1985 WM-F101
The WM-F101 is a Walkman with a built-in radio.
1986
WM-F202
The WM-F202 was a radio cassette Walkman with full stereo recording capability, combining FM, AM, and TV audio reception with playback and recording in one of Sony's smallest portable bodies of the time. Auto-reverse and Dolby B supported both listening and recording, while a one-point plug-in stereo microphone and direct off-air recording gave it more flexibility than most compact playback-only models. Despite all of that, the metal body still stayed close to cassette dimensions and was sold as a fully portable setup with Fontopia headphones.
This was one of those highly compressed mid-1980s Sony machines that tried to do almost everything without giving up portability. It makes most sense for users who treated the Walkman as a tool for gathering sound as well as hearing it, whether from broadcasts, quick outside recordings, or everyday tape use. The F202 feels less like a luxury model than a compact little utility object built for people who wanted options.
Sony took a more compact approach to multi-function Walkmans with the WM-F202, combining a cassette recorder, FM/AM tuner, and auto-reverse playback in a body only slightly larger than a tape.
Earlier models such as the WM-F2 had offered similar features, but the F202 applied the thin, flat design introduced in the WM-101 series to create a more portable all-in-one unit.
The transport supported auto reverse, Dolby B, and a manual selector for normal, chrome, and metal tapes. A photo sensor monitored reel movement to handle auto stop inside the tight internal layout, an example of how Sony used electronic control to simplify mechanics.
