NW-A865

The NW-A865 is the first A Series Network Walkman with touch panel control. It belonged to the seventh-generation family and added Bluetooth. With 16 GB storage supporting ATRAC, MP3, WMA, and AAC playback plus video and photo, it uses a lithium-ion battery for 36 hours. S-Master MX and Bluetooth were included.

This unit is part of the phase where the A Series starts adjusting to a more connected world. It still carries the refined A850 identity, but Bluetooth and a more flexible user experience begin to shift the line slightly. Sony does not abandon the classic formula. It adjusts it carefully. The player still is a dedicated object, just with a little more awareness of changing expectations.