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iriver T7 Volcano DAP now shipping
We first spotted iriver's Volcano back at CES, and it looks like the stick-shaped DAP is finally shipping in Europe under the T7 model number. Specs are the same as we had in January: 2 or 4GB, OLED display, MP3 / WMA / ASF/ Ogg, FM, and voice recording in a variety of colors. €35 ($54) for the 2GB, €50 ($77) for the 4GB. Let's hope we get word on an official US release with some more dollar-friendly pricing soon, eh?[Via DAPreview]
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]
Newman's Cool Man MP3 player: yes that's a safety pin, stud
In one fell swoop, Newman shows the industry how to get its ass back into plastic. The Cool Man MP3 player is anything but, man. Unless you're still wearing that acid-washed, Blondie pin collector from your 80's wardrobe. The DAP features an OLED display, MP3/WMA support, built-in mic and bleb poppin' safety pin. And that juicy orange? We have no fracking idea since the player is about as waterproof as a, as a... well, entry-level MP3 player.
Joy Division-themed Zune gets pictured and priced
That 80GB Zune above looks mighty familiar, now doesn't it? At least it does if you checked out our totally wild guess mockup that we created upon hearing of this gem. The limited edition Joy Division-themed Zune has finally been pictured (officially) and priced, with just 500 of 'em to be offered up through the Zune Originals website. Of course, we have no idea how quickly these will (or won't) go, but if you're looking to grab one, we'd have that trigger finger ready to roll on June 17th.
Samsung's YP-S2 pebble skips out in Korea
They are here. Samsung's satisfyingly bulbous S2 "pebble" MP3 player was just released in S.Korea. DNSe audio processing, five colors, and MP3, WMA, and OGG support now yours in 1GB ???49,000 (about $54) or 2GB for ???59,000 (about $65) models. Neato.
Thanko's solar-powered DAP urges you outdoors
So we've seen a few solar-powered gizmos (that we wouldn't touch with a ten twenty foot pole), but Thanko's own sun-lovin' DAP actually doesn't look half bad. The Solar Digital Audio Player, from the front, looks like any other ho hum unit, with a 1.8-inch 220 x 176 resolution display, 4GB of internal storage space and a miniSD expansion slot. Flip 'er over, and you'll find a thoughtful kickstand that just so happens to have a solar panel slapped right on, enabling the brilliant, outdoor sunshine to give it a few more minutes of life. There's no official word on a price or release date, but we wouldn't bank on it ever coming Stateside, anyway.Update: Seems this is just a rebadge. So much for thinking ahead, huh?
Creative ditches Zen Share WiFi player, X-Fi DAP might be in the works
Creative got some Jello-O knees in the run-up to launching Zen Share, its WiFi-enabled PMP, and decided to quit the project altogether. The company is blaming "technical complications," which we have a suspicion is shorthand for "building the necessary software to make WiFi helpful in a DAP is harder than we anticipated." That's too bad, but have no fear: Creative is replacing the project with a player due in the next two months that will sport an "exciting" design. We know, you're so excited right now. Rumor has it that the player could be an X-Fi-branded DAP with a metal back and X-Fi audio processing. Creative also confirmed that it's moving exclusively to flash memory.[Via Electronista]
MemUp reveals new line of portable media players
Given MemUp's recent past, we wouldn't be too shocked to find that the outfit's latest bundle of media players were all rips of other units, but we'll assume innocence until proven guilty. Up first is the K-SLIM, a simplistic DAP with a 1.8-inch display, FM tuner and 2GB / 4GB of internal capacity. Moving on, we've got the all-too-similar K-TOUCH, which gently ups the ante with a 2-inch touchscreen and 4/8/16GB of space. The V-TOUCH gets oriented horizontally and boasts a 2.4-inch panel, while the M430 TR PMP arrives with 4.3-inches of screen real estate. Lastly, we've got the M430 DTV, which obviously trumps the latter with its integrated TV tuner. Hit the read link for more details on the whole lot, and don't be surprised if you notice any similarities in design.
Oppo offers up sleek S11 portable media player
Go 'head Oppo -- get down with your bad self. This S11 portable media player may not be the most easily recognized on the streets, but it sure has a lot going for it. Aside from the sleek (dare we say sexy?) enclosure, the unit packs a 3-inch 400 x 240 resolution touch panel, video out port, integrated photo viewer / calender / stopwatch / calculator, a couple of games, file search capabilities and support for MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC and APE audio files. On the video front, it'll play nice with AVI, DivX, XviD, RM, RMVB and FLV formats. If the 4GB of internal memory just isn't enough, there's also a microSD slot for loading in additional media. Check out a video preview of the thing just after the break before dropping $163.99, though.
Sony introduces diminutive Walkman NWD-E020F
If that Swarovski crystal-clad E010 was a bit too rich for your blood, why not take a gander at said unit's successor? The recently introduced NWD-E020F series sports that well-known USB stick style, and as you can tell, you can customize yours in (almost) any color you choose thanks to the bundled (and changeable) Style-Up panels. By juicing this one all the way up -- which takes just an hour, by the way -- users can expect a respectable 28 hours of continuous playback; as for file compatibility, the E020 will play nice with MP3, WMA, AAC and LPCM formats. Get yours here (as in, the US of A) sometime soon for $69 (1GB) / $79 (2GB).[Via CNET]
Zvue Spirit: love it or leave it
If there's one thing that could put a stop to terrorism once and for all, it's this DAP. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of an anti-American jihadist like this hideous MP3 player loaded up with Deerhoof b-sides and the entire Duran Duran back-catalog. The next time you snake under barbed wire and behind enemy lines, let them know where you're coming from by flashing this baby before you unload round after round of righteousness. Sure, it's only got 1GB of storage, but it's not about how many tracks you've got -- it's about showing off your American spirit with this Chinese-made product.[Via anythingbutipod]
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.
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.
ZARVA's Zippo MP320 MP3 player, free to WWIII G.I.s
About the only thing to deliver more tactile satisfaction than the popping of bubble wrap is the act of casually opening and closing a Zippo lighter at the bar. While you won't find anything about it on Zippo's corporate site, Zarva has announced its new Zippo MP320 MP3 player. You get than tiny screen, built-in mic, minimal MP3 and WMA format support, and just 1GB of capacity for 188 of the Chinese stuff or about 27 of the green. But if this Zippo turns on with a well placed finger snap or rough, to-and-fro swipe against our faded 501s then you can count us in.[Via PMP Today, thanks BrianB]
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]
Cooper's gilded Amber F1 PMP is too flashy for its own good
We'll spare you our feelings on just how cheesy this thing looks, as we're fairly certain you can judge that for yourself. Those with no shame and an unrequited love for all things gold, however, may actually find this one quite appealing. Cooper's Amber F1 purportedly features a 2.8-inch widescreen LCD, support for RMVB, AVI and FLV formats, a built-in equalizer, SRS WOW technology, a bundled case and an obligatory set of gilded earbuds to ensure public humiliation. A price or release date wasn't immediately apparent, but please don't say you're willing to dig around to find out. Please?[Via PMPToday]
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]
Newman attempts to revolutionize DAP controls on MOMO-X2
For Newman, it wasn't enough to knock off an iPod nano from years past. Oh no, it had to replace Apple's iconic click-wheel with a prominent "N" on its MOMO-X2, just so it's absolutely clear what PMP is being aped. In all seriousness, we reckon that letter has more to do with the company's name than anything else, but it's fun to pretend every now and then. On to specs, you'll find a 1.5-inch display (176 x 132 resolution), a still-very-familiar opaque white / chrome motif, support for MP3 / WMA files, Microsoft's PlayFX capabilities, a FM tuner, text / photo viewer, USB 2.0 connectivity and 2GB of internal storage space. On paper, we'd say that's not too shabby for 399CNY ($57), but the street cred you'd lose from toting this around would be far, far more costly.[Via PMPToday]
How would you change Samsung's YP-P2?
Considering that Samsung's YP-P2 just might be the most updated PMP of all time, we're guessing that a lot of things that users would have changed just months ago have already been done by the powers that be. That being said, we critical gadget owners are never truly satisfied at heart, so we're curious to know how you'd spin the forthcoming firmware update(s). Or would you focus your attention on external matters, instead? We know you've had ample time to fool around with one of Sammy's most prized media players ever, so don't be shy down there in comments, alright? Who knows -- your recommendations could be front and center in the next Blue Wave.
Press shots for Samsung's new S2 and S3 players
Got a hankering for glossy imagery of those new Samsung S3 and S2 DAPs. We've got the hookup, so knock yourself out. How the photographer made those pebbles look matte we'll never know.%Gallery-21386%
