Sharp's MP-B300: where thin and ugly meet
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 29th 2006 9:44AM
posted May 29th 2006 9:44AM
[Via Akihabara News]
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I'm no fan of the iPod, but Jesus freaking Christ!
Honoustly, why ask why?
It looks ok, not great, but ok.
It has more features than the Apple offering.
Why needs the name of the song in color anyway?
Isn't it a real alternative?
I would say it is.
Yup, I would much rather have user-upgradeable memory than a pointless color screen that will be harder to read in bright sunlight than a mono screen.
As usual, Apple puts form over function.
You ask why because there may be a few geeks like us that would buy it, well not me but some others. But most people if they see this thing the same price as the nano would never think about a purchase. So you ask why would they design something that would never appeal to a mass market. This thing is freaking hedious. I actually would be a little embarrased if someone saw me using it. If it was a lot cheaper that would be one thing. But if anyone is going to compete they have to put in more features, and make a device that isn't so ugly.
I think if you slide those little squares around it makes a picture or something...
The feature set is great, but the styling leaves a little to be desired.
Maybe it's the ugly player that can?
By the way, have you guys ever used a nano. It sells so well because it functions wonderfully. Looking at these buttons I can't imagine how this thing could be comfortable.
I say, this has to be the most Quasimodo looking device I’ve seen in my time alive. And those buttons… PEEEEEYYUUUU!
Although you must know, physical beauty is not all important, sometimes we must look inward and see what’s inside, just ask the fat chick!
"...where thin and ugly meet"
Wouldn't that be a crack-whore?
I would just go for the Sandisk Sansa e200 series... pretty much universally excellent reviews with the same features... in a much nicer package and up to 6GB of flash memory.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/03/sandisk-sansa-e200-series-review.php
Call it the iSore!
These guys have a *LONG* way to go before they catch up to Apple design wise. Nice try, but like every other POS out there, I think I'll pass....
-DS
I like it. And I would probably buy it if it had 4 GB of memory. It's not the ugliest player ever, anyway...
"9. Call it the iSore!"
LOL. Priceless.
Forget that not-to-be-named player from that not-to-be-named company who just opened a not-to-be-named store on 5th Ave. I think they where more inspired by the equally beautiful Creative Zen SLEEK ;-), (ohh the pain!)
This looks like something you could have found at Radio Shack in 1985.
Holy crap. That is ugly. It looks like a tv remote or something. It makes me angry.
@ #3
"As usual, Apple puts form over function."
Apple didn't do anything!
I think the worst part is that the buttons are tinged green. Like, puke green. And unlike the iPod's idiot proof interface (you guys knocking it know you're just jealous!) the button positioning makes no inutitive sense.
ps: iSore=hilarious!
I would call this an "80's retro" mp3 player and pray for a few poor saps to buy the ugly beast.
I think is looks great.
better pics here:
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/sharp-mp-b200-mp3-player
@ # 22
I think that the red tinted one looks revolting, I am not a fan of that blue one either.
@ #16 "If you want style, try Sony."
Yeah, that Walkman Bean was a real beauty...
And don't forget the "organic blob" players!
As this thing includes an FM transmitter, it can't be legally sold in the UK, probably the same for quite a few other countries too.
It's the Pontiace Aztec of MP3 players.
I think it is great looking and very practical, looks like a winner to me!
You pretty much have the worst taste ever.
"16. It's no uglier then the iPod. And at least this thing has decent features. Can't say the same thing for the iSuck.
If you want style, try Sony."
I actually would not mind having one of those!
I think you misspelt 'Fugly' in the headline.
This is the sort of abomination that results from trying to merge an MP3 player with a phone.
Wait - there's no phone? Why then the "uglier than an N-Gage without even really trying" keypad layout? Is every other MP3 player input configuration patented by someone else?
Seriously, this is no worse than the Prism DuroSport
http://www.PrismDurosport.com
The Apple-haters of Engadget are hilarious.
Apple INTEGRATES form and function, as the two are vitally important. As usual, tech-heads go solely by a spec sheet (does it play Ogg, OMG!!1) instead of the device itself and how pleasant it is to use. You just can't beat the clickwheel and probably never will. Nobody will care if this has an FM transmitter if the screen is ugly as hell (people love the nano's color screen and its ability to display album art and personal photos) and the interface looks like a 1970s calculator. I don't understand the obsessive need of tech-heads to bash aesthetics and beauty in a technical device. I can only assume it's because they're, for the most part, totally uncreative and don't appreciate products that are actually designed for humans to interact with on a daily basis. No wonder the competition is languishing.
Hell, even the name is ridiculous. "MP-B300?" I love when companies use the engineering name as the selling name. Very Sony-esque and confusing for customers.
It's...it's...Beautiful! ;)
May every ranting iHater go buy one of these Sharps. Please. And wear them on your belt, in full view, so we can easily identify (and mock) you.
"Hey everyone, look at me, I'm not an iPod sheep! And my utter lack of taste or rational thought is compensated by my brave individuality!"
P.S. DS, your copy/paste of your identical comment on all these stories is getting tired...does it take too many brain cells to add something new to a discussion?
This is designed for Old people. I know my mom would like the bigg buttons then tring to red the small text on the Ipod screen.
There is nothing hideous about this Sharp MP3 player - it's not beautiful, but it's pretty decent looking (especially here http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/sharp-mp-b200-mp3-player ) Seems like a lot of you guys have been brainwashed into thinking that ipods are stylish. They are not! And all those tacky all-white ipod accessories...PUKE! Also, the Ipod does not have great audio performance OR reliability - just mass-market follow-the-crowd appeal. And before anyone questions my judgement I'm an award-winning designer and electronics engineer...so don't even go there!