iriver and Real team up for clix Rhapsody

It always warms our hearts to see some solid device / service integration on the non-Apple side of things, and now iriver and Real are getting all cozy with the new clix Rhapsody player. Based on the gen 2 clix PMP, the player includes Rhapsody-specific functions such as album art and editorial reviews, along with features to let you to rate songs on the device and discover new music via personalized channels that get loaded each time you hook up to the service -- similar to what can be found on the Sansa Rhapsody. The player costs $190 for 4GB of storage and is available now online, but the best news is a firmware upgrade available at iriver's site that brings all these functions to your current second-gen clix for free.

[w00fd06 @ Jul 9th 2007 10:39AM]

This doesn't exactly seem like too much of an improvement over the original 2nd gen Clix, and like Paul already said, this will be like the Sansa Rhapsody, however, the 2nd-gen clix is better then the sansa, higher res screen, easier navigation, and it's sleeker, overall, I think that this will barely boost sales, because the 2nd gen Clix is doing great already. iRiver probably should have done this a few moths later.

[Goodman @ Jul 9th 2007 11:18AM]

I've got the Sanda Rhapsody, which I think is the best flash player on the market. But this should top it.

[RijilV @ Jul 9th 2007 11:32AM]

So, that's all fine and dandy, but when are we gonna see that 8gig Clix2 that I was promised months and months ago?

[ProfessionalGun @ Jul 9th 2007 12:03PM]

Heard THAT, RijilV.

[Pingspike @ Jul 9th 2007 2:09PM]

Sorry did you refer to the company 'Real' and another company on the same line ?
That right there, is the first reason this will totally tank.
Sweet looking device, but now its just another pos.
So sad...

[Trent @ Jul 9th 2007 2:44PM]

Have to agree with Pingspike. #1 way to assure I wont buy something... put anything from "Real" in the product.

I almost dislike Real as much as I dislike Sony. ALMOST!

[Goodman @ Jul 10th 2007 10:26AM]

I gotta disagree with you about Real. Subscription services may not be your thing (personally I think being able to download gigs of music at a time, legally and easily with no per-track charge, is great) but Rhapsody is the first service to do subscription services right. The key is, they now offer an alternative to Microsoft's troubled PlaysForSure. Unlike PlaysForSure, Rhapsody DNA transfers subscription tracks to compatible players quickly and reliably. The expiration date for the tracks is clearly marked, and the tracks are renewed every time you sync your player. Album art and band reviews are automatically transferred to the player as well. And you can transfer a whole genre (say Celtic) to your player, and it will transfer hours of music to your player... and the next time you sync it will replace it with hours of new music. Very cool. The only downside is, Rhapsody doesn't work well with a lot of PlaysForSure devices.

[Pingspike @ Jul 10th 2007 3:26PM]

Goodman: you also described how and why its bad too.
'Subscription service': if you dont use it, you loose it.
'PlaysForSure - Compatible players': Speaks for itself.
'expiration date': If I purchase anything other than food, it damn sure better not expire, untill im done with it.
And to add insult to injury, as you say it doesnt work with all PlaysForSure devices. So really its a hit and miss situation. But you dont have to worry if they dont work on your player because they'll just expire and self destruct like a lemming anyways.
Feel screwed, much ?

[Pingspike @ Jul 9th 2007 2:47PM]

Trent: Marry me.

[trappy @ Jul 9th 2007 3:29PM]

I was sorta considering buying the Clix2. Now along comes Rhapsody. It smells like a DRM-infested pile of filth, so I went on the website to confirm. Although it doesn't state "DRM" anywhere, it sure seems to be.

What I did not find on their website: If I signed up for their service and I loaded a shitload of tracks for 15/month and then cancelled the service, do I still have the (DRMed) MP3s? Or better yet, can I somehow convert them to the real deal (just MP3)? Anyone have any experience with Rhapsody?

[trappy @ Jul 9th 2007 3:42PM]

Never mind, I guess I just found everything ... these foookas charge you per month and per track, unless you stay a member forever. Luckily I found some DRM removal software - still, with all this trouble it's easier to just, you know, download ;)

[Miles @ Jul 9th 2007 4:03PM]

Looks like another iphone rip.

But this time it only plays movies and music.

[bnet504 @ Jul 9th 2007 4:33PM]

The Clix has been out since mid-2006.

[John @ Jul 9th 2007 7:46PM]

Hahaha... You're kidding right?

It's not even Touchscreen! Nor is it supposed to be a competitor to the iPhone...
Hell, the First Generation Clix has been out since something like ...2 or 3 years ago.

I hate people that look at a DAP device and if it's a screen with a Black/White edge, and automatically say "Its a Apple Rip-off"

[Michael Ott @ Jul 9th 2007 10:18PM]

Such a shame it has 'real' affiliations. Isn't that company dead yet? Every self respecting geek on the planet knows Real is the bottom of the barrel as far as media players and quality are concerned.

[Sirocco @ Jul 10th 2007 2:14AM]

Trappy, do you use the DRM removal software on tracks you've purchased, or to avoid purchasing them?

[jayjuljac1 @ Jul 11th 2007 12:47AM]

I cannot locate the firmware upgrade file, anyone found it? Thanks