Toshiba adds bigger, smaller Gigabeats

Toshiba's updated its (still Japan-only) Gigabeat audio player, which volume-wise is somewhat smaller than an iPod and comes with a wired/wireless LAN adapter. The 20GB model gets a facelift and some new colour options, and more importantly there are new 5GB and 40GB versions. The biggest change appears to be the addition of support for Microsoft's DRM technology, a step toward remedying the previous problem that you couldn't transfer MP3s purchased online to the player unless you felt like burning them to a CD and re-ripping. The 5GB version comes in at the equivalent of about $270, while the 20GB version goes for around $425 and the 40GB for around $495. The 5GB model is supposedly aimed at eating into the MD player market, though it's not clear why anyone thinking of switching wouldn't have spent the extra $30 and acquired a 15GB iPod already.