Archive for: pmp
We haven’t really paid much attention to iRiver ever since they moved away from quality players such as the iHP-1xx and 3xx series to more mainstream, run-of-the-mill fodder many years back. Though truth be told, a company that exclusively manufacturers MP3 players and PMPs doesn’t stand too much of a chance in the smartphone generation. Nonetheless, the South Korean company’s latest P8 PMP is hot — if 3 years too late to market.
The hardware itself makes use of a 5″ 800 x 480 touchscreen that supports HDMI output to larger external monitors. Codec support has always been one of iRiver’s strong suits, and they don’t disappoint with the P8: AVI, APE, FLAC, MP3, OGG, MKV, WAV, WMA, WMV and XviD. Storage can be bumped up beyond the stock 8 GB or 16 GB models thanks to support for microSD cards up to 32 GB in size.
Hardware aside we must say, the OS running atop the P8 is actually very slick. How it works in real-world use outside of a static press image, however, remains to be seen.
We’d be tempted to pick up an P8 for office purposes provided we really did have a GS AMEX and that the P8 was actually shipping outside of Russia (and had arrived 3 years prior…).
While the lowly mp3 player doesn’t have quite the same fascinating glimmer of our eye that it once did thanks in no small part to smartphones, there are still some people out there who want their tunes and nothing more. Thankfully the folks at Creative haven’t given up on the MP3/PMP crowd with the announcement their new M100 and M300 PMPs today.
The M300 is the “grand daddy” of these tiny players and comes in capacities of 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB with expandable storage compliments of microSD. An FM Tuner, Bluetooth, 1.45-inch display w/ touch sensitive buttons, and a 20 hour battery life round out these pocketable devices. The lesser M100 is nearly identical — the only lacking feature is bluetooth.
Both the M100 and M300 will ship in June in 4 colors: black, red, white, and yellow. Prices start at $40 and top out at $99.
Despite earlier rumors that Microsoft was in the process of discontinuing the Zune HD media player, a new update appears to bring new life to an aging platform. The new update brings one simple yet important feature — email. The “email for Zune HD” app is a free download from the Zune HD Marketplace and supports Gmail, Hotmail, and Exchange accounts (POP3 and IMAP support is said to be iffy).
From our quick jaunt around the web, it appears that this bare bones email app is merely half-baked. The inability to customize server settings, short list of supported email account types, and no contact syncing whatsoever have been voiced. However, the biggest flaw we’ve seen highlighted so far is that the app needs to re-download email every time the app is closed and re-opened. Still, having something is better than nothing wouldn’t you say?
In sea of smartphones each more than capable of managing multiple gigabytes of music, stand alone mp3 players are a dying breed. Even Apple’s might iPod — long the symbol of a truly digital world — has been waning in popularity and sales over the last couple of years. And with a device that is exponentially better (the iPhone and many other current smartphones) it makes sense. So it seems Microsoft is finally realizing the cold hard truth: They never had a chance at cracking Apple’s 3/4 market share of media players. And in the smartphone world of today, no body or mp3 player will.
Earlier this evening, Bloomberg published a report that Microsoft will discontinue Zune hardware development and new releases. Instead, the Zune team will refocus on bringing everything that made the Zune great (the software) to their Windows Phone 7 platform. It is here that Microsoft’s latest fight is currently waging against Apple. For the iPhone and its integrated iPod software are an extremely powerful 1-2 punch. While Windows Phone 7 already makes use of the Zune software, having the full Zune team focus solely on the WP7 platform ensures faster, more innovative updates and added features in the coming months and years (in theory).
So we have to ask old, famous Zune tattoo guy: Was it worth it in the end?
- December 30, 2010 9:13 am
With smartphones and do-it-all tablets, the traditional PMP has kind of lost its luster. Though cramming Android into said gadgets is helping prolong their lives a tad, turning them into “mini” tablets of sorts. On that note, the Creative Zen Touch 2 that was revealed and released in Europe many weeks back has made an official FCC appearance meaning a U.S. release is drawing closer. For those who need a quick refresher, the Zen Touch 2 features Android 2.1, 3.2-inch resistive (what?!) 480 x 320 display, GPS/WiFi (b,g,n)/Bluetooth 2.1 and a 2-megapixel camera. Other honorable mentions include an accelerometer, built-in speaker and microphone, and microSD card slot adding to the stock 8 GB or 16 GB storage offerings.
Currently, the Zen Touch 2 retails for £149.99 or £159.99 (8 GB/16 GB) in Europe. Translated for American dollars that comes out to roughly $230 and $250 respectively. Being that many higher-end smartphones can be had for the same price or less, we’d like to see Creative chop the price down a tad. Though in defense, a PMP can be likened to an unlocked phone — no subsidy = large up front cost. Check back for release date info and official pricing once it becomes available.
- December 29, 2010 6:08 pm
Android tablets are set to become the “big thing” in 2011, with scores of manufacturers looking to whittle away at the iPad’s dominance. On that note, consumer electronics company ARCHOS, announced a tablet of their own today. Officially going by the name of “ARCHOS 70″, the 7-inch tablet looks to set the standard for Android tablets moving into 2011. And on paper at least, it looks like as if it will be able to hold its own in the current market. But against the upcoming crop of Android tablets such as the Motorola XOOM and iPad 2, we’re not so sure anyone will remember the ARCHOS’ name at the end of the night:
- Processor: 1GHz ARM Cortex A8
- Display:: 7-inch 800 x 480 TFT LCD
- Storage:: 250 GB hard drive
- Operating System: Android 2.2 (Froyo)
At $350, it’s cheaper than stand alone tablets from many other manufacturers. Though if you’re willing to sign over a couple years of your life to the carrier of your choice, you can net yourself a tablet for much cheaper. We’ll be sure to give the ARCHOS 70 a thorough hands-on inspection next week at CES. Check back then.
Press release after the jump…
Individual app updates aren’t usually something we cover, but seeing as how Gadgetsteria depends on me writing…a lot…and WordPress to cater those words to you, I figured it was appropriate. Specifically, the latest WordPress mobile app to see this update is for iOS. The name of the game is bug fixes and minor improvements. That’s A-OK by me. After a pathetic attempt to write and post an article via WordPress for iOS this weekend, I can only hope this update makes it slightly less infuriating.
However minor, updates are always a welcome event. Hop inside for the full, detailed list of WordPress 2.6.2 for iOS updates…
To say the tablet market is exploding right would be an understatement. Currently, there are no less than half a dozen manufacturers including but not limited to Toshiba, LG, RIM, and Apple. Each company and device has their own spin on how a tablet should look and function. Who makes the best tablet is more or less subjective. But there’s another new kid on the block — Creative.
But where other tablets have more or less focused on screen size, apps, or appearance, Creative is taking a different approach and focusing on sound quality.
- September 13, 2010 7:34 pm
If there’s one thing Microsoft has stuck by even in the face of adversity in recent times, it’s the Zune. The sort of ugly step child in Microsoft’s more consumer-focused lineup hasn’t quite caught on in the mass public’s eye. Yet Microsoft keeps trudging along with the occasional Zune update. You’d be a fool to deny that Apple has been knocking things out of the park over the last few quarters. On that note, what (if anything) can Microsoft do to one up the iPod Touch, iPhone, or just Apple in general? So far, they’ve proven that they can’t beat the iPod (and some would argue they aren’t trying to).
What can they possibly do next? How about throwing Windows Phone 7 on it? It’s an intriguing idea and a good start. Though honestly, it needs to be done if Microsoft has any hope of remaining anywhere close to the iPod Touch in terms of relevance. I mean, the iPod Touch is running full blown iOS — a smartphone OS. The current Zune HD is running nothing more than a PMP OS that is quite limited. Seeing as how Windows Phone 7 pretty much packs the Zune interface within the music app, this rumor isn’t such a stretch.
I can see both sides to this story. On one hand, a more complex and versatile OS will really help the Zune branch out if Microsoft does so choose to go that route. At the same time, a simple PMP is what so many people crave and list it as one of the reasons they avoid the iPod Touch in particular. Though in the end, I’d imagine more people would gladly take a more well rounded, robust device instead of a single-use device these days.
What do you prefer: A more single-use PMP-only Zune or an iPod Touch-esque uber device?
