MusicGremlin launches the Gremlin MG-1000 WiFi DAP

It's a little weird that it's 2006 and we're only now seeing a major launch of a WiFi-enabled, service-driven digital audio player, but we've got to start somewhere. Say hello to MusicGremlin's Gremlin MG-1000 -- the wireless player we first wrote about just shy of two years ago. The 8GB device makes use of MusicGremlin Direct, their namesake PlaysForSure music service which is just your standard subscription-based unlimited DRMd downloads per month deal. The exciting thing, of course, is the ability to load and play back content on your Gremlin completely and entirely without a host PC; find a WiFi hotspot, connect, and browse MusicGremlin Direct's entire collection (supposedly 2 million songs strong). Alternately, you can contact friends directly through your MP3 player on their own Gremlins and send them the files you've downloaded, even set up an ad hoc WiFi network and forego hotspots entirely. The player itself, while kind of hideous, features a 2-inch QQVGA display, 802.11b, USB 2.0 with recharging, line-in, and FM receiver; unfortunately it only supports WMA and MP3, but don't doubt the functionality. If you can get past the looks, this thing works pretty seamelessly (we have a couple here we've been playing with) as far as on-the-go music downloading, and would be a fine choice for the $300 asking price (and $15 monthly subscription). Funny how in 2004 we thought by 2006 Apple would have long since been the first to launch an end-to-end DAP-based wireless music download system; and yet here we are in in 2006, and it's MusicGremlin.

[mastershake916 @ Jun 13th 2006 11:36PM]

Ya! leach anywhere!

[Brendan @ Jun 13th 2006 11:46PM]

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115024351881379516-fIIjM0KMt18p1NzMgim5gFdzDNs_20060713.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

OK, but it has its drawbacks.

[slip @ Jun 13th 2006 11:56PM]

Now I want my Pandora-based WiFi DAP!

[Anthony @ Jun 14th 2006 12:01AM]

Why would you call the design hideous when you cried for days (days!) when Rio died it's sad, painful death? They look very similar to me.

[BiG? @ Jun 14th 2006 12:25AM]

I've got to believe that Apple has got something up it's sleeves which will destroy this. And I don't believe the delay in releasing it is an inability to get WiFi/BT into a current generation iPod. One possibility is that negotiations with the record labels are slowing down a wireless iTunes music-store for the iPod. But, I'd guess that the reason Apple hasn't yet has more to do with supply problems on the upcoming true video iPod. When it is released, I believe it will do far more than just sync videos, music & photos with your computer. I'd bet it will be a whole new mini-revolution.

[Jeff @ Jun 14th 2006 12:28AM]

Forget music build in a pod catcher so I can update my podcasts in my driveway and I'd by one in an instant.

[Arturo Meuniot @ Jun 14th 2006 12:35AM]

Doesn't look hideous to me...

[DS @ Jun 14th 2006 12:50AM]

Well it looks hideous to most people, thats for sure. Look, Im not an apple fanboy but these guys have *A LONG* way to go before they catch up to apple design wise. Nioce try, but just like every other POS I think I'll pass!

-DS

[kaisen @ Jun 14th 2006 1:43AM]

rio carbon minus the scrool wheel anyone?

[Jazzay @ Jun 14th 2006 1:50AM]

Yes, DS, we all know you're not an apple fanboy, how could I ever make that mistake?

Anyway, it's not that hideous at all, and if I didnt already have a Zen with Yahoo Unlimited then I might consider this.

However, 8GB harddrive players can be found for less than 200, a hundred dollars extra for this wifi service is a little exuburant, but a very impressive feature.

Heh, actually, im tempted to buy this just so I can go up to an iPod user, ask them what song theyre listening to, and promptly buy it from my device, right in front of them. Muahaha, sounds like a good idea, to me.

[Ferny @ Jun 14th 2006 3:37AM]

what the F**k is up with DS commenting the same thing on every mp3 player. you have stated the same crap over and over.

the design isn't all companies go for. some go for functionablity.

[Lita @ Jun 14th 2006 4:00AM]

Hey, I don't think its hideous.

[jacko @ Jun 14th 2006 4:06AM]

ok ok its not pretty and $300 is mad expensive for this. but at least their trying to make innovative + original features, unlike apple.

[Dr Doom @ Jun 14th 2006 8:11AM]

Definitely seeing some Rio Carbon similarities - Ryan how dare you insult its looks!

[Jamesology @ Jun 14th 2006 8:39AM]

The main thing is...... how long does it last..... does it last as long as they say it does...... we were all jerk around with Apples shitty battery.

[PEZ @ Jun 14th 2006 8:53AM]

BiG: feeling a bit paranoid? I guess you should.

Nonetheless, this is a pretty cool idea, and this the tech in this thing would not only make me want to buy it, but sign up for tmo hotspot as well. Nice :)

[BobbyW @ Jun 14th 2006 9:38AM]

Where does MS come up with lame names like Play For Sure? I hear stuff like that and think they have Bill Gates all over them. The guy couldn't be any further from cool.

[antique @ Jun 14th 2006 9:52AM]

I think it looks pretty nice. I don't know about that whole hideous comment.

[Doug Aamoth @ Jun 14th 2006 10:20AM]

$300? You'd think they'd subsidize the price of this thing if you sign up for a year of $15-a-month subscription tracks. Maybe it'll show up on Audible sooner or later. I'd buy it in a heartbeat for $100 with a $15/month plan.

[Smart but Lazy @ Jun 14th 2006 11:57AM]

For those who criticize Apple for not coming out with something like this, think about it. If Apple had released a player LIKE THIS with the same functionality as THIS! It would totally be a let down. People expect more from apple than some dinky iPod with WiFi. Who cares if you can connect through a hotspot and download music, or talk with your friends who have this same device. The feature is not that great. When Apple releases a wifi device, it will have more feature than simply, "connect to the iTunes Music Store while on your Starbucks WiFi and talk to your friends who may or may not be on a wifi as well". It's lame. lame lame lame IMHO ;)

[jackson @ Jun 14th 2006 1:00PM]

props for trying something new but would you pay $300 for someting with only 8GB and lots of rough edges? seems like you can get lots better value from what's already out there (ipod, gigabeat, etc). i'll buy this when it's $150 cheaper and doesn't look like a rio from 4 years ago.

[testMonkey @ Jun 14th 2006 2:34PM]

mmmm... makes me want to eat an ice cream sandwich.

[reckless @ Jun 14th 2006 7:34PM]

"From what I remember, first-generation ipods weren't so hot--a lot less hot than what this seems to offer."

Dude, that was 2001. And, sadly, all this really offers above what you could get in 2001 is a color screen and a shittier interface, and a built-in 802.11g radio.

Oh, and that 2001 iPod? Its native format was straight up unlocked MP3. No music store, no AAC, no DRM. This piece of shit might seem nifty because it has WiFi, but keep in mind that all that radio gets you is the ability to download hardcore DRM'd tracks from an RIAA approved list of 2 million.

You and all the cool kids who are gonna buy this thing can have fun staring at copy progress bars on 2-inch screens, I'll take the $15 a month and make my friends the way God intended: by buying them $1 PBRs.

[Galley @ Jun 15th 2006 8:47AM]

QQVGA? Is that like 1/4 the resolution of QVGA? In other words, is it 60 x 80?

[Smart but Lazy @ Jun 15th 2006 12:04PM]

"Smart but lazy stop being jealous. You know people like yourself (the f-word ;]) would buy an Ipod with WiFi because it would be "innovative," somehow in your mindset."

Sorry, but I'm in no way jealous of this thing. All I'm saying is that there are a lot of capabilities with a WiFi enabled device. You have access to the entire internet! But none of that is utilized. All you can do is access to their music store (which can't compare with iTMS, 2 million vs 3 million). I mean come one, at least throw in an RSS feature. Cell phones can do more on the internet than this thing.

[Smart but Lazy @ Jun 15th 2006 4:58PM]

"iPods still have PLENTY of rough edges. "

For example?.....

[Cotten999 @ Jun 16th 2006 7:00AM]

Yea the Apple fanboy hysteria is a bit sickening.

If Apple had released this very same player, they would be here slathering over its "great new look" and of course its incredible "innovation"

[Smart but Lazy @ Jun 16th 2006 7:17AM]

I think there's a bias towards Apple Fanboys 8)

You're all just jealous, BTW - I don't have an iPod, but I can see clearly their superiority to other solutions. I also have a mac, which influences the players I look at, since the Plays for Sure doesn't work on a mac :P

But this thread is not about iPods. It's about a Music Gremlin player, and if you're honest with yourself and judge this player without a pre-existing bias towards "other" players, it just isn't any good. I honestly don't know why people would defend a bad player simply because they don't like the really popular good player out there.

[techman @ Jun 16th 2006 3:28PM]

yea smart but lazy but you havent even used the musicgremlin player! this review says its pretty good overall. i dont know what to think cuz i dont have one either but i trust someone who has actually used it more than someone who hasnt.

[coorspate @ Jun 18th 2006 9:28AM]

no video, no photos less than a third of what the ipods capacity is, and if you fail to keep paying you lose your songs? how is this better again?

[sam @ Jun 18th 2006 12:49PM]

Direct downloads look good, the subsciption price is too high, and only 8 gb would keep me from buying the whole thing.

[E @ Jun 18th 2006 1:52PM]

"Im not an apple fanboy but these guys have *A LONG* way to go before they catch up to apple design wise. Nioce try, but just like every other POS I think I'll pass!

-DS"

Oh give it a rest will you? Same thing every time you post. So Leonardo, why don't you post a mockup online since you're such a uber-designer.

This is one of the nicest looking players I have seen other than the iPod.

[reckless @ Jun 19th 2006 3:02AM]

You're right, Travis. I am young and hip. The reason young hip people like me don't get along with people like you is pretty simple: you didn't actually respond to any of my points. Instead, you just stuck your lame-ass suburban nose in the air and called me a liberal.

Good work, friend. Now, tell me again why comparing this device to the 2001 iPod is appropriate? Are old folks like you cross-shopping these with used iPods or something? I don't know, I'm too busy handing out communist propaganda at gay marriage rallies to be able to look at a spec sheet and make a comparison.

[Luminus @ Jun 20th 2006 11:44AM]

Cool, really cool. The WiFi Idea is a killer. The only issue I have is that I'm a space junkie. 40GB, 60GB or more is the kinda thing that tickles my fancy.

Hopefully, they'll roll out something that big for cheap soon. lol