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Sony's getting back into the video Walkman game
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That must be the corporate mantra at Sony these days, where the former undisputed king of portable audio is still playing catch up with current market leader Apple, doing everything it can to pry consumers away from the iPod's loving embrace. At today's official unveiling of the NW-S700 and NW-S600 series' of flash-based DAPs, Senior EV Hiroshi Yoshioka let slip an even more tantalizing bit of info: Sony is developing a "video Walkman" that will go head-to-head with the 5.5G iPod and Microsoft Zune. No details were revealed regarding the specs of this upcoming device, but what's interesting is the fact that this will actually be the company's third foray into portable video players, following 2003's GigaPocket PCVA-HVP20 (pictured) and 2004's HMP-A1. For those of you that can remember back that far, you'll recall that these 20GB models offerred fairly attractive features for their time, including MPEG-1/2/4 support, and, in the case of of the A1, very un-Sonlylike MP3 playback. Now that the availability of downloadable video has blossomed -- both legally and illegally -- it would seem that Sony has a better shot this time around, although it's unlikely that the new PMP will achieve the status of "iPod-killer." And hey, even if this product turns out to be another flop, they still have the PS3 to fall back on, right? Right?
Bitoy Cube100 wants to be the iRiver Clix when it grows up
Clix comparisons aside, this new Bitoy Cube100 looks like a not-shabby-at-all PMP offering for the Chinese company. Sporting a 3.6-inch QVGA screen, the Cube100 sadly lacks a D-Click interface, instead opting for some rather small navigation buttons across the bottom of the device. Still, quite a bit of screen for a device this small, and the codec support isn't bad either, with MPEG-1, MPEG-4, MOV, MP3 and WAV all represented. The device can also play games, two of which are included. There's an unfortunate 512MB of memory, but if our eyes don't deceive us, the player has what looks to be a memory card slot -- though it could just be some sort of docking port. No word on price or availability, but we're guessing we won't be seeing this one outside of China anytime soon.[Via CNET; thanks alisonteck]
Skardin's DVB-T-equipped HT-250 PMP
Don't you hate how the hottest gear is usually restricted to non-US countries; just for once, why couldn't the best cellphones, DAPs, and laptops make an appearance here fir...oh, wait. Nevermind. That intro is reserved for the type of lustworthy foreign gadget like Samsung's 10-megapixel B600 cameraphone -- this post features a nondescript, cookie-cutter PMP being shown off at the Taitronics Autumn 2006 trade show going on in Taiwan. What we've got here is the 2.4-inch "HT-250" by Skardin Industrial, sporting a DVB-T tuner, SD/MMC slot, and not much else -- since there's no internal storage, you'll have to cram your MPEG-1/2/4, DivX, and XviD files onto a 2GB card (it's possible there's SDHC support, but we're not hopeful). Also notably absent is any mention of compatible audio codecs, so you may end up having to re-encode your tunes before loading them up. [Via Anything But iPod]
Neovision Labs rolls out iFusion 3D display for PMPs
There are a few 3D devices that somehow manage to buck the "gimmick" stereotype and show a bit of promise, but Neovision Labs' iFusion is definitely not a peripheral that we can take seriously. Doing the 3D realm more harm than good, this PMP add-on appears to be nothing more than a clear, acrylic screen protector; however, a flurry of less-than-reputable claims state that the simple LCD covering allows for "lifelike 3D images" to pop out of your handheld without the need for 3D goggles. The catch (there's always a catch) is that the media you play must be anaglyphic in nature, meaning that it's pre-encoded with 3D goodness. The "autostereoscopic" apparatus supposedly brings that atypical content to life without the need for special glasses, and doesn't affect normal (read: 99.9+ percent of your files) media whatsoever. If you're still curious, and don't have a sneaking suspicion of being duped on this, the iFusion will be available for the iubi Blue and Microsoft Zune sometime this fall for an undisclosed price.[Via DAPreview]
Coby MP-C951 spotted at J&R in New York
It wasn't so long ago that we caught a glimpse of Coby's new media player, the PMP4320. But what we'd really like to get our hands on is Coby's apparent competitor to the GoGear SA9100 and SA9200, the MP-C951. Although it too was first demoed at CES, Coby has been saying on its site that the player would be "coming soon - Summer '06" for the last few months. According to Coby, this little MP3 player has a 20GB drive, plays MP3 / WMA / OGG files, supports USB 2.0, packs an FM tuner, a voice recorder, and a line-in jack. However, no one had actually seen one of these players in the wild until today, when DAPreview spotted one today at electronics retailer J&R in New York. The site found after holding and playing with the MP-C951 for a few minutes that it had a "solid build," remarking on its touch-sensitive d-pad, noticing that the buttons seemed a bit too sensitive and observing that it had two mini USB jacks on the bottom (one probably for USB On-The-Go. The MP-C951 has an MSRP of $300, but sells at J&R and Amazon for $210. Be sure to catch an additional hands-on pic of the interface on the next page.
Coby's 20GB PMP4320 previewed
The folks at CNET recently got a chance to look at a pre-production unit of Coby's new PMP4320 portable media player and, while they're reserving final judgment until they get their hands on a finished device, they don't seem to have been all that impressed. Specs-wise, the PMP4320 treads along the low-end of the PMP spectrum, with a glossy 4.3-inch, 320x240 TFT display, 20GB of storage, SD expansion, FM tuner, and audio/video recording capabilities -- not bad, though you may expect a bit more for the $350 list price. Unfortunately, it looks like the PMP4320 has more problems than just price, with CNET finding the interface and thumbstick control decidedly lacking and the build quality sub-par, though that could well be due to its pre-production nature. On the plus side, it is compatible with a wide range of formats and has a built-in kickstand, which wouldn't be all that notable if not for the fact that some manufacturers seem to continuously overlook it. We should have word on how the real deal stacks up soon enough, with the PMP4320 set to launch later this month.[Via Digital Media Thoughts]
SOLVO S830 does DMB/GPS/PMP, just like everybody else
We hate to burst SOLVO's bubble, but this whole "device with 7-inch screen which happens to sport DMB, GPS and PMP functionality in a fairly skinny and dashboard-mountable form factor" concept has been done before. Many, many times. But with that bubble-bursting out of the way, SOLVO's new S830 is looking pretty good, with some decent stylings and hefty spec love. The 7-inch touch screen runs at 480 x 234, and fronts a Windows CE OS. There's 128MB of SDRAM, along with 64MB of NAND, and if we're reading correctly there seems to be a 1GB SD card thrown in too. The GPS is powered by a SiRF Star III chip, while TV is the standard T-DMB variety, along with an AV-in plug, both of which are recordable if you've got the storage space. The 0.92-inch thick heft isn't terrible for a device of this kind, but we're guessing most of these won't stray far from their dash-mounted setup. No word on price or availability, as usual.[Via Akihabara]
PMC200, the newest media player from Sweden
With Jens of Sweden knocked out (although it still has an active website, the company hasn't released a new product in over eight months), it looks like Swedish Valei Computer may be poised to claim the crown of the Swedish portable media industry. This Stockholm-based newcomer has just released its latest media player, the PMC200, which comes with a host of features that you might expect: a 3.5-inch screen, a 16:9 aspect ratio, DivX / AVI / MPEG / DAT playback, video out (NTSC and PAL support), four hours of battery life for video (up to 10 hours for audio), USB 2.0, the ability to read text files, and if that weren't enough, it can record video as well. We've got zero information on how many Swedish krona kronor you'll have to spend for the pleasure, nor when you might be able to obtain one, nor if SVC will be selling these little players outside the kingdom.[Via Svartlinks]
KNC unveils HR-2800 do-it-all handheld
If the bevy of PMP / gaming hybrid devices hasn't exactly met your expectations (or came to fruition at all), KNC is throwing down an impressive do-it-all handheld that puts similar alternatives to shame. The HR-2800 may resemble a jazzed-up Sega Nomad at first glance, but beneath the 3.6-inch LCD is some serious potential. Housing a 400MHz CPU and a homebrew GUI to boot, the handheld plays back AVI, MPEG4, DivX, and XviD, while supporting MP3 and FLAC (audiophiles rejoice) on the musical side. Boasting a built-in file manager, portable version of "Winamp," a full-fledged picture / text viewer, and 1.3 megapixel camera, this jack-of-all-trades can even export full-motion video to your television via its video output. In case you're looking to get your retro game on, the unit apparently sports an NES / GBA emulator, and just in case the (admittedly skimpy) 1GB of internal storage isn't roomy enough, you can add the space you need via its SD slot. While the amount of goodies crammed into the HR-2800 may garner praise, the real applause goes to the price -- at just CNY999 ($127), we've got to wonder if these KNC folks aren't just skimming the market.[Via AVing]
Archos 504 PMP reviewed
After checking out Archos' 404 and 604 portable media players, CNET's now finally rounded out the '04 PMP line-up with a look at the last of the lot, the 504. As with the other two, the 504 left 'em mighty impressed, with a great 4.3-inch screen, loads of storage (your choice of 40, 80, or 160GB), a wide range of accessory options, decent battery life (with a removable battery), and a sleek, easy-to-use interface. On the downside, that big screen and massive storage means the unit is quite bulky, and you'll also need to load up on those optional accessories if you want to take full advantage of this device -- namely, the extra kit needed to record audio and video. Going all out for the 160GB model will also cost you quite a premium, with a list price of $600, compared to just $350 for the 40GB and $400 for the 80GB. But still, it's a hundred and sixty freaking gigabytes -- in a PMP.[Thanks, Pogotom]
Adapt intros TomTom Go clone for Europe
As if we needed another Europe-only GPS device that brings nothing new to the table, Adapt is busting out their all-in-one navigation system which sports a few PMP features and an SD slot, but looks just as bulky as the rest of the similarly-specced devices on the market -- with a particular TomTom Go flavor. The 279 Euro ($354 US) unit sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, and is powered by a 400MHz processor from Samsung, along with that ubiquitos SiRF Star III chip and software courtesy of Route 66. There's 64MB of built-in storage, and some sort of music / photo / movie/ eBook playback ability, but we're not sure about formats or codecs. No word on the release date for this little guy either, but we're sure it and five other West Europe-only units will make it to market in the time it takes us to get a single one onto our lowly shores.
Toshiba's new prototype media player at CEATEC
Speaking of CEATEC, Akihabara News also spotted a new prototype of a Toshiba portable DVD and media player at this year's Japanese trade show. All we know for now is that it supports DivX files and has a 1Seg tuner for your Japanese terrestrial digital broadcasts, but it we're always happy to add more methods of media retrieval to our ho hum standard def optical disc portables. Oh, and it comes in a shiny black casing, if you're so inclined.
Wolverine Data throws down ESP "Professional" PMP
It might look a little clunky, but Wolverine Data's new ESP PMP is all substance. Inside the 0.9-inch thick monstrosity is a 80 or 120GB HDD and a 7-in-1 card reader, making this the perfect tool for photogs looking for a good memory card backup solution. There's JPG, BMP, TIFF and RAW support, and all main memory formats can be used by the reader. If you'd rather be entertained, the ESP can do that too, with a 3.6-inch LCD and MPEG-1, MPEG-4, WMV9 and XviD codec support, along with the usual audio suspects, including AAC and CDA. The unit also includes built-in speakers, an FM tuner, audio-in, TV-out and can record video with an optional cradle that'll set you back $80. It seems like if you just want the entertainment factor, there are plenty of better PMP options than this thing, but for the photographer on the go, the video support couldn't hurt, and the $400 (80GB) and $500 (120GB) pricetags aren't too shabby at all.[Via PVR Wire]
Fujitsu's Turn Table PC and Ultra Mobile debut at CEATEC
Fujitsu was starting to feel a little left out of all the CEATEC fun, what with its rivals demoing products left and right at the major Japanese expo going on this week in Chiba, just outside Tokyo. We came across some snaps of what appears to be two concept devices, the "Turn Table PC," and the "Ultra Mobile," a slick-looking media player. The Turn Table PC looks like it has a strange-looking lid along with a touch-sensitive backlit keyboard, which could mean that those filthy keyboard days are over. (However, these types of keyboards seem unlikely to take off, given that there's hardly any tactile feedback.) In addition, the Ultra Mobile seems to have a twistable case, revealing a mic and webcam, and at least a few USB ports on the left side. Unfortunately details about these new products are on the sparse side, but we do hope that the Turn Table PC (peep it on the next page) has the option of being able to spin records so we can get our b-boy on.
JXD comes out swinging with the JXD638 PMP
JXD, one of our favorite Chinese knockoff manufacturers (its previous victims include the PSP and iAudio M3) is back on the scene to delight us with a new PMP that's surprisingly heavy on the features and light on the ripped-off design cues. Thanks to some sweet machine translation, we're able to report that the 1GB JXD638 sports a 3.0-inch display (high definition, it's claimed, but we have our doubts), two megapixel camera, video in as well as video out, some manner of videogame functionality, an SD slot, and the usual bells-and-whistles additions of a calendar, calculator, and electronic dictionary. As far as file support goes, you're getting DivX, XviD, and ASF on the video tip, MP3, WMA, and WAV for music, and obviously JPEG for annoying all your friends with those boring slideshows. The major downer here seems to be the measly four to five hours of battery life that this thing manages to squeeze out of its 1,100mAH pack, but at around 1,554 yuan ($196), you can't really expect all your portable media desires to be fulfilled.[Via dapreview, photo courtesy of AVING]
Sony NW-S706, the rockin' £180 player
Surely Sony would love it if a new music player could drown out the sound of the company's exploding battery bruhaha, but sadly that probably won't be the case. Nevertheless, Sony has just released the new NW-S706, which comes in an elegant elliptical form factor along the lines of the NW-E series -- that said, it appears to be an update to the NW-S205. All we know so far, according to one British online retailer, is that the NW-S706 comes in three colors (purple, black and pink), packs 4GB of storage, up to 50 hours of battery life (probably only if you're bumping ATRAC), line-in recording, an FM tuner, and should be due out on October 9 for £180, or $336. We're still unsure if this is a Europe and Asia-only release, but nontheless, we'd love to be able to snag one of these Stateside real soon.[Via CNET Asia]
Amazon unveils Zune accessory gallery
While Amazon has done a commendable job in (presumably) dispelling the hot air of a Griffin spokesperson, it's not always, um, entirely reliable. However, we'd bet the gallery of Zune accessories gracing its pages now weren't uploaded erroneously. Boasting everything from the premium earphones, travel pack, FM transmitter, and dock to the sync cable, wireless remote, A / V cable, and car charger that we've known were on the way, we're just glad we can finally match a face with a name. Although none of the Microsoft-branded accessories are priced or available for pre-order, the Zunes themselves certainly are (in all three colors, no less) for those who aren't feeling lucky. Say, doesn't that dock connector look awfully familiar?[Thanks, Darryl]
Thomson's 1GB PMP251 goes horizontal
Alright folks, if some off-the-wall PMP manufacturer can get this whole horizontal, white, touch-sensitive, movie playing, video-out touting thing down pat, then what's taking Apple so long? Regardless of Steve's insistence on rehashing the 5G iPod in its latest refresh, Thomson is going for broke with its 1GB PMP251. Sporting the same ultra-thin design and video-out we saw on the PMP2008, Thomson has shifted the plane by tossing in a horizontal layout, a 320 x 240 LCD, MPEG / JPEG support, PAL / NTSC video output, musical support for MP3, WAV, and WMA files, line-in recording capability, and USB 2.0; it even boasts a few PDA-like functions such as a calendar, address book, and oddly enough, an electronic dictionary. So if you're tired of waiting for a widescreen 6G iPod, and don't mind giving up 29 gigs or so, you can snag the PMP251 for CNY1,380 ($174).[Via DAPReview]
Griffin is / isn't making Zune accessories
Ah, yet another round of conflicting evidence. This time it's Griffin's word against Amazon's product page, and we're honestly not quite sure who to believe just yet. We knew that Microsoft had solicited help from iPod add-on makers, and we'd been under the impression that Griffin was on the Zune accessory bandwagon since day one of the Zune launch, but now the company might be singing a different tune. iLounge has it that a Griffin spokesperson all but denied its future involvement with Microsoft's media player, and to add insult to injury, claimed the company would rather continue focusing on iPod accessories "due to its close relationship with Apple." Fairly strong words from the "leading PMP accessory maker," but they've certainly lost at least some credibility thanks to Amazon; clearly labeled as Griffin's "Tempo Armband for Zune," the product page is even accompanied by dimensions, a description, and a specific model number (8098-ZNTMPO). So, what's the deal here Griffin? Are you going to ignore all the future Zuneheads out there, or was that spokesperson just blowing smoke?Read - iLounge Read - Amazon[Thanks, chs]
StormBlue busts out A9+ Bluetooth PMP
While StormBlue didn't update the aesthetics of its Bluetooth-equipped A9 PMP with its latest offering, the company did up the ante by adding capacity, tossing in a text viewer, and boosting the recording abilities. The A9+ sports a silver or black finish (sorry, no white option here), comes in 2GB and 4GB flavors, and rocks a built-in SD slot for further flash expansion. The 2-inch 220 x 176 resolution screen displays a proprietary MPEG-4 format (touting "20fps" playback), but includes software to "quickly convert" from AVI, WMV, DAT, ASF, and MPEG; musically, it supports MP3, WMA, OGG, and WMV-DRM. The integrated Bluetooth can be paired up with your favorite set of BT cans, and by boasting 39 hours of battery life (11 in movie mode), you'll probably quit before this thing does. Voice memos and MP3 line-in recording are also on tap, but you'll pay a premium for all these goodies -- £109 ($207) for the 2GB version and £149 ($283) for the 4GB edition.[Via MobileWhack]
