Dear Apple, iRiver and Everyone Else

Dear Apple and iRiver,

I will have only sporadic net access for the next week, so please delay all major product releases and firmware upgrades until I get back.

Thanks!
Lindsey
www.playerblog.com

Mini Review of the MPAVIO

Tom, one of our readers, has graciously allowed to us to reprint his comments on the MPAVIO, orginally mentioned here. The MPAVIO is a 20GB AV player with a 2.5" color LCD, but isn't widely available in the US. (Tom got his via eBay.) It supports playing a number of video formats including DivX, WMA and MPEG and can output video to a external monitor or TV.

Pros:

• Plays DivX and XVid with no problems so far. (I don't mind converting videos but some people might)
• Rechargeable battery lasts pretty long (at least enough for a regular length movie)
• Comes with remote, A/V cables, DC adapter and USB cable
• Easy transfer, just acts like an external hard drive
• Upgradeable firmware (although no upgrades exist yet)

Cons:

• Poor menu/interface. Not sure but I don't think there's any playlist support. No loop or random. Just basic play, pause, stop, FF and rewind
• Volume and brightness controls are really hard to adjust through tiny wheels on the side of the player
• An on screen volume control that can only be changed using the remote
• Player gets pretty warm while playing videos, using it with the TV only makes it slightly warm
• Chunky and heavy
• No screen protection. It does come with a fabric sack to keep it in though

Despite all the cons, its still great. It's much cheaper than most of the other PVPs on the market. It's more compatible with DivX and XVid (from what I hear, the other players arent too good). The lack of features doesnt bother me too much since I'm probably only going to use it to play single videos.

MS Mea Culpa 2004

This is our official announcement that yesterday's noise about a $50 iPod-killer was just that. Noise. An off-the-cuff remark was paraphrased into a news story that got us all atwitter. In actuality, nothing new was learned. Microsoft will not be producing its own media players. Rather, they will compete with Apple via manufacturers (iRiver, Creative) making Windows Media Center devices. The $50 figure is either woefully unrealistic or refers to a cheapo flash-based player. Or both.

Weekly Price Guide

It looks as if prices are starting to budge a bit as the release of a new generation of players gets closer. The iPod Mini and Creative MuVo² continue to be plagued by availability issues. Good luck getting either one for much less than retail.

Also there are a few good deals on players we don't typically cover in the weekly price roundup:

• Best Buy has the Philips HDD120 for $250
• The 2GB Bantam/GPX BA1000 is at Outpost.com for just $100
• Need extra space? The 60GB Creative Zen Xtra is $300 after rebate at Comp-u-plus
• Need even more space, the DMC-Xclef 500 is available at the Digital Mind store. The 40GB model is $250 and the 80GB model is $380

Player	Capacity	Brand	Price	Change	Vendor
iPod	15GB	Apple	$284	---	Amazon
iPod	40GB	Apple	$469	---	1ShopDirect
iPod Mini	4GB	Apple	$236	-$3	Amazon
Nomad MuVo²	4GB	Creative	$200	---	Mwave
Nomad Zen Xtra	30GB	Creative	$202	---	Comp-u-plus
DJ-20	20GB	Dell	$251	-$28	Dell
iHP-120	20GB	iRiver	$285	+$1	Comp-u-plus
iHP-140	40GB	iRiver	$369	-$6	Comp-u-plus
Nitrus	1.5GB	Rio	$152	-$14	Amazon
Karma	20GB	Rio	$249	---	Computers4SURE

Posted May 28, 2004 in by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Details on the iRiver H300

Digital Photography Review has the lowdown on iRiver's new H3xx line. As previously reported their will 20GB and 40GB models and both have a 2" color LCD for view photos.

What's new this time around is pricing. Japanese retail pricing for the 20GB H320 is 47,800 yen ($430 USD) and 59,800 Yen ($540 USD) for the 40GB H340. That's even more expensive than the iPod, but street prices will certainly be lower. As to whether anyone is willing to spend an extra $150 or so on the H300s remains to be seen.

In my mind, the USB On the Go (OTG) feature may be worth the extra cost to some. USB OTG lets you connect a digital camera directly to the player to transfer photos off of the camera's smaller memory card. So if you're shooting a lot of high-res photos, you don't have to drag a laptop around to free up space on your camera. And of course the H300s can display those photos once they've been moved onto it.

More bits: Japanese product page and press release.

Audio of MSN VP's Speech

I haven't found a written transcript of Yusuf Mehdi's remarks at yesterday's Goldman Sachs Internet Conference, but you can listen to his talk here. The bits about the iPod come out around 33:45.

I think the soundbite that spawned this was at 35:00:

Little [devices] that cost $50 bucks that you can go running with.

Also note that he says that Microsoft will not make the devices themselves, confirming that Microsoft's competition with the iPod will be by proxy through Windows Media Center device makers.

Microsoft iPod-Killer for $50?

The Seattle PI and the Denver Post (scroll down a bit to the Las Vegas entry) are running stories with quotes from Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi, VP of MSN. Not unexpectedly, Mehdi stated that Microsoft will be entering the MP3 player market soon. Most likely this will come indirectly via the upcoming Windows Media Center-based products from iRiver, Creative and others.

However, also Mehdi stated that the Microsoft offerings will be priced up to 80% less than the iPod. That would have some devices selling as low as $50. This would absolutely astonishing if (BIG if) it came to pass.

As of yet, we're unable to find a complete transcipt of Mehdi's whole speech. If your Google-fu is up to the task, please pass along the link to us.

More bits at SpyMac, PC Pro UK and MacWorld UK. BTW, what's up with Apple-centric sites being on top of MS's latest pronouncements?

iRiver PMP-120 Coming in June or July?

Pocket Lint has a brief mention of the upcoming iRiver PMP line. It mostly recaps the already known features of the A/V player, but it does state that the 20GB PMP-120 will debut in the US in June or July.

Business Week: iPod Not the Titan It's Said to Be?

If you're at all interested in the business aspect of the MP3 player market, you should by all means read the Business Week article iPod: Leader, but Not Ruler. What drives the article is the common notion that Apple has a 25% market share. While all the data to build an iron-clad case on Apple's worldwide market share isn't available, we're guessing that the 10% figure is at least a little low.

What's really striking here though is the estimate that the MP3 player market will grow by 85% this year and that Apple is poised for well over 100% growth in 2004. [Via Engadget]

Mac OS X v10.3.4 Update Fixes for iPod

If you're connecting your iPod to your Mac via USB, be sure to install the new v10.3.4 update to OS X. Admittedly, connecting via USB isn't the most common occurence, but according to Apple the update corrects the bug where your iPod wouldn't be recognized by iTunes and iSync. [Via Gizmodo]

Extreme MHz Reviews the Rio Karma

The gang at Extereme MHz have done a brief review of the 20GB Rio Karma.

There is nothing to dislike about the Rio Karma. It offers you much more out of the box than the Apple IPOD does and is the absolute best alternative currently on the market. It's the most feature-rich hard drive MP3 player we have had the pleasure of reviewing. Its superb playback features overwhelmingly surpass those of the Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen. The player, as well as the docking station, are superbly designed and allow you to not only connect it to an audio component, but also offers some advanced networking capabilities not found on any other digital audio player. Its design, display and interface is top notch. Based on my research, the only thing in question is the overall build quality of the device itself. I've read quite a few horror stories regarding this player. From hard drive failures to broken riosticks and wheels. I cannot comment on these as I have not used it long enough. Sure, all devices with moving parts are capable of malfunctioning, but if purchased with some kind of service plan or warranty, you'll at least have some peace of mind. Most users, including myself, strongly recommend you opt for a service plan when buying these types of devices.

That's some pretty high praise, but one big negative in our book against the Karma is that it is not a USB Mass Storage Device (MSD). This means you can't plug it into your computer and dump files on it. First you have to download and install the Rio software and use it to transfer files to the device. An unecessary PITA that iRiver and Apple models don't suffer from.

Second Sony Wannabe 'Walkman of the 21st Century'-Killer

The Register brings word of a second upcoming portable A/V player from Sony, the HMP-A1. A pile of photos and an article in Japanese are here. In constrast with the recently announced VGF-AP1 (VGF-AP1 photos here), the HMP-A1 appears a lot more down-to-earth looking. Also it actually plays MP3s instead of converting and recompressing to Sony's ATRAC DRM system.

The HMP-A1 will have a 20GB capacity and 3.5" color LCD while the VGF-AP1's color LCD is only 2.2". However, the HMP-A1 is a noticably larger at 5.1"x3"x0.87" compared with the VGF-AP1 at 4.5"x2.5"x0.67" (an iPod is 4.1"x2.4"x0.62"). The HMP-A1 is also a bit heavier at 8.8oz. The VGF-AP1 is 6.9oz and the iPod is 5.6oz.

More bits at Gizmodo, DAP Review and Engadget.

iRiver Accessories: DIY and Commercial

One thing that concerns me about my iRiver H-series player is how long the remote will survive. Not that this is necessarily iRiver's fault. The player itself is snug in its case, but the remote takes a beating through daily use. Fortunately, if and when I manage to crush it, it's comforting to know that at least I can buy a replacement (in the UK at least).

On the other hand, one thing you can't buy in a store is a cradle docking station for your H-series. Of course, you could just make one yourself. I predict brushed aluminum project cases will be the new black.

First Look at iRiver PMP-120

Gear @ IGN has a preview of iRiver's upcoming PMP-120. At the very least it confirms that it (a) exists, (b) has all the features that we thought it had and (c) will come out in the next few months (and long before the Windows Media Center-based PMC line).

Rest assured that the PMC is still on track for a 2004 release, but the PMP will be out a good deal earlier. iRiver wouldn't give a specific date, but we might see units shipping as early as this summer.

Notably though, this will be the first iRiver model with an interchangeable battery, rather than the sealed case of previous generations. Also the Gear article has size and weight stats for the PMP: 5.4"x3.3"x1.2" at 9.8oz.

Battery Brief

Reuters has a new article on batteries in MP3 players. If you're already familiar with battery technologies for portable gadgetry, it may not tell you anything new. However, it does touch on some of the ways battery technology choices affect your device.

"All other things being equal, probably the best kind of battery you are going to find is lithium polymer," he said. "That's what the original iPod had."

Based on an average playing time of four hours a day, IRiver says, its battery will last four to five years before it no longer recharges. IPod's battery lasts a couple of years.

New Rio Nitrus, Karma and Eigen Software

Speaking of Rio players, the support software for the Rio Nitrus, Karma and Eigen players was updated recently. You can download it here or see what's new in this version. Notably, the new version 2.61 has a fix for transferring Napster 2.0 songs onto the device.

Cracking the Case on Your Karma

Schenk took the plunge and cracked open the case on his Rio Nitrus and pulled out the hard drive. Not stopping there, he bravely connected it to his computer and even editted that web page the device displays when it is conneted via ethernet! Pictures galore, check it out. [Via DAP Review]

iPodlounge: How Sony Cemented iPod's Supremacy

iPodlounge has an analysis of how, in their opinion, Sony is shooting itself in the foot in the portable MP3 player market. Granted, iPodlounge is very much pro-iPod (well, duh), but their thoughts are well worth reading.[Via Gizmodo]

Sony's internal conflicts manifested most dramatically last week when two of its subsidiaries unveiled products that arguably contradict each other: in the Western hemisphere, a U.S.-based Sony executive was unveiling the "Walkman of the Future," PlayStation Portable, only one day after his Japan-based counterparts had debuted the "iPod killer" VAIO Pocket, a hard disk-based handheld jukebox with a color screen. Assuming that the devices came out at roughly the same time - as they might if Sony intended to stick to its announced release dates - they would be competing iPod alternatives, each based on different technologies, media formats, and marketing schemes, yet both from the same company.

Cringely on the Apple Re-Org

PBS tech columnist Robert X. Cringely has some interesting thoughts on the real reason why Apple created an entirely new business unit for the iPod. [Via Engadget]

I'm not saying this is going to happen, but I think it will happen if Apple has any trouble at all maintaining its margins under the current strategy. Absolutely look for the rape of the resellers, and then MAYBE look for the end of Macintosh hardware. But iPods and iTunes will be everywhere, even here in Charleston, which has a Target store, but is more than 100 miles from the nearest Macintosh dealer.

Bookend Autos Have Aux Inputs

DAP Review informs us that both the new Nissan Titan and Mini Cooper have AUX (3.5mm) inputs to the car stereo as standard options. All you need is a 3.5mm cable to plug your MP3 player into automotive listening pleasure. I wish more cars (especially mine) had AUX inputs, so hopefully this is the start of new trend. However, what's most striking about this news is that the Titan is one of the largest trucks on the road, while the Mini is one of the smallest. There's a message in there somewhere, but I don't know what it is.

Apple Video iPod Demystified

eHomeUpgrade has a new editorial on the likelihood of us pundits being correct as to what the 4th generation iPod will offer. Most of the article centers on the chip that powers iPods, the Player Portal PP5020. And we're proud to say that this site was one of the first to dig up that nugget of information.

[H]ow likely is it that such a device will come out from Apple? Answer: Very. Just look at all the new portable music players coming out from iRiver and Sony that are already integrating photo and album cover art features. It's only logical that Apple will be adding similar features next.

Business for iRiver Booming

Forbes has a brief Reuters article on iRiver's business outlook. They estimate that they'll book $450 million this year. Not too shabby.

Also, the article notes in passing that the Personal Media Players (PMPs) will be launched in the US and South Korea in August.

A Pile of Pics of the Sony Pocket Vaio

AV Watch, a Japanese gadget site, has a long article on the upcoming Sony VGF-AP1 with a bunch of photos of the device, its cradle, remote and support applications.

According to the article, the VGF-AP1 will go on sale in Japan on June 5th and retail for 53,000 Yen (roughly $470 USD). If you're like us and don't speak Japanese, Babelfish can help translate for you.

Weekly Price Guide

First Preview of the Sony Pocket Vaio

The Guardian has the first preview of Sony's upcoming harddrive-based MP3 player, the VGF-AP1. Not content to merely ape the iPod, Sony has put its own unique design spin on the device. How usable it will be in the hands of consumers remains to be seen though.

However, looks and interface aside, it is Sony's Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology that could become a make or a, much more likely, break feature. Apparently, the VGF-AP1 will only play music in Sony's ATRAC DRM format. Any other supported format, such as MP3 or WMA, would be converted to ATRAC when it is loaded onto the device. At the very least this would increase the time it takes to load music onto the player. Also, the conversion would likely degrade the quality of the original music since the compressed music must be recompressed into the new format.