SANSUI M55 MP3 Player

SANSUI has once again expanded its line of MP3 players by introducing the M55. Featuring a one piece aluminum casing, the player packs a small LCD screen, up to 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), touch sensitive control buttons, an e-book reader and a 10-hour battery. Sadly, there's no word on pricing yet. [SANSUI]
source: TechFresh

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Amber Cooper A5 Android PMP

Chinese-based company Amber has recently dropped their newest Android PMP ‘Cooper A5′ for the Chinese market. Specs-wise, the device packs a 5.0-inch 800 x 480 16M color touchscreen display, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), 720p HD video playback support, 3G, WiFi, OTG function and runs on Android 2.2 OS. The Cooper A5 sells for 499 Yuan (about $77).
source: TechFresh

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Portable solar charger, MP3 player and FM transmitter

If you hate running out of battery on some of your devices such as your smartphone or tablet or even MP3 player, then perhaps this 3-in-1 solar powered charger could be something you might want to check out.

The device looks like it will be able to charge a variety of other devices, ranging from smartphones that connect via USB, or even devices that can be charged via micro USB. It even comes with several adapters that looks like it could charge a variety of feature phones as well, or more specifically – Nokia 6101, Motorola RAZR V3, Samsung A288, Sony Ericsson K750.

Next up, the device is said to be able to play MP3s as well by inserting a microSD card into the slot. The package includes a free 2GB microSD card, although it will be able to support up to 32GB. Lastly, it also acts as an FM transmitter, which means you could plug it into your car and listen to your MP3s via your car's stereo. It looks like this device has thought up of pretty much everything, now if only it lets you surf the web as well.

It's available from Chinavasion for $27.94 which seems like a pretty good steal, although there is that saying - you get what you pay for.
source: Ubergizmo

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Cube U7 Pro Android PMP

Planning on replacing your old PMP with a new one? Why don't you take a look at this U7 Pro Android PMP from Cube. Priced at only 199 Yuan, the player features a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen display, an RK2816 processor, a 128MB DDR2 RAM, a 4GB of storage, Flash 8.0 support, 720p HD video playback support, a G-sensor, OTG function, TV-out and runs on Android 2.3 OS. [Cube]
source: TechFresh

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Creative ZEN Style M300 Bluetooth Touch MP3 Player

The Creative ZEN Style M300 MP3 player only has a tiny 1.45″ TFT screen, but it packs a lot of features into its small frame. The M300 has Bluetooth 2.1 wireless (A2DP & AVRCP profiles) so you can listen to your music with Bluetooth headsets or speakers. Touch keys around the screen control playback. It's plug-and-play ready, so it's easy to get files on the ZEN Style M300. It also has an FM radio and a built-in digital recorder. The M300 is available in 4GB ($49), 8GB ($69), and 16GB models. You can expand your storage space by adding up to a 32GB microSD card. The 4GB, and 8GB ZEN Style M300 can be ordered now at Creative Labs Online Store and Amazon.
source: The Gadgeteer

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JVC Victor introduces new iPad, iPhone and iPod universal Audio System

JVC Victor has a pair of new iPod/iPad and iPhone Audio Systems friendly in store with the UX-VJ5 and UX-VJ3. Both Capable to accommodate an iPad (1x2) and iPhone/iPod at the same time, these new iOS Device friendly Audio Systems comes Video Out, PC In, Audio In, an FM/AM Radio tuner, a 2x15W out put and for the UX-VJ5 a CD player as well as USB port and with capability to rip all your CDs in Mp3 files on any external USB devices.

If the price of these new iOS friendly Audio system is still unknown, JVC however has confirmed that it will put on the market these new UX-VJ5 and UX-VJ3 at the end of July / early August in Japan.
source: Akihabara News

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New iPad, iPhone and iPod universal Audio System unveiled by JVC Victor

If you're thinking that these are just more iPad/iPhone/iPod speaker docks, you would be wrong, because this is actually a CD player as well, that can double as an iPad/iPhone/iPod speaker dock. It was recently unveiled by JVC Victor and it is said to go on sale in Japan towards the end of July or early August, although no price has been mentioned.

Although the CD player is currently only available for the UX-VJ5 model, the UX-VJ3 features similar specs, minus the CD player of course, and both are said to be able to accommodate an iPad and an iPhone/iPod. Both devices are also said to feature Video Out, PC In, Audio In, an FM/AM Radio tuner, a 2x15W out put, as well as a USB port on the UX-VJ5, that is supposed to let you rip your CDs into MP3 format and then transferred to an external USB device, such as a flash drive or external hard disk.

We're not sure why anyone would need to dock an iPad and an iPhone/iPod at the same time. We're also guessing that when docked it would allow the device to charge, so perhaps it's just a convenient solution to charge two devices simultaneously. Other than that, we'll admit that they do look pretty sleek.
source: Ubergizmo

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SANSUI M99 Full HD PMP

Featuring a magnesium alloy metal casing, the M99 is SANSUI's latest Full HD PMP for the mass market. This simple yet elegant player packs a 4.3-inch 16M color touchscreen display, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, an FM radio, a voice recorder, a TV-out and supports up to 1080p Full HD video playback. The SANSUI M99 sells for 469 Yuan (about $72). [SANSUI]

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Meanwhile in Russia, iRiver Launches P8 PMP

Before you go about saying “iRiver what?”, the company is still around making interesting PMPs and other devices dedicated for the audiophile and videophile in us. Its latest product is the iRiver P8, a portable media player and a sleek widget-filled interface that looks Mac-esque to me. The home screen displays large icons for major functions like music, video, eBook, and integrated FM radio.

Majors features of this device include a 5-inch touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution, HD-resolution video support via HDMI input, microSDHC card slot for expanded memory, and multiple video file format support including AVI, WMV, MKV, and XviD. The P8 also supports many audio file formats like MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, FLAC, and APE.

Measuring 145 x 54.5 x 13.8 mm and weighing 227 grams, the iRiver P8 is set to debut in Russia first with 8GB and 16GB versions. Not sure whether this gadget will be available in other markets.
source: Gadget.com

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iRiver P8 rolls out in Mother Russia

Portable media players used to be all the rage, until smartphones caught up with the game and changed everything. Take a look at even your mid-range smartphone today – surely with its full touchscreen display, you are able to launch your favorite music videos or MP3s with but a few deft touches? This begs the question – is the dedicated portable media player an extinct device in this day and age? Perhaps in developed markets, but developing markets such as Russia might still find it palatable to tote around the iRiver P8.

This recently launched 5″ device will have its focus on video playback, handling High Definition video without missing a beat over its 800 x 480 display, or via HDMI for native resolution goodness. The interface is said to be heavily inspired by that of the Mac OS X, sporting a “dock” of common tasks in addition to widgets for top-level access.

Touting 9 hours of continuous video playback and 40 hours of music, you will find a wide range of formats supported here including MKV, XviD, AVI, and WMV. With 8GB and 16GB capacities to choose from, you can always expand that further via a microSDHC memory card slot. No idea on whether this model will arrive anywhere else apart from Russia though.
source: Ubergizmo

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H2O Audio Amphibx Fit Armband For iPhone, iPod, and Media Players

Having an iPod or Zune media player and still worried about damage cause by dropped in the toilet bowl, spilled a drink, or soaked in the rain when you put the gadget in bag? Don't worry because starting from now the H2O Audio Amphibx Fit Armband will help you by wrapped your media player securely. The protector also perfect for those who usually have a high-intensity outdoor sport activity and the H2O Audio Amphibx Fit Armband can be use for most larger MP3 players, iPods, iPhones, and Droid smartphones.

H2O Audio Amphibx Fit Armband

* 100% Waterproof/Sweatproof thanks to the patented LatchTight locking closure and SealTight headphone connector

* ClearTouch pouch allows for full function of touchscreen, camera and button features for functional protection in and around water

* A breathable Velcro strap and the StableFit buoy create a comfortable and secure fit

* This case sits slightly off the arm with minimal skin contact, allowing for air circulation without compromising fit during activity

* Adjustable Velcro armband fits most arm sizes. Remove the armband from the sturdy D-rings to throw the case in your pocket or gym bag

* Fits all iPhones, iPods, MP3 Players, and Phones

* Even with the device inside and armband attached the Amphibx Fit will float

If interested, you can purchase the H2O Audio Amphibx Fit Armband at Firebox for £49.99, at Newegg.com $54.95 and at Amazon for $54.99, both with free of shipping cost.
source: Today Gadgets

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BlueStacks “Android Player for Windows” looking for testers

The makers of BlueStacks, the Android/Windows system that is looking to combine the two operating systems, is after “alpha testers” for its service. The test version should be ready to launch in the “mid summer” according to BlueStacks itself.

You have to “like” the company through its Facebook page in order to get yourself into its Facebook inner circle and in contention for a testing role, so there's a chance this is all one big ruse to boost its social network standing…

…but we've just registered. Even though it'll surely be way too complex for us to offer any meaningful analysis.
source: Eurodroid

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Sennheiser/Adidas MX 680i Sports Earbuds for iPhone & iPod Review

I am currently in my forth decade of running…..tens of thousands of miles. But I have never run a marathon and prefer to run by myself versus running with the masses in organized races. Well, as the story goes….my wife is turning 40 next year and I have agreed to run the DisneyWorld marathon with her. So, throughout the remainder of the year, it is my goal to train for this 26.2 mile pilgrimage and hopefully tryout various tech that will make this labor of love more effective/efficient and hopefully, more enjoyable. The first of these exercise/sports/training related products is the Sennheiser MX 680i Sports Earbuds.

Sennheiser and Adidas have joined forces to create a sports-centric line of headphones; including the CX 680i Sports, MX 680i Sports, OMX 680i Sports and PMX 680i Sports. All specially engineered and designed for use with the iPhone and various iPods. All are sweat- and water-resistant, making them ideal for sports/exercise/fitness and have integrated multifunctional EAC Remote Control and microphone for use with Apple's iDevices.

Over the past few years, I have reviewed many high-end earbuds and monitors here on the Gadgeteer. However, I do not use these fancy (& very expensive) earbuds/monitors to listen to my get-up-&-go music while running. I also do not want to trash/wreck them with sweat or damage them physically while lifting weights. I typically use the less than stellar (aka cr@ppy) earbuds Apple includes with its products which are fine enough for running. At least that is what I thought, until I tried the MX 680i from Sennheiser/Adidas line of sports earbuds.

Package Contents:

MX 680 headphones
1 pair of foam earpads
3 pairs of EarFin adapters (S/M/L)
2 pairs of air cushion adapters (S/L)
2 pairs of ear sleeves
1 pair of housing rings
1 extension cable with volume control
1 storage pouch
1 cable clip
1 instruction manual

Sennheiser includes many accessories/adapters/sleeves with the MX 680i to tweak the earbuds to fit well and stay in place while exercising. The most ingenious piece is the EarFin adapters that add a bit of pressure in just the right way to more securely hold the MX 680i in your ear while working out.

Features:

Engineered on legendary Sennheiser/adidas Performance specifically for Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad series
Revolutionary EarFin holding mechanism is comfortable and stable- eliminating “falling earbuds”
Energizing, high-output sound keeps you running
Secure fit in-the-outer-ear stays put without using your hands
DuPont™ Kevlar® reinforced cables are ultra-durable and flexible even in cold temperatures
Sweat and water resistant construction for indoor and outdoor use during any season
Built-in volume control
Includes a 3 button control and mic for management of calls and music
Compatible with adidas miCoach, iPhone and all iPods/MP3 players with a 1x8″ (3.5mm) plug (mic & remote for Apple devices only)
Two YEAR warranty

Technical Specifications:

Comfort and Fit:

The MX 680i earbuds features robust on-ear drivers and an EarFin holding system that offers a secure and comfortable fit during workouts. In addition to the EarFins, I also use the (included) foam covers for even greater stability.

The MX 680i are of the classic earbud design, sitting on the outside of your ear-canal with nothing protruding into your ear. As you can see, they are nicely designed to fit the shape of the average ear.

Durability: Sennheiser and Adidas have done a great job of creating a nice balance of improved listening experience, better stay-in-your-ear design, and rugged durability at a price point that will not break the bank. I am very hard on the earbuds I workout with. While the standard earbuds (without a remote/mic) dies a long (approx. 4-6 months) painful death, the Apple earbuds with remote/mic die in less than a week. On a long hard run, I sweat like a pig which always gets into the remote and it is never the same .

I have been using the MX 680i for over a month now (dozens of runs) and they sound and operate as well as the first day I tried them. As you can see from the remote/mic shown above, the 680′s are much more durable, water/sweat resistant, hardened than the typical earbuds that come with your standard mp3 player. The remote/mic and earbuds themselves are suppose to survive sweat, rain and hard days….the cabling is Kevlar reinforced and stays flexible in cold temperatures. Sennheiser also backs up their sport branded designs with a two year warranty.

Listening Experience:

I made the mistake of listening with the MX 680′s for the first time by watching a streaming CNET video. My initial thought was ‘ehhh, no better than my iPhone earbuds….' But then I used them to listen to some quality sounds and the experience was MUCH better. The base is a lot deeper and highs are clearer than any classic earbuds I have ever worked out with. A very nice listening experience. That said, while better than the usual ‘stock' earbuds, they do not come close to monitor quality sound (which is to be expected).

The remote is nice and convenient when using my iPod Nano (or Shuffle), so that I do not need to use its touchscreen interface while running. Especially for the latest Nano, this type of control makes switching songs much easier and more efficient. I attempted using the remote with my wife's Droid Incredible and SanDisk Sansa Clip and it did not work. The Sennheiser/Adidas i-series is specifically designed to work with Apple-tech but if you do not use an iDevice to workout with you can still use the 680i's to listen to your tunes.

The Sennheiser/Adidas MX 680i Sports Earbuds are ideal for running/exercising/working out. They produce a much better listening experience than the stock earbuds Apple includes with their iDevices. The 680i-series are durable, water/sweat-resistant, and give you a much richer base and upper-end sound quality. At between $60-$80, they are a good bang for the buck for upgrading your listening experience while working out.
source: The Gadgeteer

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iRiver Russia unveils the P8 a new 5' PMP

iRiver Russia unveiled a new PMP from the Korean manufacturer with the P8. Available in 8 or 16GB, this new PMP comes with a 5" WVGA touchscreen, HMDI out with 1080p video playback, a battery capable to offer up to 10h of continuous video playback and 40h for music, an SDHC card slot, the support of MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AVI, XviD, WMV, MKV, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TXT in a compact body of 145×54.5×13.8mm and for just 227g.
source: Akihabara News

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iRiver P8 5-inch PMP

iRiver today released the new P8 portable media player in Russia. Available in 8GB or 16GB, this 8-inch PMP features a 5-inch WVGA touchscreen display, an HMDI out with 1080p video playback and an SDHC card slot. Its battery provides up to 10-hour of continuous video playback or up to 40-hour for continuous music playback. Measuring 145mm x 54.5mm x 13.8mm and weighing 227 grams, the gadget is compatible with MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AVI, XviD, WMV, MKV, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF and TXT files. No word on pricing at this time. [Akihabara]

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Would You Pay $650 For This Wooden Audio Board?

If you've recently spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for an amazing home stereo system, perhaps an additional $650 won't seem like a lot. $650 for a piece of wood that is. This piece of wood by Japanese home stereo company Kripton is said to help reduce vibrations coming out of your equipment, which at the same time improves the performance. It is also said to minimize electromagnetic noise.

The Kripton AB-3200 which is pictured above, comes weighing in at a hefty 33 lbs and can support gear up to about 330 lbs. It's priced at ¥35,700, about $442. The bigger and more substantial AB-5200 weighs in at 52 lbs and will set you back a cool ¥52,500 ($650). Both models are made from natural woods which include teak and rosewood, with a dense MDF wood substrate providing the heft and stability, and will be available in both black and natural finishings.

We have no way of knowing if this $650 piece of wood will actually improve your speaker systems but we're guessing audiophiles should be more familiar with this issue, and to be fair this does seem like an audiophile accessory.
source: Ubergizmo

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Window N3 Elite Android PMP

Here comes another Android PMP from Window, the N3 Elite. Powered by an RK2816 processor, the player sports a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen display, a 128MB DDR2 RAM, a 4GB of storage, a microSD card slot, Flash 8.0 support, a G-sensor, 720p HD video playback support, OTG function and runs on Android 2.3 OS. The N3 Elite sells for 199 Yuan (about $21). [iMP3]

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Sony intros G-Series micro HiFi iPhone / iPod systems, blends retro looks with modern features

Sony's got a reputation for pumping out forwardly-designed wares, but its new G-Series micro HiFi systems are a blast from the past — at a glance, anyway. Both rigs are MP3 and iPhone / iPod-compatible via USB and will be available in two different configurations. To start, the CMT-G1BiP / G1iP feature 60 watts of RMS power with DAB packed into the former for those who find only having AM/FM is passé. Next up, the CMT-G2BNiP / G2NiP add WiFi for getting your stream on from the Web or a PC and can be remote-controlled with a free iOS app. The “HiFi” moniker mixed with iPod connectivity might have audiophiles raising a brow to sound quality, but the brushed metal console and its piano-gloss satellites are lookers none-the-less. A single variant is currently listed on the Sony UK site, although there's not a squeak regarding cost or release dates.
source: 2DayBlog.com

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Incase Flex Wristband for 6th Generation iPod nano

I've seen a lot of watchbands for the 6th generation iPod nano, but the Incase Flex Wristband is the first “stretchy” one I've seen. The flexible steel band stretches to fit most any wrist. It's available in black, gold, or silver matte finish that looks much more sophisticated than those silicone bands. All controls and connectors are available so you can listen to music while you wear it or charge it on your nightstand without having to remove it from the wristband. The Incase Flex Wristband is $49.95.
source: The Gadgeteer

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Apple iTunes Festival London 2011 will be streaming on iOS Devices all around the world

In case you haven't heard, Apple's iTunes Festival that's held this year in London starts today - 31 nights and 62 artists performing their hits live on stage. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world can make it to London this month to catch their favourite acts in the flesh. Fortunately for those people, Apple has released an app to solve that problem.

Called iTunes Festival London 2011, this app will turn your iOS device into a source of live music for the whole of next month. So while you may not be able to join the mosh pit or get drenched in the sweat of screaming fans shoving you aside to get to the front of the stage - you'll be able to watch all the acts on the festival in HD… in the comfort of your own living room. And just in case you miss your favourite artist performing live, you'll be able to purchase the recordings of the concerts exclusively on iTunes later. Head over to the Apple App Store to download the app now (it's free).
source: Ubergizmo

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Latte ICE 16GB PMP

Getting yourself a new PMP anytime soon? Why don't you take a look at this Latte ICE 16GB PMP over at Overstock. Priced at just $75.85, the player packs a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 widescreen LCD display, a 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB), an FM radio, a text viewer, a picture browser, a voice recorder, a 3.5mm headset jack and provides up to 8 hours of music playback.
source: TechFresh

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