Aska intros Tripper V photo viewer / PMP

Japanese manufacturer Aska is beefing up its line of Tripper portable storage aimed at photographers, increasing the size and screen real estate with its new Tripper V model. Available in 40, 80, 120, and 160GB varieties, each comes equipped with SD and CompactFlash card slots for transfers direct from your digital camera, and a pack a sizable 4.3-inch 800 x 480 LCD to view all those photos on. Of course, you don't have to save all that space for photos if you don't want to, with the device also able to function as a PMP, supporting MPEG-4 video and MP3 and AAC audio. Look for the 80, 120 and 160GB models to be available first on March 12th, with the 40GB unit following in April, retailing for between $340 and $680 depending on the model -- all available in Japan only, of course.

[Via Akihabara News]

[GP @ Mar 2nd 2007 4:36PM]

If these devices will only be available in Japan, why do they have English buttons. It looks like it's difficult to find any Aska products in the US.

[Sam @ Mar 2nd 2007 6:46PM]

Is this a joke? Most portable electronic products in Japan only have english buttons. It is easier to fit on than Japanese characters and also opens up the possibility for future exports with just a simple OS/firmware upgrade.

[Doug Kaplan @ Mar 3rd 2007 8:38AM]

How come in the US we are flash based obsessed yet Japan and Korea get hard drive based PMP's galore? I'm getting sick of 4GB and 8GB PMP/MP3 players. My iRiver h-120 is 20GB and at the time iRiver made the best hard drive based players and now they make 2GB clix. Sucks.

[Louis @ Mar 3rd 2007 11:01PM]

Hey does anyone think that they will eventually bring this to the US or is there a similar device available?