JVC XA-F57, XA-F107 flash audio players

JVC is making another effort to stake out some turf in the digital audio player market with two new flash models, the 512MB XA-F57 and 1GB XA-F107 (which are, basically, US versions of the Alneo models the company showed in Japan a few months back). Both models support MP3, WMA and PlaysForSure, and also include a line-in for direct encoding. They also include everyone's favorite feature du jour, a lanyard with an integrated headphones (of course, that could get in the way if you don't want to wear the player around your neck, but then if that's the case, you're probably not JVC's kind of customer). The players also have a mono LCD display, come in pink, silver, white and black, and support mass-storage mode for non-DRM'd files. The F57 is expected to sell for $99, and the F107 should go for about $149.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 3:01PM]

They look like borderline Sony ripoffs. Other than the lanyard headphones (Apple's are the best), what's so good about it to entice people to buy it??

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 3:22PM]

Oh my days engadget... A whole page with no Apple articles... When was the last time this happened.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 3:43PM]

1. These don't look like any Sony players I can think of. As for the Apple lanyard headphones, if they're anything like the regular earbuds then I highly doubt they're "the best".

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 3:55PM]

No apple articles today? WTF engadget, half of us just come for apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 4:00PM]

These look a lot like the Sony NW-A3000 or even the new NW-A(002,003,005) line. The same organic shape, finish, colors, and similar display.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 4:20PM]

Dam right Barry

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 11th 2006 8:41PM]

Flash audio players are still alive and kick'n eh?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2006 6:11AM]

Haven't had much more luck today Azhar mate.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2006 12:44AM]

the features on this are too little too late, I've seen 10 times the product 6 months ago

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2006 2:09AM]

Nice form factor. If they sound as good as they look, I think they'll be winners.