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Yinlips YDP800 projector PMP teases your wallet with video

Richard Lai — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:45:00 EST

We're not sure what's taken so long, but the Yinlips YDP800 pico projector PMP is finally available to the US, courtesy of online store Ownta. The good folks have released a demo video of the projector in action -- not quite at the maximum 80-inch picture that Yinlips boasts, but hey, we've just about done it before on another pico projector. For around $270 including delivery this feature-packed PMP seems to give a good run for your money, especially when compared to the $299 WowWee Cinemin Swivel. No sign of any sample pictures or videos from the 1.3 megapixel camera yet, so for now just enjoy the video after the break.

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Yinlips YDP800 projector PMP teases your wallet with video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mintpass Cube MP3 player features plenty of style, few capabilities

Joseph L. Flatley — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:11:00 EST

The folks at Mintpass, known for its adorable Mintpad touchscreen PMP, are back on the scene with a little something called The Cube. A schticky audio player that goes out of its way to recall the analog gear of lore, this 2-inch cube sports push button controls, analog displays for volume, battery charge, and frequency, 3.5mm audio out, and Bluetooth. We've got no idea what the storage capacity, price, or street date might be, but we do have some pretty pictures for you. Check 'em out after the break.

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Mintpass Cube MP3 player features plenty of style, few capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: PMPs

Laura June — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:11:00 EST

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

So your music-loving grandma wants a PMP, huh? Fair enough -- we've put our heads together to come up with a list of the best we could find in several price ranges -- and we tried to come up with a few that are off the beaten (iPod) path, too. The choices out there sure are varied, but we've culled out the boring and the poorly designed to come up with what we think is the... most melody-friendly group on the planet. Read on for our full recommendations!

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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: PMPs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI eagerly supports HD video on its MT-V887 PMP

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST

It's been a couple months since noticing that MSI had a renewed interest in PMPs, and now the outfit is back with yet another media player. The MT-V887 takes the sleek, understated styling of the MT-V656 and ramps the display to a none-too-shabby 4.3-inches (480 x 272). Based on the Rockchip RK2728B, this guy adds the H.264 codec and 720p support to an already insane helping of media formats. In addition to all of that, you can catch the KBBL Morning Zoo Crew on its FM receiver. No words on price or availability, but you'll know as soon as we do. Get a closer look after the break.

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MSI eagerly supports HD video on its MT-V887 PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 iPhone stereo review

Richard Lai — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST

We've been playing with the Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 for a few days now, and before you think "man, not another iPhone stereo dock," look again. It was (mostly) love at first sight when we spotted this mini boombox -- sharp corners and minimalism are what Altec Lansing does best these days, and the hint of retro isn't hurting anyone, either. Like the iMT620's predecessors, the inMotion series still bears the portability hallmark in the form of a built-in battery (up to five hours for this model), and now with the addition of a multifunctional handle as well. But is it really worth the $149 tag? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 for iPhone and iPod

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Altec Lansing inMotion Classic iMT620 iPhone stereo review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ViewSonic VPD500 and VPD400 media players handled on video

Nilay Patel — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:14:00 EST

Although we saw glimpses of ViewSonic's VPD400 and VPD500 media players back in July, the no-longer-just-a-monitor company is officially pushing 'em out the door now. NetbookNews was kind enough to do a quick unboxing and hands-on for us, and although they both seem nice enough, we can't help but wonder who's in the market for a chunky dedicated PMP like these anymore -- and hey, seeing as ViewSonic's totally ripped Sony's XMB interface, you might as well save a few more bucks and get the real thing plus games by picking up a PSP here, you know? Video after the break.

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

ViewSonic VPD500 and VPD400 media players handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung R0 not-so-boldly goes where most PMPs have gone before it

Ross Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST

Samsung's certainly got the portable media player design down to a cold, cold science. There isn't much in the way of artistic license here, so let's get on with the specs, shall we? 2.6-inch TFT LCD, microSD slot, FM radio, second-language acquisition programs, text / photo viewer, and video codec support including DivX, XviD, and H.264. Your color choices, with the appropriately inappropriate adjectives, are Indie Black, Techno Silver, and Rap Pink. Korean-only, this little guy will line shelves at KRW139,000 (US $120) with 4GB internal memory, and KRW179,000 (US $155) for 8GB.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Samsung R0 not-so-boldly goes where most PMPs have gone before it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowers & Wilkins somehow makes PC speakers interesting with MM-1

Darren Murph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

Outside of factory keyboards, there's hardly anything more boring than a set of PC speakers. They're typically unsightly, add to the rat's nest of wires behind your rig and force you into a life of dependency. And then there's Bowers & Wilkins, a company that excels at pumping out products with lust-worthy designs. Somehow or another, the outfit responsible for the dirigible-inspired iPod sound system has produced a set of standard computer speakers that are actually rather inspiring, as the Zeppelin MM-1 touts no extra subwoofer, a simple USB connection and an inbuilt headphone socket. There's nary a mention of price (trust us, it'll be up there), but we should hear more when they ship in January.

Update: We're hearing that these could cost $499 for the pair. Yikes.

Filed under: Portable Audio

Bowers & Wilkins somehow makes PC speakers interesting with MM-1 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ainol's V9000HDX 'Megatron' PMP looks lovely, does 1080p, freezes its enemies in blocks of ice

Tim Stevens — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:06:00 EST

Ainol's V6000 series had great specs, but sadly rocked a GPS-worthy aesthetic. The V8000 players went for something a little more stylish, but also a lot more vanilla. Now we're up to the V9000 series and we finally have a look that's sophisticated and distinctive -- and a little creepy with that "please help I'm frozen over here" wallpaper. It's displayed on a 4.8-inch, 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, though the device is capable of rendering 1080p video out its HDMI port for display onto something a little bigger. The UI seems a little busy but very functional, and with 16GB of storage, an FM tuner, and a 2450mAh battery it should keep you entertained even on the longest of commutes. Price and availability here in the States was not mentioned, but you weren't really expecting it would be, were ya?

Update: We got a comment from voodoo indicating that this is now believed to be a fake. While we're not entirely sure who to believe at this point with conflicting information on a variety of forums, given that Ainol has still not posted any confirmation of this device on its site it's not looking particularly good. If it is a fake we're hoping the company pulls out all the stops to identify the perpetrators -- and then hires them.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Ainol's V9000HDX 'Megatron' PMP looks lovely, does 1080p, freezes its enemies in blocks of ice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hardware battle looms for theoretical successors to Nintendo DS and Sony PSP

Tim Stevens — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST

It's a sorry state of affairs when a media player like the Zune HD has more polygon-pushing power than the latest handheld videogame consoles on the market. If rumors are to be believed, Nintendo and Sony will set things straight with their next-generation portables -- at least for a little while. We've already heard that the successor to Nintendo's DS will have Tegra power, but the current speculation is that it'll be a Tegra 2 chip, promising twice the power of the current iteration. On the Sony side the PSP2 is apparently shaping up to use an offspring of the IMG PowerVR graphics found on the iPhone, said to be theoretically superior to what the DS2 will be able to achieve but costing more, being more difficult to develop for, and not shipping until sometime in 2011 -- potentially a year later than the DS2. In other words it's standard operating procedure if these rumors are to be believed, but even if there aren't any surprises in this showdown we'll be there in the front row with popcorn to watch the bloodshed.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Hardware battle looms for theoretical successors to Nintendo DS and Sony PSP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

Darren Murph — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:02:00 EST

Yamaha seems to be pushing its newly unveiled yAired technology pretty hard, with the second system to sport it unveiled just weeks after the first. The $399.95 MCR-140 is far from being the most stylish mini stereo we've seen -- in fact, it's probably one of the ugliest -- but it is available in a rainbow's worth of hues (or just ten), and it does talk to iPods and subwoofers sans cabling. Aside from that, you'll also get an old fashioned CD player, a front-panel USB socket, an iPod dock on the top, FM radio tuner and mini jack inputs for other sources. The box itself packs a pair of 4-inch drivers and ships with a bundled remote, and if you're not so interested in cutting cords, a yAired-less MCR-040 is available for $120 less.

Gallery: Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PhoneSuit Primo adds extra juice, minimal bulk to your iPhone / iPod

Donald Melanson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:56:00 EST

We were suitably impressed by Mophie's Juice Pack Air extended battery / iPhone case when we got a chance to try one out earlier this year, but if you're looking for an extended battery without the case you might want to consider this new Primo micro battery pack form PhoneSuit. Designed for use with various iPods in addition to the iPhone, this one packs an 800mAh battery inside its tiny enclosure, which promises to add up to 45 hours of music playback time to your iPod, or up to three hours of extra talk time to your iPhone 3G. Better still, it has a fairly reasonable price tag of $35, or you can snag a three-pack for $89.95 if you like to be extra prepared (or are looking for a few stocking stuffers). We'll also be checking this one out ourselves shortly, so stay tuned to see if it actually lives up to its claims.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

PhoneSuit Primo adds extra juice, minimal bulk to your iPhone / iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 EST

Any time a company both enables our gadget addiction and discourages wanton battery consumption we have to consider it a good thing -- and, indeed, Sanyo's wicked-rechargeable Eneloop batteries already have quite a few fans here at Engadget HQ. But what's a busy gadget hound to do on the go, you ask? Try this one on for size: the Eneloop Stick Booster ships with two AAs and can be used to charge them, via any USB source. From that point the device can be used to power your PMP for roughly 90 minutes. How great is that? To be released in Japan on December 1 for an unspecified price, and worldwide whenever the company sees fit. PR after the break.

Gallery: Eneloop Stick Booster

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

Nilay Patel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke -- the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren't nearly as intense, but they're just as smooth. Best of all? They're free -- although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we'd love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

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Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD 3D games video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yeti USB Condenser Mic gets certified by THX, fellow Yetis

Darren Murph — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST

Blue Microphones, the same company responsible for the heralded Snowball, is today introducing the planet's first THX certified microphone... or so it says. The hilariously named Yeti USB Condenser Mic ($149.99) touts condenser capsules in a triple array, four total patterns (omni, cardoid, stereo, bidirectional), a zero-latency headphone output (with volume control for direct monitoring), an adjustable microphone gain control and a mute button. As expected, the USB mic will play nice with both Mac and Windows-based systems, and if you've been looking high and low for a mic that gets an oh-so-coveted stamp of approval from Sir Abominable Snowman, you can finally call off the hunt next month.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Yeti USB Condenser Mic gets certified by THX, fellow Yetis originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viewsonic officially launches VPD400 MovieBook media player

Donald Melanson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Viewsonic was showing this one off way back in July alongside a slew of other gear, but it's just now gotten fully official with its VPD400 MovieBook media player, which is apparently available right away for $129.99. That will get you a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display, 8GB of internal memory, a micro SD card slot for more, an AV out port for some bigger screen viewing (not HDMI, it seems), and a promised 12 hours of battery life for audio and six for video -- not to mention your choice of black, pink or white color options. Not too shabby, just don't go expecting anything fancy like WiFI or a touchscreen.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Viewsonic officially launches VPD400 MovieBook media player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:19:00 EST

When you've got the brand cachet of a Bowers & Wilkins, the decision to launch your first-ever headphone will be met head-on with plenty of pre-defined market expectations. But with products spread wide across diverse audio tastes and prices, well, pretty much anything goes. So it's probably no surprise then to find B&W prostrating itself to the dollar with its P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone. These Made for iPod noise-isolating cans with speech and device control are meant for use far beyond your carefully constructed "critical listening" audio nest at home. You can, however, swap out the iPod cable for the B&W supplied gold-plated cable by popping off the magnetically attached ear pad. Mind you, the P5 does not offer electronic noise cancelation, instead, the listener is isolated through a combination of the P5's closed-back design and sealed leather ear pads. They also bring the promise of "unfatiguing performance" thanks to B&W developed ultra-linear neodynium magnets and Mylar diaphragms. Naturally, we'll reserve judgment until these babies ship sometime in January.

Gallery: Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail

Show full PR text

Bowers & Wilkins headphones hit the streets

Concert for one

Unfatiguing natural sound gets you closer to the music. Noise isolating design for use on the move. Metal an sealed-leather construction maximizes comfort, for life-long listening. Made for iPod(R), weith cables supplied for speech and device control.

Bowers & Wilkins is proud to announce its first ever headphone. Designed for use on the move, the P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone allows people to have Bowers & Wilkins sound quality wherever they are.

Some 45 years of audio experience has gone into the P5; close to five-decades of research into what true sound is. The ultimate aim of all Bowers & Wilkins products is to bring the listener as close as possible to the sound intended by the recording engineers. That is as true of the world-renowned 800 Series speakers used in the likes of Abbey Road Studio, as it is for the best sounding premium iPod(R) speaker available, Zeppelin. And now it's true for Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones.

Recognizing that many mobile headphones can be tiring when listened to over extended periods, Bowers & Wilkins' engineers at the world-famous Stenying Research Establishment have worked tirelessly to produce a headphone with a natural, unfatiguing performance. The use of specially developed ultra-linear neodymium magnets and highly optimized Mylar diaphragms provide the best possible sound quality. As always, countless hours of critical listening and tuning have played a major part in the P5's natural and engaging performance.

This pristine sound performance is married to design and construction techniques aimed at isolating as much noise as possible, for consumers that do not require full electronic noise cancellation. This isolation is achieved through a combination of the closed-back design featuring a rigid metal faceplate, and the sealed-leather ear pads. These materials not only remove a lot of external noise, providing an enveloping listening experience without completely removing the user's sense of place, they also offer an extremely comfortable user experience. The leather-clad headband has been designed for extreme comfort where it interfaces with the side of the head, while the softest available sheep's leather from New Zealand has been used for the ear pads. Recognizing the dominance of Apple's iPod and iPhone(R) in the portable media market, the P5 comes supplied with a Made For iPod approved cable, which allows for speech and device control. It also comes supplied with a high-quality, standard audio cable with gold-plated plugs. Switching between the two is facilitated by the magnetically attached ear pads, which simply pop off allowing access to the cable.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin and Zeppelin Mini provide the best possible sound from an iPod at home, and now the P5 lets you take that great performance with you wherever you go. Bowers & Wilkins P5 is available from January 2010 To find your nearest Bowers & Wilkins stockist visit www.bowers-wilkins.com.

Filed under: Portable Audio

Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gigaware adapter brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

Darren Murph — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST

Up until now, there have been just two ways to get HD Radio in a portable, handheld solution: buy a Zune HD, or opt for Insignia's NS-HD01. As of today, Gigaware is changing all that, and it's hoping to give HD Radio a kick in the pants by opening it up to every single iPod touch and iPhone user in the US. iBiquity's own HD Radio module has been tucked neatly inside the clickwheel in-line adapter you see above, giving any iPhone / iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0 (or greater) the ability to listen to HD Radio and FM stations in their area. The (now available) adapter itself sells for $79.99 exclusively at RadioShack, while the accompanying app -- which sports a manual tune wheel or auto-seek option, social network integration, bookmarks and iTunes Tagging -- is available to download free of charge. It's a novel idea, sure, but something tells us the limited availability and lofty price tag will keep it from selling like gangbusters.

Gallery: Gigaware dongle brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

Continue reading Gigaware adapter brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

Filed under: Portable Audio

Gigaware adapter brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini iPod dock lands for a hands-on

Donald Melanson — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST

We've seen plenty of carefully staged press shots of Bowers & Wilkins' new Zeppelin mini iPod dock, but we're guessing that anyone about to shell out $400 for one of these is going to want a considerably closer, more unvarnished look at it. Thankfully, the folks at iLounge have now stepped in and provided just that and, while the agree it's certainly not for everyone, they do seem to think that those with the money to spend won't be disappointed, noting that the Zeppelin mini is another great example of the "speaker as art." Hit up the link below for a closer look, including a comparison with B&W's full size Zeppelin.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini iPod dock lands for a hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative's ZEN X-Fi2 touchscreen PMP now on sale

Darren Murph — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:37:00 EST

Candidly speaking, we can't honestly envision too many of you fine folks running out and purchasing one of Creative's new ZEN X-Fi2 portable media players given the availability of such robust alternatives. That said, we'd be remiss of our duties if we didn't point out that the PMP which shocked us at IFA is now on sale directly from Creative. $129.99 buys you an 8GB model, while $179.99 nets you 16GB and $229.99 provides 32GB. We know -- that 3-inch LCD and integrated FM tuner look good from afar, but remember kids, it's all about the UI.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative's ZEN X-Fi2 touchscreen PMP now on sale originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Darren Murph — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST

Who says Microsoft ain't lookin' out for those who selected its Zune HD over something Designed In Cupertino? Just days after countless owners went berserk over a playcount syncing issue, Microsoft has released a new firmware update that not only solves that very quandary but also adds a gaggle of fantastic new and / or improved features. The v4.3 update is available now by selecting "Player Update" from within the device itself, and with it will come "support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements." We're hearing that those "minor improvements" include a snappier browser, so it's pretty safe to say you're only harming yourself if you don't get this download going right now. (Psst... there's a vid of the new software running after the break.)

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Safa Xing LED features MP3 playback, 27 pixel resolution

Joseph L. Flatley — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:44:00 EST

Safa is a Korean firm that has put out quite a few forgettable DAPs in its day, and while this one isn't going to win any awards for technological advancement, it does look like "fun," for whatever that's worth. The Xing LED is a none-too-shabby 12mm thin and boasts 12 hours of playback time on a single charge. The company fails to mention little things like storage capacity and file format support, but that ain't why we're here: the face of the device features 27 LEDs that can be either programed to display the icon of your choice or used for a rousing game of Rock / Paper / Scissors. Sort of makes that Zune HD of yours look like overkill, eh? Price and availability yet to be announced.

Continue reading Safa Xing LED features MP3 playback, 27 pixel resolution

Filed under: Portable Audio

Safa Xing LED features MP3 playback, 27 pixel resolution originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MOTO releases AMP MID, the OLED Android 2.0 handheld you didn't even know existed

Tim Stevens — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST

Remember those BASF commercials, the: "We make a lot of the products you buy better" ones? That's kind of the story at MOTO Development Group. We've seen the company working on e-ink internals, also having a hand in the creation of the Zune 2.0 and the Livescribe Pulse. MOTO's going it alone for its latest product, though, a MID reference design called the Android Media Platform (AMP) that runs Android 2.0 and is available now to developers. Yes, the DROID isn't the only 2.0 player releasing today. AMP will ultimately be available in three sizes: 10-, 5-, and 3.5-inches; the mid-sized model is the one shipping now. That touchscreen can be OLED or LCD, oomph is provided by a Texas Instruments OMAP3430 CPU, accelerometers and GPS are integrated as is 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional 3G wireless, all powered by a 3,000mAh battery. There's no word on price, but we're guessing that's somewhat negotiable depending on your intended application and, naturally, the volume, volume, volume of your order.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Tablet PCs, Wireless

MOTO releases AMP MID, the OLED Android 2.0 handheld you didn't even know existed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY sewable iPod remote takes just ten minutes, will absolutely warm your heart

Darren Murph — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:52:00 EST

Okay, so we fully anticipate that creating the downright adorable object you see above will take far longer than ten minutes if you a) don't have a stash of circuits and fabrics laying around and / or b) you've never done anything like this before, but for seasoned DIYers, this is about as easy as it gets. The "10-minute sewable iPod remote" can actually be any character or design you feel like making, as the crux of this project relies on the circuit chip that is actually fitted inside the dock connector. From there, you just connect a few strands of conductive fabric, attach your kitty cat (or dragon, as the case may be) and begin to enjoy your homegrown iPod remote. Hit the read link for the full how-to, but only if you're immune to cuteoverloaditus.

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video

DIY sewable iPod remote takes just ten minutes, will absolutely warm your heart originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:37:00 EST

Cowon-heads of the world, you are in for a treat today. It looks like not one but two of the company's snack-sized media players are finally hitting the big time. First off, the iAudio 9 PMP is due to hit the states within a week. Available in 8GB and 16GB denominations, for some reason the domestic version will be available only in black. Aside from supporting the usual compliment of media files (MP3, FLAC, Ogg, WAV, APE, WME, XviD, and WMV videos) this guy sports composite video out. Get your hands on the 8GB version for $129, or go wild with 16GB for $169. If video isn't your bag, the enigmatic iAudio E2 (all 2.5-inches of it) is also available. Sporting a bevy of EQ presets, 4GB of storage and a not entirely terrible 11.5 hours of battery life, this is the keychain you've always wanted -- but never wanted to pay $65 for. Additional glamor shots after the break.

Continue reading Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside

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Cowon iAudio 9 and iAudio E2 media players make the scene stateside originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ears-on with Sony Ericsson MH907 Motion Activated Headphones

Richard Lai — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:25:00 EST

What we have here today isn't just another pair of ordinary headphones: Sony Ericsson's MH907s are button-free, minimalistic headphones that activate upon the magical touch of your skin. Well, your ears to be precise. You must bear in mind that the MH907s are exclusive to Fast port-equipped Sony Ericsson phones thus excluding the forthcoming XPERIA X10 -- so chances are you're already not interested. That said, we shall see if Sony Ericsson is really going to change things forever with these gleaming buds featuring SE's SensMe Control technology, or by just stopping everyone from using their 3.5mm headphone jacks. Read on to find out how these €39 ($57) headphones fared.

Gallery: Ears-on with Sony Ericsson MH907 Motion Activated Headphones

Continue reading Ears-on with Sony Ericsson MH907 Motion Activated Headphones

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Wearables

Ears-on with Sony Ericsson MH907 Motion Activated Headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RAmos gives its T10 PMP the RK treatment, supports video formats galore

Tim Stevens — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:18:00 EST

Good 'ol RAmos, producers of a series of lovely PMPs and MIDs that captivates the eye and, like a chaste romance, will never submit to your touch -- unless you live in Asia or happen to know a guy. The latest is the T10RK, a slight upgrade to the earlier T10, sharing the same simple form and seemingly lovely 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 screen as the earlier model, but now sporting the RK2806 chipset found in the T11RK, allowing for decoding of more video codecs than you'll know what to do with. No mention of price or availability yet, but such questions matter not in love.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

RAmos gives its T10 PMP the RK treatment, supports video formats galore originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Beatles catalog being released on limited edition USB stick

Paul Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:00 EST

You know what's kind of like online digital distribution, and yet not at all like that? Selling the entire re-mastered Beatles catalog on a USB drive that slots into a fake apple. The fine folks at Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have teamed up to build a limited edition run of 30,000 USB apples to be sold on December 7 in the UK and December 8 in freedom-loving America. Included on the 16GB drive are the 14 stereo titles in FLAC 44.1 Khz 24-bit, in addition to 320 Kbps MP3s and a whole digital stack of special materials like liner notes and mini-documentary films, all for the low, low price of $279.99. The drive is up for pre-order as of now, which means you could be a mere month away from plugging this drive into your computer, dragging the files into your iTunes library and then pretending that you bought them online in some sort of forward-looking content distribution model.

Filed under: Portable Audio

The Beatles catalog being released on limited edition USB stick originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's PSPgo sells 28,000 units on first day in Japan, physical media points and laughs

Tim Stevens — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST

Remember the "platform sales boost" that Sony was tauting after the PSPgo's release in the US? The question on everyone's minds was of course how much of that boost was buoyed by the new kid on the block, and while Sony still hasn't given us any domestic figures (nor will it ever, probably), we now know that the thing sold 28,000 units on its first day of availability on its home turf in Japan. That's certainly better than the measly 1,000 units moved in Australia over the same period, but hardly encouraging when you look at its predecessors. According to Media Create the original PSP sold 171,963 units in a day in Japan. The PSP-2000? 130,000. UMD may be hated by everyone, but it seems to still have legs.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Sony's PSPgo sells 28,000 units on first day in Japan, physical media points and laughs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video

Nilay Patel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST

We're still not entirely sure what Creative has planned for the Zii, but things appear to be going according to plan: as promised, an Android 1.6 installer for the Zii EGG developer unit was released today. Things are still pretty rough, however -- the camera doesn't work, and leftover bits of phone code like the signal strength icon are still present. We're guessing that means we're still ages away from seeing anything resembling a consumer device come out of all this, but let's hope this is the first step towards a whole slew of kickin' Android-powered KIRF devices. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Yuki]

Continue reading Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant

Paul Miller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST

What's an e-book without the e-ink? So very much, according to Creative, who just dropped word of an upcoming "MediaBook" device (which will undoubtedly look nothing like this mockup above). It sounds a bit more like a PMP to us, with "video, pictures, text and services," and a "media-rich experience" on the table, but Creative is also apparently working with publishers for content, with an obvious emphasis in Singapore sources, where Creative already does e-learning work. There's no word of what it'll look like, but it'll be a large touchscreen of some sort, so it sounds like we've got another slate on our hand. Any differentiation might come from having Zii under the hood and Creative's own particular approach to content for this device, but there's not really enough to get excited about at this point.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock

Darren Murph — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:35:00 EST

It belts out severe weather alerts as storms are barreling towards your domicile. It acts as a decent bedroom stereo. And it wakes you and the SO up to your own favorite jams -- all while charging your iPod or iPhone throughout the night. If those amenities sound like must-haves in your own life, you might be interested in knowing that iLuv's iMM183 dual dock alarm clock is now shipping, nearly a full year after being originally announced at CES. The pain? $149.99 -- but hey, that's a small price to pay to keep your dear media player / handset out of a tornado's eye, right?

Gallery: iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video

iLuv ships weather-watching iMM183 dual dock iPod / iPhone alarm clock originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sleek Audio's SA1 earbuds bring Kleer wireless, custom tuning for $80

Darren Murph — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:06:00 EST

Sleek Audio earbuds have always had a certain allure, but for most, the sticker shock alone was enough to turn 'em away. Now, however, the boutique audio shop has punched out its very first set that's tailor made for the budget-minded, and at $79.99, the SA1 offers an awful lot of value (on paper, anyway). Much like the pricier SA6 and CT6 models, the SA1 also ships with Kleer wireless technology, enabling it to go from wired to wireless and back again. It also boasts a modified VQ Tuning system that allows the user to acoustically alter the sound signature of their music, a siam rosewood body, detachable cable and single / dual-flange ear tips. The real kicker? The $79.99 price point, which is darn near unheard of for something with these kind of specs. It's up for pre-order right now in the read link, with initial shipments expected to head out in November.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wearables, Wireless

Sleek Audio's SA1 earbuds bring Kleer wireless, custom tuning for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lullabelly prenatal music belt rocks the cradle of love

Laura June — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST

Hey, you want to start annoying your kids with your crummy taste in tunes before they've even been born? Fine, go for it. The Lullabelly prenatal music belt -- which is like a giant, soft cummerbund with a speaker stuffed into it -- is here to help. Just plug your fave PMP into it and you'll be all set to turn the womb into a super musical fun fest. The speaker has an output of about 60 to 80 decibels, and you can jack in with your earbuds to jam along. Just remember: you're the one with the volume control, and no matter how good the Tran-Siberian Orchestra sounds to you at 11 am, some people would rather listen to Megadeth. This bad boy comes in two slightly different packages, one which will run you $49.99, the other is $59.99

[Via Switched]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio, Wearables

Lullabelly prenatal music belt rocks the cradle of love originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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i.Tech's SolarVoice Bluetooth headset could save the environment, not your look

Tim Stevens — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST

Those looking for another excuse to wear a Bluetooth headset all the time just got it: iTech's $75 Dynamic SolarVoice 908. That awfully long title is applied to a conceptually simple device, a headset with a tiny solar panel on the side rated at five hours of talk time when fully charged. Sadly, though, there's no mention of how long you'll need to bask in the sun to get it there. (AC and USB charging are also naturally on offer.) Unlike earlier examples it's A2DP compliant, so it'll stream your tunes, and boasts integrated noise cancellation, so it's perfect for making your drunken barroom conversations a little more garbled.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Wearables

i.Tech's SolarVoice Bluetooth headset could save the environment, not your look originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST

This isn't exactly the same magnitude as last year's Z2K scare, but it's still an all-around bummer for all you Zune nuts. According to a spate of complaints posted to the Zune.net forums as of late, certain Zune HD units are not syncing their playcounts properly with the user's PC and Zune Social accounts. To be a little more specific, it seems that if you let a song play through on the device it will not be counted as played -- but if you skip to another tune before it has a chance to complete (but after 20 seconds or so), the play will be counted. A real pain, right? Of course, this is not only bad news for obsessive list keepers, but for Zune Social fans as well: if your listening habits aren't being properly tabulated, how are you supposed to make new friends and discover new music? Certainly not by going to noisy rock clubs and talking to people! Apparently a Microsoft Zune support team member has acknowledged the issue, but the company has made no statement relating to the bug -- or possible firmware fix -- as of yet. We'll keep you posted.

[Thanks, Jon]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos 3.1 software update out now, let the smug music tweeting begin

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:46:00 EST

It's October 27th which means Sonos is pushing the 3.1 system software out to its distributed home audio systems. With it comes a slightly tweaked, user interface (color icons! heh) for CR200 owners as well Twitter integration for whatever that's worth to ya (don't worry, it's free). Still no sign of the iPod touch / iPhone app but it's expected to pop on iTunes shortly.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Software

Sonos 3.1 software update out now, let the smug music tweeting begin originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

Darren Murph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST

Vuzix's $249.95 Wrap 310 is probably the least hideous / heinous of the video eyewear options on the market today, and while it's still take a few bottles of Jack to get us to rock these with a smile, those who are just high on life can now make a set their own. In case you're forgotten, these things provide a virtual 55-inch screen in front of your eyes, and there's support for iPod / iPhone connections as well as basic sources such as DVD players and the like. And hey, there's also the possibility that these could be used in augmented reality applications in the future, so feel free to considering this some sort of futuristic investment. Just like those Y2K preparedness tapes you bought in '99.

Continue reading Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

Filed under: Displays, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor

Darren Murph — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST

Sheesh. Just days after Altec Lansing shocked the gaming world with a dedicated stage monitor for Guitar Hero, Rock Band or any other gaming title you'd care to pump through a mini-wedge, Polk Audio has stepped in to do the same. As we witness the beginning of a curious, um, beginning, the HitMaster has stepped things up for anyone else thinking of joining the fray by packing 60 watts of RMS power, a pair of 2.2- x 5.5-inch horns, twin 1-inch tweeters and a booming 6.5-inch subwoofer. The whole cabinet weighs some 13 pounds, and aside from line level inputs and outputs, you'll also find a 1/8-inch jack for connecting iPods and the like. Oh, and did we mention that you can daisy chain these things? Because you can. Look for this one to rock your face off (or something to that effect) in early 2010 for $99.99.

[Via Hot Hardware]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slacker phases out hardware business, focuses on other devices

Donald Melanson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:57:00 EST

It's not exactly a huge surprise considering we haven't even heard so much as a whisper about a new Slacker device as of late, but it looks like company president Jim Cady has now finally confirmed that Slacker will indeed be phasing out its hardware business altogether. At the moment, that business consists entirely of the Slacker G2 personal radio, which will still be available "though at least the first half of next year," and offers a number advantages over the Slacker app for other devices. Those apps (and Slacker's online music service) will be the company's sole focus from here on out, however, so we'll no doubt see some expanded functionality sooner or later -- especially considering that Slacker has apparently raised a "few more million" dollars in funding on the basis of its new mobile strategy.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Filed under: Portable Audio

Slacker phases out hardware business, focuses on other devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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