Cassette decks are just about equitable to the stone ages, especially with the immersion of high def DVD. The Plusdeck-EX converts your favorite analog cassette tapes to MP3 via USB. It can also handle records, radio and more all thanks to its USB sound card, which also allows you to configure the audio up to 7.1 channels. Not exactly an advance in audio engineering, but a nice option for those analog audio dinosaurs.
Available here for $260.
The DigitalRist D-RiseTM m600i is quite simply out of control. Not only is it unlocked for use with any SIM card, but it rocks a touchscreen, a 1.3 megapixel camera, mp3 player, voice recorder, Bluetooth, expandable from 60mb to 512mb flash memory, and more. What, no GPS? The only draw back: it only works in Europe and Australia. Price: $320 (350AU)
More info here.
One more pic after the ‘leap’ Read More
Ripserver has long been in the prosumer game providing the necessary technology for companies to ‘rip’ massive amounts of music. Today they’ve announced the availability of their consumer level rip station called the ‘Ripserver’. Setup and operation sound super simple. Just toss in a CD and within minutes the Ripserver will copy the music (MP3 or Flac encoding), download artwork, and add the necessary tags. A monitor isn’t mandatory for use - although there is a VGA out - as the Ripserver is intended for shared network use (it’s an NAS or Network Attached Storage) via its Gigabit Ethernet connection, and you’ll need to access its configuration via a web browser for initial up and running. Runs on Linxus so expect a very stable environment and it’s compatible with most popular music networking devices (e.g. Sonos, Slim Devices, Roku, PS3, etc). Available now in black or white, and comes in two sizes: 500GB ($1190) and 1TB ($1390). If that isn’t enough space for you, then add on an external drive via USB.
More info here.
The Zen Stone and Zen Stone Plus (the plus has a screen) with built-in speakers are now shipping in the UK and US. Announced at CES this year, the Zen Stones are tiny little MP3 players with even tinier speakers on the back. They have up to a 4GB capacity, although the site only allows you to select a 2 gigger, and come in a variety of colors: Blue, Black, Champagne, and Pink. Included in the package is a radio and expect to get about 20 hours of run time.
Available here for $60.
MP3 FM transmitters and Bluetooth speakerphones are nothing new. The combination of two, though, is something that seems to have alluded most manufactures. Gear4s newest offering, the Gear4 BluFM offers just that. Simply plug in your MP3 player and jam out to tunes via the FM transmitter. Pair it with your phone and when there’s an incoming call, it should cut the music and transmit the caller’s voice over the car’s speakers via the FM transmitter. One question remains: will this thing work with an iPhone much like the iSonTalk? The jack probably isn’t compatible with the iPhone’s recessed input so you’ll have to address that with an aftermarket adapter.
Available here for $98.
Via T3
The Toshiba G450 is not a mass appeal piece of equipment. Designed primarily as a USB modem (GSM/UTMS), the G450 can also make phone calls and play MP3s, which are displayed on its OLED screen. Unfortunately, the G450’s frequency band probably (2100MHz) won’t support US use anytime soon. No built-in USB plug so you’ll have to drag along a cord.
More pics after the ‘leap’.
Although the Eco-media player will never catch on like the iPod or iPhone, it’s sure to set a precedent for self-powered portable PMPs. The device can play movies, music, photos, and the radio. It even charges your cell phone when you run out of juice. One minute of winding will achieve 40 minutes of playback time with a maximum battery life of 20 hours. If you get tired winding you can simply plug the Eco-media player into your computer and charge it up. It features a 1.8” color LCD and .021 million pixels (that should read 21,000 pixels) and is compatible with a multitude of video (software converter included) and audio formats.
More info here and looks like you can buy it in the UK only.
Via Gearlog
It’s probably safe to say we’ve all been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the much anticipated and hyped Slacker Device (aka Slacker Portable). Started by the founding fathers of MP3 players (CEOs of the original MP3 player companies) The Slacker Device takes an old approach - we’re talking Tivo like music (aka Pandora, iLike) - to the portable world. Although Apple has long dominated the MP3 market, The Slacker Device does pose a threat to Apple’s 70%+ market share, but not a significant one - at least not one that will garner double digital numbers anytime soon given both technology adoption life cycle and infurstructure issues (powerful wireless signals aren’t ubiquitous enough yet).
So what’s the verdict? Well, Wired got an exclusive (I’m jealous) with The Slacker Device, but only provided a top level review - very Wiredesqe. Wired agrees that it’s an “antidote to music collection boredom”. You can modify your music collection with a ‘like/dislike’ or ‘ban’ feature. This get’s you to truly customized music. Thank God, because if they didn’t nail this, the The Slacker Device would be useless. This is supported by clean sound, detailed band and bio info with art work. They were a little frustrated with the free service option which only allows 6 song skips per hour, which is in addition to ads. But hey, its FREE. On the other hand, the premium service ($10 a month) allows endless skipping and no ads.
The Yahama BodiBeat quite literally plays tunes to match the tempo of your walk or run. Synchronization is accomplished through the built-in accelerometer. It also doubles as a heart monitor (clips to your ear), which enables the BodiBeat to adjust the music and workout to achieve 70% of max heart rate when in ‘fitness mode’. If you’re of the serious runner ilk, then you’ll enjoy ‘training mode’, which measures and tracks your workouts. Battery will last 9 hours, and holds about 100 songs (512mb of storage…I think).
Available Winter 2008
It’s Friday, and contrary to the excitement of the weekend arriving I’m feeling a little bitter. So I figured why not tool on a product. The point of having an MP3 player, or portable audio player, is for the speed and ease of loading a massive amount of songs, right? RCA Rip and Go, which has been around for sometime, just introduced a new model that sports an iPod dock built-in. What’s suppose to be cool is that you can rip CDs directly to your iPod without a computer. The problem: these days most iPods are 30GBs or larger. Even with the 5 disc changer it’d take you all day to load. Did I mention it only Rips to 128kbps. Also, notice the old iPod Nano featured in the pic. Is RCA gonna even bother to release this thing? Sorry RCA, but you’re Energy Efficient rating goes right out the window when you have to rip CDs for 24 hours. Why the hell do companies keep releasing this crap?!?
View the steaming *&#$ here. No price or relase date yet.
Via Chipchick
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