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Philips GoGear Opus reviewed: solid audio, but painfully boring
When we had the downright magnificent opportunity to toy with Philips' latest PMP line here in the States, we immediately noticed that the GoGear Opus stood out among the rest. The crew over at TrustedReviews recently spent some quality time with the 8GB version of that very unit, and while they found the audio quality to be "excellent," they seemed rather disappointed -- if not irked -- by everything else in the package. For starters, the whole solution just felt boring, with critics noting that its biggest problem was a lack of "excitement." Granted, none of this would matter at a rock-bottom price point, but for $100, there's an awful lot of competition. As we found during our short time with the player, these folks also noticed that the user interface was simply "old-fashioned," and that video playback was nothing to write home about. The bottom line? Unless you score some kind of spectacular deal, your PMP dollars are probably best spent elsewhere.
Bookeen outs pocket-sized Cybook Opus e-book reader
Details are not totally clear at this point, but Bookeen recently teased its newest e-book reader offering -- the Cybook Opus -- during a presentation. At 200 DPI, the teensy 5.3-ouncer will have one of the higher resolutions we've seen on a reader, and it will supposedly be controllable by just one hand. We hear that It'll also have 1GB of onboard storage, and boast PDF support, but that's all we know spec-wise for now. There's no word on pricing or availability for this miniscule paper-slayer, but we'll let you know as soon as we do. [Warning: read link is a PDF][Via Electronista]
Limited edition Prince Opus iPod touch just wants your kiss (and $2,100)
While certainly not the most expensive iPod we've ever seen, the limited edition Prince Opus iPod touch is definitely amongst the priciest. Sold only as part of an ultra rare kit that includes a luxurious book of Prince photographs from Kraken Opus, this touch (of unknown capacity) comes preloaded with 40 minutes of "exclusive" footage along with a live soundtrack from Indigo Nights. Of course, it's also doused in purple and splashed with Prince's symbol 'round back, but even with only 950 kits available, we still say the $2,100 price tag is far too lofty. Hate to break it to ya, Opus, but those hedge funds are no longer partying like it's 1999.[Via All Things Digital]
Philips GoGear Aria, Opus, ViBE and Mix hands-on, launch info
Philips announced its GoGear Aria and Opus players for Europe back in February, but they've finally got around to showing off the units Stateside, along with offering prices, a timeframe, and a bit of company. The 2-inch screened Aria lands this month in 8GB and 16GB versions for $80 and $100, respectively; the 2.8-inch QVGA Opus does 8GB at $100, with a 16GB model in the wings; the teensy new ViBE has a 1.5-inch screen and comes in 4GB and 8GB flavors for $50 and $60; and there's a new little thumb DAP called the Mix, which is short on details. All the DAPs have FM radio and mics, and all but the Mix can do video. They also include trial subscriptions to and support for Rhapsody and Audible, along with a little browser widget to download YouTube videos and load them to the player -- a nice touch. Still, the line is pretty lackluster; we played with the players briefly, and while the design is getting better, there's still a lot of wasted space, mundane controls and ancient-seeming software -- we suppose you get what you pay for. We did appreciate Opus' inclusion of FLAC and OGG support, and its build quality really puts the rest of the line to shame.
Fabled Opus motherboard appears in Xbox 360
Well, what have we here? One of those unicorn-like Opus motherboards? According to an image put forth by one Electric Tuner, that's exactly what we have. If you'll recall, we heard back in February that Microsoft may be utilizing the Opus mobos in order to fit the newer 65 / 90-nanometer CPU / GPU combo into RRoDed Xbox 360s that are just collecting dust in warehouses. Thus, you'll find no dedicated HDMI port here, but it should operate much cooler and in a more reliable fashion than the pre-Falcon rigs. There's no word on how exactly this unit was acquired (a replacement, perhaps?), but you can head on down to the read link for one more picture and a little discussion.[Via Xbox-Scene, thanks Leonardo]
Opus-model 360s begining to flow?
Thanks to a tipster in our last post, we've now heard our first real world tale of the previously rumored "Zombie Repaired" 360, code named Opus. The Opus "model" is for those who have had their 360's red ring and have sent them off to Microsoft for repair. In an effort to use (instead of toss) the older Xenon motherboards, Microsoft is basically upgrading repaired 360's with the Falcon model chips (65nm CPU, 90nm GPU) and one of the older motherboards that doesn't have have HDMI, effectively creating a zombie 360 that cannot be purchased in stores. According to a specific poster over at GameTrailers, when a repaired RROD is now returned to its owner it includes a slip of paper marked "OPUS" as well as a new power supply. So if you've recently had a 360 red ring, keep an eye out for that little slip of paper when it returns, as it basically says that your 360 is now of the undead, and thus is quite unlikely to ever die again.
Xbox 360 to get a smaller case revision in 2009?
We think we've already got a handle on the various chipset revisions planned for Microsoft's too-beautiful-for-this-world Xbox 360*, but it looks like that planned 45nm "Valhalla" combined CPU / GPU motherboard design we've been hearing about might also come in a redesigned, smaller case. That's certainly news to us, but TG Daily has the refresh happening on the same fall-2009 timeline we've been hearing about, so at least all these sketchy rumors line up. We'll see when we see -- it sounds like the 65nm Jasper units are coming off the line for that August release in the meantime to keep us all warm at night. *Guess which Engadget ed had his 360 go RRoD over the weekend? You only get one try.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Olive intros MELODY No2, OPUS No4 home audio solutions
Being that music lovers everywhere are scrambling to find bona fide replacements to their suddenly antiquated compact disc players, it follows logic for Olive Media to give us one more option besides the OPUS Nº5. The OPUS Nº4 is a high-end digital music server which features between 320GB and 1TB of internal storage space, an integrated CD burner, 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen, gigabit Ethernet / 802.11g WiFi, a USB 2.0 port, a slew of audio outputs and native support for WAV, FLAC and MP3 files. As for the iPod-friendly MELODY Nº2 companion, it enables various rooms of the home to access tunes stored on the OPUS Nº4 as well as songs on any networked Mac, PC or NAS drive. If you couldn't guess, both units are aimed squarely at the affluent sect, which probably explains the $1,499 to $1,799 (OPUS Nº4) / $599 (MELODY Nº2) price tags. Check the gallery on Engadget HD.[Via Macworld]
Opus intros WCU600 Touchscreen Control Panel
If you're sick and tired of having to actually walk more than three steps in order to handle mundane tasks such as turning the volume down in the kids' room or powering up the Opus system in your den, take heart. Opus has unveiled a swank (albeit pricey) new touch panel control unit meant to give Opus system owners full control over their components throughout the house on a 3.5-inch touchscreen. The WCU600 even supports IR control from faraway, but unfortunately, it looks as if this one's tied into the Opus infrastructure only. Nevertheless, those with cash to burn and desires to satisfy can look for it to ship sometime this Spring for £575 ($1,151).[Via ShinyShiny]
Are "Opus" and "Valhalla" the next, next Xbox 360s?
Although word on the street is that Microsoft is planning to release the successor to the Xbox 360 in 2010, the company is still apparently planning on updating the 360 design several more times in the next couple years. Just like the "Falcon" motherboard now on shelves updated the original 360 design with a 65nm CPU, the upcoming "Jasper" revision should take the GPU to 65nm as well -- but that's more or less common knowledge. What we're hearing now is that all those RRoDed 360s sitting in warehouses are going to be retrofitted with the same 65 / 90nm CPU / GPU combo as Falcon, but on a mobo design called "Opus" that fits the original Xbox case molds. That means no HDMI, since pre-Falcon cases didn't have the openings -- but apparently MS is only planning on sending these out as warranty replacements. The real action, however, appears to be "Valhalla," a supposed final rev of the 360 that integrates the GPU and CPU into a single "superchip." Details on that are more than sketchy, and we're definitely skeptical -- especially since we'd been hearing chatter about 45nm CPUs, but nothing about a unified architecture. We'll see when we see -- as long as all these boxes play CoD4, we'll be happy.
Rumor: Next Xbox 360 chipsets are Opus, Valhalla
We know it's a little weird to be pumped for Xbox 360 chipsets, but we here at Joystiq HQ are all pretty excited about "Jasper". When we see each other in the halls we'll often exchange a look and we don't even need to speak it, we just know: It's Jasper. Now, if Jacob Metcalf (the guy who broke the Bungie/Microsoft split story) is right, we'll have to start exchanging an additional two looks for the upcoming "Opus" and "Valhalla".The first, "Opus" is basically a third-generation ("Falcon") board built to fit first generation ("Xenon") cases, primarily for the recycling of red-ringed systems, giving them cooler, more dependable guts (though no HDMI). The second, "Valhalla", is rumored to combine the 65nm CPU and 65nm GPU into one awesome super chip. It would only require one cooling system, meaning Valhalla would be quieter and (one would hope) more dependable. It would also be considerably cheaper.Both chips (again, if Metcalf is on the money) are a ways off, with Opus coming in 2008 or 2009 and Valhalla following a year later. As excited as we are for the new builds (even though our eyes are getting sore from exchanged looks) we'll be happiest if this news means Microsoft won't euthanize the 360 as quickly as its predecessor.
Rumor: Two new Xbox 360 models in production
The blogger who famously broke the news that Bungie was parting ways from Microsoft has tipped us off to yet another internal MS situation. 8Bit Joystick is reporting that Microsoft is working on two new motherboards for the Xbox 360 to combat the persistent, but apparently dwindling, failure rates of our favorite console. Fifth and sixth generation Xbox 360's are being developed in Redmond codenamed Opus and Valhalla, respectively.In October 2007, Joystiq reported that the third generation Xbox 360, codename Jasper, was being developed for an August 2008 launch to replace the current Falcon models. The Opus is described as the "zombie Xbox 360 killer," a mishmash of working parts from current red-ringed first generation Xbox 360's (codenamed Xenon) that includes a 90nm GPU and a 65nm CPU fitted onto a Falcon motherboard squeezed into the original Xenon case, which means this console would lack the new HDMI port. This replace-repair scenario was designed to rid Microsoft of the "millions of dead Xenon's" they currently have in stock according to the post by Jake Metcalf at 8Bit Joystick. Due to its refurbished nature, the Opus will never be available at retail and will only be used as replacement units for replacement during RRoD situations.
Olive intros flamboyant Opus No5 Karim Rashid Editions
Considering that Olive's Opus Nº5 already buried the compact disc (or so we're told), it makes sense to jazz up the unit and dance all over the CD's grave. Consequently, the outfit has sought out Karim Rashid to design four new motifs for the digital audio player, but internally, all the hardware remains the same. As for color choices, you'll find the darkened Digitalia, the rainbow-themed Fusion, Spectra and Morphologic waiting to be had, all of which will run you a dollar short of four grand and arrive with 750GB of storage space. Bargain hunters, you're better off elsewhere.[Via CNET]
LG debuts new Opus LCD lineup at the top end
Perhaps to replicate a bit of that success LG has found in its Chocolate brand, the company is eschewing the usual serial number mayhem for a new Opus badge to denote its "best of everything" LCD line. The displays will show up in September, and come in 42-, 47- and 57-inch flavors. All three displays are 1080p, with 120Hz TruMotion to fight the jaggies, TruColor showing 92 percent of the NTSC spectrum, Super IPS, XD Engine and looks to match the specs. The prices, unfortunately, line up as well: you can score the 42LBX for $2499, 47LBX for $3299 and the 57LBX for $4499. More shots after the break.
Zenum's Opus taken for a spin
Well, well, the once-vaporous Opus Operis from Swiss newcomers Zenum has finally crystalized. The kids over at CNET got their hands dirty with what seems to be a production ready unit -- we kid you not. So what did they have to say about this slim QWERTY running Windows Mobile 6 on a 2.5-inch touchscreen with a 2 megapixel camera, miniSD expansion, and infrared, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity? Well, overall they were "quite impressed." Sure, the keyboard is "a little squashed" and the phone is limited to tri-band GSM (No 3G, no EDGE), but CNET decided to cut the small startup a break on their first offering. Don't know 'bout ya'll, but they seem to have lost some of "the sexy" we saw in those early teasers. Especially when considering that it's still 4 months away from product launch.[Thanks, Thomas G.]
Zenum announces the OPUS countdown timer -- now how 'bout a device!
In a disturbing trend of pre-pre-releases, Zenum follows up Art.Lebedev by announcing the pre-reservation countdown for their Opus Pocket PC. That's right, in just less than 1 day and 11 hours, the vaporous Opus Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 device will, well, be available for pre-order. Hey, it's a step in the right direction. From all appearances, they'll be shoving the QWERTY slimster out with quad-band GSM, EDGE, miniSD expansion, 802.11b/g WiFi, 2 megapixel shooter, and a 2.5-inch touch panel display presumably sometime this century. [Via Unwired View]
Roc A Fella give us a hands-on exclusive with the Zenum Opus
We know this might be a sensitive subject in the Windows Mobile community with its on again, off again talk of release, but this looks like the real deal here folks. Our very own Roc A Fella, who brought us a little of this and some of that, was able to get his hands on a Zenum Opus and had some time to play with it. Click on for more.
Zenum's Opus Operis Pocket PC in November?
Don't shoot us -- we're just the messengers on this one, but an outfit going by the name "Zenum" is claiming that they'll be releasing their rather comely "Opus Operis" Pocket PC Phone Edition device come this November. If real (and we really have no basis to form an opinion one way or another on this), it's shaping up to be a hot handset, rocking a full keyboard, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, 802.11g, Bluetooth with A2DP, miniSD expansion, a 2-megapixel shooter, and a landscape-mounted QVGA display, all in an attractive, thin (looking) shell. Of course, with devices in this category, keyboard comfort is a huge factor, and we won't get a sense for that until this thing -- if this thing -- hits the streets. Sadly, the Opus Operis leaves both GSM 850 and EDGE out of the equation, so data-hungry users and Americans are probably best off looking elsewhere.
