iriver K1 Smart HD shows off unique UI for the cameras, flashes a hint of CE underneath

We wouldn't say iriver is pulling out all the stops on its new K1 Smart HD player, but it's certainly putting a bit more love and polish into the device than we've seen from the company in recent months. Now a video of the UI has been unearthed, which shows a new touchscreen UI based on a sort of "circles" concept. There are smacks of a traditional grid and multi-homescreen interface as well, akin to iPhone or Android, with a bit of widget engine and exciting translucent overlays for good measure. A Cover Flow-styled music browser can actually be navigated through use of the accelerometer, and if you're brave enough you can even dive into regular old Windows CE for exciting hijinks. Check the quick demo after the break.

[vibhorgoyal Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:11PM]

The UI looks pretty good, but wait a minute, is the entire UI basically, an application running on windows CE???

[ai4281 Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:24PM]

@vibhorgoyal I guess it's like Sense UI. On both Android and Windows Mobile, it runs as a UI layer that can be easily disabled.

Even some Microsoft mobile OS's, like Zune HD OS or Windows Mobile, run on top of CE. Though I don't think you can simply quit out and see the CE layer...

[vibhorgoyal Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:28PM]

@ai4281 Yes thats absolutely true. But in my opinion, the entire experience would be much better and faster, if the actual OS layer is modified into what the customer gets. What do you think?

[geekthree Posted Jan 26th 2010 4:10PM]

@vibhorgoyal

Agreed.

This was the same with the applications you could get back in the day for WiMo 2003 etc, and the same as the star dock products for Windows,

Looks pretty.. but man does it slow everything down.

[Luxury Guy Posted Jan 26th 2010 6:04PM]

@geekthree Even a good deal of current day stand alone GPS units run CE in the background. And then when you get to industry, pretty much everything runs CE from ATMs to bar code devices.

[poinck Posted Jan 26th 2010 6:09PM]

@vibhorgoyal Windows CE #fail why not Android? iRiver, what you're doing to me?

[dragonfli Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:16PM]

... Holy hell, I'd buy that.

For some reason, I've always loved CE's down-to-the-basics Explorer interface just as the full Windows desktop has. I wouldn't mind having a few extra taps to get to my media or any of that.

I miss the days of "old-school" Windows CE where it wasn't hidden by overly complex shells (ie Windows Mobile).

[Wwhat Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:16PM]

Second UI demo shown that has icons that look like that, flat, ugly, horrible horrible colors.
Count me out if you expect enthusiasm.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:18PM]

I suddenly realize those icons look like they are designed for 1st generation color e-paper, coincidence? Or are they getting the consumers ready

[c w j Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:19PM]

How come "grid' is never attributed to WinMo, Palm or Handspring?

[Rebajas Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:31PM]

@c w j - Because those keywords aren't as valuable?

[Pookiewood Posted Jan 26th 2010 4:02PM]

@Rebajas No Idea. I think it's crazy how everyone had a case of amnesia when the iPhone was released.

[JustThatNerdyGuy Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:41PM]

needs smoothing out, i don't like all the small buttons on the video pause/play ect, also it's looks quite dull some brighter and more contrasting colour would be nice considering how good that screen is.

[animal Posted Jan 26th 2010 3:45PM]

Same UI as used on both the P7 and P35. Nothing new really... Unfortunately, the same old iriver with the same old short battery life and small capacity. They simply cannot compete in the U.S. market.

[DaHarder Posted Jan 26th 2010 4:05PM]

Thanks but...

I already fell for all the hype surrounding iRiver's SPINN only to be terribly disappointed.

When it comes to high-resolution/hi-spec touch-screen PMP units the ZUNE HD still holds the title of Best of the Breed.

[JW Posted Jan 26th 2010 7:40PM]

@DaHarder
That was some serious fanboy. The Spinn came out way before the Zune HD. It's really not even a fair comparison.

[TacticalTimbo Posted Jan 26th 2010 4:12PM]

Looks pretty sweet, maybe a bit rough in places, but overall a good effort.

[androidphysicalkeypad Posted Jan 26th 2010 4:52PM]

well i think all cameras need better UIs. its so complicated and time consuming just to adjust the set the flash

[MrScottFletcher Posted Jan 26th 2010 5:17PM]

Are dedicated PMPs 'a thing' anymore? (Does anyone else want to speculate wildly on an iRiver phone?)

[cjschrissouth Posted Jan 26th 2010 8:27PM]

The device looks very 'inspired' by a piece of fruit....

[newone757 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:13AM]

hmph ce huh??

no wonder the transitions and switching to landscape were so laggy. feels like my touch pro 2. yuck

interface is pretty...a little gay, but pretty. i would say something about lipstick and a pig but..you know

[kio Posted Jan 27th 2010 4:13AM]

very sexy !!