Apacer's Audio Steno AU522 flash-based DAP
By Evan Blass 
posted Jul 21st 2006 8:45PM
posted Jul 21st 2006 8:45PM
What do you get when you cross an iPod Shuffle with Nokia's 7280 fashion phone? (Hint: it's not Transcend's T.Sonic 310, but good guess.) Why, Apacer's upcoming Audio Steno AU522 DAP, of course. This fairly-stylish little number comes in capacities ranging from 256MB to 2GB, supports MP3, WMA, and WAV files, and includes a memory card slot for boosting storage by another gig. A built-in USB connector allows you to use the AU522 as a flash drive or reader for all those MMCmicro cards you have lying around, and you can also record directly from the FM tuner and share your music with a friend thanks to dual headphone jacks. The two-color, 128 x 64 OLED screen is another nice touch, though it probably contributes to the player's mere eight hours of battery life. No word so far on either pricing or availability, but if you really have a desire to snatch one of these up, we're confident that you'll be able to make it happen.[Via MP3 Player Guide]
are you sure this isnt some sorta ZUNE related post in disguise?...lol
I wish it was a Zune post. I'm not impressed with the looks of this thing. Maybe if its ultra-cheap I would think about it. But its pretty damn ugly.
And is it me or is it left handed? I dont know if I'd like to control the buttons with my left hand.
Plus whats up with the little top area. It looks like one of those ugly things you attach to Nano's to add FM tuner. Bleh.
I find the 'go faster' stripe a severe turn-off. Lack of FLAC and OGG support is the icing on the turn-off cake. Looks like no competition for Cowon.
Expansion slot? Great.
Overall? Zzz.
Mmm, is it just me, or does this just look like its been ripped off from this.. http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/7280??
Oh hi there btw (first ever comment!)
It doesn't appeal to me either. There are enough players to choose from. I wouldn't pick this one.
Not sure this thing can eat some of Apple's turf. I guess we will need to wait Microsoft's Zune to see some competition dynamics going on.
Well, I'll go against the stream and say that this is a feature set I'm looking for - with the exception of the battery life.
The funky thing at the top is the cap for the USB connection. You don't need a cable to connect this. With my current mp3 player - a well used creative muvo - I can plug in anywhere and get a recent podcast or freshly downloaded song. No cables to keep track of. Very few mp3 players are this convenient. Often I'll download a fresh news cast at work and play it at the gym.
I'm also one of those freaks that still listens to broadcast FM radio, so I'll never buy an ipod.
After a couple of years of daily use (with rechargeable AAAs) my muvo has started developing hardware trouble so I'm looking for a replacement in the near future. This gadget fits the bill.
"Mmm, is it just me, or does this just look like its been ripped off from this.. http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/7280??"
Read the VERY FIRST LINE of the article. Duh.
Doh, sorry!
Blame the Alcohol for that one!
it can display Lyrics, it's very good features to listen foreign music.
But Earphone output power is 10mw, it's very poor.
"Doh, sorry!"
Its ok... & welcome to engadget btw! :-D
staj defterleri
While 10mW, maybe poor and on the low side. Others are equally as low.
See for instance Philip's DAPs like the HDD1830.
From the specification sheet.
Output Power : 2x5mW (16 Ohm)