This new PMP (portable media player) comes from iRiver and looks quite amazing. It is named the Spinn and has a 3.2" AMOLED display capable of displaying a 480 x272 resolution which is widescreen format. Video is displayed at 30 frames per second and it works as a photo viewer and MP3 player. iRiver also threw in an FM tuner, DMB for those areas which support it, and text viewer. That's a nice set of features in this great looking PMP.
On the connectivity side the Spinn supports Bluetooth and USB. Controlling the device is done with a toggle wheel mounted to the right. Memory sizes are from 4GB up to 16GB. Due out later this year the iRiver Spinn is bound to be a good seller.
When you wear this hat you have full MP3 listening capabilities as well as the ability to record conversations from "apparently" 35 feet away. In all honesty, would anybody be caught dead in the hat? Although I must admit it's a unique idea, I still don't fully see a need for it.
On the technical size the cam comes in 5 variations from 256MB to 4GB and the microphone can record 128kbps.
The Ironman iControl is an iPod remote control which connects direct you various iPod's and the iPhone (We assume the iPod Touch also). It allows you to control your iPod while running with out having to move your head to look at the iPod on your arm. It works by plugging in a small wireless device in to the iPod which then allows it to be controlled by the watch. Nice idea! It costs about $80 from Amazon.
Thompson has launched the F2 PMP (Portable Media Player) which supports MP3, WMA, AMV as well as E-Book formats and images. The screen measures 1.8 inches (LCD) and has bright and normal modes for the times you want to conserve battery life. There is also a microphone in there and a number of games which can be played. Multi tasking is also available which allows you to read an E-Book while listening to music at the same time. 7 EQ modes are available to adjust sound to your liking.
Connection to the PC is provided via USB 2.0 which allows music, video, images and books to be transferred quickly to it's 1Gb of built in memory. Costing $62 it's not a bad price at all for the little player.
What makes this Digital Voice Recorder "the best"? According to Hammacher, this digital voice recorder gives superior playback clarity at distance. Testing of this digital voice recorder was done at 20 feet away from a source and proved to have better sound clarity then any others that were tested along side. It achieves this with a variable control voice actuator which can set the correct volume level to record at.
record voices without obscuring Ps, Bs, and Ss up to 40' away, 10' more than the nearest tested model. The recorder is easy to set up for initial recording a nd its built-in 256MB memory allows it to record up to 66 1/2 hours in LP mode.
It connects to a PC via USB allowing you to transfer the audio easily. Powered by AA batteries it can record up to 32 hours before needing a recharge.
When you think of a Swiss Army knife you often are reminded of a knife with blades, scissors and occasionally a laser pointer built in. The Swiss Beat MP3 player is their next attempt at making a really cool knife/MP3 player. It comes with a built in MP3 player housed in an aluminium case with a high quality 3 line LCD display. Also a handy feature is the scissors that come attached which make opening CD cases a lot easier when they are sealed up.
Features
* Removable USB flash-based MP3 player with 1GB capacity
* Stereo FM radio with recording capability, 15 station presets
* Digital voice recorder with built-in microphone (MP3 format)
* 6 Equalizer modes
* Quality earphones with adjustable neck strap and anti-dangling mechanism
* Remote control with 2 earphone jacks and hold switch
* Plug and Play - no software required
* Utility CD and quick install guide
* Adjustable arm strap and belt clip
* Line-in cable to record from external sources
* Integrated rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery
* Supports MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg Vorbis formats
* High speed USB 2.0
* 2" blade, mini scissors, nail file with nail cleaner
* Dimensions: 2.9" x .8" x .9" (7.4 x 2 x 2.3 cm)
* Warranty on tools (Lifetime) and electronics (2 years)
* View the User manual
iPod docks are everywhere on the market. However, I believe that none look as good as the Thodio iBox which comes from Amsterdam. It was created a couple of years back and each case is handcrafted from 15mm of beech, oak, teak, zebrano or mahogany. Inside the box you will find a battery which can keep the dock pumping out music for 15 hours on one charge. This does away with the need of carrying cables around. The sound is produced by 2 x 25 watt amps and a pair of Focal Polyglass 100CV1 full range speakers.
An optional extra is Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to stream music from your phone or PC direct to it with out wires. This feature will set you back another ‚¬149.
Prices for the Thodio iBox start at ‚¬359 for the MDF version and go up to ‚¬549 for a deluxe finish.
This spider pig can play music through it's nose. It connects to your PC or iPod and pumps out the music from either device. If you want to use it as a radio then that's no problem either as it has a built in FM tuner. It's ears control the volume and radio channel and the pig can be powered by either 4 AAA batteries or USB.
The T.Sonic 650 is a new flashed based digital audio player (DAP) which has a capacity of 4GB. The small screen is OLED and the battery life is 15 hours. Compatible formats on the player are MP3, WMA and WMA-DRM10. An interesting feature is VAD which stands for Voice Activation Detection. I assume you shout at the thing to switch it on. For those who still enjoy the radio there is an FM tuner built in. No pricing yet.
iPod Docking Stations seem to be all over at the moment in a similar way to crazy USB gadgets. I came across 3 unique ones today which are both interesting and a little crazy. The first one pictured above is the High School Musical MP3 player dock which is shaped like a basketball and opens up to reveal a microphone, speakers and dock. I wouldn't suggest bouncing it around.
Next is the iConcepts iPod dock which is built for the shower. A compartment opens up to reveal a place to dock your iPod or similar MP3 device. The enclosure is waterproof which protects your iPod from harm. If you forget the iPod then you also have the option to play radio which happens to be digital according to Gadgetizer where I came across the iConcepts device. It costs $40.
Last on the list today is the PS-Mi iPod dock. This one is the more serious out of the three devices and features 3 drivers in the top section and a subwoofer to the side.
MPMan was the worlds first MP3 player which launched in the spring of 1998. Many believe it was the Diamond Multimedia Rio PMP300. The MPMan was made by Saehan and showed up a couple of months before the Diamond. When first launched the MPMan had 32 Meg of memory built in. If you sent it back to the manufacturer along with a cheque for $76.95 they would upgrade that to a 64 Meg player. That doesn't seem like a lot of memory these days, but at the time it was good to store a couple of albums on. The MPMan measured 91mm x 70mm x 16.5mm which isn't too bad of a size for the time. It weighed just over 2Oz.
A helmet may not be everyone's favourite thing to wear when doing sports, but they can save your life. This new helmet has Bluetooth built in which allows you to connect your iPod up to it to listen to music wirelessly. It has 2 built-in speakers which fit over your ears. On the iPod (or other music source) side you attach a Bluetooth transmitter to the headphone socket and hit play. Once all connected up you are good to go.
The helmet costs $300 and is available from Hammacher.
