Sony Japan has finally launched the NW-S700F digital Walkman series, a week and a half after details of the device slipped out on a UK retail website. As expected, the Flash-based line-up comprises models in a variety of metallic colours and with storage capacities of 1-4GB.

Those bulbous earphones may look like noise-reducing 'phones, but Sony said the NW-S700F's on-board mic is used to power a noise-cancellation circuit, allowing you to listen to your tunes free from outside influences. Sony claims the players deliver improved stereo separation and distortion-free bass reinforcement too.

Sony also touted the NW-S700F series' 50-hour music playback time on a single battery charge. The battery takes two hours to fill, but you'll get three hours' playback after just three minutes' connection to a spare USB 2.0 port, Sony said.

The Japanese debut of the NW-S700F series will take place on 21 October, Sony said. On 18 November it will launch the NW-S600 range, a pair of models that lack the other players' noise-cancellation technology and FM tuner.

Sony hasn't said when the players will ship over here, but we expect them to appear in a similar timeframe to the Japanese launch, priced at £100-180. ®