MiTac makers recently introduced their latest cell phone model Mio A501 in their Digi-Walker line. Having the cool dimensions of 95.7×59.6×20.7mm, Mio A501 is not only compact to hold but also gives you a style statement. Mio A501 comes with an in-built 2.0 Megapixel camera for clear pictures everytime you wish to capture your precious moments. You also get Bluetooth in the smart Mio A501 cell phone model. As far as memory storage is concerned, you get 1GB storage space and 64 MB of RAM in Mio A501. This GPS enables PocketPC Phone can be yours this June onwards in about $675.

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Tags: MP3 Players

Cowon recently released the Cowon D2, a flash-based touchscreen PMP. The D2 sports a 2.5” touchscreen interface display and a 4GB hard drive. Windows Media Player 10 DRM music will be compatible with the D2. Audio can be adjusted with the five-band EQ and 3D surround settings. As far as the video, AVI and WMV file formats and other files which are encoded to D2 QVGA (320 x 240) format. Battery life will provide approximately 10 hours of media playback and 52 hours of music playback. The Cowon D2 PMP will cost you somewhere around $200.

Tags: MP3 Players

Creative unveils the Creative ZEN Stone, a small lightweight MP3 player. The ultra-compact MP3 player will fit into almost any pocket and is extremely simple and easy to use. Since it is so easy to use there is no need for a display screen, just set the player on Play or Random and scan through the tracks. With a 1GB capacity, you can transfer roughly 250 songs or up to 10 hours of music. The Zen Stone will be available from a selection of six colors including black, white, red, blue, pink, and green. At a extremely low price the Creative Zen Stone can be yours for only $39.99 on its release date of May 14th. Even it’s TravelSound Zen Stone Dock is $39.99 also.

Tags: MP3 Players

The latest product by COWON, the Cowon Q5 is a PMP that not only has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but also makes available HSDPA/EDGE/GPRS data for web browsing over cellular data. The device has an 800X480-pixel five-inch color LCD touchscreen that promises to give a matchless quality of images. Along with a GPS support system, it also has a DMB, WinCE 5.0 and an external HSPDA module. The product also performs all functions of a DVR. For music lovers, it offers an FM radio, voice recorder and stereo speakers. For those who like photography, it offers the option of direct download of photos from any camera through a USB 2.0 Host. Available in 40 GB and 60 GB storage options, the Cowon Q5 will be available for $500/$550. It claims to have a battery life of 13 hours of audio and seven hours of video.

Tags: MP3 Players

Designer Matthias Lange at Yanko Design has created another wonderful product design with the Pocket Player. You won’t have to worry about holding the player in your hand, just simply clip the player in your pants pocket. The Pocket Player makes use of a curved shape to fit comfortably while worn in pants pockets, whether sitting or walking. The display and controls are also still visible with the player inserted in your pants, even the head phone jack has easy access.

Tags: MP3 Players

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has struck out yet again, in their never ending rivalry with Apple, this time stating that the iPhone has absolutely no hope of gaining a true foothold in the cellphone marketplace. From Ballmer’s perspective, the future of the mobile handset business will primarily depend on software influence rather than hardware. Ballmer also believes that because Apple has insisted on utilizing their own proprietary code on such a premium device could prevent it from capturing little more than a small percent of the world’s cellphone userbase. Is it just sour grapes, or has the Microsoft CEO got a point?

According to Ballmer’s logic, it makes more sense to get your software in a larger market share of cell phones than it does to get your hardware out there in the hands of a few.

“Would I trade 96% of the market for 4% of the market? I want to have products that appeal to everybody,” he said. “We’ll get a chance to go through this [Apple versus Microsoft debate] again in phones and music players. There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It’s a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I’d prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get.”

Steve Ballmer also suggested that Apple could be creating too narrow of a focus by emphasizing the media capabilities of the iPhone, instead of having a general operating system like Windows Mobile.

So what does all this mean? Microsoft thinks that they’ve got a better idea of what the world wants (and needs), and (surprise) they think they’re better than Apple. Of course it seems that they’re not willing to show that they can create a better device, dismissing the possibility of a Zune phone once again.

Microsoft currently has their software on a small percentage of mobile phones, but the market remains dominated by phones running off variants of the open source Symbian. As far as how they are faring in the media player market, Microsoft is stuck at just 9% of market share.

Tags: Apple, Cell Phones, Mobile News, MP3 Players

Logitech announced today their new, SqueezeBox music player. This wireless music player supports online MP3tunes Music Locker, which allows people to store their digital music files on the Web through a 802.11g wireless network connection. The music locker set up is easy, and Squeezebox owners don’t need to run their computer to enjoy their music.

Squeezebox owners can create and activate their premium MP3tunes Music Lockers directly from their SqueezeNetwork account, and then can enjoy their digital music collections beyond the PC and right into their living rooms. After a two-month free trial period, the premium MP3tunes Music Locker is available for $39.95 per year, including unlimited storage, bandwidth and device access.

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Tags: MP3 Players

Make way for iriver’s second generation (let’s not call it 2G, ‘kay folks?) clix PMP. Available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB storage capacities, the new clix comes with an integrated digital FM tuner. With new AMOLED color display technology, the clix boasts improved video capabilities supporting up to 30 fps.

Compatible with most PlaysForSure services (including Napster), this baby is thinner than its predecessor. It can support either a horizontal or vertical display on the smallish 2.2″ QVGA screen. The AMOLED also contributes to a wider viewing angle than LCD, while consuming less battery.

For data sync, the iriver clix supports both Media Transfer Protocol and Universal Mass Storage modes. The device lets users enjoy FlashLite games. A USB 2.0 interface is provided for downloading media/games. Product features in the extended entry.

Prices (US$):

2GB: $149.99

4GB: $199.99

8GB: $249.99 (more…)

Tags: MP3 Players, Portable Devices

Victor-JVC is working on making available around April 25th a wallpaper service for their C51/C59/C110/C210 and XA-C59/C109 digital audio players. After user registration on the companies website, users are required to download an application software to allow communication of the PC and the music player. Customizing the devices wallpaper display should be a breeze via USB mode.

Tags: MP3 Players

Judging by these photos of the fuel cell chargers that Microsoft was recently buying in bulk, let’s hope that these aren’t going to be Zune 2.0 accessories. I mean just look at them, they’re bulky and odd, and hardly cool tech. And if Microsoft does in fact use these as Zune 2.0 fuel cell rechargers, they’ll probably ask for them to come in the color brown.

While the technology itself sounds promising, the packaging and presentation of the device ultimately is not very fashionable. I’ll take my pretty white iPod USB charging cord any day over that, thank you very much.

Nevertheless, Medis Technologies of New York was touting the sale of these bad boys to Microsoft. CEO Robert Lifton, however, declined to comment on just how many they sold or what in the world they planned on using them for.

Via Engadget

Tags: MP3 Players

Slaudiolab, a Korean manufacturer, is preparing for the release of their new SRS-200BD wireless Bluetooth audio transmitter for the Apple iPod. The device simply plugs into the base of any iPod dock-connector. It provides high-quality stereo via Bluetooth technology and enhanced audio with SRS WOW HD audio technology.. The transmitter will support easy device pairing and includes. Pricing and a release date have not been announced, but it shouldn’t be too long since the device has already been FCC approved.

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Tags: MP3 Players

Keystone’s TuneView Wireless iPod remote receives a new, all-black design. This new black enclosure will be standard on all TuneView remotes and will also be available as an accessory for existing TuneView users starting In May.

The TuneView iPod remote was released sometime in 2006 at an MSRP around $179. The device, featuring a color LCD screen, connects via 2-way RF which operates through walls at distances of more than 100 feet. TuneView provides an simple wireless connectivity which provides a way to browse and manage an iPod throughout a users home.

Tags: MP3 Players

Sony’s new NW-E Walkman series will soon be available in Japan on April 21st. The new addition to the Walkman family is thumb stick style USB music player which is available in a variety of stylish colors. With direct usb access and a basic button layout, the E-series makes for simple, easy to use digital music player. The device offers great sound performance with clear undistorted stereo sound with a strong, tight bass response. Plent of storage is available for a large collection of music with its 1GB (Sony NW-E013) 2GB(Sony NW-E015) and 4GB(Sony NW-E016) models.Formats supported include ATRAC, MP3, WMA, and AAC. The only draw back to the devices is it’s small 3-line color screen. Upon it release, many accessories will also be available including clips, wristband holders, silicon cases, and carrying cases.

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Tags: MP3 Players

If you are sick of the iPods and the Zunes, then there is always a SanDisk Sansa Connect player waiting in the wings! The MP3 Player just got better as SanDisk is now in cahoots with Yahoo. This means that users can take advantage of the Wi-Fi capabilities of their player and wirelessly access both free and subscription-based services from Yahoo! Music. Not bad huh?

If you crave some radio love then the player also lets you access LAUNCHcast Internet radio. Not only that but thanks to the Wi-fi capabilities one can also access their Messenger and flickr accounts! Is Microsoft listening?

The 4GB Sansa Connect has also been equipped with a .2-inch TFT color screen, a microSD™ slot and an internal speaker. It is available now in the US for $249.99.

Tags: MP3 Players

Scout 355(B) is a powerful system working on high-density rechargeable 2200 mAh Lithium Ion battery. Scout features a 3.5-inch 200-nit QVGA TMR LCD touch-sensitive screen that responds to finger taps. For keeping back up or transfer files and data SCOUT 355(B) has an SD slot compatible with a range of SD storage card. It displays the data, applications, and map images available stored on the device. Very compact and light in design, SCOUT can be carried anywhere while driving or hiking. It offers reliable GPS coverage with SiRF Star III GPS. For operation Scout 355(B) is equipped with Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2 and Samsung S3C2410 266 MHz application processor. Use the product with caution as prolonged usage after stopping the engine can cause vehicle battery to drain.

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Tags: GPS, MP3 Players

About five and a half years ago, the firstiPod was sold back in November 2001. Apple announced today that the 100 millionth iPod has been sold. Achieving this milestone makes the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. Since it’s release in 2001, there have been 10 new iPod models, including five generations of the iPod. The iPod has truly transformed how tens of millions of music lovers acquire, manage and listen to their music.

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Tags: MP3 Players

We have had the Orange Zune and the Pink Zune and guess what now Microsoft are rumoured to be creating a Red Zune, when will this madness stop? I bet next there will be a purple zune or a green zune or maybe even a grey zune. What ever color comes out next I’m going to get one for sure.

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Tags: MP3 Players

I knew there was a reason I love Steve Jobs (sorry MS fanboys). Apple has now officially made the entire digital catalog of EMI Music available on the iTunes! However the magic word here being, DRM-free! Yes no more being a victim of the whims and fancies of the music industry as the tracks will come with no restrictions!

But there is a price to pay (almost double in this case), as the DRM-Free tracks will cost around $1.29 per track as compared to the regular 99 cents! But remember with the extra 30 cents one does get 256 kbps AAC quality, restriction free mp3s and peace of mind!

Tags: MP3 Players

Just when I thought Microsoft was done unleashing Brown and Pink Zunes on unsuspecting folks, I hear about an Orange Zune! Yes guys the folks at Microsoft want us to be free from the mundane and according to the grapevine an Orange Limited Edition Zune is on its way! The Brightside? Since its limited edition, there won

Tags: MP3 Players

Samsung

Tags: MP3 Players