Microsoft has released a strange yet creative “Pixel Dancers” advertisement promoting its Zune player. What are your thoughts? Video after the jump.
A reader just sent in a video clip of what they claim is the “world’s first SNES controller MP3 player”. Technical specifications weren’t provided, but it looks as if the controls are mapped to the SNES controller’s buttons — volume; track forward/backward, etc. — and USB connectivity for music transfer. Video after the jump. (Thanks, David P)
Finally, Microsoft brings us their own “Get a Mac” spoof, which basically pits “a Zune-toting PC with an iPod-carrying Mac, and apparently screened the ad at a recent company meeting.” Video after the jump.
The sticking point is how “difficult” it is to get music onto the iPod versus how “simple” it is on the Zune. Not that we think the iPod is a paragon of usability, but we can’t not bring up the fact that we’d love to see Microsoft live up to its claim and really make getting music as easy as pushing a single button
[via engadget]
We recently got our hands on the Insignia NS-DV2G and it’s definitely one of the best digital media players priced under $120. It features a 2.2-inch color TFT display, built-in FM tuner w/20 presets, microSD card slot, USB 2.0 connectivity, and up to 20-hours of continuous playback (audio). “Continue reading” for the full review.
GenerationMP3 provides us with a hands-on preview of Cowon’s iAudio F2 player, which features a 1.3-inch TFT display, 2GB of built-in memory, and a 22-hour battery life. It measures 34.4 x 72.9 x 16.7mm and weighs in at just 39g. Video after the jump.
Our friends over at Gizmodo recently compiled a list of reasons on why the iPod Shuffle beats the Nano. We’ve selected two of our favorites after the jump. Product page. What are your thoughts?
Apple’s iPod shuffle sales have been brisk, and it’s the sleeper hit of the holiday season. There are good reasons why this is happening, all of them having to do with features of the shuffle that can each be found elsewhere, but none all on one player
[via Gizmodo]
3. It’s tiny. It’s hard to imagine just how small the shuffle is until you’ve held one in your hand. It’s literally the size of a postage stamp. It’s 1 5/8″ wide and 1 1/16″ tall and it’s 3/8″ thick including the clip. Sure, there’s no screen, but if you have a playlist in a particular order, or a lineup of podcasts you want to hear on a long walk, who cares?
4. It’s cheap. At $79, it lowers the barrier of entry to using the iPod complement of features, the best of which is the iTunes Music Store which has a tremendous selection of DRM music that’s easily cracked, and the whole system works well with all of Apple’s players.
read the rest here
Tiny enough to slip in your pocket, this player boasts a 2.5-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen display, 2GB or 4GB of internal memory, a built-in DMB tuner, FM tuner, voice recorder, an SD/MMC card slot, and up to 52-hours (audio) / 10-hours (video) battery life. Supported formats include MP3, WMA, OGG, MPEG-4, WMV9, and FLAC. Video after the jump. [via dapreview]
According to RegHardware, Apple is planning to launch three new iPod models in 2007 — including a 16GB Flash memory-based player.
The new models include the long-awaited widescreen video-centric iPod and possibly a recently rumoured 16GB Flash-based video player. Having only recently updated the iPod, iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle, Apple is unlikely to tinker with the line in the immediate future, though tweaks may come early next year as the company responds to demand over the Christmas period
[via RegHardware]
Microsoft has just released a new “Zune” commercial titled: “Cookie”. What are your thoughts? Video after the jump. Here’s what Brian Lam of Gizmodo has to say:
People have been claiming the Zune is not selling well, while others are impressed with its quick , solid launch. Some says it sucks, some say it’s great. Let me remind you of the truth: The Zune is here for the long haul. It’s a contender. It’s worth considering. For some, now. For most, later in a future version
[via Gizmodo]
Samsung upgrades its YP-Z5 player with 18K gold casing. Limited to just 10-units worldwide, the YP-Z5 features a 1.8-inch TFT display, an FM tuner, DNSe 3D equalizer, and a voice recorder. Supported formats include MP3, WMA, ASF, and JPEG. Fully charged, it has an amazing 35 hour battery life.
In honor of a million Z5’s being sold, Mercer and Samsung will be auctioning off 10 YP-Z5’s encased in genuine 18K Gold…Samsung is expecting them to go for 120,000 each (Yen we suppose). Moreover the box it comes in is also adorned with that shiny yellow stuff. The YP-Z5 was designed by Paul Mercer, the man who designed the iPod’s interface
[via NewLaunches]