Samsung launching YP-K3, little bro to the K5

We thought the YP-K5 wasn't too shabby, but it really needed to be rid of that folding integrated speaker system. Looks like Samsung's new K3 did just that. We're lacking other hard detail but it's got a 1.8-inch OLED display and FM tuner and hopefully the same 1, 2, and 4GB options (and maybe if we're lucky an 8GB, too). Odd how much this one reminds us of the Philips GoGear SA9100 / SA9200, but watch out for it (and even maybe a Philips-led design lawsuit) shortly.

[Thanks, Tom]

[Mfd @ Nov 29th 2006 12:19AM]

That pic looks more like the k5 than the k3.

[Matt @ Nov 28th 2006 9:57PM]

cool

[Prezzie @ Nov 28th 2006 9:58PM]

My question is why? I bought a samsung Yp-T9, 4gb and i love it. so, why take away the one thing that made the k5 different, and release a competitor to one of their own players?

Why not just give the T9 a bump to 8gb, and call it a day?

[BlissX @ Nov 29th 2006 1:09AM]

Because some people, like me, wanted a YP-K5 but then saw how bulky it was. Sound quality was great and all, but it's such a novel ideal than practical (for me). So the K3 is perfect and I would definitely be more interested in that than the K5. Which Samsung wants to achieve; gain the business of lost customers who were shyed away by the size.

[Joti @ Nov 28th 2006 9:58PM]

OH MY GOSH, hat looks amazing. I wonder if its really as good as it looks.

[Eric D. @ Nov 28th 2006 10:00PM]

Wow, that's a neat looking MP3 player.

[Elias C. @ Nov 28th 2006 10:33PM]

Wow, that puts the nano/Zen V/Sansa E Series to shame in terms of looks, nicely done Samsung.

[Andrew Damin @ Nov 28th 2006 10:44PM]

if they have any chance of beating out the nano theyd have to get video capebility and a minimum of 10 gb of space to use. Then id think of ditching my 5g ipod!

[bbydon @ Nov 28th 2006 10:55PM]

im and apple fan ipod lover and that is freaking amazing looking.
If zune looked like that i wouldn't make fun of it so much.
Hell i like it better than the nano

[mrhammerstein @ Nov 28th 2006 10:58PM]

OLED blow. i'll definately pass on this crap...

[tc @ Nov 28th 2006 11:51PM]

This thing looks awesome

[Dave95 @ Nov 29th 2006 12:57AM]

This does takes design cues from the Philips GoGear but looks better IMO. Add a slightly larger color screen, 8 gigs and we may have a contender to the Nano. Oh and stay away from Brown!

[kc @ Nov 29th 2006 6:38AM]

Looks more like a m-cody m22 to me.

[tallfella @ Nov 29th 2006 8:47AM]

that is so m:robe, I mean Olympus, I can see the resemblance from a mile away, you can't??

[Joseph G. Mitzen @ Nov 29th 2006 5:38PM]

I agree with Prezzie. I also don't understand why so many manufacturers have a problem with speakers, either with doing them right or even bothering to add them in the first place. Speakers are a rather basic requirement of something intended to play music. I love when devices have a microphone for voice recording, but no speaker to listen to the memos! Are you really going to take out your earbud case, unfurl your earbuds, get them situated in your ears, then play your memo in the grocery store just to check if you needed bread or not? Without speakers, there's no way to show anyone a video clip or let them hear a song. They're great for listening to music while doing work (say, tinkering in a computer) while still being able to hear what's going on around you. Picnics, trimming the Christmas tree, whenever you're with other people and need a little music. I used mine to play spooky sounds near my work area for Halloween, jigs on St. Patrick's day, etc. There's a zillion occasions when speakers might be useful.

The one company that got it right was Safa, in products like the Q-100 and the SR-M800F series, of which I own a rebranded one. Take a look at http://www.safa.co.kr/new/eng/product/q100_01.asp . Small, but feature-packed, WITH SPEAKERS. There's no folding-out required, either: they're on the sides.

And at 3.86"(W) x 1.87"(H) x .71"(D), the Samsung can hardly be considered "bulky".

[pgh1969pa @ Nov 30th 2006 7:23PM]

I really don't care about this player if it's another 4gb model. Samsung already has at least 3 other 4gb models, why build another one? The industry standard for maximum capacity is 8gb. Match it or move on.

[death @ Dec 1st 2006 1:28AM]

Will it have bluetooth. I'll sell my nano in a heartbeat if it does...

[PEZ @ Dec 10th 2006 4:45PM]

Looks more like an m:robe to me.