smartech

This isn’t the best year to find new media players at the CES show in Vegas. Still, if you look closer, you just might see a few, hidden, while walking down the halls. One of them, which looks quiet similar to the Cowon S9, is iRiver’s 3.5-inch K1, also known as “Smart HD”, which may give you a sense of what it can play, besides the usual batch of formats we all know. Screen resolution is at 480 x 320 and the PMP itself boasts a DMB TV tuner,along WiFi, web browser, a built-in mic and integrated FM tuner. Internet support is definitely the trigger that caught our attention here, but mind you, it can also be used as a mini e-book reader, out of the box, the moment it comes out in South Korea at the end of the month. No price or US release info at the moment.

Update: It looks like iRiver’s K1 PMP will go live initially in Korea only. It will be offer in variant flavors, including the basic 8GB version, priced at â‚©229,000 (about $205), while a DMB mobile TV tuner add-on will run for â‚©279,000 (about $250) and the 16GB model for â‚©299,000 (about $265). In case you’re into the full fledged pack with WiFi, DMB tuner and 16 gigs of storage, the K1 will cost you â‚©349,000, or $310 US dollars.

Despite market flotation, we keep seeing more and more entry-level players surface up in the wild, targeting non-deep pockets, at the time where branded ones are out of their reach.  This way or another, some manufacturers, like Korean iRiver, occasionally offer both. From one hand we have a pricey touchscreen media player such as the P7, which costs hundreds of dollars, and from the other, the E30, that represents the slim and light lineup. The late, that enters into Chinese markets these days, packs a 1.8-inch display and either 4GB ($59) or 8GB ( $79.99) capacities to choose from. Besides that it sports a 52 hours battery and runs almost every known format, available around.

Update: Amazon now has it, up for order both in 4GB and 8GB storage capacities.

[via gmp3]

It’s small, black (with golden touch) and looks like Hello Kitty, have you guessed? Well, that wasn’t hard, was it? I guess not, especially when it comes from a company – AKA iRiver – that already launched Mickey Mouse players to the pond. This time it’s a cat, THE cat, if you take Garfield out of the equation. The DAP itself offers either 2GB or 4GB storage capacities at your choice, along a USB cable and color matched ear buds bundled inside. Japan release is set for December 18, just before the holidays, with prices around Â¥7,980 ($90). Miao

[via Akihabaranews]

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It’s not official yet, but word on Chinese streets says that iRiver is launching the N20 mp3 player these days, coming with either 2GB or 4GB capacities at your choice, along with a four lines greyscale PMOLED display, a built-in FM tuner, 26 x 55.5 x 13mm size dimensions and wide range of formats support – MP3, WMA, APE, WAV, FLAC and OGG audio files included. As said, nothing official from iRiver at this point, but this way or another, we hear you’ll probably have to shell out 649 yuan ($95) or 749 ($110), respectively, to have one.

Update: Mariah Carey fans, this is your day. A special iRiver N20 edition, preloaded with  Carey’s new album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, is just around the South Korean corner. First 5000, you’re on, only $120 out of your pockets, and this LE  DAP is yours. Another image is just after the break. Hurry up!

[via imp3]

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Apparently, Korean corp. iRiver is doing efforts to keep the “E” PMP lineup (which wasn’t the best one ever) live and kicking,  giving it another try, this time with a nice aluminum finish – covering the chassis – instead of this cheap plastic frame you probably noticed with E100 and E150 predecessors. But metal gear wasn’t the only change that iRiver has pushed inside the new E200 PMP. As a matter of fact, the new player also boasts a 2.8-inch OLED display, paired with nice capacitive touch buttons beneath, microSD expansion, an FM tuner and a built-in speaker to share your music around, and while we’re still looking for price and availability details to show up, you might be satisfied knowing there is a wide range of codecs the E200 supports, including RMVB, MPEG-4 SP, WMV9 SP, XVID SP and MP3, WMA, OGG, or FLAC files. Stay tuned for even more to come.

[via Dapreview]

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In case you haven’t heard, South Korean iRiver has just released a new PMP device for the Asian market, with minor chances to hit some western shelves in the near future. Nevertheless, the new B30 device is claimed to have a 2.8-inch QVGA display, along with an FM tuner, T-DMB connectivity, a microSD expansion slot, and either 4GB, 8GB or 16GB storage capacities to choose from. Additionally, this wide range codecs-compatible unit is offered in various flavors, including Black, White or Silver hues, while battery should provide up to 40 hours of audio playback or 5.5 hours of video time – all competitively priced at $155 (4GB) and $183 (8GB), with flight costs excluded.

Update1: Checkout iRiver’s B30 promotion video after the break.

Update2: You should also check the other video in the line, featuring iRiver’s B30 UI , navigated via the touch sensitive buttons

Update3: Looks like the B30 is now available on a UK online shop, DAD, listed for £139. Hit the link for more images.

[iriver via dapreview]

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Barely, can you find PMP devices outside the Asian borders with different titles other than iPod, iRiver, Cowon, or Zune. It takes a plenty of guts to make a direct move against those giants, releasing your very own multimedia brand, while most people prefer having one of the noted players. But hands-up, walking against all odds is something we should admire, especially if the company has no clever PR to carry your name throughout the blogsphere. Such company, is S-Tech Digital that recently released the Sonix7 Media Pro PMP, which packs a 3.2-inch touchscreen, together with a built-in camera, a speaker, a neat accelerometer sensor, 30 hours of audio battery that also provides 20 hours of video playback and either 8GB or 16GB capacities to choose from, priced at £89.99 ($136) and £104.99 ($159), respectively. It’s a Britain made MP4 machine and you can checkout the comparison with the iPod Touch player after the break.

[via engadget]
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Following the popular E100 and its “Season 2” sequel, iRiver has just introduced the E150, which is pretty much the same PMP from inside and a little different from the outside. So what do you get for a $78 4GB bit or alternatively, a double storage $100 device? Well…Pretty much the same 2.4-inch QVGA screen, microSD slot, a full range of formats support and either black, silver, and pink colors to choose from. Only different, if you’re asking, is the extra 2mm width, housing integrated buttons and attractive speaker grills, which give a lucrative look to the new player. Regretfully, there’s no word about a US release at the near future, but you can start counting down until it comes – because it will.

[iRiver via DAP Review]

Those who missed iRiver, should be interested knowing that reigncom has just announced a new PMP device with 802.11b/g Wifi connection and full browsing capabilities. The new P35, which is already on sale in South Korea, sports a nice sleeky design, packing a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 display, SPINN navigator and a built-in accelerometer, for landscape viewing. In addition, it comes with a microSD slot, DMB-TV (bundled with a remote control), wide range of codecs support and either 8GB or 16GB capacities to choose from. Further more, you get the ability to use the “FTP Server” from the player itself, while playing with the UCI widgets that iRiver included inside. Regretfully, there are no details about Stateside shipping, but word on the street says you’ll be able to get the 16 gigs for only $286.

Update1: Hit the break, to checkout the video, presenting iRiver’s P35 interface.

Update2: There’s another video preview after the break, focusing on iRiver’s design.

Update3: Apparently, iRiver has officially confirmed a US release for the P35 PMP in Fall. Still no pricing details.

Update4: While still waiting for an official Stateside appearance, looks like iRiver has already pushed a new 32GB P35 model in Korea, which is presumably identical to the previous version, only with that double sized storage capacity onboard.  No word about a scheduled western release but getting this one in Asia, will cost you 488,000 won or about $390 USD.

[iRiver]

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We’ve already expressed our huge disappointment from the iRiver Spinn and conveyed our hopes when the new firmware update showed up, but recent cheering rumors, coming from Korean forums, imply for a new black Spinn edition to be released during this year in addition to the already exist silver version. Naturally, no other details are available at this stage, so we can’t tell if new specs are coming up, but be sure we will share the info as soon as it arrives.

[iRiver via MovePlayer]

iRiver Spinn was suppose to be one of the biggest promises of 2008, with its amazing 3.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen and the revolutionary 360° spinning hinge. But reality proved different, as the Spinn failed to deliver the goods, while the UI turned to be slugish and hard to work with. Now, the Koreans are trying to improve the experience with the latest 2.0 firmware update, which brings some neat features to the player, including a memo taking feature, big album art capabilities, auto image rotating, auto DMB television recording, and also DAB or FM radio recording. Additionaly, you will find a better control over video playback, and new games to download from the iAMOLED website (available only in Korea). To get this firmware and update your device, just log in here and download it.

[via dapreview]

iRiver likes to keep many of its announcements to the CES show in Vegas. This time, the Koreans are offering a glimpse at the new P7 PMP, a 4.3-inch media player with WQVGA (480 x 272) touchscreen, an FM tuner, a microphone, a microSD slot, 7EQ and either 4GB, 8GB or 16GB Flash storage memories to choose from. You get a wide range of multimedia support, along with SRS WOW HD audio enhancement and strong battery that provides up to 50 hours of continuous audio playback. Still no word on price or availability, but in addition to the P7, the Koreans has officially introduced the E50 and the E100 Season II players, which we’ve already discussed recently. Checkout the full release and a video from Slashgear after the break.

Update1: The iRiver P7 is up for a Stateside pre-order at J&R, for $200, as shipping is still unknown but marked “coming Soon”.

Update2: Looks like South Korean fanboys can finally order the 8GB P7 PMP for ₩200,000 ($160), and a little more, in case they’re after the 16GB version.

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Moments before the CES show, iRiver has introduced two new media players, already available for purchase in Korea (although no one actually knows about it), featuring basic specs and updated design to cover your ordinary needs wherever you are. Truth to tell, both the T6 and T5 players have some decent alternatives out there in the market but hey, you’re buying reputation, don’t you?

iRiver T6 might have a misterious resemblance to the e50 PMP, with the same rectangular shape and similar brushed metal style, but the Koreans have also added some LED lighted touch-based controls upfront, in order to make it comfortable to navigate while hanging anywhere in the dark. The 1.8-inch 128 x 160 display looks pretty simple, and without the ability to play high-res videos, you can get your 2GB/4GB player mainly used for audio playback of formats like MP3, WMA, OGG, or WAV. Yes, there is a microphone, together with the traditional FM tuner inside, but nothing else to knock us down in this crowded market. Having said that, a 50$ price tag for a Black/White 2 gigs version can easily place the T6 in one of your modest holidays list.

[via pocketables]

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Korean company iRiver, knows how to create a buzz, specially when it comes to the end of the year, right before the CES show on January. That’s why we weren’t surprised to see the new E50 PMP (E100 successor?) emerging from no where, boasting a nice brushed metal design with a 1.8-inch color LCD, an FM tuner, a microphone, 10EQ and wide formats support, including MP3, OGG, FLAC, WMA, WAV, SMV (video), JPEG, BMP, or GIF. It will be offered in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities, while the battery is expected to deliver up to 52h of continuos audio playback. Still no availability indo, so stay tuned for more to come next month. Meanwhile, you should know the iRiver E50 4GB model can be yours for €69 ($90).

Update: The guys at Journal du geek have managed to put their hands on this little device from iRiver and you can read their full review in here [French]. Meanwhile, there’s a video preview after the break.

[via gmp3]

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Korean multimedia corporation, iRiver announces the release of the “Season 2″ E100 player, which is literaly the same version like the previous model, only with new colors. The new lineup will be available at the end of the year, with the same specs, including a 2.4-inch screen, microSD slot, a built-in stereo speaker, an FM tuner and storage capacity, ranged from 2GB up to 8GB. It will also support MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF, FLAC, MPEG4 SP, WMV9 SP, XVID SP (@ 30fps), JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF and TXT file formats. Price wise, count 70 euros for the 2GB PMP or 90 euros for the 4GB device.

[iRiver]

We’re not sure either it’s just a holidays gift or recession circumstances, but Korean company, iRiver, has decided to cut the Spinn‘s expropriated prices and make them more affordable for the audiophiles. Thus, you get a chance to buy the 4GB player for $189.99 ($10 cut) or the 8GB version for $229.99 ($20 cut). Expect changes to take place starting from today.

Update: it seems these price cuts will include the E100 and the LPlayer.

[via Crave]

Reincomm has announced the release of the iriver NV mini, a new personal navigation device, running Windows CE 5.0 with multimedia capabilites. This 3.5-inch 320 x 240 touchscreen Nav-PMP device packs a SiRF Star III GPS system, together with SDHC slot, to load Atlas maps into the unit. In addition, the NV mini supports wide range of media codecs, including MP3, WMA, OGG, WMV, JPEG, PNG, BMP file formats, and available in a sleeky-metal design, housing 4GB of flash-based capacity.To get this one, you’ll have to shell out around $130.

[iriver via Aving]

iRiver has officially released the P20 media player, to be available in 80GB or 120GB storage capacities, along with 4.1-inch 480 x 272 AMOLED screen, an FM tuner, a microphone, a speaker, a DMB tuner, and SD-MMC-CF card slot. It packs a TV output and compatible with MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, FLAC, JPEG, RAW, BMP, GIF, PNG, MPEG4, XviD, WMV9, DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF, HWP, GUL, HTML / HTM / MHTML, TXT, SWF file formats, so there are plenty of audio, video and image codecs you can stock inside. Prices start at $430 for the 80GB version and climb up to $460 for the 120GB model, but these are probably Korean rates only. In any case, the iriver Spinn looks more appealing to me.

Update: the P20 will make a debut in Japan on February 27th, priced at ¥39,800 ($436) for the 80GB version.

[iRiver]

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As reported, the new mysterious iRiver Spinn PMP is about to make a worldwide debut, and first to enjoy it are the Koreans, as the new player is already available for pre-order in the country, and about to be released in the UK somewhere in August. From the new coming details, we learn it has a 3.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen (480 x 272) and a 360° spinning hinge, as demonstrated in here. In addition, it has an FM radio tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, T-DMB TV, and 4GB or 8GB storage capacities (No 16GB at the moment). The player supports MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC ASF audio formats, together with MPEG4, WM9, WMV video codecs. Prices are at 259000 Won ($257)for the 4GB or 299000 Won ($296) for the 8GB. Stay tuned for more news concerning the UK and the US launches.

Update: checkout the video, demonstrating the player in action.

[via Akihabara]

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iRiver has created a lot of buzz, at the CES show, back in January. Now the company starts releasing the players, one by one. This time it’s the new LPlayer mini-PMP, coming with a 2.0″ 262K Color LCD (320×240) and 2GB/4GB/8GB storage capacity flavors. In addition, the new sleeky small player features a built-in microphone, 5EQ, and d-click control interface, using 4 directional buttons located on the edge of each side of the screen. It supports MPEG4 SP / WMV9 SP / XVID SP video formats, MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF, FLAC audio formats and JPEG / BMP / PNG / GIF image files along with a TXT reader. The LPlayer comes with two basic themes, sized at 60.0 x 43.0 x 13.0mm – 41.2g and houses relatively weak battery that can last 3 to 3.5 hours of video or 10 to 11 hours of audio. Overall, the iRiver LPlayer looks like a nice solid player with tiny clean design, offering all the basic features you need. The player is already available in the US. Prices are $110 for the 4GB version or $160 for the 8GB version. Checkout the video after the break.

[via anythingbutipod]

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