musicplayer
Latest
Mighty Vibe review: A much improved iPod Shuffle for Spotify
I'll admit it. When Mighty was first announced in 2016, the prospect of a standalone, offline Spotify player was an exciting and attractive concept -- especially for this subscriber. I got my hopes up. Plus, the tiny device was about the size and shape of an iPod Shuffle, so there was some nostalgia at work too. It looked good on paper, but the original model had some major issues. With the second-generation, $86 Mighty Vibe, though, the company has remedied many of those hiccups and created a compelling gadget for Spotify users.
Mighty returns with a redesigned offline Spotify player
When Mighty debuted last year, it delivered iPod Shuffle-like offline playback for Spotify users. In other words, it brought a tiny music player to the streaming generation. The original model mostly delivered on its promises, carrying more than 1000 songs so users could leave their phones behind on a run or during a workout. Mighty wasn't without its flaws though, and the company says it addressed many of the major hiccups with version 2.0, which is called the Mighty Vibe.
Spotify might be working on an in-car music player
Rumors have been circulating that Spotify is working on some sort of hardware, possibly an in-car controller or a standalone player. As The Verge reports, a number of Reddit users have claimed to have received offers for the device, with plan price points ranging from $12.99 to $14.99 per month, but when they clicked the offer that appeared in the Spotify app, they were directed to an error page. Some have also reported that their offers noted that the device had 4G built in.
Plex’s incubator launches a Winamp-inspired music player
Plex's comprehensive media server, complete with live TV and all-round entertainment playback, is a big draw for cord cutters. But, it seems the company is itching to unleash even more products. To that end, it just unveiled Plex Labs, a new incubator that promises to deliver internal passion projects and give shout-outs to work from its community (as long as it's not piracy related, of course). The incubator's first product is Plexamp: a desktop music player that crams tons of features into its tiny, Winamp-inspired, package. If you already use Plex for music, then you'll probably want to check out the free player, which works on macOS and Windows.
The iPod Shuffle for Spotify can actually shuffle your songs now
Mighty is basically an iPod Shuffle for offline Spotify playback, but when I reviewed it over the summer it was missing that namesake feature. Well, not anymore. Thanks to a software update for the compact device, Mighty can now shuffle through the songs of a playlist rather than having to go through them in order.
An iPod Shuffle for Spotify is surprisingly essential
Thanks to Baby Driver, we've all been reminded of our love affair for the MP3 player -- namely the iPod. Now that Apple Music, Spotify and others allow us to carry millions of songs on our phones at all times, the days of frantically loading a dedicated media player before leaving the house are long gone. However, that doesn't mean a tiny device that easily fits in your pocket is no longer a worthy music companion. Enter Mighty, an iPod Shuffle-like gadget that syncs Spotify playlists for offline playback and the most compelling case I've seen in awhile for a separate music player.
Sony adds wearable and high-res music players to its Walkman line
Still use a dedicated music player for listening on the go? Sony has two new options in its Walkman line that'll do just that, and the NWZ-WS613 takes the wearable player and has it double as a Bluetooth headset. Connecting to your smartphone lets you beam tracks or listen to tunes loaded directly on the device with a ring-like controller for controls and calls that won't break your stride. A smartphone app is also capable of tweaks and skipping around -- should you want to limit the number of items in that gym bag. As you might expect, the unit is indeed waterproof to keep the sweat at bay and connects to fitness apps to further enhance those workouts. Does the wraparound look sound like a solid addition to your exercise attire? Parting with $160 in October will secure one of your very own, but for those who'd rather keep the music player and headphones separate, there's an option for that, too.
doubleTwist gets Holo-inspired makeover in latest release
Now with a brand-new streaming music service under its belt, Android player doubleTwist is undergoing a makeover. The app's latest incarnation has just landed on Google Play and features a Holo-inspired refresh that still keeps the character and dark looks of its predecessor. As you'd expect, the application now uses the system action bar on all screens and incorporates the "Up" button. The fresh release also includes cleaner alert and dialog prompts, refined typography and pages that work in both portrait and landscape views, with the occasional optimized layout for the latter. Despite the big tweaks, the outfit says this is just phase one of its Holo facelift, and that more drastic changes and optimizations for devices toting larger screens are coming down the pike. Click the neighboring source links to download the app and catch a grand tour of the revamp.
iTunes 11.0.3 released with enhanced MiniPlayer, multi-disc albums
Cutting through all the Google I/O news is this update from Apple: today, Cupertino released iTunes version 11.0.3. This isn't just an incremental refresh, as several new features are on board, including an improved Songs View and the ability to view multi-disc albums as a single album. The update also brings enhancements to the MiniPlayer, such as a new album artwork view and a progress bar. Of course, those changes are accompanied by the usual performance improvements and bug fixes. You can get iTunes 11.0.3 now through Software Update.
Astell & Kern's AK120 portable MQS player graces the FCC with its $1,300 sound
Audiophiles eager to get their mitts on iRiver's Astell & Kern-branded AK120 should take note: the portable Mastering Quality Sound player just passed through the FCC's labs. The $1,300 AK120 is the bigger, 2.4-inch sibling to the $700 AK100, promising to net deep-pocketed audio perfectionists improved stereo imaging and dynamic range; this is achieved by two Wolfson WM8740 DACs, each of which are dedicated to a single channel. The player features a physical volume knob and packs 64GB of onboard storage with support for up to 192GB through two microSD slots -- which is perfect for storing your pick of AV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC and AIFF (and eventually DSD) files, as well. With this next MQS player from A&K sure to hit stores soon, we're left to wonder what's the updated word about Neil Young's streaming take on the action.
iRiver's AK120 promises 'the finest audio,' priced at $1,300 with a leather case
Love music? Sure you do -- but can you really claim to be a true music lover if you're not plunking down $1,300 for the latest MQS (Mastering Quality Sound) player from iRiver? The AK120 looks a fair bit like its predecessor, the AK100 (albeit slightly larger), and features a 2.4-inch IPS touchcreen. Inside, you'll find two digital-to-analog converters, dual Wolfson WM8740 DAC chips and 64GB of memory, which is expandable up to 192GB via two microSD card slots. The AK120 can handle a slew of formats, including WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC and AIFF, with DSD on the way. And just in case you were worried that the price tag was a bit steep, keep in in mind that it includes "the finest handmade Italian-designed leather case."
in:play is a minimalist music player with wonderfully easy gesture controls
In:play is a new music player for the iPhone that's elegant and easy to use. It has a minimalist interface with comfortably sized on-screen elements and gesture-based controls. It's designed so you can control basic playback functions without having to look at your screen and it's perfect for situations like driving or exercising when you can only spare a glance at your iPhone or iPod touch. When you launch in:play for the first time, it will step you through the gestures that control playback and provide access to menu items. You can toggle playback by merely tapping anywhere on the screen -- tap once to pause, tap again to resume. You can also advance to the next or previous track by swiping left or right. There are a variety of gestures to learn, but they are all simple and can be mastered in just few minutes. To help you switch between artists and songs, in:play uses a deep context navigation system that lets you tap on artist, album or song on your screen and swipe between those elements in your library. For example, you can listen to the Beatle's White album and tap/hold on the album name in in:play. A quick swipe from left to right and you will be listening to the songs in Sgt Pepper. If you don't like this gesture navigation, then you can pull down a menu that contains a traditional alphabetical list that's organized by songs, album, artists, playlists and songs. There are other neat features like a night mode and support for AirPlay that round out this app. The biggest feature missing from in:play is search, which is something bigbluecouch plans to add in an upcoming version. It also doesn't pull down music from iTunes match as those songs stored in the cloud are only accessible to Apple's music player. Songs have to be downloaded to your iOS device before in:play can access them. in:play is perfect for listening to music while you run, drive or are otherwise occupied. It's also a great player for people who want a pleasing player experience. You don't have to hunt through complex menus and difficult-to-tap onscreen elements. You don't have to squint to see your track information or worry about searching for that tiny play button. in:play is available for US$0.99 from the iOS App Store. It's on sale this week and will jump up to its regular $1.99 price tag soon.
iFixit tears into the new iPod touch, bemoans lack of repairability
The folks over at iFixit have gotten their tool-sporting hands all over the new iPod touch, giving Apple's latest music player the customary detailed teardown. The alien autopsy-esque dissection reveals the device's A5 processor, flash memory from Toshiba and a lot of parts secured firmly in place. The latter, naturally, has led to a pretty dismal repairability score for the touchscreen player -- a three out of 10 -- nothing new, really, for Cupertino products, though the company seemed to be moving in the other direction with the new iPhone. Check the source link below for all the gory details -- and yes, iFixit even goes so far as calling the device's home button "weak." Oh snap, guys.
Engadget Giveaway: win one of three Nexus 7 units, courtesy of Poweramp!
If you read Engadget frequently, you're certainly no stranger to Google's Nexus 7 tablet that has captured our attention -- and our hearts. Poweramp, one of the highest-rated music players (and one of the most downloaded, from what we can tell) on the Android Play Store, is launching an update that offers Jelly Bean compatibility, and what better way to celebrate the occasion than to give away a trio of Jelly Bean-running Nexus tablets? Also, Poweramp offers a 15 day free trial, so it's definitely worth taking a look-see. Enjoy, and good luck!
Sony unveils Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series, fills it with the marathoner's coaching wisdom
NBC may have retired its Olympic spirit by repurposing its dedicated app, but Sony's sporting fever hasn't broken, as its just announced the Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series. A special edition orange hue graces the third-time Olympic marathoner's device and, like the other players in the line, it features a water resistant design, a quick-charge mode and an eight hour battery life when fully juiced. Twenty-four minutes of audio coaching by Meb himself are preloaded into the player's 2GB memory, which is estimated to store roughly 470 songs. Eager to hear the athlete's dulcet tones as you pound the pavement? You can pick up the player for $69.99 at Sony's online and brick-and-mortar stores, or wait until October for its arrival at Walmart.
Cowon Plenue Z2: US pricing, availability and hands-on impressions
Just mention the company's name, and a pair of things come to mind: world-beating sound quality, and above-average prices. Such is life when you're Cowon, which has informed us that its Plenue Z2 portable media player will be shipping to the US of A in May. Based on details shared to us from a Cowon spokesperson, "early May" is the targeted release window, which makes sense given the unit's FCC debut back in December of 2011. We've learned that it'll ship in 16GB (white only) and 32GB (black only) sizes, with prices set for $279.99 and $319.99 in order of mention. As for specs? Glad you asked. Rather than relying on one of Cowon's proprietary operating systems, the Z2 will ship with Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), while measuring 62.8- x 116.5- x 11.8-millimeters, weighing 116 grams and boasting a 3.7-inch (800 x 480) capacitive touchpanel. On the audio side, you'll get a typical 20Hz to 20,000Hz frequency range, 29mW + 29mW maximum outlet and a 95dB signal-to-noise ratio. There's also an HDMI output, a microSD expansion slot, built-in FM radio tuner, 802.11b/g/n WiFi module, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and an internal microphone. The outfit claims that this guy can last some 22 hours when playing back music alone, while video junkies will see 8.5 hours of their favorite Family Guy clips before needing a rejuvenation session. Not surprisingly, the Z2 also supports a smorgasbord of file formats, including AVI, WMV, ASF, MP4, MKV, MPG, DAT, 3GP -- tired yet? -- DivX, XviD, H.264, WMA, OGG, PMC and FLAC. We managed to grab hold of a unit prior to its launch here in the States; head on past the break to hear our take.
Apple reportedly swapping recalled iPod nanos for 6G counterparts; you have yours?
It's been a few weeks since Apple's issued a worldwide recall on a number of its first-gen iPod nanos at risk for becoming uncomfortably hot under the collar. Evidently, many folks who've sent their devices into AppleCare to get swapped are finding that they've being treated with an upgrade to the current sixth-gen variant. Lovers of click wheels may view its square, touchscreen shell as folly, but hey, its hard to fuss over owning latest there is, right? The replacement program is still ongoing, so if you haven't checked to see if your nano qualifies, hit up the "more coverage" link below to find out. Already got yours back? Let us know your mileage in comments! [Thanks, Scott]
Personal Audio strikes again, has the Kindle Fire in its patent trolling sights
'Tis the season for reflecting upon our many gifts in life and giving thanks for them. If you're Personal Audio, however, once you've thanked your lucky stars that you own a patent on musical playlists, you then file an infringement suit against Amazon. That's right folks, Personal Audio is up to its old tricks again in the Eastern District of Texas, but instead of alleging iPods are infringing its IP, the Kindle Fire is squarely in the company's sites. The patents in question are number 6,199,076 that generally claims an audio player, and number 7,509,178 which claims the aforementioned downloadable playlists. Who knows if Amazon will settle out like Apple did, but as the web retail giant will move a ton tablets (among other things) this holiday season, it should have no shortage of cash do so.
Apple is replacing first gen iPod nanos due to faulty batteries
After offering to swap out a few faulty first gen iPod nanos in Korea back in 2009, it appears Apple has finally seen fit to get them out of owner's pockets here in the US (update: worldwide) too. An email just sent to registered owners (included after the break) and notice posted on its replacement program site inform users the affected units were sold between September 2005 and December 2006. If you have one (seriously, yours still works?), stop using it right now and fill out the form at the link below to order a free replacement unit. The main inconvenience -- other than finding out you've been walking around with the possibility of a "rare case" of overheating taking place in your skinny jeans -- is an anticipated six-week lag between Apple receiving the old unit and shipping you out a replacement. The reason given for waiting so long to replace them is that when it comes to this issue "the likelihood increases as the battery ages"; that, and it's finally too late for you to run out and get a Zune. No word yet on which models will be sent out as replacements, but if yours is personalized, then sorry -- no inscriptions available. [Thanks, Paul & Jordan]
IRL: Nikon D3S, iPod 4G and Klipsch's Image One headphones
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. We almost don't want to talk about our tablets and phones this week, just because one or two show-stoppers here and there have made pretty much everything we own seem wholly inadequate. So we'll tell you about the stuff we won't be trading in anytime soon. For James, that means a good pair of over-ear headphones, for Darren it's a $6,000 camera and for Daniel it's a 40GB iPod with "Dan Cooper is awesome" engraved on the back (19 year-olds, right?). No complaints this time: just a trio of Engadget editors sounding off on what's been worth it.
