Toshiba's Gigabeat T401 flash PMC comes packin' WiFi

Ah, so that's what that FCC approved MET401 is, the new Toshiba Gigabeat T401. That spiffy Windows flag should be your hint as to this player's Portable Media Center roots. A lingering death rattle from this once fertile lineage. The player sports a 2.4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display; support for WMV video and MP3, WMA 9 Lossless, and DRM'd WMA audio; up to 4GB of flash; 802.11b/g WiFi (nice); Toshiba's latest H2C audio processing tech; and the ability to pump the audio for up to 16-hours or 5-hours of video if that's your thing. Looking pretty swank in that 9.9-mm thin packaging when it hits Japan on October 5th for ¥29,800 (about $258). Check out the WiFi-less 401S models (September 7th, ¥24,800, about $213, with three color options) after the break.

[Via Impress]

[Ravi @ Aug 28th 2007 8:01AM]

I remember hearing that Toshiba designs the Zune. Could this be the flash Zune? It looks like something MS would release. Take out the navigation buttons and replace it with a circular button and replace the OS and you have a zune.

[Pans @ Aug 28th 2007 9:04AM]

They didn't design the Zune.

Already you don't know what you are talking about, and then you toss in a MS bash.

So....

Ignorant comment + MS bash = Typical Engadget post.

[noazark @ Aug 28th 2007 9:26AM]

humm, take the ipod, make the screen a bit bigger, remove that scroll wheel and replace it with a circular button, change the os, put a double throw on it, and thurr u have it, your very own zune.... same can be done with a audi.

[Jake @ Aug 28th 2007 9:35AM]

It may not have been designed by Toshiba, but it was most certainly manufactured by them.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/25/fcc-reveals-toshiba-1089-and-its-looking-a-whole-lot-like-a/

[Mrmean @ Aug 28th 2007 8:18AM]

yawn........................

[roc ingersol @ Aug 28th 2007 8:19AM]

wake me when one of these players does something interesting with wifi.
Like, say, a mososo app with arbitrary data sharing protocols.

[Adrian @ Aug 28th 2007 5:45PM]

They did design the Zune, or make it at very least and have a large part in designing it. The circular wheel on the Zune works exactly the same as the Gigabeats crosshair. The MS Zune is basically an S30 on steroids and im not an MS Basher. I own a macbook and iPod but would trade it any day for a 30gb Gigabeat S30 (I used to own one and it was stolen) which I still think is the best player of its type on the market.

[Michael @ Aug 28th 2007 8:55AM]

What does it use the wifi for? This thing looks really boring and pricey. $258 for 4GB!!!
This make me sad, I was hoping we would start seeing some stiff iPhone competition in the PMP market.

[ark_v2 @ Aug 28th 2007 9:02AM]

Oh my lord!!!! finally! A new gigabeat!!!! and it's not a zune! It's really sexy. Now...what's the Wi-Fi for?

[Rob @ Aug 28th 2007 9:40AM]

Man am I disappointed. I was looking forward to the Gigabit. But, this thing is ugly and very limited with the features. It should have h.264. But it doesn't.
If you pay attention you'll see that except for MP3, this thing plays only MS codecs. That's enough of a hint that this is the general concept behind the upcoming Zune. To those who claim that the Zune had nothing to do with the previous Gigabit, I'd say that you may be a bit misinformed.

I've been close to getting the Zune plenty of times. But, another reason I haven't bought it is because I'd have to "register" in order to use it. "F" that. I don't have to register any of my iPods, PSP, or any other electronic stuff in order to use it. What's MS's desperation to hold the world by their testicles. I don't mind if I'd have to use WMP, just like Apple does with the iPod in order to load content. But, why should I have to register it if I don't want to. Don't tell me that's because of warranty and other excuses. You're still entitled to the product's warranty weather you register it or not. It's MS's shady practices that have kept me away from the Zune.

[steve @ Aug 28th 2007 10:37AM]

I have a zune, and mine came with a 7 day zune pass. till I decided to use that I never had to "register" my zune. You may need to if they decide to implement that get-paid-for-sharing thing, but otherwise, I haven't had to.

[Rob @ Aug 28th 2007 10:49AM]

@ Steve:
I may be mistaken, but that's what I read on the Zune pamphlet found at the stores in very fine print.
If you tell me that you don't have to register it in order to load your content onto the thing, then I'd be ok with it. MS needs to open up the Zune so people can use it as a portable hard drive too. Like the iPod does. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm willing to be educated. Thanks.

[ai4281 @ Aug 28th 2007 12:03PM]

man, why is everyone coming up with crappy flash based mp3 players that max at 8gb? I'm waiting for the new Ipod with at least 30gb!!

[Tokume @ Aug 28th 2007 12:04PM]

@Rob
You don't need to register to put music/copy music onto/from the Zune.
Registration is only for purchasing from the marketplace.
And usually, all you need is a Live account anyways...

As for opening up the hard drive, some Zune sites have gotten news from the team that they'll do that once the flash Zunes are out.

[Mitchell @ Sep 23rd 2007 12:07PM]

ok seriously, every time something comes out that even remotely resembles the iPod, everyone screams COPYCAT! or CLONE! but mostly RIPOFF! jeezus, it's toshiba, think about that. they don't need to clone anyone elses crap, they do fine on their own. there is a limited number of styles for mp3 players, and the 'upright' one isn't f'ing patented by apple! that said, good machine, mediocre price (they could go lower and still turn a profit), and i've always loved the gigabeat style as opposed to the ipod.

PS-you wanna yell at a company for ripping off apples iPod? check out the zune, microsoft has outrightly admitted that they copied the ipod to make it. and THAT one REALLY looks like an early gen ipod. (microsoft does it to p.o. people...and to make more money).