New iRiver looks like lucky charm
The new iRiver MP3 player coming to market in South Korea looks like something you'd see for sale at a Starbuck's counter while waiting for your chai latte. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, either. As mass-market media players rapidly descend into commodity status, companies must do more to separate themselves from the pack through design and distribution.
(Credit:
Akihabara News)
This is not to say that iRiver's S7 has throwaway features: According to Akihabara News, it has 1GB of memory in a tiny case that's 1.7 by 1.2 inches and less than half an inch thick while weighing barely half an ounce. A tradeoff for the small size is no display, but it does have an FM tuner and a relatively reasonable price of $96, according to Engadget.
Fair warning: Other blogs have cast suspicion over the S7's purported specs. But even if it turns out to be less than billed, you can still wear it around your neck.

