Shiro readies trio of ho hum PMPs

We'll spare you the obvious here -- we're quite aware that Shiro's VJ (pictured) looks an awful lot like something else -- but nevertheless, the outfit is hoping that its forthcoming trio of portable media players can somehow get traction in the overly saturated market. The aforementioned VJ reportedly rocks a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, up to 8GB of internal storage space, a microSD expansion slot, built-in microphone for voice recording, an FM radio, up to 20 hours of music playback (5 hours of video) and support for MP3, WMA, WAV, BMP and JPEG files. As for the MR, look for similar features in a smaller (2-inch display) package with a maximum capacity of 4GB, while the MD boasts an even tinier screen (1.8-inch) and a fair bit less battery life. Regrettably, no pricing details were mentioned, but we get the feeling Shiro will be saving those tidbits for CES.

[Via Wired]

[Miles @ Dec 27th 2007 7:51AM]

Oh god.
I'll get ranked down for this, but why do they always have to steal from Apple?

[Constable Odo @ Dec 27th 2007 9:29AM]

Of course you'll get ranked down. What else can they do out of frustration? Mentioning the word Apple and blatant copy in the same sentence will turn all Apple haters' knuckles white from rage. LOL Haha. Let them sulk, I say.

[robert @ Dec 28th 2007 5:36PM]

Looks like they turned on you instead.

[Varuna @ Dec 27th 2007 7:55AM]

THE Creative Zen Makes this thing looks sooo bad!

Tons of more features and upto 32 GB of Flash!

Beats Apple I'd say !

[Tony @ Dec 27th 2007 8:39AM]

O brother; here we go again with another trash spewing wannabe.

[Linh @ Dec 27th 2007 8:53AM]

Looks more like LG Prada to me

[EJ @ Dec 27th 2007 9:41AM]

With the availability of high capacity, multimedia-friendly cell phones, are gadget geeks really even buying dedicated PMP's any more? In 2008, these generic PMP/encyclopedias are about as exciting and/or interesting as a "Truetech" or "Orion" DVD player was in 2003. I just don't see why Engadget feels obligated to report on such ho-hum technology when even the reporters are obviously bored with it and its odds of success outside of China are nil.

[silverblackvoid @ Dec 27th 2007 10:04AM]

advantages of having a PMP over a "multimedia-friendly cell phone"

1. larger screen meaning less eye strain.
2. dedicated processors for smoother playback of complex video files.
3. ample storage space.
4. more juice for prolonged playback.
5. a simple and less-cluttered UI meaning no more navigating through tons of menus.

and there are lots of other advantages. it may not appeal to your refined taste but for the rest of the demographics these are certainly most important.

[Reader @ Dec 27th 2007 11:20AM]

Also I listen to my MP3 player all day long without charging. I wouldn't want to run my cell phone to nothing as well. If the iPhone actually had two batteries I would have got one right away.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 27th 2007 11:47AM]

Reminds me of an Archos 605 in black

[Richard @ Dec 27th 2007 5:38PM]

Yeah, seriously its not a "real" PMP in my books unless the screen is around 4" and it plays avi's at least.