Samsung YP-P2 Blue Wave 4 firmware update arrives

Samsung kicks out new Blue Wave firmware updates for the YP-P2 PMP faster than we can keep up with 'em, but we've honestly never even seen in the wild. Still, we'll give Sammy credit for releasing free feature updates (cough), and Blue Wave 4 delivers basically what we'd heard about a couple months back: voice recording, Bluetooth gaming, subway maps, a skinnable GUI, password lock and text-to-speech support. Available for download now, if you've actually got a P2.

[Via PMP Today]

[Flashpoint @ Jul 9th 2008 6:43PM]

I go to Tokyo for 3 weeks out of every year. I DEFINITELY see the use of Subway maps on a PMP device but I'd rather have it on my iphone.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 9th 2008 6:47PM]

You just had to get the iPhone in there somehow, didn't you?

[John @ Jul 9th 2008 6:56PM]

Of course he did. There were only 10 articles about the iPhone posted today. He needs to whack off a little more and he cant get it up anymore to those stories.

[Mr Farts @ Jul 9th 2008 7:44PM]

Diarheea!!!

(Changing the subject.)

[Flashpoint @ Jul 9th 2008 8:04PM]

You gotta love these dumbass Engadget bloggers.

They come to a weblog were APPLE pays employees to give their products glowing reviews...

I decry against Apple... I get called a Windows Fanboy.

I make a positive claim about an iphone and now I'm an Apple fanboy?

[Tim @ Jul 9th 2008 8:43PM]

seriously, flashpoint didn't say anything wrong there; give him a break. I'd like it if my iPhone had subway maps, and I think an iPhone (or any smartphone) with that feature would be superior to this device (does more for same size) except for price; I own an iphone already and would like this update, apparently flashpoint feels the same way. Why on earth would he want to carry an additional device if he could just use the phone he already has?


Flashpoint: I'm sorry for speaking for you, hopefully i'm not totally off base.

[Tim @ Jul 9th 2008 8:46PM]

seriously, flashpoint didn't say anything wrong there; give him a break. I'd like it if my iPhone had subway maps, and I think an iPhone (or any smartphone) with that feature would be superior to this device (does more for same size) except for price; I own an iphone already and would like this update, apparently flashpoint feels the same way. Why on earth would he want to carry an additional device if he could just use the phone he already has?


Flashpoint: I'm sorry for speaking for you, hopefully i'm not totally off base.

[Tim @ Jul 9th 2008 8:47PM]

god damn it! I reloaded FOUR $@$#$$@ times just to make sure i didnt double post and still engadget toys with me! 4 times!

[Metkis @ Jul 9th 2008 11:09PM]

@Shei:

It's an iPod Touch competitor, not an iPhone competitor, you wanker.

Learn to learn. Geez.

[King Mustard @ Jul 9th 2008 6:52PM]

How does the YP-P2 compare to an iPod?

[Anthony @ Jul 9th 2008 7:16PM]

lol it doesnt compare to an ipod...

[BrianB @ Jul 9th 2008 7:30PM]

It's not multi-touch but it's the best for playing music and videos. If popularity despite the iPod Touch is an accurate measure, I'd say this is top of the league for PMPs. Don't expect to surf the Net though.

[paperless @ Jul 9th 2008 8:51PM]

You can get an iPod touch almost for the same price and the iPod TOuch is nearly a PDA so...

I dont really think p2 is worth the money.

[King Mustard @ Jul 9th 2008 9:05PM]

The 16 GB Samsung YP-P2 is £179.99. The 16 GB Apple iPod touch is £269.99. Not really of a similar cost.

[cj @ Jul 9th 2008 10:53PM]

Yo Steffen Jobs,
your pt about the sand dunes and everest only holds tru if you are comparing price point.

[Joe @ Jul 9th 2008 7:11PM]

I just wish I could find a 16GB version...I keep waiting and waiting...

[BrianB @ Jul 9th 2008 7:16PM]

Joe, where are you from? There is a 16GB P2. It was announced months ago.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/18/samsungs-yp-p2-coming-in-16gb-flavor-soon/

online stores have it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-YP-P2JEB-XEU-Touchscreen-Bluetooth/dp/B00170SPR2

And BestBuy.

[Mike @ Jul 10th 2008 3:13AM]

And how do you expect it to be shipped to the USA? Amazon.co.uk won't and neither will Best Buy...

[holycow @ Jul 10th 2008 6:52AM]

Goto Canada and buy it from BestBuy... they have plenty

[Andrew Jones @ Jul 9th 2008 7:28PM]

I actually got a 16Gb YP-P2 here in the UK. It was actually a nice little device. I say was, due to the fact that the damn thing developed a fault. Top left of the touch screen became unresponsive about 2 days after I purchased it.

I found the software that came with the device easy to use. When I first connected the unit to my computer, the software fired up and told me that there were updates to the firmware available. It was quite painless to update it. The unit can play MP3's, .WMA files, MP4 files, Ogg files, so you weren't tied to one particular format. Playback of videos was nice and smooth and the quality of the screen was excellent.

The FM radio was very good considering it used the headphone lead as an antenna. You could even record the radio as an MP3 too :)

Sound on the device was really good. Volume was bordering on the ouch level when turned up fully. The screen (when it worked) was responsive and you could use different UI skins. The overall size was smaller than an IPod touch. It seemed quite a tough device and well put together (said made in China on the back).

One thing I didnt like was that it uses a special USB plug, which I suppose is similar to the Apple products (why don't they just stick with the Micro USB sockets). The rear of the device appeared to be spray painted black and I think that let the look of the device down, since the front was a nice shiny black.

Overall apart from the previously mentioned fault, which I'm sure was a one off, it was an excellent bit of kit.

[Mark @ Jul 10th 2008 3:08AM]

If your product is faulty out of the box, then you can most likely get it replaced by Samsung, or at least repaired. And that proprietary socket is actually the standard socket used on almost all portabe devices (mp3's, phones, cameras etc) in Korea. I guess Samsung didn't bother to change it on devices sold overseas.

[Alex @ Jul 9th 2008 7:29PM]

I had this MP3 player for about 2 months before I decided to sell it for an iPhone. The touch screen on that player is pathetic, I regret spending the money I spent on it.

[Syndrical.One @ Jul 9th 2008 8:36PM]

The P2 is a great player. I got mine for Christmas and all these firmware additions is really nice to have (especially since they're free). I created my own GUI (pretty easy) and the sound quality is amazing. The screen quality as well is great for watching wide-screen movies.

Don't forget the fact that it has Stereo Bluetooth. I pair it up with my Moto S9's and it's great to use at the gym. Sorry iPhone users that y'all can't do that.

My only problem with mine is

a.) 8GB isn't enough (16 wasn't around when I bought mine)
b.) You can sync the player to your phone and make calls from it using Bluetooth. But you can't have the player sync'd with Bluetooth headphones AND your phone @ the same time. But in that case, you wouldn't need to anyway ... just sayin

[Sam @ Jul 9th 2008 8:59PM]

I love my P2 (8GB). I use it 5-6 times a week while working out. The stereo bluetooth was the biggest selling point for me. No more wires getting in the way when I'm lifting weights.

[Sanh @ Jul 9th 2008 9:31PM]

The P2 is around 60 dollars cheaper comparing prices from the lowest retail stores. If the P2 is $200 then I'm getting it with no hesitation. Who needs multi-touch for music and videos?

[electron @ Jul 9th 2008 9:47PM]

yesssssssss

[eric @ Jul 9th 2008 9:50PM]

this player is outstanding. they dont put any restrictions on anything. nothing is held back. record off the radio. delete songs from the player itself. play games. voice record. bluetooth (file transfer/phone/headphones) . watch movies in multiple formats.

but this player isnt made for idiots. the firmware upgrades have improved everything about the player (touch screen, features) and if you arent smart enough to follow instructions to upgrade your firmware, you should stick to your ipod.

its not in the pricepoint of a touch, so dont compare it to one. and even if you would give me a choice id take one of these any day.

[toneoner @ Jul 9th 2008 10:38PM]

FM radio + recording..
Bluetooth --- doubles as a phone you can dial direct from the player!
customizable skins and GUI
subway maps.
talking dictionary.
no need for media player sync!!!!!!!!!!
RDS in european version of firmware.
bluetooth games.
some sorta cover flow kind of thing where you can browse by cd cover and flick through them...
DNSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! equalizer.
it also has that thing like the ipod touch and iphone when your at the artist you can flick the screen up or down and it moves by itself to another point in the list of artist or songs.

and many more features that i cant remember off the top of my head..
i actually have the new firmware and its great!

although the ipod touch has wifi "hence the bigger price tag" you can use the wifi unless you pay for it at home or are around a really strong signal or at a hotspot.. other then that its pretty much unsable ...
i actually had an i pod touch and sold it when i got this because i can use it as a phone.. and its way less expensive...

[Dominic @ Jul 9th 2008 10:44PM]

Where can I download this firmware update???

[jupiterthunder @ Jul 10th 2008 10:19AM]

check the samsung website. it's easy to navigate. Actually, if you've got the P2 and you installed SMS or EmoDio, you can plug in, and select Update or Check for Update or something like that.

[Matt @ Jul 9th 2008 11:32PM]

How about a firmware update for the Instinct? BTW, this device looks awesome.

[Mikhal @ Jul 10th 2008 12:13AM]

Great, I've been waiting for this firmware since the korean version came out awhile back.

I generally use my YP-P2 with my bluetooth logitech earphones, no wires getting caught etc.

When im using my earphones though, I turn on the bluetooth to my mobile and take calls or even make calls from my P2... the P2 can download the address book from your mobile phone.

one thing i hate about the YP is the samsung softwar that comes with it. it converts movies into some samsung format, that gets annoying. (could just be my ignorance)

I have a White P2 along with an invisible shield and the authentic samsung case.. blue one.

[jupiterthunder @ Jul 10th 2008 10:19AM]

The .svi file that SMS creates is nothing more than an avi. The specifications are in the documentation. You can use any software to create the avi and then you just have to change the extension from .svi to .avi. I do it this way. At least, before I lost my player. It's hiding in this apartment somewhere...hopefully.

It's an amazing player. My favorite feature is the bluetooth link to my mobile so I can make and recieve calls without having to pull my phone out of my pocket.

[Stuart @ Jul 10th 2008 1:01AM]

Getting back to the actual subject of the story, has anyone else noticed how totally wacked the Samsung site is when you try to find the firmware update? First there's several versions of the YP-P2, then there are three ver. 5.08 firmware updates. Don't even try to search for Blue Wave on their site, or you'll just get press releases. Now, I'm not a tech novice, and maybe there's somewhere else I'm supposed to go, but this just seems much too complicated for a firmware update. (Incidentally, instead of flaming me, if you have suggestions on where I should go to get the firmware update, I'd appreciate the assistance.)

[Mike @ Jul 10th 2008 2:05AM]

http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/download/supportDown.do?group=audiovideo&type=mp3players&subtype=mp3players&model_nm=YP-P2JCB&disp_nm=YP-P2JCB&language=&cate_type=all&dType=D&mType=FM&vType=R&prd_ia_cd=03040200

That huge link is the download page for the P2, there are 3 separate downloads for 5.08 because one is the firmware, one is the gui and the other is new games. (i'm assuming, i'm just about to download all this myself). You can also just use the Program that comes with the p2 to update it but for some reason the download speed is unbearable for me unless I get updates from the site itself.

Btw I love this little device. I wish people would stop saying it is an ipod touch ripoff because it's far from it, it just happens they are the only touch screen mp3 players out so far. In my opinion all of apple's designs are very kid like, like your going to see "fischer price" on the side. Samsung made a sleek, sexy, professional looking device. I love the blue tooth simply for trading songs/pics/movies with friends from their computers, I don't have to bring a cord.

[Landon @ Jul 10th 2008 8:56AM]

Make sure you use the right model number.

Mike it looks like you put in a link for Canada correct? Just search by model number and it's under firmware. Once you download it through them on your device straight through your Windows browser(given that's what you're using I assume).

You can also try EmoDio. Some people don't like it but it does have a section for updates, etc.

[Landon @ Jul 10th 2008 9:00AM]

*throw*

[Joe @ Jul 10th 2008 2:05AM]

@BrianB:

I'm in the U.S. AFIAK Sammy hasn't released it here for some reason. It's not Amazon.com or BestBuy.com. BestBuy Canada has it but I dunno if they'll deliver to the U.S...

[ayesha @ Jul 10th 2008 5:18AM]

I just wish I could find a 16GB version...I keep waiting and waiting... this product will be available soon in market.

[Thomas Walters @ Jul 10th 2008 8:18AM]

Just as a heads up, a lot of people have said this update isn't working right, and having tested it on my P2 I can back that up.

Currently rolling back to the last firmware version, I advise you read around before updating.

[Landon @ Jul 10th 2008 8:48AM]

So far mine is working fine, pass locked mine...played with the subway maps, music all that.

I think this is a good player for those not wanting an iPod...to each their own. I think this player has superior sound quality though but the iPod Touch does have features this one doesn't.

Personally I like being able to just drag music in to the folder and listen to it if I want to or use SMS or EmoDio either way. Wherever I get my music from it's on the player and ready to go. Bluetooth was a big plus for me as well as I can sync to my phone, headphones, and soon my car stereo.

[evan.mcmanus @ Jul 10th 2008 11:06PM]

To the guy who said an Ipod touch is nearly a PDA ... yeah right.

[Maryna @ Jul 15th 2008 10:42PM]

Uhm ... PLEASE HELP!
How come some ppl have a dictionary on it, and i updated my P2 and it still doesnt have one :(:(:(
Please reply.

[bolezhinkov @ Jul 21st 2008 2:49PM]

you need a different firmware version to have the dictionary

try making it from korea

[bolezhinkov @ Jul 21st 2008 2:50PM]

you need a different firmware to have the dictionary

try making it from korea