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MSI unveils army of cheap PMPs for China
Taking a break from thin laptops and all-in-one desktops, MSI's announced five PMPs for China. On the lower end is the 198 yuan (US $29) MV622, with a 2.4-inch LCD screen, 2GB storage and three colors to choose from (pictured). The MV651 has a larger, 3-inch screen with 400 x 240 resolution, TV-out, FM radio, and 4GB capacity for 299 ($44) yuan. The MV652 adds touch screen -- the only one to do so, it seems -- and e-book reading functionality, all for a price tag of $51 for 4GB / $58 for 8GB. The 4.3-inch MV881 lacks touch screen but otherwise boasts similar specs to its predecessor -- it'll set you back $58 (4GB) to $73 (8GB). The only one sporting 720p video and S-video out is the 8GB MV882 for $58. All units support e-dictionary, some game functionality, and a hefty number of audio / video codecs. Call it a hunch, but we don't expect a good lot of these -- if any -- to be making a stateside appearance anytime soon.[Via PMP Today]
iriver's SPINN up for pre-sale, shipping October 3rd
If you've been seriously jonesing for a viable and attractive alternative to Apple's iPod offerings, you may just be in luck. According to iriver, the geek-lust SPINN PMP will be available -- and shipping -- on October 3rd in both 4GB ($249.99) and 8GB ($289.99) varieties. In case you're unclear on the specs, the unique widescreen device sports a 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 AMOLED display, support for MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, AVI, and WMV (amongst other) files, FM tuner, and Bluetooth 2.0. Of course, the devices are destined for XP / Vista setups, and don't feature any of that fancy wireless connectivity users are likely getting used to -- but then again, they certainly don't look like other players on the market.[Via Pocketables]
New Sony Walkman PMPs hit the internet, flash all kinds of colors
A whole new slew of Walkmans have hit Sony's New Zealand site, and we've got the goods on them. The new models, dubbed the NWZ-E435, NWZ-E436, and NWZ-E438 all sport a 2-inch QVGA LCD display, FM tuner, codec support for MP3, AAC, WMA, and Linear PCM files, and clock in at a very petite 8.5mm / 50g. The players will be available in 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB variations, with various color options for each model (except for the NWZ-E438, which only comes in black). Apparently, the PMPs play nice with both Windows Media Player and iTunes, offering drag and drop management for files. No word yet on price, regions, or release date, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for these sweet babies.[Via Sony Insider]
Gemei ups the PMP / gaming ante with the X760+
Finally we can toss out that old, boring Gemei X760 we've been fooling around with, and step up to some legitimate action. That's right, the X760+ is on the scene, and that + isn't just for show. The new iteration of the Chinese-made PMP / game playing device boasts 4GB of onboard storage, a 3-inch, WQVGA screen, a 400MHz CPU, FM tuner, and a TV output. The handheld is capable of playing MP3, WMA, APE, RM, MPEG, FLV, AVI, and VOB files (amongst others), but the main selling point here seems to be its built-in ability to emulate the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, as well as play "3D games." The price? 599 yuan (or about $87). Availability? Call an importer.[Thanks, Raz]
Chuwi's T8 PMP "leaks" onto the internet, no one cares
We're sure there's some small corner of the planet where this has created a maelstrom of interest and speculation, but seriously, we're just not feeling it. Chinese PMP-hub iMP3 has nabbed some "spy shots" of the Chuwi T8, a touchscreen media player that looks like the unholy union of an iPhone and Zune. As far as features and release information goes, we haven't heard specifics, but you can assume it will play a ton of different audio and video formats, will emulate some old consoles, and won't ever be available in the US.[Via PMP Today]
Cowon's A3 PMP gets bumped to 80GB
If you've been holding off on getting an A3 for some strange reason, perhaps a bump in capacity will push you over the edge. That's right, Cowon's little performer just got more junk in the trunk -- 80GB of junk, to be exact. Sure, you'll have to drop €448 (or about $691) on this thing, but think of all the pics, music, and "movies" you'll be able to load up on it.
Aigo's Patriot MV5920 PMP: new visual shock, worth your small taste
Are you hoping to enter a "two-nuclear detonation true high-definition era" of PMP'ing? Do you desire "really high-definition video playback" which brings a "new visual shock?" Do you want a media player with "super hard drive recorders, easily direct D1 quality" which are "worth your small taste?" If you answered "yes" to those questions, you want the Aigo Patriot MV5920 Dual-Core MP5 player! The unit features video playback at 720p (though not 720p screen resolution), can handle MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, XviD, ASF, WMV9, RM, MP3, WMA, WAV, AC3, and OGG files, and features a hard drive as large as 160GB... but that's not what you're really after, is it? What you really want is "unlimited life," right? Well, my friend "the curtain has been opened, such as what you."[Via PMP Today]
Yoto's M300 PMP plays just about everything, won't gossip about you
If you absolutely can't stand life without a widescreen PMP one more moment, Yoto just might have you covered. Sure, the M300 looks like a lot of other "all screen" media players out there, but can those other models handle AVI, DIVX, MPEG4, RM, XVID, RMVB, FLV, MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE, JPEG, GIF, and BMP files? Do they have 400 x 240 WQVGA screens? Are they made by Yoto? If you answered "no" to any of those questions, you're not talking about the Yoto M300 -- and you're hurting our feelings. You might pause at the apparent compatibility issues (Windows 2000 and Windows XP only?), and maybe this doesn't actually have a touchscreen, and sure, it was never really cleared of those murder charges... you know on second thought, maybe this isn't such a good investment.[Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CXIII: the Blade Runner MP4 player doesn't make calls, retire Replicants
Like peanut butter and jelly, oil and vinegar, and Benny and Joon, some things just go together. If you thought the words "Blade Runner" and the industrial design of the RAZR were always "meant to be," your day has finally come. Enter the Blade Runner MP4 player -- the PMP that looks like a phone, but acts like far, far, far less. The device has lots of familiar media player features, but let's be honest: all the information you need about this baby is up in that photo above. Own the magic today for $49.99.[Via Crave]
SanDisk's Sansa Fuze gets more details, shipping date
Remember that Sansa Fuze from yesterday? Well, we've gotten some sweet PR on it with a few more details we didn't hear about yesterday. The device will come in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB configurations, feature playback of MP3, WAV, Audible, WMA, MPEG-4, and JPEG files, and will be compatible with subscription services like Rhapsody To Go, Napster, and eMusic. As we mentioned in the previous post, the 4GB model will be available in black, red, pink, or blue, while the 2GB version only comes in black, and the 8GB is only available in silver. The models are priced at $79.99, $99.99, and $129.99, and will be available sometime in April.
The Cuso PC S600 is not the UMPC of your dreams... or a UMPC
Enter the Cuso PC S600 "UMPC," your ticket to near-constant ridicule from friends and family. Sure, you'd think with specs like the blazing 266MHz ARM CPU, 1GB or 4GB of flash memory, 802.11b WiFi, miniSD support, playback of MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, OGG, AAC, APE, AVI, WMV, DIVX, H.264, ASF, and 3GP files (um, with the freeware app TCPMP), and all kinds of Windows CE-powered document handling (TXT, DOC, XLS, PDF, PPT, PPS) you'd be all set, but we don't think it's that simple. There's something about that cheap looking plastic casing, stereo speakers, and totally out of line use of the term UMPC that tell us this probably isn't much more than a glorified PMP. On the bright side, we're thinking this isn't going to break any banks, though we've got no word on price or release date.[Thanks, KC Kim]
iriver's D5 electronic dictionary gets whitewashed
We know it's not natural to get all funny about an e-dictionary, but we can't help it -- iriver's little D5 gets us hot under the collar. You may remember seeing this multi-use, flip-open device in its original black, but luckily for us the company has decided to issue a new color that we can oggle. As before, the D5 features MPEG-4 video and MP3 audio playback, a 480 x 272 TFT display, an FM radio, voice recorder, and USB connectivity. Also as before, you'll need to hit Korea if you hope to get your hands on one -- cause this puppy doesn't seem to be headed Stateside.[Via Akihabara News]
Maxian's E900T PMP / GPS navigator offers near-endless possibilities
At a glance, it's easy to mistake the Maxian E900T for other members of the Maxian family, such as the E900DIC or D900 Neo. Let's face it -- this company has some fundamental problems when it comes to differentiating between models. The latest entry into the lineup comes in the form of a wild, do-it-all PMP -- one which incorporates audio and video playback, a DMB receiver, GPS navigation, and an always-handy dictionary into one delicious package. The Windows CE-based system boasts an 800 x 480 4.3-inch touchscreen, a 30GB or 60GB hard drive, support for WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DiVX / XviD, H.264, WMA, AAC, MP3, and OGG formats (amongst others), plus the aforementioned DMB compatibility. The E900T is capable of outputting 720p HD video, sports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound, and includes Burr-Brown audio circuitry which it outputs via S/PDIF. When you slap this thing into its carmount, it also becomes a full featured GPS navigator, taking advantage of the GPS receiver in the cradle to provide turn-by-turn directions and other navigation functions you know and love, like locating Wendy's (in Korea, at least). No word on when, or if, this will be available in the States, but it couldn't hurt to write some letters of encouragement.[Via Navigadget]
M120 PMP struck with ugly stick, still able to play variety of formats
Just when you thought Chinese PMPs couldn't get uglier or more useless, along comes a fresh target of scorn: the Shenzhen Sinykon Technology M120. Hey, we know that the colorful buttons are tempting, but just imagine the cruel stares and muffled laughs you'll be the victim of when you whip this thing out in public. Sure, it's got a 65,000 color 1.8-inch screen, an FM radio, e-book reader, voice recorder, and can handle your WMV, ASF, AMV, MPX, MPEG, MOV, AVI, MP1, MP2, MP3, WMA, and WAV files -- as well as some other, less important image formats -- but seriously, that thing is ugly. "They" claim that the player is XP, OS X, and Linux compatible, "we" suggest you proceed with caution. Extreme caution.[Via PMPToday]
Keepin' it real fake, part XCIII: Bestlink Electronics clones the HTC Touch
Oh poor little Bestlink Electronics BL 3280. You look just like the HTC Touch, but you have no phone, no touchscreen, and your casing appear to be made from reconstituted Batman action figures. Sure, they say that you can play MPEG4, MP3, WMA, WMV, ASF and WAV files, and that you're no slouch at viewing e-books or JPEGs, but does that help you get to sleep at night? You can boast about your "dynamic GUI" all you want, or flaunt your FM radio and "gaming functionality" (though we're not sure how that works with your lack of buttons), but deep down you're just another, shoddy knock-off -- and we know it. Hey, at least you're not called the Pouch. Price and availability unknown -- we guess cheap and soon.[Via PMPToday]
China-made PMP holds key to unlocking ancient prophecy
Been looking for a PMP that really snaps out of the mold and lightly dances into the realm of the truly daring... and your heart? Feast your eyes on the Shenzhen Shibang New Age Technology S1808 (no kidding), a brand new player that comes across like some retro-future, steampunk-meets-Gundam sidearm from the year 4000. The PMP is housed in a leather-esque casing with an ornate, shielded speaker -- which certainly wins it a few points for originality. In reality, the player is nothing special, featuring a 1.8-inch, 160 x 120 screen, storage capacities ranging from 128MB to 2GB, an optional FM radio, and playback of a few of your favorite formats, like WAV, ASF, MP3, and WMA. Oh, yeah -- it also has a place to attach a lanyard. No word on price or availability, or what kind of alien robot it transforms into.[Via PMPToday]
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.
Keepin' it real fake, Part LXXXVI: iPod nano rip-off does double duty as camera
You can tell the Chinese PMP knock-off factories are getting a little bored. They're starting to mutate their typically staid, blatant thefts into something just a little bit more exciting. Enter the UE-Technology UE-M4088, a totally fresh new entry that rips off both the new iPod nano, and a generic digital camera. Of course, it has all your favorite Chinese PMP features, like a 2.4-inch LCD display, FM radio, playback of MPEG-4, ASF, MP3, WMA, WAV and MIDI files, an SD slot, and of course that 1.3-megapixel camera. The player seems to be available now, though no word on price. Finally, you can have it all... just don't let the authorities see you having it all.[Via PMPToday]
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]
Chinese PMP knocks off Cingular logo for no apparent reason
You know, sometimes product development can take a long time. A really long time. A really, really long time. Sometimes you slap a Cingular logo on an iPod nano knockoff, expecting to pull in tons of sweet cheddar for your novel idea, and before you know it -- bam! -- Cingular becomes AT&T. Of course, once you've got a warehouse full of these ugly-as-sin players, you might as well try to sell them, which shouldn't be hard considering all of the unique features this little guy has, like a 1.8-inch color LCD, MP3, WMA, AVI, and JPEG playback, plus... um, it fits nicely in a pocket. At the very least, those clinging to happier days when Cingular logos roamed the land can now return to their happy place. No word on price or availability, but we're told the feelings of extreme humiliation when using the player are included free of charge.[Via SlashGear]
