(Credit:
Aerielle)
Wireless music sharing isn't a new concept--just take a look at the Microsoft Zune, which lets you beam songs to other Zune owners with the press of a button. The problem with the Zune is that everyone you want to share with must have that specific brand of MP3 player.
Aerielle is offering a different take on music sharing with the i2i Stream, a device that connects to any MP3 player and headphones. Each i2i Stream acts as a transmitter and receiver, allowing the user to either broadcast music or tune in to others' "stations"--and either one is extremely easy to do. No doubt, the concept isn't for everyone, but for those who like to rock out in groups, it's a great solution.
Aerielle sells a pair of i2i Streams for $99.95, so you'll always know someone who has one, but the price needs to come down quite a bit before we'll consider it a value. Read the i2i Stream review.
Click for more pics.
(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)Home appliance and electronics manufacturer Haier America leaped into the portable media player market last year with the 30GB Ibiza Rhapsody, a jack-of-all-trades device that came loaded with features, including Wi-Fi music downloading. Even at the time, hard-drive-based MP3 players were a dying breed, so it's no surprise that the Ibiza was followed up by a flash-based sibling of the same name. The flash Ibiza Rhapsody offers most of the same extras as its slightly larger family member, but comes in a different array of colors and with either 4GB ($199) or 8GB ($229) of memory. It's large and pricey for a flash player, but it comes with some nice extras right out of the box--including decent headphones--so if you're after an advanced device, the Ibiza could fit the bill. Read the full review.
Long live the Gremlin! The MusicGremlin MG-1000 Wi-Fi MP3 player in all its chunky glory.
(Credit: CNET Networks)
Today, SanDisk announced the acquisition of MusicGremlin. As one of the pioneers of Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 players, MusicGremlin's expertise may help SanDisk resurrect its Sansa Connect MP3 player model, which was partially obsoleted by the demise of Yahoo's subscription music service earlier this year.
SanDisk's MP3 players are second only to Apple's iPod in terms of sales, and are characterized by their low price and wide file format compatibility. The addition of a Wi-Fi-capable portable music player to SanDisk's current product line would help the company stay competitive against new offerings from Haier, Slacker, and Microsoft.
(via Engadget)
(Credit:
Jasmine France)
Last week, I received an e-mail regarding the impending announcement of a new MP3 player with an impressive feature list, including Rhapsody DNA integration and support for both 802.11b/g WiFi and stereo Bluetooth. I was immediately intrigued by the product, called the ibiza Rhapsody, though I didn't recognize the manufacturer, Haier America. Always curious about newcomers to the portable media player market, I looked it up. You really had to be here to appreciate my groan of skepticism when I found out that the company specializes in home appliances. I mean, really: what could a team that makes microwaves and refrigerators possibly know about making MP3 players? I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm eating those words right now. Once I got the device into my hands, I was pleasantly surprised--shocked, even--by how well-implemented it is.
The top of the player features a direct connect button for hopping on Wi-Fi.
(Credit: Jasmine France)Let's start with the stats. First, considering the lack of choice in this category at the moment, I'm digging that the ibiza Rhapsody is a hard-drive player (flash models are impending) with a 30GB capacity. And at 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.5 inch, the device isn't overly bulky--an especially impressive trait given the built-in wireless antennae (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). Plus, it has a nice, substantial feel to it, with plenty of tactile controls to complement the square touchpad on the front. The screen isn't the largest we've seen, but at 2.5 inches, it competes squarely with the iPod Classic. In fact, the interface is reminiscent of the iPod's, due to its blue-white tinge and simple, hierarchical organization. And I'm keen on the way the ibiza handles album art: there's a full screen, faded-out image behind the thumbnail on the main playback screen (see photo below).
If you're listening to Rhapsody Channels, you can click the center of the control pad to save the currently playing track to the player.
(Credit: Jasmine France)Now, the overall design of the ibiza Rhapsody is nice, though nothing shockingly new. However, the array and implementation of features is truly arresting. There's support for MP3, WMA (DRM 10 included), WAV, AAC audio and MPEG4, WMV, M4V, AVI, H.264, MPG video. You get an FM radio with RDS and integrated podcast support--with a separate menu selection and the ability to update podcasts on the go from any WiFi hotspot. Much like the Sansa Connect does with Yahoo, the ibiza can access the Rhapsody catalog and Channels from anywhere with wireless access (if you have a subscription: a 30-day trial is provided). Plus, you can even access video on the go through AOL Video, and the ibiza has the ability to set and save wireless keys as well as get past terms and conditions pages for public hotspots. You can even pull in content through Wi-Fi while simultaneously streaming it out to a Bluetooth speaker, though I noticed hic-ups in the connection during beta testing. In short, there appears to be little this player can't do, though more extensive testing might prove otherwise. The battery, for example, is only rated for 10 or so hours.
The right spine houses dedicated volume controls
(Credit: Jasmine France)The ibiza Rhapsody goes on sale at Amazon.com today, though at the time of this writing, I was still waiting on pricing info. The 30GB will come in five colors--White Sand, Volcanic Black, Ocean Blue, Flamingo Pink, and Silver Moon--and the flash versions, coming in 4GB and 8GB capacities, will offer a choice of five: Volcanic Black, Ocean Blue, Flamingo Pink, Aqua Breeze, and Purple Sunset. More specs below.
- 2.5-inch QVGA display with 320x240 resolution
- Internal, nonremovable 3.7 Li Polymer battery
- 1.8-inch HDD
- Supports A2DP/AVRCP stereo Bluetooth
- Dual ports: USB 2.0 High Speed mini-B and proprietary connector
- Package includes noise-isolation earphones, AC charger/adapter, USB cable
On Sale Now: $122.58 - $144.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, black)
On Sale Now: $149.99 - $236.04
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, pink)
On Sale Now: $131.99 - $269.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, blue)
On Sale Now: $134.78 - $139.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, white)
On Sale Now: $122.34 - $149.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, silver)
On Sale Now: $139.99 - $226.20
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (8GB, aqua)
On Sale Now: $149.99 - $230.40
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (8GB, black)
On Sale Now: $139.99 - $226.20
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (8GB, purple)
On Sale Now: $139.99 - $226.20
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (8GB, pink)
On Sale Now: $129.99 - $139.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (4GB, blue)
On Sale Now: $129.99 - $197.09
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (4GB, black)
On Sale Now: $129.99 - $197.09
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (4GB, purple)
On Sale Now: $129.99 - $199.99
View the latest prices for Ibiza Rhapsody (4GB, aqua)
Yep, that's right: Yahoo Music Unlimited To Go is available completely sans wires for Sansa Connect owners. That means you never have to connect your player to refresh your music selection, and that is pretty freakin' sweet. And unlike with the Zune, the music you receive wirelessly does not have to come from another (scarce) Zune user, nor does it expire after three plays. Of course, the Sansa isn't exactly alone in this regard: the recently announced Slacker Portable Player and accompanying Web service will offer a similar experience--and at half the price (YMU To Go is $14.99 per month; Slacker's premium service will be $7.50 per month). However, the Sansa Connect is available now, and it must be said that the music experience is a bit different with the Connect.
Both the Slacker player and the Sansa Connect communicate wirelessly with their respective services, but only with the Connect can you select the individual songs that you want to hear. The Slacker service is limited to preprogrammed radio stations--although admittedly, these stations are quite good and require minmal effort on your part. The Connect also lets you access some Internet radio; namely, LAUNCHcast channels offered by Yahoo. The good thing about this is that several of the stations are available for free--albeit with built-in audio ads--so nonsubscribers can take advantage of some music discovery. Personally, I prefer Slacker's rotations to those I've heard on Yahoo, but it's all a matter of taste.
In any case, all of this wireless fun is far from perfect. You can't charge the Connect wirelessly, so you'll have to connect it to your computer at some point anyway. Plus, it can't communicate with your PC wirelessly, so if you have your own MP3s and other audio, you'll still need to sync the old-fashioned way from time to time. And unlike the Slacker player, which will also use satellite technology to update its stations, the Connect has to be within range of an open Wi-Fi connection in order to hop on and collect new music. But even with all those limitations, there's no denying that SanDisk is heading in the right direction. For more information on the design and other features, check out our Sansa Connect preview.
- prev
- 1
- next
