SoniqCast's Aireo 2: 20GB MP3 player with built-in WiFi
posted October 15th 2004 9:59AM
Their first stab at this, the original Aireo, only had a scant 1.5GB of storage space, but SoniqCast's figured out
that most people want a little bit more bang for the buck and have squeeze a 20GB drive into the Aireo 2, their new MP3
with built-in WiFi. You probably won't really want to waste your time using that 802.11b connection for file transfers
(synching…20GB…might…take…a…little…while…), but you can use the WiFi to stream Internet radio (it has stream-capturing
software, too) or to download Audible audiobooks, and the Aireo 2 also pulls double duty as a wireless hotspot detector
(which is such an obvious application, really glad they tossed that one in). Still missing a couple of things that
might make use really, truly lustful, like the ability to wirelessly swap tunes with other users (imagine being able to
browse and grab tunes from somebody else's player while you're riding the subway) or wirelessly buy songs from an
online music store (you could just hit a hotspot to top yourself off), but who are we kidding. Once Apple adds 802.11g
(or ultra wideband or WiMax or whatever) to the iPod this thing is just a footnote.
[Via MacCentral]
"Once Apple adds 802.11g (or ultra wideband or WiMax or whatever)"
Apple has incredible marketshare, but they're becoming the lumbering giant while the small guys are the leading edge of innovation.
Adding wifi to an MP3 player is like putting chocolate sauce on prime rib: each is great in its own right, but together they are not a good combination.
Those who have been begging Apple (and others) to put wifi in the iPod haven't been thinking much about the actual utility of doing that. The uses are few, especially for a portable music device (home devices are another story) and the benefits of those uses do not (and will never) exceed the problems such as cost, battery life, and (from the mfr perspective) the issues of meatspace peer-to-peer networking. Apple will never go for it. And by the way, SoniqCast is already a footnote.
I thnk a quality FM transceiver would be a better solution now.Broadcast if to your Car radio and listen to the FM. For what purpose would you need WiFi on an Mp3 player if thats all i does? Your PC must have WiFi, PLUS a back up of your tunes.... so just play them from there. ITs a nice option, but if there was a real use for it more companies would be doing it. Until there is a clear reason for a WiPod, there wont be one.
Although the Wi-Fi won't be much good for file transfers, it could open up all realms of nerdery.
Not a bad looking piece of kit although the blue on the buttons is a bit aggressive.
I do think that Wi-Fi will make it to the iPod though, purely for the Airport Express functionality.
Since music is one of the most common denominators of interest among people, I'd imagine being able to broadcast what tunes you have would be a great way to start up conversations with people. Or a great way to ridicule strangers.
Sure wifi right now has limited use, but think about the future possibilities of subscribing to a real-time download feed via WiMax of your latest news, music and spoken word programming delivered to your media player device or getting to real-time updated streaming links that will enable us full control of our radio listening playlists. When you think about empowering listeners with this kind of control it will be very popular, but will take time to be adopted as it is such a new concept.
Terrestrial Broadcasters better take notice and start moving in that direction and start embracing the new download Podcasting trend and just maybe they will not get left behind.
in addition to the FM transmitter,
note that the Aireo 2 also has USB 2.0
("high speed", whatever actual speed
it may be), whereas the Aireo 1 had
slower USB 1.1.
I got an Aireo I. I use the WiFi to wirelessly update. The player stays in the car. It wakes up at 3:00a and finds any new music on my computer and downloads it. How did you spend your time with an iPod? The bigger form factor on the II will make this a fine music machine. All ready I can let people with an FM tuner on their player hear what I got on mine already. If I ever run into anyone with an Aireo, we CAN swap over the wireless as an adhoc network. It gets a 9 on the cool scale. Now, where are the inventive hackers who can tell me how to up an Aireo I to 20 gig?
The outright snobbery of Apple's robots is outstanding!! One would never expect someone who over spent on an object, just to be trendy, to admit it. The Aireo 1 and 2 are outstanding devices. The 1 & 2 have wifi (I use it to identify hotspots in airports) FM transmit and receive (I use it to play my MP3s through stereos in hotels) enough space to play several hours of music, the ability to create new play lists and have the device update itself automatically at 3:00 am via 802.11b.
Granted neither are as small as a mini Ipod, yet they are very rugged.
Apple, like Microsoft are the the beneficiaries of strong marketing and a mindless following of the masses.
Remember, The Ford Escort used to be the most popular car on the road, not the best for the same reasons.
I can't believe I spent this much time on this subject. I need to get a life. The rest of you spend what you will and be a slave to trends.
The outright snobbery of Apple's robots is outstanding!! One would never expect someone who over spent on an object, just to be trendy, to admit it. The Aireo 1 and 2 are outstanding devices. The 1 & 2 have wifi (I use it to identify hotspots in airports) FM transmit and receive (I use it to play my MP3s through stereos in hotels) enough space to play several hours of music, the ability to create new play lists and have the device update itself automatically at 3:00 am via 802.11b.
Granted neither are as small as a mini Ipod, yet they are very rugged.
Apple, like Microsoft are the the beneficiaries of strong marketing and a mindless following of the masses.
Remember, The Ford Escort used to be the most popular car on the road, not the best for the same reasons.
I can't believe I spent this much time on this subject. I need to get a life. The rest of you spend what you will and be a slave to trends.
I loved the Aireo so much I bought four of them for the family. If you are an audible user, this is a great device. The 1.5 G size is a drawback, but it gives me 30 books on the HD. In addition, I put 512 MB of songs in the SD slot.
My two favorite features: When I unplug the headphones in the car it automatically does a FM broadcast to the radio, and SoniqCast does regular firmware updates that introduces new features.
There are a lot of valid comments above. I'd have to agree that at this moment in time a built-in FM transmit feature is of more use than wifi, but who knows what the future holds. One wonders whether the ingenuity of the smaller players will be able to beat the fashion tag of the iPod. It seems that the iPod is becoming to digital audio players what Sellotape is to adhesive tape or what Hoover is to vaccuum cleaners.
Ivan
Where can I buy it ?
I have used the first version for over a year with no problems. I listen to music and books while on the road and at home. The fm transmition is the most used option. Putting the books and music in the player is easy. I want to get the 20 gig verson now so i can pass it on to the kids. They did a great job on this. My daughters ipod is not as versital and has been plaged with baterey problems.
We've been trying for 5 weeks to locate the SoniqCast Aireo 2.0 & can't find anyone willing to assist us with our purchase. Can anyone assist us?
Thank you!
Greg Jackson
It would be very nice for them to make this product and be availiable for purchase. I'm thinking this will not make the market. It's been over a year since the first "preview" and was due to be availiable Quarter 2.