The MiniDisc, like many other formats that Sony has released in the past (Betamax, Atrac) was ahead of its time when it was released in September of 1992. MiniDisc promised to be more portable than cassette tape, while delivering better audio quality and durability. Sure enough, like Betamax vs. VHS and Atrac vs. MP3, the format was superior in every which way that Sony promised. Even once the CD player and CD format began to rise over cassettes, MiniDisc as a format was able to hold its own and offered users an impressive 30 hours of playback on two AA batteries and allowed you to record live sessions directly on them, with instant playback. However, due to higher costs and lack of support from record companies, the format would never come to attract much attention from consumers, instead staying as a product for the pro-consumers of the market.

Now, after 20 years this September, Sony is to end MiniDisc Walkman productions for Japan, where the device is still being actively sold, though in very low volumes. As of March 2011, the MiniDisc Walkman has sold 22 million units. With the rise of the iPod in the last 8 years and growth of smartphones in the last 4 years, Sony sees no reason to invest resources into an already small market. This seems like a highly appropriate move for the company which is currently involved in stiff competitions in many different product segments. The MiniDisc Walkman will be available in stores until current inventories are depleted. Sony is said to continue making the MiniDiscs themselves, as well as stereos that can play back the audio discs. Sony will also keep producing CD Walkmans, though one hopes that, depending on the profit margins and sale volumes, Sony might be tempted to kill off that production as well.

[via Nikkei]