Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody in the wild

Every once in a while we'll come across a mystical product that gets scooped really early in its development cycle, goes years without release, and makes a CES cameo or two before becoming available to the now-underwhelmed throngs. Such is the case with Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody, a decidedly metallic PMP that features WiFi, Bluetooth, and support for both Rhapsody and AOL Video. Granted, those are still somewhat impressive specs even by 2008 standards, but the capacities top out at 30GB (weak sauce) and the physical appearance of the device is definitely an acquired taste. Anyway, we happened to catch the Ibiza Rhapsody in final retail packaging in our travels and stopped for a few brief sentence to snap a shot or two; do enjoy them, won't you?

Gallery: Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody in the wild

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[derX @ Jan 6th 2008 2:48PM]

Seriously, the device really does not look that bad at all.

Besides, we're Engadgeteers, which means we're gadget-geeks (yeah, let's face it, I've grown to accept it as a term of endearment, really). It's more so about function than form )except in serious cases) and this PMP has got it going on. I'd definitely get it.

[SteveMB @ Jan 6th 2008 2:51PM]

I like the device a lot, and you can get them at Amazon.

[Dominic @ Jan 6th 2008 3:20PM]

This has been available for 5-6mths Chris mate.

[Chris Ziegler @ Jan 6th 2008 3:32PM]

Dominic - it's been available since November, to be accurate. We haven't had a chance to see a retail unit in the wild and thought it'd be nice to post a few shots; we never claimed it was being unveiled at CES 2008.

Chris

[Sam Zebian @ Jan 6th 2008 3:36PM]

The navigation controls make the device ugly... The screen is the same size as the Ipod classic, and the device only comes with 30GB for a higher price. It may have a bunch of features like bluetooth or AOL video along with rhapsody, but I don't know how this will really do much for the market of PMP's. I've got a device that does many of the features of this deice, comes in a higher capacity and has a bigger screen, and it's called a Zune. I think it's a better value than this, and I also think that the only people who will want this device will be those who really need the bluetooth built in and the subscription service with video to boot.

[Dominic @ Jan 6th 2008 3:51PM]

My bad Chris, for the sake of accuracy then we'll say November, I think October is when it was actually available, but not until the 3rd week or so...

I've read some good things about the unit, hope you guys go back to play with it some...

[jenny @ Jan 6th 2008 4:14PM]

I actually want to try this device. I think the navigation would look better if everything was white.

[Potato @ Jan 7th 2008 6:35AM]

It looks like a broken iPod

[Raúl C. @ Jan 7th 2008 8:15PM]

They are available in Sam's Club. ;)

[PenaltyKillah @ Jan 7th 2008 7:48PM]

Practical look, slick features, no one screaming iPod-clone... what's keeping it?