iriver's "a player" redefines fashionDAP

While iriver's P10 is undoubtedly a looker, the "a player" (or perhaps the "homme," it's hard to tell which is the actual title) pretty much just makes everybody else manufacturing mini-DAPs look bad. There's virtually zero info on this player, at least in English, but that never stopped us from gawking before. There does seem to be a small screen on the flip side of this player, but that may be the "a player II." Again, our failure to grasp the Korean language sets us back. Hopefully iriver will be fleshing out some release info this week at CES.

Gallery: iriver's "a player" redefines fashionDAP

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[West Hubbard @ Jan 6th 2008 11:31AM]

That is pretty nice looking. I'm assuming that the connector pushes in and out...but I don't get why they didn't use a USB in that style (super thin usb connector, like on the sony micro drives).

[guy @ Jan 6th 2008 12:14PM]

That is usb... it has four longitudinal contacts as always, albeit very wide contacts. I doubt a production model would sport that style, but rather fall back to the standard connector to save materials costs. I'm curious too how the plug unfurls. And the screen is a MUST - I cannot stand the screenless ipod shuffles for that very reason.

I'm looking for more pictures on this beauty!

[周鹏 @ Jan 6th 2008 11:34AM]

smart sitck!

[Adamantite @ Jan 6th 2008 11:45AM]

You should show one of the pictures where you can see the screen and buttons. That's the most impressive part of this player's design.

[Shadowfox952 @ Jan 6th 2008 11:52AM]

It seems like a lot of empty space because the screen is tiny.

[Jonathan Allen @ Jan 6th 2008 11:56AM]

Well played, iRiver....well played.

I had a first gen iPod shuffle and liked the concept and form factor. I did not like, however, trying to find a particular track that I was interested in listening to. This solution looks quite effective and has a more interesting design than either the shuffle or Sony's attempts at a similar market. I am an iPhone user/lover/fanboy, but this is a very nice design.

[Mark @ Jan 6th 2008 12:15PM]

A little more info on specs and pricing and I might be sold..

[Homeboy @ Jan 6th 2008 12:36PM]

Very slick and minimalistic. I love it. Let's just hope it makes it to europe and cost less than €100 for 1-2GB.

[paolo @ Jan 6th 2008 12:39PM]

It has a darn small screen and not to pocket friendly controls (I like the iPod for that, you can operate it easily even when it's in your pocket)

http://www.iriver.co.kr/event/2008/ces2008/img/ces2008_aplayer_img04.jpg

check the engadget link for more pics :

http://www.iriver.co.kr/event/2008/ces2008/event.asp?mode=3

[ClieOS @ Jan 6th 2008 1:00PM]

Curious about why there is a 'HOMME' logo on the player? Read this:
http://www.misticriver.net/forums/news-article-topics/57243-pre-day-1-iriver-ces2008.html

[Shadowfox952 @ Jan 6th 2008 1:04PM]

homme means man in both korean and french, that's a bit of a shocker.

[TRLK @ Jan 6th 2008 1:17PM]

Er, actually no
The post is wrong
But it is true that iriver is aiming for men (seeing how their mickey mouse player sold well to women) with this

[Toadlet @ Jan 6th 2008 1:05PM]

From what I was able to translate (and I don't know Korean AT ALL), unfortunately there's not much written in these pictures that you can't see for yourself. Plus a few marketing phrases thrown in like "The joy of ownership" (per Google). No additional specs or prices.

A picture is worth a thousand Korean words after all.

[bl0nde @ Jan 6th 2008 1:10PM]

Cupertino, start your photocopiers.

(that was a request)

[DK @ Jan 6th 2008 4:13PM]

toadlet, you are right about the "The joy of ownership" First and the last picture has that slogan.
The second picture with lighters and the Mickey mp3 player:
The first paragraph starts off by asking you "Have you ever felt "backlight" ?" well, about the backlight (it is like a glow on the background), I can't think of any good English word to translate. Well, the iRiver describes it as “if you are a fan of electronics and when you see something that everyone desires, you will feel and see the backlight (or the glow) and also feel the force of it.
The second paragraph is about the material and the color. The material and the color change the perspective on some products even though it is the same product.
The third paragraph talks about how the a player will be the big hit for 2008 as the m player was big hit in 2007.
The Third picture is talking about the mp3 player is metal finish.
The Fourth picture shows the DAP with screen and the detail shot of buttons. On the bottom of the picture state: **Caution: a player does not have lighter function. (^.^;;)
Well, I hope that was helpful about what it says on the pictures…

[paperless @ Jan 6th 2008 4:56PM]

This is a beauty.

Hoping to see more info of it.

[Matt @ Jan 7th 2008 5:07AM]

If a release date is found for this, can it please be posted? Thanks so much.

[Vanguard @ Jan 9th 2008 1:35PM]

iriver,

Wow!
This has upscale clothing retailer written all over it.
Could be part of a cross promotion, regular retail or value added strategy.