The Sony Odyssey was the first low - cost , portable music player . Once these units are sold , new cassette Walkmans will no longer be available through the manufacturer . Final batch was shipped to Japanese retailers in April . First generation Walkman was released on July 1 , 1979 in Japan . Announcement was just one day ahead of the company 's ninth anniversary .
The Sony Odyssey was the first low - cost , portable music player . Final batch was shipped to Japanese retailers in April . First generation Walkman was released on July 1 , 1979 in Japan . Announcement was just one day ahead of the company 's ninth anniversary .