The Sony Watchman was must-see TV
- The Sony Watchman was released in 1982, revolutionizing the concept of “TV” from a physical piece of furniture to a portable, personal device.
- The Watchman was one of the first devices to bring television into people’s homes, making it possible for them to watch their favorite shows and programs anywhere.
- Sony’s innovation helped change the way people consumed media, paving the way for future technologies like the Walkman and other portable electronics.
- The Watchman was a significant departure from traditional TV viewing, offering users more control over their viewing experience and the ability to watch content on demand.
- Today, the Sony Watchman is largely forgotten, but its impact on the development of modern television and entertainment technology cannot be overstated.
To understand the Sony Watchman, you have to go back. Way back. Back to when “TV” wasn’t just a way to refer to any piece of content between 20 and 89 minutes, available on every screen everywhere for a few bucks a month. In 1982, when Sony first started selling its new device, “TV” was a piece of furniture. It was probably humungous, and often made largely of wood. Sony helped change all that.
For this episode of Version History, we take on the whole story of the Watchman. David Pierce, Allison Johnson, and Victoria Song start with the story of the Walkman (though that’s another episode in itself), which was for all intents and purposes th …
Read the full story at The Verge.
Q. When was Sony first selling its new device called “Watchman”?
A. In 1982.
Q. What did people typically refer to when they said “TV” in 1982?
A. A piece of furniture, often made of wood and humungous.
Q. Who are the hosts of this episode of Version History about the Watchman?
A. David Pierce, Allison Johnson, and Victoria Song.
Q. What was the Walkman, according to the text?
A. For all intents and purposes, it was the same as the Watchman (another topic for another episode).
Q. What did Sony help change in 1982 with its new device?
A. The way people thought of “TV”.
Q. How much did a typical TV cost in 1982?
A. A few bucks a month.
Q. What was the original purpose of the Walkman, which is mentioned as part of the Watchman story?
A. Not explicitly stated in the provided text, but implied to be another episode topic.