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Second generation iriver clix hits the States
It's a good time to be on the lookout for a new DAP: there's that LG FM37, SanDisk's Sansa Connect and Sony's new NW-A800, and of course all that new DRM-free music from EMI on the way. Now iriver's getting in on the action, releasing its redesigned second generation clix in the States for pair of hundies. The pricetag is comparable to other 4GB flash players on the market, but the 2.2-inch QVGA AMOLED screen, fancy looks and support for 30fps MPEG-4 video and Macromedia Flash Lite make it a bit of a standout in North America. If $200 is too pricey for you, you can grab a 2GB version for $150, or wait until June for the $250 8 gigger.
N-NET's Juke Tower brings the bathtime fun
Sure, we've seen waterproof MP3 players a time or two (or more) before, but N-NET's latest is designed to not only withstand the brutal rain blasts typically dolled out in your average shower, but to look fairly dashing all the while. Of course, Aquagate / Stereo H20 owners need not apply, but for the vast majority of us rocking vanilla (read: speaker-less) showers, this looks like an excellent way to bring your tunes into the downpour. The glossy Juke Tower sports an all-white design, gets its shape from the likes of shampoo bottles, touts a down-firing speaker, and can handle up to 2GB worth of USB storage. Additionally, users will find an on-tube screen that displays the track number or time (no luck with ID3 tags), a wireless remote, and around 12-hours of battery life from a trio of AA cells. As expected, such a sexy, resilient device won't exactly run you cheap, as the Juke Tower (full shot after the break) will demand ¥10,500 ($88) when it lands later this month.[Via Impress]
Epoq goes small with latest portable media player
Epoq isn't exactly the most well-known name when it comes to portable media players, but it looks to be doing its best to impress with its latest device, keeping things small while still packing in some decent specs. Up front and center is the player's relatively large 2.4-inch QVGA display, which fills up most of the face of the device and should make watching AVIs at least somewhat bearable (albeit at a max 25 fps). Other specs include your choice of 1 or 2GB of storage, with a miniSD slot for further expansion, as well as with an integrated FM radio, voice recorder, and a sure-to-be-booming built-in speaker. If that does it for ya, you can snag the 1GB player now for $100, or drop $40 more for the 2GB version.[Via Ubergizmo]
Hands-on with the Sandisk Sansa Connect
At this point, WiFi-equipped DAPs aren't completely novel, but they're still novel enough to command a good deal of attention -- especially when they're coming from companies like Sandisk through collaborations with Zing. In fact, the $249 Sansa Connect bears a truly striking resemblance (both physically and in user experience) to the reference device Zing was showing off last year -- much more so than its distant cousin from the same Zing drafting board, Sirius' Stiletto. Though the Sansa Connect obiviously loses the Stiletto's satellite radio capabilites, it dominates the Stiletto (and the Zune, for that matter) in its effective use of 802.11 airwaves. Why most manufacturers have yet to pick up on the WiFi formula for this class of devices, we don't understand, but hey folks, it's easy: give us streaming, easy PC-free downloading, and firmware updates over the air. We're all awash in hotspots at this point, so let's take full advantage, yeah? The Connect is tied to Yahoo! Music Unlimited for its subscription download model and streaming radio, and we've gotta say, a WiFi DAP really brings the model into its own. It almost trivializes the need for serious storage in the device -- this one makes do with 4GB plus microSD expansion -- because you can get literally any music in Yahoo's catalog whenever you have a data connection handy. All of Yahoo's features carry over, too: ratings can be saved from the Connect, album art is downloaded in real time, and you've even got Messenger on here. All of LAUNCHcast's stations are available to stream, and of course, you can build your own station based on personal tastes. And for users of other services that employ secure WMA, rest easy: you'll be able to pull your songs into Yahoo Music Jukebox (or, if you subscribe to Unlimited, just grab the song again if you're so inclined). We tested this with URGE and it worked like a champ.%Gallery-2473%
iRiver panders to the low-end with T50 DAP
While we might like iRiver best for its Clix and W10 hawterness, the company hasn't forgotten those poor unfortunate souls who can't afford to drop a few hundies on a PMP device. To that end, iRiver is busting out the T50 player today, which runs on a single AAA battery, boasts 52 hours of playback, sports 1GB of flash memory, and has a teensy 1-inch CSTN LCD. The player is a followup to iRiver's T10, which came out in 2005, and the T50 thankfully does away with a good bit of bulk and frumpiness of that player. Codec support is solid, with MP3 / WMA DRM10 / OGG, and even BMP veiwing for good measure. Of course, iRiver has an FM tuner and voice recorder in here as well. The T50 will be out on April 15th in white and black versions, both retailing for 9,980 yen ($85 US).
Sony's easy MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth car stereo pairs with almost anything
In line with a growing concern for simultaneous calling / driving dangers, Sony releases the MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth head unit -- which isn't a far cry from last summer's MEX-BT5000, except for the makeover (or should we say under?) and huge drop in price. The stereo features an integrated microphone and wireless streaming for any Bluetooth-enabled cellphone, and is capable of remembering profiles for up to five different handsets. Bluetooth-enabled DAPs can also be paired with the 4-channel, 52-watt in-dash unit, while wired players can be connected via auxiliary input; if the you prefer to play CDs, Sony's got your back with support for MP3 and WMA encoded discs. As if that wasn't enough, musicphones supporting A2DP (like, ahem, many models from Sony Ericsson) can also be paired with this one, giving you pretty much the full slate of connection possibilities. Look for the BT2500 online and in stores by March, for around $180.
Apple, SanDisk, and Samsung sued by Texas MP3
It's not like Apple, SanDisk, and Samsung haven't waded through their fair share of lawsuits in the past, and this most certainly isn't the first (nor the last, sadly) patent troll story you'll ever hear of, but a presumably off-kilter (and incredibly desperate) individual has filed a suit claiming that he masterminded the MP3 player. The current company, dubbed Texas MP3 Technologies, filed a currently ungranted patent application the very day before the suits were filed, but tried a little trickery by linking back to two previous patents -- one held by SigmaTel and the other by MPMan -- in order to force the giants to pay their dues. If you're suddenly scratching your noggin' over that last company, you'll probably recall that it actually was (loosely) deemed the first producer of an MP3 player, but considering that this latest company "shares a street address with one of its lawyers" in the patent lawsuit capital of the world Marshall, Texas, practically every ounce of credibility that might've been held just flew the coop. C'mon Texas, we all thought those "obvious patent laws" were going to be relaxed.[Via TechDirt]
Sports Illustrated's dop! SI Swimsuit Soundtrack Series MP3 player
Hold on, now Sports Illustrated is doing a line of MP3 players? We always figured that we'd bust out a gadget before a sports mag would, but it turns out that SI is coming out with three screenless players to accompany the launch of the first music-themed Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The dop! player (which is sort of supposed to be a mirror image of "ipod") will retail for "under $20" (translation: $19.99) and come in three versions, each one pre-loaded with thirty tracks of music "inspired by the issue's lush and sexy photo spreads." All of the music on each player isn't exactly copy-protected; there's actually no way to get music on or off the player at all. The dop! is meant to be a self-contained package of player + content, sort of like those single title Playaway audiobooks that came out a couple of years ago (it's no coincidence that Findaway is responsible for manufacturing both). The notion of "one album, one player" is a little anachronistic (or maybe quaint) in the age of 80GB iPods, but these things are more like promotional items than replacements for your current player. Or at least not until someone hacks a USB port into one, that is.
Peapod DAP can handle vicious babies, but Apple legal?
You'd think that Apple's, um, loving oversight of its trademarks and trademark applications would scare potential DAP manufacturers away from using any combination of the letters p, o, and d in their product name, so we assume that Calgary-based Peapod Toys hasn't been following the American legal scene all that closely. In any event, the small company has just announced its self-titled, baby-targeted MP3 player at the International Toy Fair, which allows the one-and-under crowd to rock out to up to two hours of their favorite Raffi tunes. But infants and electronics go together like elephants and antique shops, you say? Not to worry: the Peapod is wrapped in a soft rubber shell that promises to protect it from mushed carrots, multiple collisions with the wall, and even the occasional teething session. It also sports a built in speaker (babies + headphone wires = potential disaster), a claimed 40 hours of battery life from a single AA, and support for select educational content available on the Peapod website. No word so far on price or release, but we'll go out on a limb and assume that we're looking at "cheap" and "soon," respectively.[Via Gadget Lab]
Dell kinda sorta nixes the SideShow-enabled Bluetooth MP3 player?
Remember Dell's SideShow-enabled MP3 player with Bluetooth we saw up close and personal at CES? Yeah, that one. Well, we just received a purported internal Dell document stating that, "No, Dell isn't re-entering the MP3 market." According to the memo we received, the device was presented by an overzealous vendor who was "shopping the idea to Dell and took things a little too far." The memo states that the vendor was "totally out of line to release any information to a 3rd party source such as Engadget." However, it seems that Dell's Latitude team is in fact considering the device, but "still hasn't decided whether they want to proceed or not." Hell, even if they don't pick it up there's always the chance that someone else will -- someone like MSI whose logo was also seen getting friendly with the player. Full text for your perusal after the break.
Transcend's T.sonic 820 DAPs, with 4GB of flash
With the big boys like Apple, SanDisk and iriver putting so much TLC into this particular market segment of mini flash DAPs, it can be bit hard to even get noticed, much less succeed. All the same, Transcend manages to squeeze a little bit of innovative functionality into its new T.sonic 820 player to keep it from being relegated to the flash heap of history. There's not a whole lot interesting about the 12mm thickness (about twice as thick as the nano), or the 2GB (white) and 4GB (black) capacities, but the inclusion of a A-B track section repeat, along with track speed control makes this a boon to guitarist trying to learn a lead part without going nutso. Otherwise, the 1.5-inch 128 x 128 display, WMA-DRM10 support and recording capabilities are nice but par for the course, and 15 hours of battery is nothing special for a flash player anymore. No word on price or availability.[Via MP3 Player Guide]
iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody
We got the skinny from the RealNetworks folks on some of their plans for continued hardware integration in pursuit of the celestial jukebox holy grail. They're going to be partnering with iriver on a couple of new audio players that will both integrate Rhapsody software -- one an update to the clix and one a Wi-Fi enabled MP3 player allowing users to both download and stream music from the Rhapsody catalogue over the air. The Wi-Fi player (pictured above) is apparently not going to be the W10, as RealNetworks sources tell us the new player is yet unnamed; it's going to come with a 3-inch touch-sensitive QVGA display with a flash-based UI, include support for VoIP and roll out in 2GB and 4GB capacities. The clix 2 (pic after the break) is going to update the clix with an improved screen and slimmer design and launch in 2GB and 4GB capacities. Both of the players will offer FM tuners, in-line and voice recording, photo and video playback, and 25+ hours of battery life. No word yet on price, but these players are expected to roll out in the US in Q1.
Sun Connection's waterproof DAP: helps drop the kids off at the pool
There was a time when the display-less mp3 player was an item of ridicule and scorn. But with the second-gen iPod shuffle becoming Apple's number one seller, well, let's just say that the industry has taken notice. Starting today, the Japanese can pick up the ¥2,980 (about $25) MUSIC+SC-MP512MWP from Sun Connection. Available in three colors, this MP3/WMA player packs 512MB of flash, a waterproof case, and just a hint of "BM" smeared along the bottom. What more could you ask for?[Via Impress]
Samsung's YP-T9, now with 8GB of tasty flash
With the (official) launch of Samsung's Yepp K3 presumably just weeks away, who could blame you for taking your eyes off the T9? Until January's CES, the T9 reigns supreme in Samsung's lineup of flash media players. It even sports its own "series" of third party accessories like the big boys... albeit, from just a single vendor so far. So today, Sammy announced an 8GB capacity bump to keep the Yepp competitive with all the other 8 giggers out there. The T9, however, delivers one notable exception: stereo Bluetooth. No details, but you can expect it to be priced to compete.
IRiver's S7 digital audio player: stickers yes, display no
Iriver is back and prepped to kick out their latest tiny DAP for Korea and beyond. Their new S7 shares roughly the same dimensions as the S10, but trims down just a bit to 42 x 30 x 9.6-mm / 15-grams by doing away with the screen in favor of a full-panel D-click interface. So instead of buttons, or gawd forbid a display, you get a virgin white face plate which you can cover with any sticker of your choosing -- including chicken-goats and pissing dogs if that's how you roll. The S7 brings 1GB of flash, FM radio, 9 hour battery, and support for MP3, ASF, OGG, and all the WMA you can throw at it -- yeah, PlaysForSure too we presume. The S7 hits live for Korea (only in brown) starting tomorrow for an estimated 89,000KRW or $96. [Via Akihabara News]
Maxfield intros MAX-IVY MP3 player
This shiny little MP3 player from Germany's Maxfield was making the rounds in early November but looks to now finally be available for public consumption (in various parts of Europe, at least). Available in 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB varieties, the player boasts a scratch-proof (but undoubtedly not fingerprint-proof) magnesium shell, a 1.8-inch TFT display, and illuminated "touch key pad" controls, with a promised battery life of 14 hours. While it bucks the trend with no apparent video support, it will let you put on a tiny photo slideshow and, of course, bust out the jams in your choice of MP3, WMA, or OGG formats. Look for this one to come in at the local currency equivalent of $185, $235, and $335 depending on how big you wanna go.[Via Tech Digest]
Hitachi's HMP-G1 DAP: does not amuse
Hitachi brings another trundling DAP to the game this morning with their HMP-G1. While it doesn't look half-bad, the most interesting thing about the player is the continuation of the absurd, non-googleable, unreadable i.μ's (Eye Muse) moniker. That is, unless you find 1GB of flash, a 128x64, 2-color OLED display, 12-hour battery, and support for MP3/WMA (DRM, too) and WAV voice recording, interesting. How about a price tag of ¥12,000 or about $104. No, didn't think so.Update: Well, well, Hitachi and Philips sittin' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. It's just a rebadged SA177 GoGear after all. Thanks Michiel, Marcus, and all who pointed this out in comments.[Via Impress]
Kenwood's Media Keg HD10GB7: world's smallest disk-based DAP
Kenwood's been churning out DAPs with high quality audio for awhile now. Some with disks, some with flash, but all with superior sound quality to the usual wares. Now they've taken the whole kit and shrunk it down into this, the world's smallest disk-based DAP. Sporting a 10GB (presumably 1-inch) disk drive, the new Media Keg HD10GB7 brings that same "clear digital amplifier" and sound processing found in their flagship player. The screen has been reduced to a mere 1.5-inches which if fine by us -- not like the Media Kegs' support video anyway. Fortunately, the battery doesn't suffer from miniaturization as it's capable of pumping MP3s for a full 24-hours; after which a 3-hour recharge from USB will top things off. The Napster to Go supporting HD10GB7 measures in at 78-grams / 62×44×17-millimeters so it'll go just about anywhere, especially Japan where these will hit first come December for about ¥40,000 or about $345. [Via Impress]
4GB iriver clix now available
As expected, the caps-averse iriver has finally pushed its new 4GB clix portable media player out the door, with only $200 separating it from iriver and you. The specs, in case you missed them, include a 2.2-inch QVGA display, built-in FM tuner, voice recorder, a promised 25 hours of battery life, and support for MP3, WMA, ASF, and OGG music files, as well as MPEG-4 "simple profile" QVGA video -- not to mention the inclusion of a variety of Flash games. Also available are a couple of clix accessories, including a cradle (you'll need it if you want line in/out) and an FM transmitter and car charger. The accessory sure to see the most use, however, is the screen cleaner iriver's seen fit to throw in free of charge.[Thanks, Dan C.]
Nintendo announces MP3 player for Europe
Hitting Europe on December 8th, the Nintendo MP3 player is designed to take MP3s from a 512mb SD card and, with the included adapter, play them on your DS Lite. Song navigation will be handled via the touch-screen, where all song information will be listed, as well. This MP3 player isn't limited to the DS (and/or DS Lite), also being fully compatible with the Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Micro. The MP3 player will set back Europeans around 30 € when it releases next month.
