Main

April 12, 2009

Alesis ProTrack Review - CNET

Alesis-ProTrack.jpg

CNET have published a review of the ProTrack Stereo Digital Recorder for iPod. 'The ProTrack isn't small. In fact, its dimensions (7.25 inches tall by 3 inches wide by 1.75 inches deep) are best described as "bricklike." In defense of Alesis, the ProTrack's design needs to accommodate space-hogging features such as an iPod dock, battery compartment (4 AAA), stereo-condenser microphones, and XLR/instrument combination inputs for external microphones. That said, a product like the Belkin GoStudio is able to tackle the same design challenge with a more stylish and ergonomic result.'

Continue reading "Alesis ProTrack Review - CNET" »

December 23, 2008

Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 Review - PC Advisor

Aiptek-Pocket-Cinema-V10.jpg

PC Advisor have published a review of the Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 mobile media player/mini-projector. 'The Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 sits on a matching tabletop tripod stand which can be angled as required using a ball-joint clamp - or set to point directly upwards for projecting on the ceiling. Having such a small projector might seem to defy the laws of physics - why else is every traditional projector more sized like a briefcase, rather than small enough to drop into your shirt pocket? Well, most regular video projectors specify their brightness level in thousands of lumens, and a typical spec might read 2000 lumens. The Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 is listed at 10 lumens,'

Continue reading "Aiptek Pocket Cinema V10 Review - PC Advisor" »

December 7, 2008

MiBook Review - The Associated Press

MiBook.jpg

A review of the MiBook e-book reader has been posted over at the WashintonPost.com. 'Mindful of the dominance of paper, devices for reading electronic books so far have focused on providing an experience that's as close to traditional books as possible. But there is one that takes a completely different tack, so different that it brings into question the definition of "book." This is the MiBook (pronounced "my book"), a book-sized white slab with a 7-inch color screen. Its "books" are memory chips with instructional videos. There are books available on cooking, home projects, gardening and child care.'

Continue reading "MiBook Review - The Associated Press" »

November 12, 2008

Pioneer Inno XMP3 Review - CNET

Pionner-Inno-XMP3.jpg

CNET have published a review of the compact Pioneer XMp3 portable satellite radio & MP3 player. 'The Pionner Inno XMP3 is the smallest and lightest portable satellite radio receiver we've had our hands on. It measures just 3.6 inches tall, 2 inches wide, and 0.6 inch deep and weights a scant 3.1 ounces. Although it's constructed mainly of plastic, the device feels well-constructed and has a certain understated design appeal with its stubby antenna and nice 2.5-inch color screen. Below the display are four dedicated buttons--back, menu, keypad (for manually entering a station number), and options--and a mechanical, rocking scroll wheel that serves to navigate among menu options and XM stations as well as record station content and scrub through tracks and play/pause in MP3 mode.'

Continue reading " Pioneer Inno XMP3 Review - CNET" »

November 4, 2008

Aigo P8860 MID Review - Pocketables

Aigo-P8860.jpg

A review of the Aigo P8860 MID has been posted over at Pocketables.net. 'The P8860 has a 4.8-inch passive touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 480. It's bright and colorful and is a great size for enjoyable media playback. Viewing angles are very good from the front, left, right, and top, but are rather poor from the bottom. Tilting the device beyond a 90-degree angle (away from you) results in a darkened, slightly negatived screen. Aside from the keyboard (discussed in its own section below), the touchscreen is the primary way to control the device. The screen responds well to finger tips and very well to the included stylus. Fingerprints are an issue, but they're easy enough to wipe away with the supplied cloth or whatever you're wearing.'

Continue reading "Aigo P8860 MID Review - Pocketables" »

September 15, 2008

CC Witness: MP3 Recorder-Player with Built-In AM/FM Radio

CC-Witness.jpg

The new CC Witness media player from C.Crane features AM and FM radio along with the capability to make MP3 recordings of radio programs. 'The CC Witness has 2GB of onboard memory and up to 16GB of external memory on an optional SD card. That's enough memory to record your favorite radio programs, your thoughts, lectures and lots of music. You'll have plenty of room to store hundreds of hours of voice recordings, and still have room for more. If you've ever worried about missing your favorite radio show, than the CC Witness might just make your day — it has a timer! You can preset it to record up to 20 programs in advance. You can also make MP3 recordings of AM/FM radio programs (or anything else you can connect to the line-in) on the fly.'

Continue reading "CC Witness: MP3 Recorder-Player with Built-In AM/FM Radio" »

September 12, 2008

ZAP Debuts New Recharge-It-All for Powering iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Other Mobile Electronics

ZAP-Recharge-It-All.jpg

Press Release

SANTA ROSA, CA - Alternative energy pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB) unveiled its new Recharge-It-All mobile power storage unit, the R03 Micro Lithium Backup Charger, so you can have power anywhere you go for a cell phone, iPod, iPhone or other low-powered electronic device.

Continue reading "ZAP Debuts New Recharge-It-All for Powering iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Other Mobile Electronics" »

September 8, 2008

Vita Audio R4 Review - Trusted Reviews

Vita-Audio-R4.jpg

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Vita Audio R4 DAB/FM radio. 'Like most of these new all-in-one devices the R4 features an iPod dock, a CD player, (which, in addition to regular music CDs, plays MP3 and WMA discs), FM and DAB radio tuners, a 2.1 speaker setup, and of course an amp to power the whole lot. In fact, about the only thing that sets this apart from its competitors is the inclusion of a USB port on the front. This allows you to plug in a USB thumb drive and playback whatever mp3s you have thereon. It's quite a useful feature but we're not sure it's really necessary and we'd prefer to have the port on the back to reduce clutter on the front.'

Continue reading "Vita Audio R4 Review - Trusted Reviews" »

August 26, 2008

Review: Mophie Juice Pack for iPod Touch - CNET

Mophie-Juice-Pack-for-iPod-Touch.jpg

CNET have published a review of the Mophie Juice Pack for iPod Touch media player. 'Constructed from matte black plastic with a green interior, the Juice Pack's unique design fits onto your iPod Touch like a case. If the iPod Touch wasn't already so thin, we'd feel the need to complain about how the Juice Pack doubles the total thickness of the player. In truth, we thought the extra bulk added by the Juice Pack made our iPod Touch feel more substantial. The Mophie Juice Pack also adds an extra inch to the bottom of the Touch, obscuring the iPod's dock connection and relocating the headphone jack to the bottom left.'

Continue reading "Review: Mophie Juice Pack for iPod Touch - CNET" »

August 18, 2008

Review: Aerielle i2i Stream Wireless Digital Audio Streaming Device - The Gadgeteer

Aerielle-i2i-Stream-Wireless-Digital-Audio-Device.jpg

The Gadgeteer have published a review of the Aerielle i2i Stream wireless digital audio device for iPod and MP3 Players. 'The i2i Stream is a small module that has both a receiver and a transmitter contained inside it, that operates on the 2.5GHz frequency. They are sold in packs of two for $119.95, or can be purchased separately at $69.95 each. I was sent one package of two for this review. The modules are approximately 2.5 x 1.25 x 075 inches in size. On the face of the i2i Stream are three buttons and two LEDs. The round center button is the channel button. It has an LED behind it, that can glow Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple or Light Blue. Each color signifies a different transmit channel and changes each time you press it. The button above the channel button is the Send button and the button below it is the Receive button. If you press the Send button, it will cause the center LED to blink, which shows that you're broadcasting audio on whichever colored channel is blinking. Pressing the Receive button will cause the module to receive any audio that is being broadcast on whichever colored channel that you're set to.'

Continue reading "Review: Aerielle i2i Stream Wireless Digital Audio Streaming Device - The Gadgeteer" »

July 7, 2008

Lasonic i931 Review - CNET

Lasonic-i931.jpg

CNET have publsihed a review of the Lasonic i931 "Old School Style High Performance Portable Music System with Ipod Slot". 'As a fashion statement, there are few iPod accessories that rival the Lasonic i931. Measuring 15 inches tall, 2 feet wide, and 7 inches deep, the Lasonic i931 is bigger than a toddler. The front of the Lasonic i931 is cluttered with graphics, creating the illusion of a product packed with exotic features. Once you get past the glitz and graphics, however, you realize the i931 system could be pared down to a device one half of the size.

Continue reading "Lasonic i931 Review - CNET" »

May 9, 2008

Sony DVP-FX820 Review - ZDNet

Sony-DVP-FX820.jpg

ZDNet have published a review of the Sony DVP-FX820/R portable DVD player. 'The DVP-FX820 has a smooth plastic housing that Sony sells in a variety of colors--the one we tested was accented in dark blue. The player is one of the heaviest we've seen, weighing a sturdy 2.7 pounds. We liked the placement of the unit's battery that runs along the entire bottom of the player. It may be large, but it doesn't protrude at all, unlike the Toshiba SD-P71S, which has a small bump on the rear.

Continue reading "Sony DVP-FX820 Review - ZDNet" »

May 4, 2008

Review: Skullcandy Pipe iPod & iPhone Speaker Dock - I4U News

Skullcandy-Pipe-iPod-iPhone-Speaker-Dock.jpg

A review of the Skull Candy Pipe Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone has been posted over at I4U News. 'The Skullcandy Pipe has an output of 5.2 Watts and the speakers measure 1.97 cm long x 5cm wide x 4.6cm high. The Pipe overall dimensions are about the diameter and size of the cardboard tube inside a paper towel roll minus about 2 inches. The frequency response for the Skullcandy Pipe us 100Hz to 20kHz. Total distortion is 0.7% and input impedance is 4k.

Continue reading "Review: Skullcandy Pipe iPod & iPhone Speaker Dock - I4U News" »

March 18, 2008

TwinMOS Boom China Review - Trusted Reviews

TwinMOS-Boom-China.jpg

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the TwinMOS Boom China MP3 player docking and speaker system. ‘First up is compatibility with the full iPod range. The BooM China works, not only with the entire range of iPods - right up to the latest, fifth generation players - but also the iPod Touch and iPhone. I tested it with a fifth generation iPod nano and it worked perfectly. You can even plug a shuffle in via the USB socket just behind the main iPod interface. On the rear of the head unit, as well as the output for the sub is a composite TV output for displaying iPod video on a TV. And owners of other MP3 players who like the idea of having a sub shaped like a vase need not feel left out either. Admittedly it gets in the way of the design ethos somewhat, but you can also hook up any other, non-Apple MP3 player via the Boom's 3.5mm stereo input.’

Continue reading "TwinMOS Boom China Review - Trusted Reviews" »

February 25, 2008

Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Review - CNET

Cambridge-SoundWorks-i765.jpg

CNET have published a review of the Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Dual Alarm Clock Radio with iPhone/iPod compatible dock. 'The conservatively styled gray and black radio has a sturdy and solid feel and is 5 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 10 inches deep and weighs 13 pounds. Except for the Snooze/Mute button and iPod dock on the otherwise bare topside, all of the i765's controls are located on its front panel. CDs and DVDs load through a slot just above the large, 32-character LCD readout that sits above two clusters of eight buttons.

Continue reading "Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Review - CNET" »

February 13, 2008

austriamicrosystems introduces industry’s first high definition audio player with ultra low power consumption for new generation music phones

AS3532.jpg

Press Release

AS3532 includes audio processing engines, normally used only in high performance home audio and PC sound cards, to support high definition audio and to deliver unprecedented sub 5mW low power consumption for all popular compressed audio formats

austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, announces the first member of a new family of media player ICs based on innovative IP aimed at bridging the gap between the audio experience of music phones and Hi-Fi home audio devices.

Continue reading "austriamicrosystems introduces industry’s first high definition audio player with ultra low power consumption for new generation music phones" »

February 8, 2008

Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System Review - CNET

Nextar-Snap3.jpg

A review of the Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System with MP3 + Bluetooth has been posted over at CNET. 'The Nextar Snap3 has a simple design and compact frame at 3.9 inches wide by 3 inches tall by 0.6 inch deep, so you'll have no problem carting this petite portable navigation system between vehicles. The front features a 3.5-inch touch screen that's bright and readable in various lighting conditions. That said, the display doesn't quite have the sharpness or crispness of some of the other systems we've tested.

Continue reading " Nextar Snap3 GPS Navigation System Review - CNET" »

February 5, 2008

mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb-U Review - ZDNet

mStation-Orb.jpg

A review of the mStation Orb 2.1 Stereo- Blue iPod speaker dock has been posted over at ZDNet. 'The style of the mStation Stereo Orb is definitely a matter of preference--it truly is an orb. We happen to dig the soccer-ball-size speaker and the fact that it comes in seven colors (white, black, silver, blue, green, red, and pink) to match pretty much any iPod you can throw at it. The exception is the third-generation Nano, for which the shades don't quite match up because of the fact that the Orb came out around the time of the second-generation version. Still, when you have an accessory with such a fun design, it's nice the see that it comes in a good array of color options.

Continue reading "mStation 2.1 Stereo Orb-U Review - ZDNet" »

January 28, 2008

iHome iH27BR Review - CNET

IH27B-Port-Alarm-for-Ipod.jpg

CNET have published a review of the iHome iH27BR iPod speaker system/alarm clock. 'Weighing 2.3 lbs., the iH27 is lighter and smaller that the iH9, iHome's more full-featured iPod clock radio. (And unlike that model, it's currently only available in black.) That said, it's still fairly substantial for a portable system. However, what makes it more suitcase-friendly is its ability to fold flat (an inexpensive padded carrying case is included). Once you get to your destination you can then unpack it and fold the system up so the speaker sits upright. It's a pretty nifty design, but we would have preferred if had been shrunk down somewhat. Also, the shiny black plastic tends to be a fingerprint magnet.

Continue reading "iHome iH27BR Review - CNET" »

January 22, 2008

Logic3 JiveBox iPod Speaker Review - Pocket-Lint

Logic3-JiveBox-iPod-speaker.jpg

Pocket-Lint have published a review of the Logic3 JiveBox iPod speaker. 'The JiveBox is as the name suggests a single box that guarantees to get you "jiving". To do this its core element is a series of large speakers, an even larger subwoofer and the option of a blue, green or red glowing light to get you into the mood. Simple in its design the cube speaker promises a ClassHD amplifier that provides an output of 90 watts RMS, a 5.25 inch (135mm) Hi-X subwoofer, and 2 x 3inch (75mm) midrange drivers and 2 x 1inch (25 mm) tweeters, all of which are slightly more than your average iPod speaker. Everything is managed by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP).'

Continue reading "Logic3 JiveBox iPod Speaker Review - Pocket-Lint" »

January 2, 2008

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock Review - 14U News

Bowers-Wilkins-Zeppelin-iPod-Dock-Review.jpg

14U News have published a review of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock. 'The B&W Zeppelin is a very simple looking design with no LCD screens and no ports visible from the front of the device. The only thing you see when you walk up to the B&W Zeppelin is the shiny polished stainless steel and black speaker along with the iPod dock on the front of the device. A red LED glows behind the black cloth speaker grills to show when the unit is in standby mode, dock your iPod and the red LED turns blue to let you know you are ready to listen.

Continue reading "Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock Review - 14U News" »

December 26, 2007

Monster iSlimCharger Review - CNET

Monster-iSlimCharger.jpg

CNET have published a review of the Monster iSlimCharger for the iPod Shuffle portable media player. 'The iSlimCharger is pretty much a miniaturized version of the default Apple charger that's included with the Shuffle. The cable is dropped completely, leaving you with a small USB dongle that's no larger than the Shuffle itself--just 1.83 inches by 1 inch by 0.25 inch. Plug the iSlimCharger into the Shuffle's headphone jack (which doubles as its charging port), and then slip the combined unit into any standard USB jack, and you're done. The iSlimCharger even has a tiny wedge that slips behind the Shuffle's clip, providing a nice, stable fit. The iSlimCharger will charge the Shuffle from any standard-powered USB port--which means it should work with nearly any PC or Mac, as well as any Apple or third-party iPod charger. When connected to a computer, you can also use it to sync the Shuffle with your iTunes software.'

Continue reading "Monster iSlimCharger Review - CNET" »

November 14, 2007

Microsoft Zune 8GB Review - Digital Trends

Microsoft-Zune-8GB.jpg

Digital Trends have published a review of the new Microsoft Zune 8GB portable media player. 'The 8GB Zune seems to be based much more than coincidentally on the first and second generation iPod nano. It has the same vertical layout, very similar dimensions and identical location of dock connector, headphone jack and lock button. The Zune, however, has a vertically oriented LCD screen that allows for viewing cover art, movies and photos. The new Zunes, whether 4GB or 8GB, use flash memory instead of hard drives, making them much lighter, thinner, durable and battery-friendly. Of course, the dollar-to-gigabyte ratio is much higher with flash memory, but the benefits are well worth it to many buyers.

Continue reading "Microsoft Zune 8GB Review - Digital Trends" »

November 7, 2007

Freecom MusicPal Wi-Fi Internet Radio Review - Trusted Reviews

Freecom-MusicPal-Wi-Fi-Internet-Radio.jpg

A review of the Freecom MusicPal wireless internet radio and MP3 player has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'Internet radios are typically quite complex to navigate because there are so many stations, but Freecom's MusicPal provides an elegant solution to the problem. You don't get a succession of numbered buttons as you do with so many other DAB and Internet radios; I find it impossible anyway to remember which station is associated with which button. Instead you simply press the Fav button on the front panel and up pops a list of radio stations you listen to frequently. Creating the list is simply a matter of 'tuning in' to the station you want, then clicking the Navigate wheel and choosing the Add to favourites option.'

Continue reading "Freecom MusicPal Wi-Fi Internet Radio Review - Trusted Reviews" »

September 17, 2007

Creative TravelSound Zen Stone Portable Speakers Review - Trusted Reviews

Creative-TravelSound-Zen-Stone-Loudspeakers.jpg

A review of the palm-sized TravelSound ZEN Stone portable speakers has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'Retailing for around £30 they're small, as you might expect, and are powered by two AAA batteries. Weighing 160g without batteries and 200g with batteries and the player inserted, these little beasties pump out a mere 0.2 Watts per channel from the two small drivers. I'm happy to admit that I approached them with some suspicion, could they possibly be anything more than utterly pointless? However, on the design front at least, Creative hasn't made too many mistakes.'

Continue reading "Creative TravelSound Zen Stone Portable Speakers Review - Trusted Reviews" »

August 29, 2007

Terratec Noxon 2 Radio for iPod Review - Computeractive

Terratec-Noxon-2-Radio.jpg

A review of Terratec’s Noxon 2 Radio for iPod has been posted over at Computeractive. 'The Noxon’s styling is reminiscent of a Mac Mini and the device comprises two units ­ the radio and associated electronics sit in a detachable box atop a speaker cabinet, with volume and tone controls at the rear. Pop an iPod into the universal dock and its content can be accessed, showing up on the brightness-adjustable LCD screen, and played while the iPod charges. An FM antenna is supplied for terrestrial radio, while another antenna picks up Wifi. All available networks show up on screen, so it’s a case of entering the appropriate security key to log on and browse the thousands of internet radio stations available.'

Continue reading " Terratec Noxon 2 Radio for iPod Review - Computeractive" »

August 16, 2007

Energizer Introduces Energi To Go(TM) Portable Power for iPod

Press Release

New entry to the Energi To Go lineup offers iPod users extended play

ST. LOUIS, Aug 14, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), a global leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power, announced today the introduction of the Energizer (R) Energi To Go(TM) Portable Power for iPod. This battery-powered device will be available at retail nationwide this fall.

The Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod is powered by two Energizer(R) e2(R) Lithium(R) AA batteries. The device features a patented intelligent control chip that maximizes power transfer to the iPod. Its unique flip design allows it to function as a stand while charging and to be folded for easy storage. Sleek enough to complement the iconic styling of the iPod, the compact charger travels easily and is exceptionally lightweight.

Continue reading "Energizer Introduces Energi To Go(TM) Portable Power for iPod" »

July 24, 2007

Altec Lansing inMotion iMV712 Review at Laptop Mag

Altec-Lansing-inMotion-iMV712.jpg

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Altec Lansing inMotion iMV712 iPod speaker system which features high-quality sound delivered by two 3-inch neodymium speakers and a built-in, 4-inch, side-firing subwoofer plus a large, 8.5-inch high resolution widescreen display. 'A glossy black finish and curvy shell give the iMV712 a very hip look, despite its size (8.2 x 7.7 x 18.5 inches and about 8.5 pounds). Behind black cloth speaker grilles is a pair of three-inch full-range drivers and a four-inch side-firing subwoofer for a combined 40 watts (RMS) of power; the 16:9 screen is front and center, while the iPod dock is on top. The back sports RCA audio and video inputs, as well as an S-Video port, power jack, master power switch, and 1/8th-inch line input.'

Continue reading "Altec Lansing inMotion iMV712 Review at Laptop Mag" »

July 20, 2007

DLO HomeDock Music Remote Review at CNET

DLO-HomeDock-Music-Remote.jpg

CNET have published a review of the DLO HomeDock Music Remote. 'The DLO HomeDock Music Remote basically consists of two halves: a small iPod docking station and a handheld remote control. The dock is about twice as deep as the default Apple model because it's got two recharging bays: an iPod sits up front, and--when it's not in use--the HomeDock remote sits in the rear. The dock can be connected to any stereo or set of powered speakers via the 3.5mm line-out minijack (a patch cable with red and white stereo RCA jacks is included). A small wall wart AC adapter powers the dock, and--if it's near your computer--you can also plug in a standard mini-USB cable, and use it to sync to iTunes. An adjustable backstop is included to support varying sized iPods, and cradle accepts any of the standard sized tray inserts as well. Officially, it's compatible with all Nanos, Minis, and 4G and 5G iPods, but it seemed to work fine (albeit slowly) with an old 3G black-and-white model we had on hand as well.'

Continue reading "DLO HomeDock Music Remote Review at CNET" »

April 16, 2007

SanDisk Sansa Connect 4 GB MP3 Player – 14 U News

SanDisk-Sansa-Connect.jpg

14 U News have published a review of the SanDisk Sansa Connect MP3 player which features a 4 GB memory, expansion via microSD memory cards, bright 2.2-inch LCD screen for viewing your music library and photos, an internal speaker, and 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity.

Continue reading "SanDisk Sansa Connect 4 GB MP3 Player – 14 U News" »

April 8, 2007

Mio Digiwalker H610 - Personal Computer World

Mio-Digiwalker-H610.jpg

Personal Computer World have published their review of the Mio Digiwalker H610 GPS navigation device which can also be used as a portable multimedia player. 'Mio’s Digiwalker range is part of a new wave of GPS solutions that combine traditional in-car navigation, multimedia playback and a collection of utilities for frequent travellers. Based around the MioMap v3 software navigation is pretty straightforward once you get used to the menu structure, but like the Mio C210 it suffers as an in-car solution due to the small screen and often fiddly controls. You do, however, get free speed camera alerts and a full range of POIs (points of interest) across Europe, and can buy a TMC (traffic message channel) module separately to provide traffic updates so it’s well in line with modern advances in navigation.'

Continue reading "Mio Digiwalker H610 - Personal Computer World" »

April 7, 2007

Samsung YP-K3 - CNET

Samsung-YP-K3.jpg

A review of the Samsung YP-K3 (2GB, red) MP3 player has been posted over at CNET. 'Out of the box--which is nearly identical to that of the full-size iPod, interestingly--the K3 is simply stunning. Its glossy front is trimmed with chrome, giving it a sleek and stylish look. When you turn the player on using the side-mounted power/hold switch, the touch-sensitive controls light up, reminiscent of Philips' GoGear line of players. The controls consist of four directional arrows, as well as Select, Menu, and Back keys. Like the K5, the YP-K3 takes some design cues from the LG Chocolate phone, right down to the availability of black, red, and green versions--sorry, no white. The red version in particular is truly gorgeous, and the backlit controls give it a very jukebox-like appearance.

Continue reading "Samsung YP-K3 - CNET" »

March 13, 2007

Review: Archos 704 WiFi Multimedia Player - PC Mag

Archos-704-WiFi.jpg

PC Magazine have reviewed the the feature-rich Archos 704 WiFi portable multimedia player. 'Measuring 7.1 by 5 by 7.8 inches when it's propped up on its kickstand, the 704 boasts a lovely 7-inch TFT touch screen and weighs a substantial 1 pound 6 ounces. Aside from its size it resembles past Archos models, such as the 604, with sturdy, metallic rectangular housing and minimal buttons. Sadly, the included headphones are pretty crappy—but if you can afford this thing, I bet you can spring for replacements.

Continue reading "Review: Archos 704 WiFi Multimedia Player - PC Mag" »

January 22, 2007

Oakley Thump PRO: MP3/Player Sunglasses

Oakley-Thump-PRO-512MB.jpg

The Oakley Thump PRO digital music eyewear are some neat fashion pieces which combine a "digital audio engine" with Oakley’s renowned "high definition optics". The glasses, which come in 1GB, 512MB and 256MB versions, has the digital player built into the frame so there is nothing to dangle around your face to serve as a distraction whether you’re running, biking or simply sweating it out in your aerobics session. The speakers are fully adjustable so you can position them for a perfect fit and control the balance of music and environment. The Oakley Thump PRO is compatibility with iTunes, Windows Media Player and WinAMP. You can store up to 240 songs on the 1 GB version, 120 songs on the 512 MB version, or 60 songs on the 256 MB version.

Continue reading "Oakley Thump PRO: MP3/Player Sunglasses" »

January 11, 2007

TrekStor Vibez (8GB) - CNET

TrekStor-Vibez.jpg

The TrekStor Vibez is a hard drive based MP3 8GB player which supports WMA, OGG and FLAC formats. 'Put the TrekStor Vibez in the ring with the 8GB iPod Nano, and it'll win at least a few rounds. For starters, it costs less--a lot less if you shop online. TrekStor sells 8GB, 12GB, and 15GB versions of the Vibez for $219.99, $239.99, and $259.99 each. However, we found the 8GB model at online stores for around $170--a pretty substantial savings over the $250 8GB Nano. The 12GB model had an even lower street price: $200.

Continue reading "TrekStor Vibez (8GB) - CNET" »

January 5, 2007

Archos 504 80GB Portable Digital Media Player

Archos-504.jpg

The Archos 504 portable video player and photo viewer is now available from Amazon for $359.99 with free shipping.

Features:
• Lightweight and portable digital video, movie, music player and photo viewer with easy-to-use, intuitive controls and a bright 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen
• 80 gigabyte hard disk lets you store up to 40,000 songs, 800,000 pictures, or 226 regular movies or 58 DVDs, or any combination thereof
• Compatible with MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA music files, JPEG, BMP, and PNG picture files, and MPEG-4 and WMV video files
• Uses high-speed USB 2.0 for both file transfers and charging, and includes a removable, rechargeable Lithium-Ion polymer battery with up to 17 hours of music and 5.5 hours of video life
• Lets you play music through a stereo or videos over your TV via an optional docking station, weighs only 11.15 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 x 3 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D)

Continue reading "Archos 504 80GB Portable Digital Media Player" »

November 20, 2006

SanDisk Sansa c250 (2GB) - CNET

SanDisk-Sansa-c250.jpg

A review of the affordable SanDisk Sansa c250 MP3 Player has been posted on CNET. 'The physical design of the Sansa c200 is nothing special, but it works. It's almost identical to the c100, except controls (Fast-forward, Reverse, Play/Pause, Menu/Power, and a center Select key) are laid out in a square rather than a circle. The c200 measures 3.1x1.4x0.6 inches, so it's not the most compact device on the block, but it can fit in a pocket. Around the edges of the player you'll find a well-placed dedicated volume toggle, a MicroSD slot, a proprietary USB connector, a record button, a hold switch, and a standard headphone jack. The drab, 1.5-inch screen sits on the front of the c200, just left of the control pad.

Continue reading "SanDisk Sansa c250 (2GB) - CNET" »

November 19, 2006

MP4 Player Watch - Media Player Seeks To Replace The Wrist Watch

MP4-Player-Watch.jpg

The Chinavasion MP4 Player Watch may for now only be available from the company website but this gadget is sure to capture the imagination especially of the younger consumer who have become accustomed to retrieving time from the cell phone instead of a wrist watch. The 'Watch MP4 Player 2GB' can display the time and date however this gadget is a digital media player with a 1.5-inch full colour video screen on which you can can watch videos and browse your digital pictures. Additionally, you can listen to your MP3 music files and and record sound on the player.

Continue reading "MP4 Player Watch - Media Player Seeks To Replace The Wrist Watch" »

November 7, 2006

Microsoft Zune (30GB, black) Reviewed

Microsoft-Zune.jpg

Microsoft's Zune Portable Media Player has been reviewed over at CNET. 'Earlier this year, the idea of a Microsoft-branded MP3 player was foreign to most consumers. After all, what could the software giant do to the iPod dynasty that Windows Media hardware partners such as Creative, iRiver, and Samsung had been unable to do? Well, we all knew that after Microsoft's September 14 announcement, the Zune would be a different kind of portable media player, one that integrates wireless technology for Zune-to-Zune sharing of files, and one that works within a closed Zune Marketplace ecosystem. The hard drive device, which comes in black, white, or the love-it/hate-it brown, will enter the real world on November 14. I was lucky enough to test-drive the device today, and here are my first impressions.'

Continue reading "Microsoft Zune (30GB, black) Reviewed" »

November 6, 2006

Review: Disney Mix Max Player (Pink) - CNET

Disney-Mix-Max-Player.jpg

The Disney Mix Max Player features a 2.2-inch color display and 512 MB of internal memory, holds up to 240 songs or 6 hours of video, plays full-length movies and TV shows, as well as music videos and digital photos. 'Designed for kids and tweens, the Mix Max Player (MMP) measures about 4x2x0.5 inches and weighs hardly anything. It has contoured corners and a soft, glossy plastic finish that can definitely withstand some punishment. It's extremely pocketable and fairly easy to use, even though it can play back music, video, and photo files.

Continue reading "Review: Disney Mix Max Player (Pink) - CNET" »

September 8, 2006

Creative Zen Vision W (30GB) Review

Creative%20Zen%20Vision%20W.jpg

A review of the Creative Zen Vision W (30GB) media player hs been posted over at CNET. 'Look around. There're plenty of people who seem to be perfectly content with watching videos on their too-tiny screens. Mobile phones and miniature flash-based MP3 players are the general causes of squinty eyes. But take a look at dedicated video players like the monstrous Archos AV700 with the 7-inch screen and things assume a new perspective. Yet, with large screens, size would naturally weigh in. When the Zen Vision first burst onto the scene, there were several rave reviews with some thinking it was a good compromise between screen real estate and weight.'

Continue reading "Creative Zen Vision W (30GB) Review" »