Sony's cassette Walkman has taken a further step towards becoming a museum exhibit as the final models are sold in the firm's native Japan.
An icon of the '80s: the first and second versions of Sony's cassette Walkman
The last batch of the retro device left factories in April and no more will be produced for Japanese customers, Sony said.
According to the firm, cassette Walkmans will continue to be made in a Chinese factory to meet the remaining orders in Asia and Europe.
Sony told Sky News customers in the UK would still be able to buy the player from high street catalogue shop Argos.
Since its debut in July 1979, Sony has sold 220 million cassette Walkman players across the world and made portable music players a lifestyle essential for many.
However, it was overtaken first by the portable CD player, then minidisc devices and finally the iPod, which celebrates its ninth anniversary this week.
It looks bulky now, but the Walkman was a pioneering piece of electronic kit
Despite being bulky compared with today's devices and lacking in features, the cassette Walkman is not without its fans.
More than 50 contented customers have left positive reviews of the £16 basic WMEX194 model on Argos's site, praising the large buttons and the reliable mechanism that plays their old cassettes without chewing the tape.
One wrote: "Wasn't sure these were still available, but have just got one for my Dad in hospital. It's lightweight, really easy to use and sounds really good. He's delighted with it. I thought it was a fantastic price."
Older versions of the Sony Walkman are now collectors' items and some 'vintage' models sell for hundreds of pounds.
An icon of the '80s: the first and second versions of Sony's cassette Walkman
The last batch of the retro device left factories in April and no more will be produced for Japanese customers, Sony said.
According to the firm, cassette Walkmans will continue to be made in a Chinese factory to meet the remaining orders in Asia and Europe.
Sony told Sky News customers in the UK would still be able to buy the player from high street catalogue shop Argos.
Since its debut in July 1979, Sony has sold 220 million cassette Walkman players across the world and made portable music players a lifestyle essential for many.
However, it was overtaken first by the portable CD player, then minidisc devices and finally the iPod, which celebrates its ninth anniversary this week.
It looks bulky now, but the Walkman was a pioneering piece of electronic kit
Despite being bulky compared with today's devices and lacking in features, the cassette Walkman is not without its fans.
More than 50 contented customers have left positive reviews of the £16 basic WMEX194 model on Argos's site, praising the large buttons and the reliable mechanism that plays their old cassettes without chewing the tape.
One wrote: "Wasn't sure these were still available, but have just got one for my Dad in hospital. It's lightweight, really easy to use and sounds really good. He's delighted with it. I thought it was a fantastic price."
Older versions of the Sony Walkman are now collectors' items and some 'vintage' models sell for hundreds of pounds.