MusicGremlin MG-1000 review roundup

We've been following start-up Music Gremlin for some time now, from its ambitious beginnings as a software company through its transition to a reference device designer and finally into a self-branding manufacturer, so we were more than a little disappointed to learn that lukewarm reviews of the recently-launched MG-1000 DAP indicate that it contains no small number of bugs and frustrating restrictions. Like the prototype Zing player that we recently spotted (but unlike the similarly-equipped SoniqCast devices), the MG-1000 offers direct-to-device downloads along with device-to-device file transfers thanks to built-in WiFi, but these features are limited to customers who also pay $15-a-month for the proprietary Music Gremlin service, on top of the $300 they already shelled out for the unit itself. Some of the problems reviewers have mentioned -- such as an intermittent WiFi connection, cumbersome search process, and lack of automatic power down or FM presets -- can be addressed by the company in future firmware releases, but other issues -- like the small 8GB hard drive, relatively weak battery life, and inability to share any tracks besides subscription downloads with anyone but fellow subscribers -- are either hardware-based or can't be resolved due the conditions that music studios include in their licensing agreements. Unfortunately, unless you really, truly need to ability to download music when you're away from your computer, the drawbacks to this device when compared to a similarly-priced, video-playing 30GB iPod don't seem to outweigh the limited benefits you'll derive from its wireless capabilities.

Read- The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg
Read- Cnet
Read- Laptop Magazine

[Bobo @ Jun 16th 2006 5:28PM]

Long story short: Junk

[sbono13 @ Jun 16th 2006 6:00PM]

Amazon also has a nice review

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FUIY7Q/002-1837884-9183217

I think it's important to point out that the MusicGremlin subscription costs no more than any of the other PlaysForSure (To Go) services. So if you are of the mind to partake in subscription services anyway, you can retain all of the "on PC" and "transfer to Janus-powered portable" features of your current service, plus add the ability to do direct downloads over WiFi on this device for no additional cost. In that context, I think the value-add is obvious.

For Mac users, this represents the only way to use a subscription service (by bypassing the computer altogether). Presumably, one could still use a Mac to access the web-based account management...

[tf @ Jun 16th 2006 6:31PM]

"For Mac users, this represents the only way to use a subscription service (by bypassing the computer altogether). Presumably, one could still use a Mac to access the web-based account management..."

That makes little sense: gain Mac compatibility by not using a Mac? You still couldn't play the files on the Mac. Maybe you could use the web site, but you wouldn't be able to play them. I.E. This does not allow Mac users to partake in WMA DRMed subscriptions.

[weatherman @ Jun 16th 2006 6:31PM]

Hmm. I wonder why the press reviews are average, but the ones on Amazon would be good? Could it be they let shills do the reviewing over at Amazon like they let shills comment at Engadget? Do you think that could be it, Karen?

Not that I'm knockin' the Gremlin. Sounds like they do have some interesting features. I'm just not sure that it's worth a 50% premium to have WiFi downloads. Janus sucks anyway, so whether it's wired or tethered it's not worth $15/mo.

[Bryan Harig @ Jun 16th 2006 8:05PM]

The first thing I though when I saw this thing: "iRiver is back????" :)

[DS @ Jun 16th 2006 10:51PM]

These guys aren't even close Apple design wise. Nice try, but just like every other POS I think I'll pass....

-DS

[TZK @ Jun 17th 2006 12:21AM]

Engad, you guys are acting like they are the only overpriced mp3 player out there with a proprietary download service and limited functionality.

At least they are trying.

[Thought @ Jun 17th 2006 1:24AM]

I think Mossberg sums it up nicely when he calls it a "great idea done pretty well."

I have always thought the Achilles Heel of the iPod was it's lack of wireless downloading and networking. If and when Apple implements such a system, with a great user interface, it will really sell.

I also like the idea of a subscription all you can eat service. On my PC I use Rhapsody and absolutely love it...it's saved me tons of money because I can listen to such a huge library of music without buying all sorts of CDs.

Better than just WiFi would be a built in wireless connection to a cellular 3G network, such as Verizon's or Sprint's EVDO networks. There will come a day when 3G networks or better are ubiquitous, and then an idea like this will really flourish.

[Thought @ Jun 17th 2006 1:30AM]

Weatherman asks a good question: what to think when the reviews on Amazon are better than the ones in the media?

Weatherman's hypothesis is that on Amazon, where anyone can comment, many "shills" end up skewing the ratings upward.

Another hypothesis is this, though: that the media critics are often out of touch with the public. We see this happen all the time with movies. Critics may not particularly like a movie yet it becomes a huge hit; conversely, a movie may be the critics' darling yet flop at the box office.

These tech reviewers are often very good...I particularly like Walt Mossberg of the WSJ. Yet they do in the end run represent an opinion of one, and their analysis may not equal the gut reaction of the public.

[Shunnabunich @ Jun 17th 2006 2:08AM]

(1) Mr. Blass, please, oh please, check over your grammar before making future posts.

(2) DS, you copy and paste the exact same mistake (calling yourself a POS by accident) into each MP3 player newsflash here. Would you mind just, like, checking? And maybe correcting?

OK, done being Grammar Nazi for the night. :D

(3) Thought, I agree that for some people (yourself apparently included), a subscription service is nice because of the "all-you-can-eat" aspect you mentioned. However, also consider what happens if you ever decide that subscription is an unnecessary expense: all your music automagically becomes unplayable, unless you've been diligent about circumventing the DRM. Of course it's still up to you to decide what's best for you.

(4) And yes, it should be interesting to see how a WiFi iPod would fare. What I'd like to see is wireless music sharing between iPods; the logical name for such a sharing feature would be "wePod", which could make for some pretty nifty ads. :P

[weatherman @ Jun 17th 2006 10:48AM]

It should be noted that the Gremlin to Gremlin transfer actually onlly works if both owners are on the subscription plan and sharing music that is downloaded from that plan. In other words, you can't just swap anything with anyone.

I agree Thought - but the reason I mention it is that there are just two reviews on Amazon, and they're both 5-star. And both reviews sound a lot like sbono13's "Everything's great! And you can use PlaysForSure with Mac!" post.

Reread sbono's post and tell me that it doesn't the choice of words doesn't sound a little fishy. For example, "subscription costs no more than any of the other PlaysForSure (To Go) services" - I mean, I practically expect that to be followed with an ® © ™!

So if sbono is clearly shilling, and pointing us to remarkably similar and positive reviews submitted by two people who have never bothered to review anything on Amazon before but miraculously decided to get the MusicGremlin within days of its release and rushed to post their thoughts immediately on Amazon, don't you think that it's a pretty good conclusion that they're probably the reviews of company insiders?

Oh, but wait! Maybe Thought is a shill trying to defend the shills! Or wait! Maybe I'm trying to throw all of you off the scent!

Or maybe I'm just paranoid.

I need another cup of coffee.

[Special_K @ Jun 18th 2006 11:21AM]

Anti-iPod people tend to comment about how the iPod's DRM is like "renting the music" (I believe the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies said that), yet how is a service that prevents you from using the music unless you shell out $16 per month any better? And this whole "sharing between players via WiFi" thing is total BS: no one really benefits because both people have to subscribe, and thus the music would be available to them anyway. I figure Apple's working on a product with simillar capabilities, but done with iTunes (perhaps minus the sharing, but no company in their right mind would allow completely limitless sharing of DRMed music, that defeats the purpose of DRM).

[kle0012 @ Jun 18th 2006 6:00PM]

If apple did implement a WiFi sharing system, it would most likely tie in with their exsisting "Authorise Computer" system.

Problem is, to play the music, you'll probably have to return to a WiFi hot-spot where the music can be authorised first before letting you play it.

Besides being a pain in the butt, that also means you can only give it to 5 people at once, before needing to de-authorise other people form your music store account.