Friday, July 31, 2009

ICOO M80HD PMP has Tempered Touchscreen

ICOO M80HD PMP has Tempered Touchscreen

icoo-m80hd


The Chinese manufacturer ICOO, maker of this $15 Shuffle killer, has announced a 4.3-inch touchscreen PMP with a new kind of screen made of tempered glass. Now, I’m sure the M80HD is not the first device in the market with a thin, high-transmission, scratch-proof display but who else is blest with such superb rendered photos? The M80HD 480 x 360 resolution with 720p support for RMVB, FLV and AVI, among others.




(Via PMP Today.)

Disney – Hannah Montana Mix Max Digital Media Player For Just $49.99

Disney - Hannah Montana Mix Max Digital Media Player For Just $49.99


Featuring cool graphics from the Disney TV show Hannah Montana, this funky and fresh Mix Max player not only plays your digital music, but is also compatible with all Disney Mix Clips and Max Media Cards. It comes with a 2.2-inch TFT color display, a 512MB of built-in memory (expandable up to 2GB), a built-in rechargeable battery (up to 8 hours of playback) and supports MP3, WMA and WMV/MP4 video files, and also displays photos. The Disney - Hannah Montana Mix Max Digital Media Player is now on sale at BestBuy for just $49.99 (original price $99.99).


Disney - Hannah Montana Mix Max Digital Media Player For Just $49.99



(Via The Apple iPod and MP3 Players Blog.)

iriver reportedly working up Android-based K2 media player



Take it for nothing more than it is (a lovely, delicious and completely unsubstantiated rumor), but word on the Australian streets is that iriver may have an Android-based portable media player on the horizon. According to local distributor C.R. Kennedy's iriver product manager, Danny Bejanoff, the outfit is looking to take on Apple's iPod touch directly, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, WiFi, built-in web browser, accelerometer, Bluetooth, a digital TV tuner and Google's Android OS running the show. Sadly, it seems as if this pipe dream has yet to receive the proper final approvals, but we're here to beg the brilliant designers at iriver to invest whatever it takes to make this so-called K2 a reality. Oh, and just in case that wasn't enough for you, Mr. Bejanoff also noted that the firm was working up a new e-reader and internet tablet, both of which should be out for testing in short order.

(Via Engadget.)

Samsung YP-R0 Introduced

Samsung YP-R0 Introduced

Samsung YP-R0 Introduced


The YP-R0 from Samsung has been unveiled. This entry-level PMP boasts a 2.6-inch touchscreen display, an 8GB of storage capacity, an RDS FM tuner, a microphone, and a microSD card slot. The player also supports most of multimedia files including MP3, OGG, WMA, ASF, FLAC, WAV, AAC, MPEG4, WMV, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and GIF. Weighing at about 60 grams, the YP-R0 is priced at around $183.


Samsung YP-R0 Introduced


(Via The Apple iPod and MP3 Players Blog.)

Window W26 Sorcerer’s Stone PMP

window-w26-sorcerers-stone


Jumping a little late on the Harry Potter bandwagon, Window has just announced its ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ (’Sorcerer’s Stone’ in the U.S.) portable media player. I can’t find the official specs of the W26 and it seems to be too hot off R&D for official pricing. Based on the appearance, I doubt if it will give you immortality.


[via imp3]

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Creative Zii Egg Officially Announced

Creative Zii Egg Officially Announced



A few weeks ago we reported on an FCC leak of Creative's first touchscreen player called the Zii Egg. Well it's officially hatched, and I must say, it's simply amazing on paper. It's a 3.5' multi-touch touchscreen device capable of outputting video in 1080P. It has Wi-Fi (with full Opera web browser), X-Fi, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, an SDHDC slot, Dual cameras, and so much more. Now get this, it'll cost as low as $199US. Just as impressive is Creative's new software for the device called 'Plaszma'. It's an open-source OS that appears to be built on OS, and optimized for the Zii chip (ZMS-05). It's being targeted at manufactures as a market ready OS platform to implement on various devices.


Zii Egg Specs:

• Capacitive 10-point multi-gesture touch display
• 3.5’ 320x480 true-color display
• Up to 32GB internal plus SDHC slot (supports up to 32GB of external SDHC Card)
• Supports: MP3, WMA, AAC, WMV, H.264, MPEG-4, AVI, and MOV
• X-Fi audio processing
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 3-axis Accelerometer
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Hardware GPS receiver
• 32MB NOR (Linux Kernel Boot ROM)
• 256MB Mobile DDR RAM
• Supports 720p and 1080p HDTVs via HD cable
•Headphone socket, built-in speaker and microphone
• Dual cameras
- Forward facing HD camera
- Rear facing VGA camera
• 1200mAH rechargeable lithium-ion
• 115 x 62 x 12 mm (108grams)

See a video of the Zii Egg and Plaszma OS in action:



It's hard for me to believe a company in Creative's position could create something so high-end. While the design isn't the most original, the abundance of features that it has, with the combination of an open-source OS like Android really sets it apart from any other player released thus far. We'll make sure to update you as soon as we have more.

(Via dapreview.net : News.)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Pocket Speakers From ABC Japan

Pocket Speakers From ABC Japan

Pocket Speakers From Eneloop


ABC Corp Japan has rolled out the Pocket Speaker, which delivers an output of 0.5W × 2ch. This portable speaker can be used with MP3 players and iPods. It requires only a single AA battery to operate and the company recommends Sanyo’s eco-friendly Eneloop batteries to help saving the Earth. The ABC Pocket Speakers will be available in a variety of colors for 1980 Yen ($ 22).
[ABC]


RAmos T11 Rockhip version

RAmos T11 Rockhip version

RAmos have decided to make an alternative version of the T11 player using the new 28 rockchip series, this is a change from the current DaVinci chip, one can only think this is a cheaper budget version or that the rockchip is better then the davinci?? we will see when prices appear


Basically its the same case and style with the internals changing to the RK2806 rockchip


Some notable differences seem to be a sound feedback system replacing the haptic vibration, so basically touch a button and a sound will be made rather than a vibration felt - yet another useless add-on you will turn off almost immediately


also the UI looks very familiar, could be a flash UI based on the same system used in the onda vx525 (my speculation based on look and what they say)


anyway and image to wet the appetite:





(Via MP4 Nation Blog.)

Archos Clipper – Like the Sansa Clip Without the “er” and the Screenarchos-clipper-main.jpg


I’m not sure Archos can get away with adding ‘er’ to a product that is not only the same, but in the same sub category without getting a call from SanDisk’s lawyers. Though I don't think SanDisk has much to worry about considering the faith of other screenless players near the same rock bottom price.


Archos Clipper follows the same screenless path as the Samsung Pebble or the Creative Zen Stone, but offers a clip just like, well… the Sansa Clip. The Archos Clipper sells for around $30 and comes in a 2GB capacity.


[My Memory]

FiiO S3 Portable Speaker/MP3 Player Review


fiios3-a.jpg









Along with the FiiO PS1110 portable speaker I reviewed last week I also got a FiiO S3 portable speaker. While the PS1110 is exclusively a portable speaker, the S3 steps up the game and adds an integrated MP3 player that plays off SD(HC) cards.


(Via Anything But iPod.)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Haier America Trainer

Haier America Trainer

Haier America Trainer


Now here's a pretty unusual digital audio player known as the Haier America Trainer - it comes with the standard specifications such as USB connectivity, 2GB of internal memory, an integrated FM tuner as well as MP3 playback, but what makes it different is the inclusion of a clip, a heart monitor, a pedometer and a stopwatch to target all those health buffs who need music whenever they sweat it out in the gym. Depending on where you shop, the Haier America Trainer is going anywhere from $55 to $65.


(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

COWON S9 Now With Gapless MP3

COWON S9 Now With Gapless MP3

cowon-s9-gapless-mp3


After adding gapless support for ogg and lossless files, COWON has improved the S9 by adding gapless for MP3 files. Last month it was firmware 2.31b, now it’s 2.31 beta 2. There are also various improvements on some video codecs and some bug fixes.


The COWON S9 was the best PMP last year. It appears that while the S9 gets better, the competition have been failing to come out with a real competitor.


[via dapreview]

Motz Wooden Photo Frame Mini MP3 Player

Motz Wooden Photo Frame Mini MP3 Player


Motz is out with a new mini MP3 player for the Korean market. Featuring a wooden photo frame design, this mini device integrates a jog wheel and a built-in speaker. Sadly, there’s no word on pricing so far. For more details please visit Motz’s official website.


Motz Wooden Photo Frame Mini MP3 Player


Motz Wooden Photo Frame Mini MP3 Player



[AVING]


Friday, July 24, 2009

OPPO S39: More tempting screen shots

OPPO S39: More tempting screen shots

Well oppo really are keeping us waiting for their new S39 touch screen video player. Its been down at the old firmware developers for a long time now, something we are not used to with Chinese MP4 factories and companies (apart from good old meizu).


This player is a 4.3″ touch screen player, based on the new Rockchip 28 series with a full on Adobe Flash based user interface and from these pics we can see that they are doing a great job.


There seems to be 2 desktops so far, great video listing shot and the music screen look very sleek indeed.Its all about functionality here and oppo are taking time to get it right, but be warned, Oppo are not low end media player, they are designed for the more affluent Chinese client and as such will demand a higher price tag than the normal Chinese MP4 player, but if they get it right it will be worth the premium, basically just think of the Samsung P3 on a 4.3″ screen and then you will see where this player is heading





(Via MP4 Nation Blog.)

New FiiO S5 MP3 speaker system with screen

FiiO from china who are now well known worldwide in providing high quality but low budget audio solutions to the mass market have served up another interesting little device.



The S5 is an updated version of the S3 that was released several months back.


The big difference here though is in the added screen on the front of the speaker, the S3 had no screen and just a SD card slot and operation buttons, the S5 adds a color screen and toggle wheels to the side of the body.


The mp3 speaker also boasts a SD card reader, internal memory, alarm clock, comes in both white and burgandy red.


The speaker seems to have the mp3 chip of the moment bolted into it, the sigmatel chip, which is widely used on most chinese MP3 only players


There is a full image review of the speaker over at FiiO forums, sorry, but google translate wont play ball with the site but there are plenty of images to gawp at.


This looks like a positive update to the S3, the white does look alot better though so dont be put off and this would make a great all in one unit for the beach or a small gathering, and knowing FiiO the speker quality and volume themselves will be very good indeed.





(Via MP4 Nation Blog.)

FINIS SwiMP3v2 Waterproof MP3 Player

finis


Swimmers rejoice – the FINIS waterproof MP3 player is out and making a splash (sorry). The stereo earphones attach to your goggles and work via bone conduction, rather than opting for the standard in-ear affair.


Large pads flap over your temples to avoid your ears being too occupied, instead letting them do their job of balance and listening for safety announcements/boats while you dig your tunes.


The onboard memory is 256MB which allows for around 60 songs. By today’s PMP standards that’s small fry but really anyone who thinks they’ll swim for 16GBs worth of music is either insane or piscine. The SwiMP3 costs around £90.




[Via Pocket-Lint]


Brando Cube desktop PMP with 3.5-inch LCD

We’re used to Brando pumping out bizarre little MP3 players, slightly dubious USB hubs and other desktop ephemera, but could they be on to a winner with the Cube Multimedia Player Speaker?  Janky name aside, the 84 x 84 x 88 mm box packs a 3.5-inch 320 x 240 LCD, stereo speakers, FM radio, video and audio playback and a voice recorder.


brando cube multimedia player speaker 1 540x405



There’s also an array of built-in sound effects, together with both battery and mains power options.  Brando claim that the Cube will play video for 3-4hrs or audio for 8hrs (with the screen turned off); alternatively you can dictate to your heart’s content (or, more accurately, for more than 5hrs) on a full charge.  4GB of internal memory is augmented via, somewhat unusually, a mini SD card (no, not microSD).


The desktop PMP can play MP3 and WMA audio, MPEG-4, RM and RMVB video and JPEG, BMP and GIF images, together with displaying ebooks.  The speakers are each rated at 2.5W, and there’s a remote control.  Is this a decent deal for $79, or are we simply inured to Brando junk?


(Via SlashGear.)

A multi-function cap 'iCap' equipped with a mp3 player and a built-in speaker

SEOUL, Korea (AVING) -- Gesten Technology(www.icapmp3.com) has presented its multi-function cap 'iCap' supporting a mp3 player with a built-in speaker, voice recorder and radio.



(Via AVING WORLD | English.)

Cube Multimedia Player Speaker

Cube Multimedia Player Speaker

Cube Multimedia Player Speaker


Brando offers yet another portable media player in the form of the Cube Multimedia Player Speaker. This multi-function AV system comes with a 3.5' color TFT LCD display with 320 x 240 resolution, working as a multi-purpose device that handles virtually all your portable entertainment needs. Hmmm, guess the iPod line already does that for some time with a delectable user interface to boot, so how will Brando's offering measure up? Well, you can also turn this $79 device into an impromptu speaker by plugging it into a compatible device like a notebook or MP3 player, powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Each purchase will come with 4GB of internal memory with a miniSD memory card slot just in case the initial storage space is insufficient for your needs.




(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

FiiO PS1110 WalkBox Portable Speaker Review


ps1111.jpg





FiiO has taken the portable audio world off guard with the high quality E3 and E5 headphone amps, disproving the rumor that everything cheap and Chinese is crap. What many people might not know is that FiiO also makes other products and one of them is the PS1110 WalkBox portable speaker.

(Via Anything But iPod.)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Sony Walkman W/ Speakers Has E440 Looks

Sony Walkman W/ Speakers Has E440 Looks

sony_walkman_speakers


We choose to believe this supposed leakage of a new Sony Walkman that will follow the E440 for one reason: it’s too boring to be a fake. The unnamed Walkman has built-in speakers top and bottom of the screen. The design is similar to the E440 except for the speakers, which should make this PMP a little longer. The Mickey Mouse controls have been kept, and, apparently, some very bold colors utilized. A very loud portable player that should cause no small amount of trouble to the public.


[via dapreview]

Panasonic Viera SV-MC55 1Seg TV

Panasonic Viera SV-MC55 1Seg TV

Panasonic Viera SV-MC55 1Seg TV


Most of us would identify Panasonic's line of Viera TVs with those residing comfortably at home hanging from a wall, but the latest line of Vieras from Panasonic come in a much smaller form factor - in fact, it has a screen size of just 4.3', since this is but a portable 1Seg TV that enables video recording on both SD and SDHC memory card formats. Not only that, you can turn it into an impromptu digital photo frame by displaying images stored on your SD/SDHC memory card. No idea on pricing, nor whether it will make its way Stateside sometime in the future or not.


(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

PMP With 21x Optical Zoom For Spying

spy


The Avatar Digital Binocular Sports and Spy Camera is an media player with a difference – a huge 21-times optical zoom lense sticking out the back that supports MPEG4 video recording at 25fps in 640 x 480 mode, digital stills, night mode and a digital music player.


Behind the huge lens lies a 2.5 inch LCD screen, USB connectivity, video out and up to 3GB of memory using a 2GB memory card.


Playback supports the usual video and audio formats and it costs $129.





(Via MP4 Nation Blog.)

Synaptics 8-inch ClearPad 3000 Touchscreen Well-Suited for Apple Tablet

synaptics-clearpad-3000


The new multi-touch technology from Synaptics offers enough space for 10-finger touch control. The ClearPad 3000 has 8 inches of multi-touch screen space. In their demo sample, the ClearPad 3000 is usable enough for dual-player gaming mode. ClearPad 3000 right now is still too expensive to mass-produce but it won’t be too long before manufacturers can out the technology on store shelves.


Maybe we’ll see this in a Macbook Nano Touch.


[via pocket-lint]

Next-gen iPod touch rumored to get camera, microphone, fairy dust coatingAccording to a 'well connected source' in the Wired camp, the iPod mills in China are hard at work as we speak, churning out next-gen iPod Touch models with integrated cameras and microphones. This certainly jibes well with the tips we've received regarding both this device and a cam-equipped nano -- although we're still skeptical about the rumored OLED iPods. The article goes on to suggest that once you add a mic to the mix, all you need is a MiFi and the Skype application for 'the iPhone experience' on Verizon's (or Sprint's) network. Seems like an awful lot to go through just to avoid AT&T, but we suppose that it's good to have options.

(Via Engadget.)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Oracom W10, Budget PMP with Style

Oracom W10, Budget PMP with Style

oracom-w10-pmp


We don’t really look at Korean PMPs as cheap and Oracom’s W10 is no exception. The 2GB will set you back $63, the 4GB $80 and the 8GB about $104. The specks aren’t that great either: a 2-inch 220 x 176 screen and a so-so 44.8×91.4×9.9mm form factor. Video playback of course, text viewing and FM are included. Worth the money? I say if the screen is a little larger, the 8hr video playback is too much temptation even if you have to pay slightly more money than cheaper alternatives.




(Via PMP Today.)

The Cheapest Flash-based Recorder From Sony

The Cheapest Flash-based Recorder From Sony


Sony is expanding its line of professional quality digital audio recorders with the addition of the PCM-D10. The gadget is actually the cheapest flash-based recorder from Sony that is capable of recording 96kHz/24-bit stereo audio. The recorder has a 4GB of built in memory, which is expandable via a MicroSD/Memory Stick Micro slot. The PCM-D10 is also the first member of the PCM-Dxx family to feature a built-in speaker for playing back recordings. It also has a low-cut filter, a digital limiter, and a 5-second pre-recording buffer. The Sony PCM-M10 is due out in October 2009 for $399.
[Gizmodo]


Saturday, July 18, 2009

Olevia HD Media Player

Olevia HD Media Player

olevia-hd



Now here’s a device that will definitely grab your attention if you’re an entertainment buff - the Olevia HD Media Player, also known as the ZP-500. What’s so special about this, you ask? Well, this media player is able to decode, playback and output full HD video (1080p, baby!) via its HDMI 1.3 interface. Supported codecs include MKV, HD MPEG2, HD VC-1, HD AVC/H.264 movie and RMVB HD, while you can also transport stream from a USB flash drive or hard drive to your new HDTV. Heck, it even comes with built-in network connectivity, allowing you to go through all your files from a PC. screen. The Network function allows you to browse the video file in your PC, NAS which is in your room and play it on TV in the living room. You can pick one up from gadget mavens Brando for $177.



(Via Coolest Gadgets.)

Jewel Necklace MP3 Player

Jewel Necklace MP3 Player

Jewel Necklace MP3 Player


Here is a fashionable and elegant MP3 player from Gadget 4 All. The Jewel Necklace MP3 player provides a 4GB storage space for you to store your favorite music and enjoy it wherever you go. Measuring 52mm x 25mm x 18mm and weighing 15grams, this wearable MP3 player is priced at $29 each.


Jewel Necklace MP3 Player


Jewel Necklace MP3 Player


Jewel Necklace MP3 Player


Jewel Necklace MP3 Player


[Gadget4All]


Insignia NS-HD01 portable HD radio hands-on and impressions



HD Radio has been desperately trying for years to become important in a world where most Americans are perfectly fine with tinny, 96kbps MP3s, and by and large, it's been unsuccessful. More vehicles today arrive with compatibility for a single shining portable media player (Apple's iPod, if you had to ask) than HD Radio, and up until this month, there was no way to easily strap an HD Radio player on your arm when heading out to the gym. One could argue that getting the technology into this segment is crucial for being ubiquitous, and while we aren't so sure we're in that camp just yet, we're still willing to give Insignia's NS-HD01 a fighting chance. Head on past the break for our take, and feel free to peruse the gallery for an up close and personal look at the hardware.

Continue reading Insignia NS-HD01 portable HD radio hands-on and impressions



(Via Engadget.)

Archos 2 PMP reviewed: dreary UI, design & battery rescued by price

The Archos 2 PMP may not have the Android OS we’ve all been patiently waiting for, and neither does it have the nifty touchscreen interface of its 3 Vision sibling, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a reasonable, budget media player.  Generation MP3 have one in to review - in a hue unpleasantly bordering on puce - and have found that while the Archos 2 may not embody all the innovation we’ve come to expect from the company, it does hit the right price spot.


archos vision 2 pmp review 2


Video overview after the cut



archos vision 2 pmp review 1


They deem the ergonomics ‘average’, the interface ‘dated’ and the battery life ‘limited’, all of which you’d think would count the Archos 2 out of the race.  However the price and the capacity - 8GB or 16GB , with a microSD card slot - are hard to argue with, given that the PMP starts from just $59.99.


There’s nothing here for someone looking for the mythical ‘iPod killer’, but if you’re on a budget, don’t care for the latest whiz-bang UI and are near to a USB port for recharging every 10hrs, the Archos 2 may be for you.  Check out their video overview below.


Click here to view the embedded video.




(Via SlashGear.)

Cowon S9 White Edition

Cowon S9 White Edition



Cowon has launched a new version of their S9 PMP, the Cowon S9 White Edition.


The Cowon S9 White Edition comes in ceramic white, with a pair of matching headphones, the specifications are identical to the standard version with a 3.3 inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 4809 x 272.


Cowon S9 White Edition



Cowon S9 White Edition



Cowon S9 White Edition


On top of that there is a built in FM radio, a voice recorder, Bluetooth and it will come in a choice of sizes from 8GB to 16GB.


The Cowon S9 White Edition will retail for $170 for the 8GB version and $200 for the 16GB version.


I am not normally a fan of white gadgets, but I have to admit the Cowon S9 looks even better in white.




(Via Geeky-Gadgets.)