25
Nov
2011
Gizmag: The smartphone has quickly become an essential part of modern living. It’s a powerful portable computer, a high resolution camera, and a mobile communications center. However, if you’re of the school who thinks that just because such a device can also play music, there’s no need to spend good money on a separate audio player – the Colorfly Pocket Hi-Fi C4 pro may well be the dedicated music player to change your mind. (more…)
18
Jun
2010
Gizmodo: It’s not the first Zune dock (I believe Altec Lansing has the honor there), but this ZN90B one from iHome features an all-important alarm function and fits both Zune and Zune HD models.
The ZN90B dock is available for pre-order now, for $100, and has AM/FM presets, EQ controls and iHome’s “Reson8″ speaker chambers for what they’re calling “astounding clarity, depth and power.” It takes a pair of AA batteries when you’re on the move, otherwise is charged via the AC charger. Available sometime this month, it’d make a nice buy for anyone who wants to charge their Zune while playing music—otherwise, you’re probably better off just plugging the Zune into your existing audio set-up via the 3.5mm jack
02
Dec
2008
Electricpig: Sound sorcerer Dolby has been touting its audio leveling system, Dolby Volume, for some time now, but we’ve found out that the company is planning a smaller chip ideal for MP3 players.
At a demonstration of Dolby’s first gen Volume system – which works with TVs to automatically adjust volume levels – the director of sales for Europe and the Middle East, Andy Dowell, told us that the company is planning “an optimised second generation version” with “smaller chips”.
Currently, only a select few set-top machines from the likes of Toshiba are capable of running the technology, but Dowell said that “portable music devices [and] portable media players will benefit a lot from the next gen version.”
20
Nov
2008
Shiny Shiny: Now waterproof cases aren’t entirely trustworthy and if you’re going to worry about your MP3 player the entire time it’s in the water, you may as well forget it.
A waterproof MP3 player on the other hand is something you can enjoy without paranoia kicking in. The Soundwave would make a handy amphibious accessory. It’s shock resistant, comes with waterproof headphones and armband accessories, and can handle itself in up to 10 feet of water.
Despite what Freestyle Audio says, this isn’t the “world’s first amphibious MP3 player” and the only way to listen to your favourite tunes underwater before the Soundwave came along was not in a submarine.
It may be the first MP3 player to fully submerge up to ten feet, but it’s definitely been done.
11
Nov
2008
Electronista: Dell’s plans to relaunch into MP3 players have been shelved in what may be a permanent cancellation, according to claims made by the Wall Street Journal late Sunday.
Alleged sources say that at least one miniature player scheduled to launch alongside a media jukebox and sharing suite from Zing has been delayed past its original fall target while the software alone goes ahead.
The unnamed device is currently postponed “indefinitely” and so may not be released at all, the reported insiders note.
The exact reason behind the sudden backing off from a portable player is unknown, though the tip points to the need to finalize the system as creating problems for any potential release. Separately, Dell also faces a weak economy and would be hindered by launching a media playback device well after iPods and Zunes have been updated.
13
Oct
2008
Scenta: For all of you out there who are health-conscious enough to do exercise occasionally, and enjoy pounding up and down a swimming pool, here’s a device that could make the experience a little more enjoyable.
The Soundwave is the latest waterproof MP3 player from Freestyle.
It is completely submersible down to ten feet and also features a shock resistant design so hopefully won’t break if you drop it by the side of the pool in your post-lap exhaustion.
It will store up to 2GB of audio data, including MP3, WMA, and DRM protected files, but also has an FM tuner with channel presets.
With the player, you get an armstrap, but the device will float if it becomes unattached. You also get waterproof earbuds but the standard jack means that you can connect other headphones if you want.
26
Sep
2008
CrunchGear: Sick of batteries and the burden that batteries carry? Here’s a hand-cranked MP3 player called the Eco Media Player Revolution.
It’s the successor to the original hand-cranked Eco Media Player.
This new one handles music and movie files in AAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, MP4, and WMV formats and features 4GB of storage.
There’s also an FM radio, photo album, ebook reader, and an expansion slot that’ll allow to add a 4GB SD card. One minute of winding will get you 45 minutes of MP3 playback and you can even recharge your mobile phone by plugging it into the player itself.
23
Sep
2008
Electronista: Memorex announced the SingStand, a karaoke system that uses an iPod or other MP3 player.
The device features a microphone, integrated mic stand and speakers.
‘Auto Voice Control’ works to reduce the sound levels of original song vocals.
Echo effects can be added, or a keyboard attached for accompaniment.
One microphone is included but two inputs are provided for singing duets.
Two 4 Watt speakers built into the base provide sound output.
19
Aug
2008
Electronista: Dell’s planned return to MP3 players will include not just one but two devices and a hardware-independent software approach, say multiple sources of BusinessWeek.
Without providing full details, the magazine claims that a second device beyond the original Wi-Fi player will arrive but that both will launch after the software that they will use, shipping in early 2009 rather than September.
The software in question has also received new details and is designed to challenge the single-device nature of iTunes and the iPod, the report notes. Zing’s already confirmed software will allegedly be sent to “other companies” besides Dell, including cellphone manufacturers and multiple online music stores, with the goal of creating a more universal standard and to permit media sharing between devices and users.
12
Aug
2008
T3: With the Olympics being held in China’s capital, Beijing, you’d hope there’d be some dodgy, low-cost electronics to celebrate the successful start to the fortnight of international sporting competitions.
Fortunately, there is! Here’s an MP3 player designed in the shape of the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the ‘Bird’s Nest’, and displaying proper Beijing Olympics logos and everything.
We’ve no idea whether the logos have the official seal of approval – it seems unlikely – but these little devices pack in up to 4GB of storage space, an LCD display in the middle of the miniaturised stadium and full audio controls on the underside.
It claims to play a wide range of digital music formats, including MP1, MP2, MP3, WMA, WMV, ASF, WAV and more.
25
Jul
2008
Shiny Shiny: Creative always do well in the portable audio field, so it’s no surprise their latest device is one fine looking piece of kit.
Called the Mozaic, it looks like a cross between a child’s jigsaw puzzle and a piece of contemporary art, and comes in three colours to boot. But that’s enough on the design, what are the specs like?
Well, first off there’s an 1.8 inch LCD screen to view pictures and videos on, as well as a FM radio and a voice recorder.
It’s only 12.8 mm thick and whilst it can’t rival the X-Fi in terms of wireless connectivity options, it will undoubtedly have a longer battery life.
It has four sizes of storage, starting at 2GB, then 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. It still falls short of the Zen Player’s 32GB, but it has a significantly lower price point.
There’s also a built-in speaker.
11
Jul
2008
Crave: Where some companies try to reinvent the wheel, others simply find ways to go back to low-tech solutions–very low tech. Case in point: The “Cool Man” MP3 player from Chinese manufacturer Newman fastens to your personage with a safety pin. That’s right, the kind of thing used for diapers before Pampers.
Now that’s an unusually retro idea, to put it mildly, when others are going out of their way to find alternative solutions to crossing apparel with mobile entertainment.
To be fair, it should be noted that the Cool Man does have more modern features, such as an OLED display, a built-in microphone, and, judging by the photo from Engadget, some water-resistant properties.