WM-FX403

The WM-FX403 pushed the FX line further into electronically managed everyday use by adding a synthesized digital FM/AM tuner, LCD display, clock, and alarm functions to the usual cassette-and-radio formula. It also offers Mega Bass, anti-rolling support, and Sony's automatic volume limiting system inside a compact plastic body powered by two AA batteries, making the machine feel closer to a daily-use electronics object than a simple tape player with tuner attached.

Here the Walkman starts behaving closer to a personal routine device than a pure music object. The clock and alarm change how the machine fits into daily life. The FX403 is less like "portable audio" in the old sense and closer to a compact multi-use companion.