Gigabeat
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Toshiba Gigabeat S shipping this month ... in Japan
If you haven't been getting your internet access via Webaroo, you must know that the Toshiba Gigabeat S is one of the most eagerly awaited new products of the year -- especially by us (we were seriously tempted to "borrow" one from the Toshiba booth at CES, but managed to resist). Now the Windows Portable Media Center is nearly upon us, getting a full list of specs and a rough ship date -- for the Japanese market, that is. Specs look basically consistent with what we saw at CES: both the 30GB S30 and 60GB S60 will include a 2.4-inch QVGA display, an FM tuner, and full compatibility with Windows DRM for both audio and video. They're expected to ship in Japan, in white, black and red versions, by the end of this month at prices of around $299 for the S30 and $399 for the S60. And we're going to have to decide whether to bite the bullet and pay the markup to pick one up through a gray market shipper, or continue waiting for the eventual US release.
Giga-what? Giga-who?
You've probably heard all the talk about the new Toshiba Gigabeat S Series Portable Media Center. It's the video-capable 5G iPod killer announced by Toshiba and Microsoft over at CES this week. It's supposed to come out this quarter in 30GB for $299 flavor and 60GB for $399 flavor.It looks good. Nice screen and nice device and if I didn't already have a 5G iPod (or any iPod for that matter), I might consider buying one for the Vongo compatability alone. However, the Gigabeat, like all products of its ilk, is no iPod killer. Why? Look at it. Look at any of these iPod killers. They either are trying to cram too many features in or they are trying to in some way shape or form appear similar to the iPod. They are all followers to a device that has already permeated the market.When an iPod killer does come, as it eventually will, it's not going to be an MP3-player with video capabilities. It's going to be an entirely new creature of technology. Like a cellphone that dominates the market. Or some other unknown gadget that reaches cult status because it is lighter than a feather, is powered by the wind, displays holograms, and looks really cool. The iPod is the cult right now and all these multiple cool devices, even though they are undeniably cool are not going to be able to knock the iPod off the top of the hill.
Engadget Podcast 058 - 01.04.2006
While it's been a whirlwind few weeks in the world of the Engadget podcast, the flavor is back and ready for your CES consumption. Today's first episode of the podcast rocks out with more than your classic podcast favs like Ryan and Peter; today's podcast has interviews with everyone from Engadget contributors on the front lines to the exhibitors behind velvet ropes at the Digital Experience. We talk with some of the folks shaping CES including Microsoft's main Windows Mobile man John Starkweather, and OQO's Jory Bell. Clocking in just shy of an hour, this episode is the first of many we'll be recording here at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC) [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - Jobs that Require Headphones Format 58:16, 26.6 MB, MP3 Program 00:36 Welcome to CES 2006. 03:31 CES Unveiled: ROKR E2 06:41 GigaBeat S-series 08:56 Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players unveiled 10:10 External HD-DVD for Xbox 360 11:40 CES2006.engadget.com 12:53 Barb on Sony's Press Preview 23:23 John Starkweather from Microsoft on the GigaBeat 24:45 Jack from Sony Ericcson and the Sony Walkman Phone 26:08 Tom from Sanyo, talking about the tapeless 720p HD1 27:23 Paul Boutin on the Bill Gates keynote 38:21 In-depth interview: Jory Bell and Dr. Richard Pocklington from OQO talk about the Model 01 getting Tablet PC OS LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (OGG) LISTEN (AAC) Call up the Podcast at: 1-888-ENGADGET
