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Microsoft bringing ads to your Zune: everybody panic

by Paul Miller, posted May 22nd 2008 at 11:03AM


Microsoft turned a few heads at its Advance '08 advertising conference by announcing a type of ads for its Zune platform, in addition to those web, TV and Xbox "branding experiences" it already delivers. The primary method described merely involved corporate sponsorships of celebrity playlists, with the "ad" being consigned to branding on that musician's Social card -- and you'd have to have friended the musician to see any of it at all. Apocalyptic stuff, eh? Microsoft also promises to keep the ads appropriate for the audience, so we're not going to start panicking just yet, but the first DAP builder to make us sit through a minute of ads every time we try to sync with our computer is sure score the (oh, hey, thanks for the $100, Microsoft!) scorn and vitriol love and affection of its customers for years to come.

Yoto M400: like the M300, but for real this time

by Nilay Patel, posted May 22nd 2008 at 9:02AM


Now that we've got the white-knuckle excitement of the Yoto M300's Asian-only deut out of our systems, we're getting hit with a sequel, the M400. Basically the same codec-friendly non-touchscreen PMP as the M300, it looks like the M400 features slightly better build quality in addition to adding PlayFX and TV-out. Oh, and it's not a render, so that's another tick in the plus column. Still, we're not quite convinced we're willing to travel to China and drop our hard-earned yuan on this bad boy yet -- let's see what the inevitable M500 has to offer.

[Via PMP Today]

Cowon gets official with upgraded A3, Q5W PMPs

by Donald Melanson, posted May 20th 2008 at 5:31PM

We'd already heard that the Cowon A3 would be getting a bump to 80GB, and the company has now not only gotten official about a US release for it, but dropped word of new 80GB Q5W as well. You can look for the upgraded A3 to land in the US first on May 26th for $440 (a good deal less than the $691 Euro-to-dollar conversion we heard about initially), with the 80GB Q5W following in late June for $600. Both models are otherwise identical to their less capacious counterparts.

Logitech's new Pure-Fi Mobile speakers do it Bluetooth style

by Paul Miller, posted May 20th 2008 at 11:09AM


There's no dearth of Bluetooth-based wireless speakers out there, but Logitech put a nice bit of polish to this new Pure-Fi Mobile set, which is always appreciated. The A2DP stereo manages 12 hours of battery off of rechargeable batteries, and can work as a speakerphone with its built-in noise canceling mic. You can charge it up via USB or a wall jack, and there's of course an aux-in jack when you're not feeling in the wireless mood. Expect this one to hit Europe and the States in June for $150.

[Via Electronista]

Napster unleashes a-la-carte, DRM-free MP3 store

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted May 20th 2008 at 10:48AM


Heads up, MP3 lovers, because Naptser launched its DRM-free music store today. As promised to throngs of fans, the historical pirate network has converted its entire music catalog of an impressive six million songs into MP3s to be sold at $.99 each or $9.95 for albums. Subscribers will remain in DRM land, however, so don't go getting any crazy ideas.

iriver P10 launches at last, D5 lands on our shores

by Paul Miller, posted May 20th 2008 at 9:26AM


It took 'em a year, but iriver is finally ready to unleash its P10 touchscreen mega-PMP upon the world -- or at least Korea. The player rocks T-DMB, an 800 x 480 4.3-inch LCD, 33GB of storage and quite unique UI. There's also an included stylus and built-in handwriting recognition, with dictionaries for English, Chinese and Japanese. For about $312 US you can get a DMB-free unit, or spring for mobile TV at a $390-ish pricepoint, but again, those are both Korea only. If you're looking to spice up your life this side of the Pacific, iriver is also bringing its D5 clamshell multimedia dictionary to the States, at $300 for 2GB and $350 for 4GB.

Read - P10
Read - D5

Vosonic's VP5700 shames the PMP acronym

by Darren Murph, posted May 19th 2008 at 7:44PM


After careful deliberation, we can only assume Vosonic's VP5700 is some form of portable media player, but considering just how unsightly it is, the actual nomenclature is probably a non-issue. Nevertheless, this unit features a 3.5-inch display, way too much plastic, a bizarre looking control scheme, a multicard reader and support for a slew of image, audio and video files. Mum's the word on a price / release date (again, not like you care, right? Right.), but those flash cards sure look as if they're entering the device mighty hastily, wouldn't you say?

[Thanks, Yoav]

Update: Seems this thing may actually be a photo backup device -- thanks Almus!

Teclast T50 PMP reviewed on video, shows off totally aped UI

by Darren Murph, posted May 19th 2008 at 4:36AM


We'll admit, we had our suspicions that Teclast's capacitive multitouch-packing T50 would arrive with an eerily similar user interface to some other device out there, and a ten minute video review recently tossed up by MP4Nation thoroughly confirms those fears. In all seriousness, this thing may actually not be a half bad unit, but whether or not you're really interested in such an impostor, it's worth checking the video after the jump for laughs alone.

[Thanks, Edwin]

Continue reading Teclast T50 PMP reviewed on video, shows off totally aped UI

Zvue Spirit: love it or leave it

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 18th 2008 at 11:01PM


If there's one thing that could put a stop to terrorism once and for all, it's this DAP. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of an anti-American jihadist like this hideous MP3 player loaded up with Deerhoof b-sides and the entire Duran Duran back-catalog. The next time you snake under barbed wire and behind enemy lines, let them know where you're coming from by flashing this baby before you unload round after round of righteousness. Sure, it's only got 1GB of storage, but it's not about how many tracks you've got -- it's about showing off your American spirit with this Chinese-made product.

[Via anythingbutipod]

Cowon's A3 PMP gets bumped to 80GB

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 18th 2008 at 8:07PM


If you've been holding off on getting an A3 for some strange reason, perhaps a bump in capacity will push you over the edge. That's right, Cowon's little performer just got more junk in the trunk -- 80GB of junk, to be exact. Sure, you'll have to drop €448 (or about $691) on this thing, but think of all the pics, music, and "movies" you'll be able to load up on it.

RAmos V8 appears in the flesh

by Nilay Patel, posted May 17th 2008 at 10:14AM


We thought the RAmos V8 was looking pretty sleek in render form, but now that some real pictures of the black PMP with the 4.3-inch screen and 16GB of storage have surfaced, we're really impressed -- with how much this thing looks like an iPod touch. (We'll be here all week, folks!) Of course, the V8's codec support is way better, but without pricing info and a look at that UI we're not ready to call this one a winner quite yet. Let us know if you hit China next month, okay?

[Via MP4nation]

Meridian's Ferrari-branded F80 home entertainment system priced at $2,995

by Darren Murph, posted May 17th 2008 at 3:49AM


We fully expected that Ferrari logo and lacquered paint job to add a stuff premium to Meridian's F80, but this is undeniably insane. The "transportable home entertainment system," which has been hovering about since last March, is at long last ready to be purchased. Finding prospective buyers, however, will likely be challenging. The unit is now available in silver, yellow, white, black and the obligatory red, and each one will set you back a dumbfounding $2,995. We're thinking the unit itself would go for around three bills sans branding, but apparently Italian ponies aren't cheap.

How would you change SanDisk's Sansa Fuze?

by Darren Murph, posted May 16th 2008 at 6:30PM Featured Story


Just like that obscure Burt Bacharach album, some DAPs just need a little time to grow on you. Now that SanDisk's comparatively inexpensive Sansa Fuze has been out and about for a couple of months, we're imploring you dear readers to cast out your opinions on the minuscule device. Are you satisfied with the interface? Have you been disappointed by the sound quality? Was this thing just one feature away from being perfect? 'Tis a shame SanDisk didn't phone you up before mashing the green button and sending these on their way, but here's your shot to tell all who will listen what could be done better in revision two.

ZARVA's Zippo MP320 MP3 player, free to WWIII G.I.s

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 16th 2008 at 8:25AM


About the only thing to deliver more tactile satisfaction than the popping of bubble wrap is the act of casually opening and closing a Zippo lighter at the bar. While you won't find anything about it on Zippo's corporate site, Zarva has announced its new Zippo MP320 MP3 player. You get than tiny screen, built-in mic, minimal MP3 and WMA format support, and just 1GB of capacity for 188 of the Chinese stuff or about 27 of the green. But if this Zippo turns on with a well placed finger snap or rough, to-and-fro swipe against our faded 501s then you can count us in.

[Via PMP Today, thanks BrianB]

Orange lands broad iPhone distro deal too

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 16th 2008 at 4:14AM Breaking News

We'll make this brief. Orange spokesperson Therese Wenger told the SDA news agency that it has secured rights to release the iPhone (3G version, presumably) in Switzerland and more than 10 other countries -- take that Swisscom! Other countries include Austria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, and Romania. And France of course where it's already on sale. See, that was quick and leaves room for a dozen or so other iPhone related announcements today.

Update: Official Orange press release now out.

[Via 20minuten, thanks Pascal M.]



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