Shiro AS, the soccer ball MP3 player

We've seen plenty of oddly shaped DAPs in the past, but this soccer ball-shaped Shiro AS 1GB flash player gives 'em all a run for their money by sporting one of the least pocketable form factors we've seen yet. It includes an OLED display, FM recording, a 10 hour batter life, and supports MP3 and WMA, though there's no word on Windows Media DRM support. The player is due in Singapore this April -- with a few ill-fated soccer matches to follow.

[Thanks, tipsy_jim]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 6:09PM]

So cool hi

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 6:29PM]

I want one. The buttons look a little big though. Price yet?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 6:37PM]

This will be huge, as soon as european soccer teams start buying them and branding them. Football fans will buy anything if it has their team colours on it.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 6:49PM]

Batter life.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 7:33PM]

I'd love to see it as an ACTUAL soccer ball. So it would pump out the tunes while you kick it around. Maybe you could even enhance it to respond to the frequency and power of the kicks.

[distantbody Posted Feb 7th 2006 7:57PM]

Thats a really beautiful mp3 player, what a releif to see a design that someone actually had to think about.

[distantbody Posted Feb 7th 2006 8:04PM]

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...And full marks to Shiro, you are in my good books (for now...
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[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 8:30PM]

Distantbody, i agree with you completely. Finally some originality in this field!

G-zus, seriously--think about what you just said. Someone comes up with a successful product, so everyone else should give up?
Good thing you weren't in Detroit 100 years ago; "look at the Model T; GM, Chrysler, etc should just give up..."

[tallon Posted Feb 7th 2006 9:58PM]

Batter life? So it lasts for 10 hours of being bashed around? At least it's longer than the ipod nano...
seriously though it is a sweet design, if a little impractical.

[PEZ Posted Feb 7th 2006 10:33PM]

A for effort on the design. Makes me think of "the manhatten project" movie when the kid builds the bomb and john lithgow porks his mom.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2006 10:55PM]

I know the form factor isn't pocketable but it would be ok if you could wear it around your neck. Many people do it anyways with more pocket friendly form factor Mp3 players so i don't see why anyone can't do the same with this. I really like it.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2006 9:09AM]

very nice design. 10 hour batter life is good.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2006 3:30PM]

I absolutely love my 1GB Shiro! The sound quality and battery life are just awesome. One of the cool features is that it powers up via USB. Its form and function at its best! Gotta love it.