Packard Bell intros "FunKey Town" MP3 player

Much like the oft-resurrected Commodore brand, the current incarnation of Packard Bell seems to continually find new products to slap its name on, the latest of which is the unfortunately-named "FunKey Town" MP3 player. Apparently, Packard Bell considers this to be "the first streetwear MP3 player," not to mention a "veritable fashion statement." While that may be overselling things, the player does look to be decent enough, available in 1GB or 2GB varieties, boasting the usual support for MP3 and WMA file formats, a retractable USB port, with an "anti-shock" rubber skin thrown in for good measure. As with other Packard Bell products these days, this one's available in Europe only, where it'll set you back €50 or €60 (or $70-$80) depending on the size. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Pocket-lint]

[J @ Jul 11th 2007 7:33PM]

Why do they bother? I'd really like to understand.

[scott @ Jul 11th 2007 7:36PM]

Unfortunately, it looks about 4 years old already.

[Rick @ Jul 11th 2007 7:47PM]

Good lord almost forgot about these guys. I remember my gf around 1994 having one of their crappy 486 computers (got it at CompUSA). Nothing but problems, the worst was a very weak power supply. I seem to remember it barely playing Day of the Tentacle. I think they would be better off making products under a completely different name.

[Oban @ Jul 11th 2007 8:17PM]

Ewww, PB still makes PCs.
http://www.packardbell.co.uk/products/desktops/ipower/ipower-7650/productsheet-PB38300401-43.html

[Teve Torbes @ Jul 11th 2007 8:18PM]

At least Commodore has somewhat positive connotations to it. Packard Bell just brings up memories of cheap, junk PCs that you would find at almost every retail outlet in the early and mid 90s. At least in the US anyway. This brand should be put out of its misery.

[tekdroid @ Jul 11th 2007 8:30PM]

Urban outfit: The Packard Bell FunKey Town features a smooth and slim aluminum
casing with vibrant orange highlights. Ideal for active urban living, the FunKey Town
comes with an arctic white anti-shock silicone sleeve that also improves grip. More than
just a music player, it comes with a complete panoply of accessories.
----------
Urban Living streetwear. At last. Just the thing to go with my Urban Tool hipHolster.
http://www.urbantool.com/

[Teve Torbes @ Jul 11th 2007 8:36PM]

tekdroid: You're an Urban Tool. And anyone wearing the Urban Tool will look like a complete tool.

[paloooz @ Jul 11th 2007 8:39PM]

OMG iPod Shuffle clone!

Just kidding. :-)

[Paul @ Jul 11th 2007 8:42PM]

When I clicked Oban's link I imagined I would find something that looked like this:

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/lakes/8774/pbcases/b2.jpg

[Rob @ Jul 11th 2007 8:47PM]

Sure it looks very outdated. But, because it bears the "Packard Bell" name, I'd avoid it like the plague. I still remember owning some of their computers. Nothing but headaches. But, I learn how to dissect and rebuild them out of necessity.

But, like someone else asked "why do they even bother"? Unless they're bringing something with good storage capacity at a lower price, what's the point. Packard Bell is still alive and well in Europe if I'm not mistaken. I haven't seen any of their stuff States side.

[pokey @ Jul 11th 2007 10:05PM]

Is it built with components pulled from returns? You know, Packard Bell?

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 11th 2007 11:01PM]

Well you could get something kinda similar at your local Radio Shmack, if you're kinda sorta lucky...I guess...for about 20 bucks on sale right now.

2GB, 2 color OLED screen, FM radio, voice recorder.

The catch?
Try yours out at the store before you take it home, and keep your packaging and receipt, they have a spotty record, but they are very cheap to buy after all.

Packard Bell? MyMusix? It's all white box from here, man.

[alex @ Jul 12th 2007 12:10AM]

sort of sad... more so annoying, but sad too....

it's pretty bad when a company is just annoying and sad...

[Randy @ Jul 12th 2007 8:24AM]

Damn, They're still around? I thought NEC Killed off the brand years ago. First PC I ever owned (486sx 33mhz) was a Packard-Hell.

[chris @ Jul 14th 2007 1:49PM]

what do they mean the first streetwise mp3 player? it sounds like there talkin about all mp3 players on the market, not just theirs, and so, are they just like, ignoring ipods?

[ibrahim @ May 12th 2008 6:57PM]

i have a MP3 ,i need to get it work ,but i have no disc for it