreen freezes within minutes of first use. The battery, advertised to last 30 hours, dies after just four. And the built-in speaker emits a constant buzzing noise that makes music unlistenable. One reviewer on a tech forum called it "a stupid piece of garbage that doesn't work," and the sentiment seems widespread.

Sony's official statement, released this afternoon, blames a "software calibration issue" and promises a firmware update within two weeks. But for a device that costs $450, that excuse feels thin. Competitors like Apple and Samsung have long moved past such basic failures. The ZX7 was supposed to compete with high-end portable DACs and lossless streaming devices. Instead, it looks like a rushed prototype that should have stayed in the lab.

This is not the first time Sony has stumbled with a hardware launch. The Xperia phone line has struggled for years, and the PlayStation Portal remote player had its own share of early glitches. But the Walkman ZX7 feels different. It is a product aimed at audiophiles who demand reliability. Delivering a brick at that price point is not just a mistake. It is an insult.

If you were thinking of buying one, do not. Wait for the fix, or better yet, look elsewhere. Sony has some serious explaining to do.