RCA has updated their portfolio by launching a new Gem Line of Flash Based MP3 Players. The first in line is the RCA Jet Stream which promises to deliver "seamlessly deliver crystal clear music" via wireless headphones. The MP3 Player is not really for the audiophiles and includes; 1.5-inch OLED display, an FM tuner, and 1GB of storage capacity, 12 hours of battery life etc. Fitness freaks can use the the player too as it includes a stopwatch and a body mass index calculator. This one would retail for $149.

Another cool iPod accessory doing the rounds at CES (sorry Zune) is the RCA RS2130i Bookshelf Audio System with Universal Dock for iPod (whew, thats a mouthful). The Speaker System provides a much needed relief from all those cheapo white iPod speakers and sports a 160-watt digital amplifier.

The RCA RS2130i Bookshelf Audio System comes bundled with an Universal Dock with inserts compatible with dockable iPod models and also serves as a charging cradle. I like the fact that one can also operate the iPod via the included RCA remote control.

If you still have CDs lying around the house, then you can play it on the RCA RS2130 as the system has five-disc CD changer that reads conventional CDs and CD-R/RW discs with mp3 and WMA files. In fact the system also has the ability to rip CD music to other types of mp3 players, The RCA RS2130i Bookshelf system will be available in May at a suggested retail price of $169.99.

Finally something at the CES for all us iPod Junkies!! RCA unveiled its new Dual Wake Clock Radio which will surely give a jump-start to sleepy heads like me! The RCA RP5500i Dual Wake Clock Radio with universal Dock playbacks your fav tunes which sure beats those god-awful alarm sounds!

One just needs to dock their iPod in a slide-out drawer on the front of the unit, which comes with eight iPod dock inserts to fit all dockable iPod models. One can also view the current Eastern Standard Time and other time zones can then be selected with the flip of a switch. Then there is a feature called Dual Wake which stores two separate alarm settings for different users. The alarm dock also has a USB which allows for mp3 land WMA playback from any mass storage class digital audio player.

The RP5500 sleep timer plays the radio, iPod or files from a connected USB drive for up to 2 hours before shutting off automatically. The radio is housed in a sleek, modern cabinet and radio channels can be selected easily via the digital radio frequency readout. The RCA RP5500i Dual Wake Clock Radio will be available in May at a suggested retail price of $79.99.

Looks like Microsoft Zune has finally has caught the radar of 3rd party brands and now Memorex plans to make the Zune cooler (can Memorex succeed where MS failed?) by launching a whole new series of cases for the Microsoft Zuneâ„¢ digital media player. The cases cover the whole design spectrum and include; the Memorex Silicone Sleeve, Sport Band and Leather Show Case.So which one is ideal for your Zune? For that lets just run over the 3 cases quickly!

The first in line is the Memorex Leather Show Case which not only protects the Zune but also integrates hands-free viewing. The top-loading case is made of premium leather and one also comes across suede inner lining and clear screen protector.The Memorex Leather Show Case has a suggested retail price of $29.99.

If you are one of those folks who live on adrenaline, then check out the the Memorex Sport Band which securely holds the Zune when on move via its form-fitting design and also includes an embedded screen protector and reflectors for safety at night. The Memorex Sport Band has a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Last in line is the Memorex Silicone Sleeve which is made of fit and durable silicone material with anti-dust coating and includes a screen protector.The Memorex Silicone Sleeve has a suggested retail price of $19.99 and it also includes an adjustable armband, providing hands-free portability.

http://www.memorex.com

And so it came to past, ipod accessory maker Griffin has announced Journi - its portable mobile speaker system and it promises great sound in a portable package. An innovative "Wrapstand," wraps around the iPod and protects it while on the go then flips oen to create its own stand revealing the speakers.

Another innovate feature is Dual Fuel technolohy which is its ability to be powered by your computer's USB port (not that's a great feature I haven't seen in portable speakers of late). It also runs on internal Lithium-ion batteries that can last 8-10 hours per charge.

Sound processing is based on SRS Lab's WOW digital signal processing. Other features include iTunes library syncing, adjustable dock connecters for all iPod models, and a companion remote control.

The device will make an appearance at Mac World San Francisco next week, but details on pricing and availability have yet to be announced.

The Novomax JoyPot C210 may be dismissed as the poor man's Shuffle, but we shall not go here! The MP3 player lacks any sort of display and includes a USB 2.0 interface. It weighs just around 25 grams and runs on a single AAA battery which is capable of 10 hours of continuous music playback. It accepts SD/MMC/Mini SD cards and comes in following capacities; 0/64/128/256/512 MB or 1GB.

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There is a new MSI MP3 Player on the horizon. however this one is truly different! The MSI Mega Player 529 is still in its development stage, however according to industry insiders, MSI was able to successfully integrate itself to a laptop palm rest.

The player has been design to make use of Microsoft's SideShow to play music, media files, open PowerPoint presentations, get email alerts etc. The MSI Mega Player 529 is also rumored to have a 320 x 240 resolution display, built-in DAC, 1GB of memory and an USB interface. Battery life is said to be around 3 hours. No word on pricing or availability.

Here is something look forward to in 2007. Walletex has announced the Wallet MP3 Player which is the World’s slimmest MP3 player and is currently in the development process! The company is known for making wallet friendly products which fit right into any wallet !

The Wallet MP3 Player will have SB 2.0 (1.1 compatible) connectivity and will be available in storage capacities ranging from 128MB to 2GB for a competitive price range. The player will include a double sided USB connector with three-in-one functionality: USB communication, Charging, and Audio jack. One will also be able to print their company logo or any artwork on the player itself! The Wallet MP3 will be available on the market by June 2007 .

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The iHolic besides Dacos Technology beside a clever name, has nothing exceptional to offer! However the MP3 player with DMB support may juts fit right in with those who want a break from the Zunes and the iPods of the world!

On the spec front, we get to see features like; 2.4-inch TFT-LCD, T-DMB receiver, audio/video playback, image viewer, SD card slot and voice recorder . The iHolic measures 83x50x18.5mm and is available in capacities like; 512MB, 1GB and 2GB. The player includes built in speakers and comes bundled with a cradle and a remote control. No word on pricing or availability.

The i-Station mini "DX" is yet another MP3 player which suffers from the iPod hangover! Available in colors like White and Black, the DMB-capable PMP from Digital Cube is equipped with a 2.4" color display had supports formats like MP3, WMA, OGG, and FLAC audio, MPEG and WMV video. One also comes across a USB interface and features like microSD slot for expansion and a FM tuner. While IGB and 2GB models are currently available in Korea, one has to wait for the 4GB model.

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Dyne has released two more MP3 players, the Tuny 9 and the Tuny 11. Though the names sounds extremely loony (sorry couldn't resist showing off my bad rhyming skills), the players actually look promising!

First of is the Tuny 9 which is a flash based player and is available in capacities like 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB. Measuring around 45 x 82 x 14 mm, the Tuny is not exactly Tiny but it does makes us warm and fuzzy with the on board Bluetooth support and the cool TV out feature! Battery life is around 18 hours for music and 8 hours for video playback and one also comes across a 2 inch display with a 176 x 220 px resolution. The Tuny 9 supports MP3, WMA, OGG audio, MP4 video at 10 FPS and includes ; Voice, FM, and Line-in recorder (in MP3 format).

Next is the Tuny 11 which is sleeker than the Tuny 9 and measures 80 x 36 x 7.9 mm. This one too is available in capacities of 12 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB models and sports a 1.7" display. Other features include; 8 hours of audio battery life, 3 hours for video, MP3, WMA, and WAV audio, SMV video support and FM radio, voice recorder. No word on pricing or availability.

Product Pages:
Tuny 9 | Tuny 11

The folks over at Cnet did an in-depth review of the iriver S10 (2GB) and gave it a promising 7.7 out of 10 Rating. The player scored brownie points for its brilliant design, its D-Click navigation and its fast transfers speed. What failed to impress the reviewer was the poor battery life and the on board FM auto scan, which was found lackluster!

The iriver S10 measures 42 x 30 x 10.8mm and has a little OLED screen display measuring 1,15-inches with a 128 x 96 resolution. It weighs around 17.5 grams and supports MP3, OGG, WMA and ASF file formats. Some other features include; FM radio, USB 2.0 and Voice Recording.

In the end the website concludes "The iriver S10 may have its shortfalls, but it's all at the expense of size. At least, from the standpoint of a mini MP3 player, it's probably the best that money can buy."

The Cubisto is yet another MobiBLU Cube-shaped DAP which promises great sound without burning a hole in your pocket. Nothing earth-shattering and this budget-friendly player is pretty humdrum specs wise.The Cubisto will be available soon in 1 GB and 2GB versions and supports MP3, WMA and WMA DRM formats. Both versions have a battery life of 8 hours and are also Windows Media PlaysForSure compliant. The 1GB version will retail for $ 89.99$ and the 2GB for around 109 bucks.

In the crazy world of iPods ands Zunes, the ZVUE 250 made its debut quietly. The PMP by Handheld Entertainment is now available on all major online stores for just around 100 bucks!

The ZVUE 250 is equipped with a 2.5-inch backlit display and plays almost all formats under the sun including; MP3, WMV, WMA (DRM), OGG, MP2, AVI, ASF, Xvid, MPEG4, WMV, JPG, and BMP. The downside? No internal memory and you need to invest into SD Cards.

LG continues it love affair with all things sleek and sexy! Check out the new LG UP3Flat MP3 Player which look's like a long lost cousin of the erstwhile 1st Gen Shuffle and seeks to provide an alternative to those exorbitantly priced MP3 Players.

The LG UP3Flat is available in capacities ranging from 512MB up to 2GB and LG promises a battery life of around 10 hours! The player includes; touch-screen interface, three-color LED, retractable USB, and support for OGG, MP3 and WMA. It also has a shiny coating which LG calls "UV coated Luxury Finish," and we here call it the "The Fingerprint Effect"! No word on pricing or availability.

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The new Digital Audio Player from Greenhouse, the Kana D, has an emphasis on small. The enclosure itself is a 1.12 x 3.27 x 0.87 inch volume, with an even smaller LCD screen, and USB stick design.

Sound good? Well, you might want to know this: it is set up for USB 1.1 connectivity. That means it might take longer to download your favorite MP3 or WMA files (it can handle those formats) onto this guy. At least you get 1 GB of storage space, as well as seven hours of battery life from a single AA battery.

If you don't like the color in the pic, it also comes in black as well as white. You may like the price at $52, and it should be available later this month.

If you thought they made cool accessories only for iPods, think again! Check out the new PlayDock(TM) ZEN and PlayDock i, high-fidelity docking speakers for ZEN Players. iPod users shouldn't feel left out as the systems can also be hooked to their players and both work with iPod with video, iPod photo, iPod mini and iPod Nano.

PlayDock ZEN and PlayDock i run on both AC and battery power and use Cambridge SoundWorks' high-performance drivers for enhancing the audio output. The on board Wide Stereo Effect claims to produce large soundstage with superior stereo imaging and Cambridge has also thrown in a built-in powered subwoofer with bass control and a bass control knob.

Both the PlayDocks are equipped with video-out connector for viewing images in 640 x 480 resolution on a television screen and the magnetically shielded players don't cause any interference when placed neat a TV or monitor. The speakers have charging capabilities too and include a line-in connector and a headphone jack. For added convenience, Cambridge has equipped the systems with a handle for-transportation and a telescopic antenna for clear FM reception when hooked to radio capable players. The Cambridge SoundWorks PlayDock ZEN and PlayDock i are priced at $199.99 and the former is available now and the latter will be available in January.

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So, what's the latest in Digital Audio Players? The IRiver S7, a little DAP that is so small, you won't believe how small it is. The actual measurements are 42 x 30 x 9.6 millimeters, so let us all hope the "size doesn't matter" rule does not apply here.

Especially when this little guy can deliver HD sound with SRS. Not only can it play MP3, OGG, WMA, and ASF files, but it also has an FM tuner! Not bad for a little guy.

Nothing of my textual information talks about the stickers on the covers, though. I suppose that one on the top right is a must for a shoe-fetish person. However, the prominent one in the bottom left corner has a silhouette of a small, Toto-like dog.

Well, all aesthetic critiques aside, it looks pretty good with 1GB of memory. As far as availability and price, I don't happen to know that.

Considering that we are living in the iPod age, we are forced to find new ways to make this instrumental gadget more portable. H2O Audio has announced two new "Outdoor" waterproof housings for all iPod nanos, and they already shipping as we speak (or, in my case, write).

These two housings, the Gen 1 and Gen 2 are design for adventure sport enthusiasts. They have impact-resistant housing, and a patented Commander Scroll Wheel that allows full control of the Click wheel even when wearing gloves. The locking slider system is also designed to keep the player safe and closed on impact. They also have a removable belt clip that allows easy ready wear attachment, and it comes with a sport armband for secure and durable wear.

The H2O Audio Gen 1 and Gen 2 are available for $39.98 where iPod and accessories are sold.

Look what the Japanese will witness soon! Meet the Kenwood Mediakeg HD10GB7 which measures only 62x44x17mm and is equipped with a 10GB storage capacity. Not really an iPod Killer, but the player has some decent specs on it and a cool no frills look!

This compact player is equipped with the proprietary Supreme Audio Technology for enhanced audio experience and supports MP3 and WMA DRM formats. It has a built in photo viewer too and is equipped with a a 1.5 inch color OLED display. Its now available in White and Black colors for around 260.00 euros.

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If you were tired of Music Players just playing mmm music, then check out the the Median MX-400M which also moonlights as a VoIP Phone to make internet calls. However this one ain't compatible with Spyke and for some free calls you gotta sign up with Miraphon and lug around a notebook as there is no Wi-Fi either!

Apart from its VoIP capabilities, the MX-400M also has a dedicated music player and comes in 1GB/2GB capacities. It includes a FM Tuner and is equipped with a 260,000 color TFT-LCD. The Player takes in SD Cards and the battery can last upto 21 hours. Some other features include; direct encoding, voice recorder, image/text viewer, SRS WOW effects, IR remote controller etc. The Median-MX-400M is now available in Korea for 160 $ (2GB).

The CES 2007 is where all the action is and one saw a number of products making the list of CES Honorees! The Samsung K5 Portable Player which includes a fold out speaker was also honored at the CES for its unique concept.

The Samsung K5 is a flash based MP3 PLayer and is equipped with a 1.7 LCD display which uses Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) screen . It is available in 2GB and 4GB capacities and also supports MP3, WMA, and DRM 10, apart from the standard audio formats!

Another DAP (Digital Audio Player) has hit the market with Hitachi HMP-G1. As you can see, it is also known as the i.μ's, which apparently stands for "Eye Muse". As you can also see, the Eye Muse bears a startling resemblance to an electric shaver.

The list of its features include a 128 x 64 2-color OLED display, 1 GB of Flash memory, and 12 hour battery time. It looks like it supports MP3, WMA, DRM, and even WAV voice recording. From the look of the characters on the side, it looks like the Hitachi HMP-G1 will have an Asian release at a price tag of $104 USD.

Kenwood Japan presents the HD10GB7, which is probably one of the smallest Digital Audio Players (DAPs) on the market. At least, it has one of the smallest hard drives for a device of its size at a whopping 10GB. For those of you who want the actual measurements, the HD10GB7 measures 62 x 44 x 17 mm and weighs about 78 grams.

Dang, it's tiny. Can you really expect much from that? In this case, yes. The Ken wood HD10GB7 DAP supports MP3, WAV, WMA, and DRM formats. The screen is a 1.5 inch Organic EL display that looks capable of some video footage. (With 10GB storage, you should be able to store a lot of it. However, I do not have confirmation that it is able to play video files, so don't quote me on it.) I do know that it is able to display JPEG images, so you can at least use it to share your still photos.

The controls are simple, some of them as easy to use with just a finger. (That's less than most iPods!) For example, you can choose from seven different sound modes that include Bass, Concert, Dance, and so on and so forth.

The Kenwood HD10GB7 connects to your personal computer or laptop via USB for easy downloading purposes. It also has a long playback time. You can get 24 hours of continuous playback on a single charge of its Lithium Ion battery.

Looks like the Kenwood HD10GB7 is only going to be a Japanese release, but you never know. Occasionally, these Japanese electronic products have a way of making a trip west to the States and Europe every once in a while. The price will be about forty thousand yen, which is about $345 U.S. dollars. So far, the available colors are black and white.