Samsung's 1GB YP-U2Z

Not sure how long this has already been on sale for in some countries, but it looks like Samsung is quietly rolling out the YP-U2Z, a 1GB update of that flash-based YP-U2 digital audio player we saw earlier this year. No major surprises here, the YP-U2Z comes in black and white, supports playback of MP3, WMA, and OGG files, and has an integrated FM tuner, a 128 x 64 pixel display, a battery life of about 13 hours.

[gman @ Aug 29th 2006 9:27AM]

im sick of these pointless 512 and 1 gb flash players, it seems i see about 5 or 6 a day on engadget. i think ive seen enough.

[bruce @ Aug 29th 2006 9:35AM]

and if only they would sell the native UMS version here in the states... GAA! it's such a perfect lil gadget except for it's MTPitude

[Will @ Aug 29th 2006 9:47AM]

You can flash all the US YP-U2's with the Korean firmware. Doing this gives you back the UMS, OGG, and lyricsDAT support. I did it to mine the day I got it. The only thing you lose is playforsure support, but who really wants that?

I love this thing (with the KOR firmware) its everything you always wanted from the Shuffle and more.

[pableu @ Aug 29th 2006 10:43AM]

Uh, I don't think this is anything new. The Z just designates the 1 GB version of the Samsung U2. The U2 2GB ist probably called U2Q.
Samsung does this since quite a while..

So you basically just found a more accurate name for an old device ;-)

[Matt J @ Aug 29th 2006 11:01AM]

I have the YH-J70, with the MTP firmware, and if I hold down record, with hold on, it connects in USB mode: maybe you can do something similar with this.

[WCL884 @ Aug 29th 2006 11:03AM]

Just picked up the 1Gig at Target B/M for $99. I already have the 512MB one - great little MP3/FM player for commuter and frequent traveler.

The next step would be getting a workout pack/case with it.

Enjoy the great sound!

[bruce @ Aug 29th 2006 11:18AM]

i tried geting it working with the Korean firmware, following two different sets of directions, neither produced results. I however, have NOT tried holding down record while connecting, it instructed me to do it while holding down Play.... hmm.... i want this to work with my Mac, so i wouldnt MIND flashing with korean firmware, but if there's a way to get it to connect UMS style without having to go borrow a PC to run the terrible .exe file, i'd like it. any suggestions, especially anyone in the US who's got some iteration of this player (512, 1gig, whatever) working with a mac?

[bruce @ Aug 29th 2006 11:21AM]

by the by, if anyone can help me, please post back here or if you're feeling particularly benevolent you could email me at [e-mail] and let me know how to actually get the firmware update to work or preferably get it workin UMS with a mac with no firmware-shenanigans. this player is everything that I want for everyday use, if only I could get it working. thanks

- [e-mail]

[trev @ Aug 29th 2006 11:32AM]

I was considering the 2gb version which has had some very good reviews (except the included buds), basically most review sites thought it was a great little player for the price and I also remember alot of them mentioning that it did do ums.

[bruce @ Aug 29th 2006 11:38AM]

Yea, I know... but as far as I can tell that just isn't true without getting that Korean firmware loaded by [holding down a button resetting with a pin, plugging in the player, starting the updater, and continuing to hold down the same button for >30seconds until the updater starts working]. I tried that multiple times on 3 different computers, never with any luck. with so many weird instructions it's possible i just bollixed it up i suppose.

but yea, cnet's reviews and others mentioned its native UMS support... don't know if their early review models were international maybe?

[Kibi @ Aug 29th 2006 11:52AM]

The Amazon UK site says it does NOT have radio
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000ES178M/202-5679475-6876661?v=glance&n=560798

[Shnugi @ Aug 29th 2006 12:30PM]

@Kibi a lot of MP3 players that have built-in FM in the US/Asia don't have them in Europe, because of some kind of extra tax/regulation.

[Norock @ Aug 29th 2006 10:53PM]

The only things I'd want from a shuffle are a screen and a 30Gb hard drive. I'm with gman on this, the 512Mb/1Gb MP3 players are dead, dead, dead.

[Dan @ Aug 31st 2006 11:41PM]

In Canada this came with 1.016b firmware. Flash to v1.301 which you can get from Samsung support - downloads - click on 'use global download center' and look for firmware for YP-U2XB. v1.301 has FM, OGG, different navigation, delete files command, and acts as UMS; no more MTP.

Connect via USB, hold down reset button and play button for about 10 seconds and the unit will reset causing a 'found new hardware' wizard to come up. Then you can run the flash software. It took me a few tries to get it right. Read the Helprecovery.html file that comes with the firmware for instructions.