AudioPlayer
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Pioneer debuts N-30 and N-50 networked audio players: AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 and smartphone apps on tap
Willing to spare no expense to meet your streaming music demands? Then you now have two more fairly high-end systems from Pioneer to consider. The company has just released its new N-30 and N-50 networked audio players, which each boast support for AirPlay and DLNA 1.5, as well as the ability to handle top-end digital audio like 192kHz/24-Bit FLAC and WAV files. You'll also get a 2.5-inch LCD up front and control apps for both iOS and Android devices, although you'll have to shell out a bit more for some optional adapters if you want WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. The N-50 model (pictured above) also steps things up with gold-plated RCA jacks and an "armored chassis" designed to reduce noise, plus support for additional audio features like Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever AIR (which promise to enhance compressed audio files). Look for it to set you back $699, with the lower-end N-30 model running $499. Some additional details can be found in the press release after the break.
Personal Audio strikes again, has the Kindle Fire in its patent trolling sights
'Tis the season for reflecting upon our many gifts in life and giving thanks for them. If you're Personal Audio, however, once you've thanked your lucky stars that you own a patent on musical playlists, you then file an infringement suit against Amazon. That's right folks, Personal Audio is up to its old tricks again in the Eastern District of Texas, but instead of alleging iPods are infringing its IP, the Kindle Fire is squarely in the company's sites. The patents in question are number 6,199,076 that generally claims an audio player, and number 7,509,178 which claims the aforementioned downloadable playlists. Who knows if Amazon will settle out like Apple did, but as the web retail giant will move a ton tablets (among other things) this holiday season, it should have no shortage of cash do so.
iriver's minimalist styled and flamboyant batteried E30 player now available
Just a few days after iriver's E30 was spotted doing a domino impression in China we're happy to say the thing is now making an appearance in American stores -- or at Amazon, at least. The smallest of the three couldn't be bothered to make the trip, leaving only 4GB and 8GB models selling for $59 and $79, respectively. The little 1.8-inch player is just .3-inch thick, supports a plethora of media formats and, with 52 hours of battery life, should let you sample each and every one of them between recharges. It's a lovely, understated thing and would make a wonderful stocking stuffer -- though to be honest it would only really stuff the socks of those with very tiny feet.
Sony Ericsson's facial recognition patent plays the perfect song to complement your mood
We don't expect this to be indicative of any near-term projects for the now financially hindered phone maker, but one of Sony Ericsson's recently unearthed patents paves the way for some interesting uses. From what we gather, while listening to music on your device, a picture of your face would be taken. That image would then be run through software that interprets your mood, and an appropriate next song based on those emotions would be picked -- so much for the art of mixtapes. Presumably, it'd also require a phone or device with a camera mounted on the same side as the screen, so unless mobile video conferencing takes off in a huge way, we can't see people paying extra for a phone or device with this configuration. And if you just got dumped over SMS, we hope it doesn't intepret those tears as a good time to play that Damien Rice song you two fell in love with. Hit up the read link for the full patent details. [Via Slash Gear]
ReBraun music jukebox is beautifully retro, woefully expensive
Got a thing for vintage, do ya? If so, you owe it to yourself to have a gander at the ReBraun music jukebox, which was modeled after the absolutely stunning Audio 1 Kompaktanlage (circa 1962). This here device is crafted from aluminum and sports twin LCD displays in place of radio scales, and the optional WiFi module gives it a link to legions of internet radio stations. Needless to say, the mix of old and new is downright tear-jerking, but we'd argue the €12,000 ($15,561) price tag is even more so.[Via today and tomorrow]
How would you change SanDisk's Sansa Fuze?
Just like that obscure Burt Bacharach album, some DAPs just need a little time to grow on you. Now that SanDisk's comparatively inexpensive Sansa Fuze has been out and about for a couple of months, we're imploring you dear readers to cast out your opinions on the minuscule device. Are you satisfied with the interface? Have you been disappointed by the sound quality? Was this thing just one feature away from being perfect? 'Tis a shame SanDisk didn't phone you up before mashing the green button and sending these on their way, but here's your shot to tell all who will listen what could be done better in revision two.
Sony's Rolly music player / robot coming to the US this spring
Everyone's favorite, lovable, and totally confusing music player / dancing speaker is coming to the States this spring. As we've extensively detailed, the odd little oval is packed with all kinds of zany abilities, not the least of which is playing MP3 or AAC files via Bluetooth with A2DP off of its 2GB (which is an improvement on the Japanese version's 1GB) of flash memory. No word on price right now, but you won't care once you see how darn cute the little guy is.
Xs-Drive Vision 2500 stores your stuff, won't get you dates
Looking for storage you can take with you? How about ugly storage? Well, prepare to be semi-covered on all ends with the fancy new Xs-Drive Vision 2500. The mysterious box rocks all kinds of funky options, like a 60GB or 160GB internal hard drive, a 320 x 240 LCD display, support for CF type I and II, Memory Stick, SD, miniSD, microSD, MMC, and xD cards, video in / out player and recorder, MP3 playback, ADPCM voice recording, plus JPEG viewer, TXT reader, and USB 2.0 connectivity. No word on a street date, but the whole fantastic fantasy starts with the price tag of £139 (around $285) for the 60GB version.
Zune 2 bits and pieces, plus an in-depth interface video
We know you've heard a lot of Zune 2 info today, but we've got the word on some other details and features that we thought our loyal, highly intelligent, and downright handsome readers would like to know. Also, the folks at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer have scored some quality hands-on time with the 80GB version, and you can see breathtaking video of the interface in action after the break. But first -- here's more goods on Microsoft's newest entry into the media player world: The new players will support lossless audio of the Windows Media variety (don't go screaming FLAC just yet) The WiFi is just b/g, so no n, a or x (the sexiest form of WiFi) Microsoft is still in the testing phase for battery life and will have numbers "later" You can manually sync up the player wirelessly on battery power, but you can't do auto-sync -- you'll need the dock for that action All your old accessories are said to work with the new models The screens are glass, not plastic Green is the new brown... but brown is sticking around on the 30GB models You can connect the Zune to an Xbox 360 to create "your own soundtrack" [Thanks, Nikropht]
Wolverine's ESP rocks 250GB for your PMP needs
Have you been looking for a high-capacity media player? Like, really, really high-capacity? Well finally someone has heard your prayers -- and answered -- in the form of the Wolverine ESP, a 250GB (yes, 250GB) media player that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it, including MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, AAC, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, WMV9, and Xvid. The player, which features a 3.6-inch color screen, also reads JPEG, BMP, TIFF, Text and RAW images (for a variety of digital cameras), does FM radio playback and recording, and can be connected to a TV or audio system via an included AV cable. The ESP has a slew of card slots, like CF, SD, SDHC, Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro and XD built-in, plus an adapter for MS-Duo, Mini-SD, and RS-MMC. The player also boasts audio recording through a line-in jack or built-in microphone, and playback from an onboard speaker. Sounds good, right? There's just one problem: it looks like it's from 1998. Available right now for the low, low price of $649.99.
Cowon iAudio 7 gets unboxed
For those of you who are waiting to experience the raw, passionate opening of a shiny new Cowon iAudio 7, but haven't the money, time, or sheer force of will -- take heart. The player, which rocks 8GB of flash memory, supports FLAC and OGGs, and can play back XviD media on its 1.3-inch color screen has hit the streets and is up for inspection. One lucky purchaser has gone to all the trouble of unboxing the hell out of his recently delivered DAP, and has kindly chosen to share his message of light and hope with the world. Hit the link for a fairly thrilling showcase of gadget-porn.[Thanks, Jin]
IRiver's S7 digital audio player: stickers yes, display no
Iriver is back and prepped to kick out their latest tiny DAP for Korea and beyond. Their new S7 shares roughly the same dimensions as the S10, but trims down just a bit to 42 x 30 x 9.6-mm / 15-grams by doing away with the screen in favor of a full-panel D-click interface. So instead of buttons, or gawd forbid a display, you get a virgin white face plate which you can cover with any sticker of your choosing -- including chicken-goats and pissing dogs if that's how you roll. The S7 brings 1GB of flash, FM radio, 9 hour battery, and support for MP3, ASF, OGG, and all the WMA you can throw at it -- yeah, PlaysForSure too we presume. The S7 hits live for Korea (only in brown) starting tomorrow for an estimated 89,000KRW or $96. [Via Akihabara News]
Philips skimps out on SA4000 / 02 DAP
Tired of things getting smaller, faster, more capacious, and altogether better? If you're looking for the bare minimum in a portable audio player (or just need a stopgap until that elusive 6G iPod drops), Philips has you covered. The SA4000 / 02 is about as average as a DAP can possibly get, and manages to pack in just 512MB of storage capacity (albeit of the NAND variety), two lines of text on the 32 x 128 pixel LCD, support for MP3, WMV, and WAV, mono line-in recording, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a set of token white earbuds. While the display boasts a "seven color backlight," we've seen more impressive screens on USB flash drives, and moreover, the device only musters 10 hours of playback from a AAA cell. We aren't certain what this blast from the not-so-distant past will run you, but if you truly do get what you pay for, we can't imagine it being much.[Via DAPreview]
Scitec SSF-512 MP3 player with speaker
Now that Samsung swung the doors wide, Scitec can step through with their own version of the MP3 player with integrated speaker. The 25-gram SSF-512 with OLED display brings an FM tuner, voice and line-in recorder, 10-hour playback off AAA battery, and a piddling 512MB of flash to host your MP3/WAV/DRM'd WMA audio. No details about that speaker but really, how good can it be? Available in silver and black 'cause even pirates need to jam. On sale today in Japan for a ¥8,980 or about $76. Argh.[Via Impress]
Hyon's VT-300 music player doubles as Bluetooth headset
If you're tired of all those phones trying to step on your music player's toes with included, yet clunky, MP3 functionality, fight back with Hyon's new VT-300 device that includes what is most likely clunky Bluetooth headset functionality along with regular music playback. Along with your usual music playback, voice recording, and FM functions, the VT-300 can manage most phone functions like receiving calls and text messages, or even dialing numbers from you phonebook using the color LCD display. It also sounds an alarm if it strays to far from your phone while its paired over Bluetooth, to prevent theft and to provide for awkward social situations. Sizes range from 128MB to 1GB, but there's no word on price or availability. We're guessing "cheap" and "Korea." [Via Phoneyworld]
