Cowon unveils iAudio U5 DAP at IFA

Those impressed with the looks of the iAudio 7 are likely to warm up just fine to the newest digital audio player from Cowon. Reportedly unveiled at IFA, the presumably flash-based U5 looks to be aimed at lower-end customers, and touts an ultrathin enclosure, 1.8-inch 160 x 129 resolution LCD, FM tuner / recorder, voice recorder, USB 2.0 connectivity, MP3 / WMA support, up to 20-hours of battery life, and built-in equalizer presets as well. Apparently, the U5 will land in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB flavors, but pricing and availability details have yet to be divulged.

[Via PlayerBites, image courtesy of CNET]

[Singh @ Sep 1st 2007 10:13PM]

this is a nice and simple one, but I would prefer the Samsung YP-S5 or YP-T10 which has a nicer look and more functions than these simple audio player. http://www.gadget9.com/2007/08/17/samsung-yp-s5-yp-t10-portable-media-player/

[Natedog @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:20AM]

I agree. I love my Cowon D2, and the 7 is a very sexy player, but I don't really like the look of these.

[Ryhan @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:25AM]

though nothing spectacular like MY d2 in terms of asthetics,(:), it seems like the interface will be easier to use.

[Alex @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:03PM]

It don't look that bad imo, seen much worse like the old creatvie designs...

[Wwhat @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:19PM]

How come nobody builds cameras in all those players? that can be done cheap and gives it an edge on the competition.
Or a smokedetector, then you can use it while you sleep in your hotel or when you use a laptop with a sony battery.

[silverblackvoid @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:27PM]

i think the resolution ought to be 160x128. but i may be wrong.

[Pam @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:27PM]

I'm in the market to replace my iRiver audio jukebox that had 20GB of storage. All there seems to be available nowadays are the new flash players that are as focused on video as they are on audio, but that have only 8GB (max) storage. I am looking for something like Cowon's Audio X5. Not interested in the iPod, as the sound quality is much poorer than that found on the Cowon and iRiver devices. Am I missing something or is the iPod the only mass storage mp3 player in town?

[Michael @ Sep 3rd 2007 2:10AM]

Why not get the X5 then? It's still the best player out there (IMO).

Oh, and the U5 doesn't look like something Cowon would make... WTF?

[Pam @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:42PM]

I cannot find the X5 anywhere for sale or I would simply buy it. That would be the easiest thing. :)