MobiBLU Cube 2 - successor to "world's smallest" MP3 player

MobiBLU is apparently getting ready to roll out a successor to the DAH-1500/1500i, the company's diminutive flagship product. The new model, apparently known as the Cube 2, doesn't appear to shave an millimeter or gram off of the DAH-1500's tiny footprint, but does add a new cross-shaped controller, along with a two-color OLED display. (We assume MobiBLU has kept the player's MP3/WMA/FM specs.) And we still don't recommend wearing it as jewelry.

[Via DAPReview]

[poopy_pants @ Apr 19th 2006 11:13AM]

It may have a really small footprint and volume. But the nano fits in your pocket better.

[yuppicide @ Apr 19th 2006 11:24AM]

I have these in my freezer in the ice cube tray. They make any party more colorful and lively.

[Heath Stahl @ Apr 19th 2006 11:24AM]

Is that thing playing Kenny G?

[PodMonkeys @ Apr 19th 2006 11:27AM]

Goog God! I thin k it IS playing Kenny G!
Flee!

[bloggaru @ Apr 19th 2006 11:31AM]

i agree, i would rather have a nano, but this is cool

[Simon P @ Apr 19th 2006 11:32AM]

I think #2's right. Damn that's a deal breaker

[x24 @ Apr 19th 2006 11:55AM]

I have the DAH-1500i and hopefully in this new version, they fixed the many quirks on the firmware. I noticed that they have recessed the sliphole for the strap.

[Brian @ Apr 19th 2006 12:08PM]

Yes, the nano does fit better in your pocket. BUT, suppose you wanted to go for a run or hit the weights at the gym... MobiBlu cubes are superior in that you can easily use them with around the neck earbuds and is much more comfortable to 'wear' while you are moving about. Sure, you can argue that a nano can go right on your hip or in a strap on your arm, but then you have to worry about loose wires (and we all hate those damn loose wires).

My point: If you plan on using your mp3 player heavily while moving around or working out, cubes rock.

PLUS, OLED is awesome, and I'm gonna guess that the battery life is a whole lot better than the nano.

[Party Supplies @ Apr 19th 2006 12:18PM]

Nano's better, but this is pretty cool too. Still think you can't beat the nano

[PEZ @ Apr 19th 2006 12:24PM]

2GB for $160. Screw the nano. Also, using WMA, you can fit double your music. Simple.

This dosnt need to fit in your pocket either! Use it as a zipper fly :-P

Also, the nano can load ipodlunix and play PACMAN! Now thats the balls. Plus, it scratches better!

[zip22 @ Apr 19th 2006 12:32PM]

Brian, unless they changed the battery or the circuit board significantly, i don't think battery life will be better than the nano. the old mobiblu cube only got around 8 hours of battery life (cnet got 7, dapreview got 8.5).
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2005/08/mobiblu-dah1500i-review.php

i imagine the new screen uses even more power.

the nano got more than 15 hours in cnets test (ilounge got 15:04 and 14:54). i highly doubt this has more battery life than the nano.

[zip22 @ Apr 19th 2006 12:36PM]

hahaha, statements like "Also, using WMA, you can fit double your music. Simple." are priceless.

[lupinstel @ Apr 19th 2006 12:37PM]

Dear everybody who makes MP3 players,
I want high capacity, not yet another tiny player that can only hold 8 albums of songs. Thank you.

[Shane @ Apr 19th 2006 12:43PM]

The BenQ Joybee no only fits in your pocket better, but is also smaller than this "worlds smallest" mp3 player.

[Brian @ Apr 19th 2006 2:06PM]

#11, good point on the battery life

I forgot to mention a couple of other important things....

The original cube had a built in FM tuner (though not the greatest) and voice recorder... That eliminates the need for bulky attachments...

[Bard @ Apr 19th 2006 2:10PM]

#13....

If I do my math right, the "average" fill for a Gig of MP3s runs around 250 songs. SOOOO...with 2 Gigs you get around 500 songs.

Show me how 8 CDs equal 500 songs.

[Jonathan Graft @ Apr 19th 2006 3:23PM]

I was gonna get the old one this summer...now that the new one is coming I may either wait or buy the old one because it will be the cheapzorz!

[zip22 @ Apr 19th 2006 3:26PM]

each cd has 62.5 songs, duh ;)

Brian, the nano has photo viewing, games, and organizer features. different strokes for different folks, but i definately see your point. anyone looking for fm and voice recording should know by now that the ipod requires additional purchases to get those features which most of the alternatives already include.

[dj-ronald-mc-donald @ Apr 19th 2006 3:50PM]

#1 comment fixed

It may have a really small footprint and volume. But the nano scratches up in your pocket better.

[Revrant @ Apr 19th 2006 10:08PM]

I wish there was better battery life out there, I just don't buy 15 hours on the Nano, considering how Cnet, much like Engadget, seems to smother anything iPod with undeserved loving, it just lost the credibility to make me a believer - Even if it is indeed true.

IGN's review of the little sucker was a good one, I'm not buying anything iPod just because of Apple's shifty design and business tactics, so it's nice to see more alternatives. Me, I'm going even more fringe, the good stuff made to satisfy Audiophiles, not Preteens with an attraction to shiny objects.

[Perrey Z. @ Apr 20th 2006 3:18AM]

What's a Nano? a wanna-be-cooler-than-the-next-guy-look-at-me-overprice-device., this is cute in it's mini-retro-flash cubes style, so i dig it.

[Travis Jenkins @ Apr 20th 2006 7:47AM]

What's the hole on top used for...sharpening pencils??

[Boomshack @ Apr 20th 2006 9:59AM]

Hole on the top is the headphone jack. I got the wife a 1GB pink original cube a year ago for the beach and she loves it. It works well as a pendant oplayer when the user is only wearing a bikini.

[Deezee @ Jul 5th 2006 5:18PM]

The new controls look way better than the last circular ones. It looks like they rounded off the edges too. I like it.

When does it drop? I wanna get one for my little sister.

[justin @ Jul 18th 2006 3:26AM]

mobiblu cube2 is a third of the size of a nano
how can it fit in ur pocket better?

[OverburN @ Jul 19th 2006 3:25PM]

I love my original cube, I love how it is so much lighter than the headphone cord that you can just swing it around to the music with no worries of it flying off. (of course too much centrifical force will do this)

U can just walk around with it hanging off ur headphone cord. But if for some reason you decide to have it in your pocket, the original one was not the most comfortable IF YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS IN YOUR POCKET.

take the ipod nano: sleek slim design slides past objects
mobiblu: square design gets stuck on objects
mobiblu2: square design w/ rounded edges will slide better....its like metal lubricant.


I modified the intro logo on my original cube, I wonder if the firmware on this one is as easily accessible.

[kootsvayouma @ Aug 13th 2006 12:27PM]

Well, I have a 1gb and 2gb of the first generation cubes. I use them for mobile audio during workouts because of the durability. These things are practically weightless and durable enough to drop kick or sit on without worrying about damaging it. I've attached clips to the strap holes and attach them to my SoundWalk (a lightweight speaker vest also made in ROK) or my keychain. For sports reliability (no fancy extras), this is the choice for me. Pure and simple, the nano wouldn't last for my purposes. Never had a single problem with these cubes. I'm looking forward to the Cube2 to see what changed they've made.

[jimbo @ Sep 24th 2006 4:27PM]

I think this is way better than a nano!! but how much is the cube 2 gonna cost???

[Christobal @ Dec 19th 2006 6:41PM]

Is the cube over all worth it or is it going to break down on me... honest opinions?

[mr.guy @ Dec 22nd 2006 6:19PM]

If you go to http://www.mobibluamerica.com and then click "Where to buy" at the top, and then click on the MibiBLU logo at the right of the Cube2 picture (Currently the Amazon one does not have all of the models Here's the direct link: http://store.mobibluamerica.com/cube2mp3player.html), you'll see that a 1GB Cube2 is only $100. The 2GB is supposed to be $120. I remember that when the first cube first came out, it used to be $100 for 512MB and $130 for 1GB. 1/2 times as cheap as the nano.

Also, I think that the cube is better than the nano because:

1.) It can do almost everything a nano can. Even though you can't play games on it yet, maybe there will be a firmware update in which you can.

2.) You can listen to radio without the bulky add-on for the nano. Also you can record the radio.

3.) You can record your voice

4.) Nice OLED screen - sunlight does not reflect of the screen as much as the nano.

5.) You can watch little videos and photographs on it! That makes it almost like an iPod Video except that the screen is smaller and the memory is smaller...... for 1/3 the price!

6.) Not everybody can afford $300 but $100 is a good deal - a lot better than an iPod shuffle if your budget is around $100.

[L19L91l @ Feb 28th 2007 6:10PM]

Nice to see something other than an ipod.