http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/ Engadget Comments for Cowon S9 firmware update adds Bluetooth speaker support http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
Cheap PDA]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 1:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
Pretty happy with it, what I am NOT happy about is my tags being all messed up! I ended up re-ripping some of my music because I just couldn't get the IDv3 tags to be all 100% nice and neat.

Not intuitive at first since some functions are not usable even when displayed but I got the hang of it quickly.

Nothing against the iPod touch, this happened to meet my mp3 player needs better.]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.mp3tag.de/en/

This is a great program to retag your mp3 files.

Had a problem with my D2 (think it wouldn't know what to do if the track number was a fraction like 1/13 and mess the order up), but this cleared the problems nicely and quickly.]]>Dec 26th 2008 10:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 1:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
I'm happy with my purchase over an iPod touch, nothing personal.

Though fixing my ID3 tags was another issue]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 12:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/

im marking you up for the speedy reply]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/]]>Dec 26th 2008 6:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
sorry, i didn't catch your comment. "great minds..."]]>Dec 26th 2008 12:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 1:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/]]>Dec 26th 2008 1:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 1:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/its another one of THOSE in here.
gtfo. now.]]>Dec 26th 2008 5:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
I would get this in a heartbeat and leave my iPod Touch at home as a dev testbed if it was on Android.]]>Dec 26th 2008 1:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 2:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
All they need to throw in is Android, WiFi, and a MicroSD slot (and a removable battery if it doesn't already).

And while I'm at it, make it $5 and make beautiful girls kiss me on the lips everywhere I go.]]>Dec 26th 2008 2:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 5:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 6:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
Can't wait till the 32GB version of this comes out.]]>Dec 26th 2008 3:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 7:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/

]]>Dec 26th 2008 8:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
A2DP sounds as good as wired headphones to my ears, although it tends to suck up all the available BT bandwidth (no using bluetooth GPS and headphones at the same time). I use the Sony DR-BT22's, an Anycom BT to iPod doc adapter and a Blue Ant stereo speaker. Note that I'm not saying the stuff is audiophile quality, just that BT effectively cuts the cord for me.

Now, there is compression on the BT stream, but it is much less than most MP3s. As for "audiophile quality" earbuds, keep dreaming. The diaphragm on earbuds is just too small, the amount of air they can move is just too little. For critical listening, I have a set of AKGs, or better yet, listen on the full stereo. BT is mostly for outdoor activity and work, where sound quality isn't the highest priority ]]>Dec 26th 2008 8:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 3:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
]]>Dec 26th 2008 4:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/cowon/s9/
headphone output power: Stereo, Left 29mW + Right 29mW (16 Ohm earphones): GREAT
codec support: FLAC, OGG, APE plus all the usual suspects: GREAT
screen: apparently great AMOLED, if hype is anything to go by
sound: who knows?
no removable battery: not so great
no removable storage: not so great

replacement battery surgery cost after 300-500 charge cycles of battery: $??
inconvenience of not being able to swap fresh battery 'cause of embedded batt: $?
cost if/ when embedded, non-removable flash storage fails: $?]]>Dec 26th 2008 5:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
Removable battery: (sigh) This is becoming more and more common, it's the look that sells. I don't like it either.

Sound: I wouldn't worry too much, Cowon makes some of the best players out there.

(And yes, I do know that flash has a limited amount of writes/reads, but you will never hit that on a PMP, and if/when you do, it's probably time for an upgrade anyway)]]>Dec 26th 2008 8:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
But more than reliability / longevity concerns, it's the fact that flash is going down in price rapidly and most of these manufacturers continue offering fixed-storage models. Flintstones-era primitivity comes to mind.

Especially in a device like this, which is arguably upper mid-range. It's severely short-term thinking and inflexible on so many levels. Most phones these days beyond USD$120ish come with removable storage and batts. It's ridiculous that devices that are generally more batt-hungry and storage-hungry are all embedded.

Just found out it doesn't do H.264 either. Odd omission (and quite likely MP4 royalty cost-related).]]>Dec 26th 2008 8:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/
No, not great. My D2 has 37mW output and it's not loud enough on normalized tracks with my Bose Triport In-ear buds. I can't imagine 29mW being adequate.]]>Dec 29th 2008 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/To be fair those Triports have low sensitivity and high impedance, so they are far more difficult to get decent volumes out of than the average earbud. I don't doubt you would be desiring a bit more oomph. Cheers.]]>Jan 1st 2009 8:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/We're all waiting for the HARDware upgrade to support 32 Gb flash drive dude...]]>Dec 26th 2008 6:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 7:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Im just curious because I wonder if Apple could ever make a FW update to the iPhone to add A2DP stereo support...? I dont expect this feature to ever come for the iPhone, its Apple! lol

Thanks]]>Dec 26th 2008 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 8:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/Dec 26th 2008 9:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/25/cowon-s9-firmware-update-adds-bluetooth-speaker-support/ If you want a small portable device for checking your twitters then get a net book. People seem to think that having a pmp with wifi makes it the ultimate device. Just look at all of the archos players and how they suck. Or even Cowon's own Q5. what a disgusting piece of "sticking your finger to the wind " and seeing what people say they want. I guarantee that most people with ipod touches use the thing for playing music first, apps second and if they have too much free time on their hands or too much money in their wallet they convert a video or buy one from itunes. If you like good sounding music that doesn't need to be compressed through a tin can first then buy the cowon S9. It is first and foremost an mp3 player. Secondly if you have some divx or xvid files lying around on your computer you can use it as a video player. It's not perfect but there is unfortunately no perfect solution on the market right now. My only hope is that the iphone will make love to the Cowon S9 and create a baby that will do everything for everyone. until that happens you have a choice. Buy an itouch if you like the gimmick of being able to surf the internet on a 3 inch screen with all the disadvantages that comes with that. If you like to read the bible on your itouch or want to play crappy flash games. (The cowon S9 has those too) You are a fan boy of apple or you like the wonderful apps that they produce for their device. You don't mind spending 99 cents to 2 bucks on a tv show that you can get for free.

Buy a cowon S9 if you want to listen to music quickly and effortlessly. Buy a cowon S9 if you want to watch tv shows that float about on the magical torrent network.

Everyone come out of the closet already. If you buy a cowon S9 you are a pirate. God love ya.

If you buy an ipod touch you are a scared robot afraid of big corporations calling the police to break down the door and arrest you for stealing things that you can get for free anyway. Besides now if they catch you all they can do is take away your freedom to surf the internet.

PS. I love internet posts that segue into conspiracy theory type banter.

Ready for all the negative responses.
It's just your guilt talking.
You lovable pirates you.

Please create a software that destroys the ability to create rants like this one.



]]>Dec 27th 2008 10:20AM