Archive for Media Players
December 2, 2006 at 9:12 am · Filed under Media Players
As I mentioned previously the BenQ MusiQ Dog Tags made me look twice. The video on their mini site made me almost fall out of my chair!
If you have not seen the video yet here is a still shot:
Apparently they did not have an english copy writer available to at the very least check their spelling. “Belive”!
View the video here at BenQs’ mini site: http://www.benq.com.cn/musiq/
This image is a little small however look closely. Is that the World Trade Center in the back ground?
Unfortunately I can’t find their slogan in english but loosely translated it says, “Even if the world is destroy to dust, I still believe in music.”
here is a larger image.
If this is BenQ’s way of creating a “Buzz” it worked and for BenQ’s sake they better hope that any press is truly good press.
December 2, 2006 at 9:01 am · Filed under Media Players
The BenQ MusiQ appears to be a definite head turner. I did I double take when I saw the first images of it on a Chinese website. Complete with a headphone cord integrated into the neck chain. Not quite as small as a the shuffle and a lot shinier. 512 MB version will be available December 4th via hotline (whoopee) and December 15th online. It is currently selling for $88.50 in China and will cost the same in the US. The 1 GB model pricing is not available as of this entry.
Best feature: The MicrosSD card slot
Coolness Factor: Etched with two different designs: “steel wings” for guys and “magic bean” for girls.
Drawbacks: Really bad marketing campaign (see next blog entry)
December 1, 2006 at 9:13 am · Filed under Media Players
It seems like the iPod has been around forever! Or at least 10 years but October marks the fifth birthday of the iPod.
Five years ago the first 5 GB Apple ipod was released. Five months later in March of 2002 Apple added the 10 GB ipod.
In July of 2002 the second generation ipods were released. A 20 GB ipod was born to go along with the 10 GB model.
In April of 2003 the Apple iTunes music store was launched and a few days later the third generation ipods were released including the addition of a 30 GB and 40 GB as well as a 15 GB model.
Just under nine months later, in January of 2004 Apple released the first generation ipod nano. This 4 GB ipod would become very popular due to both it’s size and price point.
In July of 2004 the 4th generation 20 and 40 GB models were released.
In October of 2004 Apple released it’s first ipod photo in 40 and 60 GB versions. At the same time Apple released it’s ipod “U2″ Special Edition and a few months later in Februaury of 2005 Apple discontinued the 40 GB ipod while releasing the second generation 4 and 6 GB minis as well as the first 512 MB and 1 GB ipod shuffles.
In June of 2005 Apple consolidated the ipod and ipod photo into a single unit and made them available in 30 and 60 GB models.
In September of 2005 Apple replaced the ipod mini with a 2 and 4 GB ipod nanos.
The next month Apple introduced it’s fifth generation ipods. The 30 GB and 60 GB video ipods.
In February of 2006 Apple adds the 1 GB nano at a retail price of $149 and drops the price of the 512 MB shuffle to $69 and it’s 1 GB shuffle to $99
In September of 2006 Apple makes several changes to much of their ipod line up including the release of the second generation Nanos in 2, 4 and 8 GB models. The new nanos come in a variety of colors. The second generation 1 GB ipod shuffel is released and iTunes receives a major overhaul with the release of iTunes 7.0. The fifth generation ipod receives some minor updates.
November 30, 2006 at 9:18 am · Filed under Media Players
Zune brings a tall list of features into the ring against Apples iPod. From music sharing via wi-fi to a built in FM radio the Zune seems a stiff competitor. Unfortunately, the WiFi only connects their Zune to another Zune for downloading music.
Well, that still seems pretty cool but you can only listen to the shared song 3 times. To keep it you now need to purchase it. Sure, the artists need to make money but teasing us just doesn’t seem fair.
Why can’t I use WiFi to connect my Zune to my computer? I would imagine Microsoft will add this but at this point the Zune lacks this functionality. A no brainer for the next Zune!
Technical Specifications:
Manufacturer: Toshiba Vendor: Microsoft
Size: 2.4 inches Wide - 4.4 inches Tall - .58 inches Thick
Weight: 5.6 Ounces
Compatibility: PC (not Mac compatible)
Color: Brown, Black and White
Capacity: 30GB Hard Drive
WiFi capability: File sharing peer to peer
Supported Media: Audio and Video - File types WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 up to 320×240 and unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC formats up to 320Kbps, 48KHz.
Video size: 3-inch LCD high resolution screen
USB: 2.0
Tactile Control
Resolution: 320 x 240
Built-in: TV output, FM radio tuner. DJ mode is supported.
Battery: Li-Ion
November 28, 2006 at 9:13 am · Filed under Electronics, Technology, Media Players, iPod, Geek Tech, Audio, Gadgets
That’s right, iPod and Google seem to be getting a bit friendly these days. I think Google knows how to pick a winner and this is proof of that.
According to Google’s VP of European Operations, Nikesh Arora, iPods increasing storage size will give the little device no limits when it comes to ramping up space capacity.
From the original source:
“Arora said, by 2012, iPods could launch at similar prices to those on
sale now and yet be capable of holding a whole year’s worth of video
releases. Around 10 years down the line that could be expanded,
creating iPods that can hold all the music ever sold commercially.”
Wasn’t iPod supposed to be dead?
Technorati Tags: iPod, Media+players, Apple, Google
November 15, 2006 at 10:37 am · Filed under Media Players, Microsoft, iPod, Geek Tech, Gadgets, Zune
This week has been a little odd for me with my web finds. I just can’t seem to shake these weird finds that keep coming up. First, there was the Girl Poop Pants story, and now bananas have their own suit cases.
I think a picture could probably sum up the new and improved Banana Guard.
My question is… does anyone else think this whole banana case thing looks a little…ummm…kinky?
November 15, 2006 at 10:11 am · Filed under Media Players, Microsoft, iPod, Geek Tech, Gadgets, Zune
Microsoft seems to have simply gotten in too much of a hurry to jump on the media player bandwagon with its new “iPod Killer”, the Zune. It’s almost as if they needed to release a Beta version to a few of us junkies so we could have at least tried to help them through this painful episode with a little less tears. That obviously didn’t happen.
Here we are a day or two after Zune went on the shelves and the AppleInsider is confirming that Zune isn’t even compatible with Windows Vista. That’s right, the big bad Zune won’t even work with Microsoft’s new OS that should start hitting machines shortly.
Talk about rushing out the door with shirt on backwards! I almost feel kind of sorry for the Zune folks. I mean… who would have thought it would be THIS bad?
iPod, it’s your turn. Let’s see what you got!
November 12, 2006 at 10:24 am · Filed under Media Players, Electronics, Technology, Microsoft, iPod, Audio, Zune, Gadgets, Geek Tech, Miscellaneous
I think most of us watching the whole iPod killer wannabe come out of the gate knew all too well what the DRM feature Zune shoves in our face was about. The DRM program in the Zune media player kills any file after its third play if it wasn’t purchased, regardless of where the file came from. What this means is that any indy band or individual looking to market their own music (in my case it is trance that I create and offer for free) will be dead in the water with this new “iPod Killer”. Personally, I knew what was behind the surface… money.
Fox News has a story posted on their website that explains a recent announcement that Microsoft plans to cut Universal Music in on every Zune device that is sold.
The big question is… was Zune really built for the community as Microsoft proclaims, or is it another M$ ploy for more power and cash?
What say you?
November 11, 2006 at 10:12 pm · Filed under Electronics, Technology, Microsoft, Media Players, iPod, Zune, Gadgets, Audio, Miscellaneous
I kind of giggle every time I read something like this. There was a day when I was actually curious to see how well Zune would perform in its infancy, but that day has long passed. When the Software giant Microsoft can’t even find a base that doesn’t pack an iPod they just might want to re-think the whole “we killed your cool toy” marketing ploy.
October 9, 2006 at 8:24 am · Filed under Media Players, Electronics, Audio, Geek Tech, Gadgets, Miscellaneous
Ever crave a nice massage while listening to some jams? The OSIM iGoGo is an MP3 player that massages you in rhythm to the music. The electronic MP3 device comes with 2 wireless massagers (expandable to 4) and 7 massage programmes (e.g., a Morning Massage to “stimulate and wake up your senses and your body”). The space of the player isn’t anything to write home about, but at 128MB built-in flash memory, with an external slot for an MMC card of up to 512MB it should get the job done.
Hat-Tip: Gizmodo
October 7, 2006 at 12:49 am · Filed under Blogging, Media Players, Electronics, iPod, Audio, Zune, Gadgets, Geek Tech, Miscellaneous
Zune’s very own Cesar Menendez is putting together yet another “Zune and soup” meeting.
Last Wednesday Cesar met with his blog readers to show them his Zune and enjoy some small talk. According to Cesar’s blog he’ll be back at the Coffee Chop in Seattle this next Wednesday for another cup of soup and some show and tell with the new Zune. I’m no fan of the Zune, but it’s good to see Microsoft getting its people out in the real world.
In case you’re new to the Zune storm, Zune is Microsoft’s stumbling attempt to challenge iPod for the king of the media players trophy.
More on this soon!
Read the rest of this entry »
October 5, 2006 at 8:57 pm · Filed under Media Players, Audio, Geek Tech, Gadgets
Hat-Tip: Uber Gizmo
Creative is a company that I haven’t been watching much lately to be quite honest. But I do plan on watching the company more and more now that these kinds of gadgets are coming through their doors.
The latest goodie is the new Zen V Plus.
With today’s high energy media player market getting ready to collide in heated competition, it’s good to see companies other than the two big dogs jumping in with players like the Zen V Plus.
This music cranking gizmo is showing Microsoft how it’s done in my opinion. No DRM, no compatability issues, no this thing is just downright built for the user and the user alone. It has the benefits of a PDA, the style of an iPod, and much more.
It might not have the huge memory base that some folks are after, but at about $85.00 who can complain?
