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Thanks to a new European Union ruling, any PMP sold in Europe will soon need to have a lower default volume level so as to avoid ear damage. The so-called "safe exposure" levels will be a condition of sale for any MP3 player, including Apple's iPod range, though users will be able to override the settings if they choose.
You know, one of my biggest pet peeves is when I see people walking around using or just wearing a Bluetooth headset. In your car that Bluetooth is fine, but when you have the time to actually hold the phone so we know you’re not crazy, please do so. Thanko has announced a new MP3 player called the Microsports MP3 player that is so tiny it looks like a Bluetooth headset more than an MP3 player.
SanDisk has been playing a very distant second place against Apple’s dominating iPod line in the PMP market for a long time. Right behind SanDisk is Microsoft with its line of Zune PMPs. SanDisk has announced its latest MP3 player called the Clip+ today.
Live images of Archos’ latest Vision PMP range have appeared, courtesy of Archos Lounge, and they go some way to proving the old adage that clever angles can make an ugly device attractive. Our main issue is with the Archos 2 Vision, shown here on the right, which in the press shots looked slick and clean but in the plastic, well, have overly-protruding buttons and seem a tad bland.
Cowon’s next MP3 player has been previewed, and the keyring-style iAudio E2 is already causing no small amount of confusion. While it ostensibly resembles a screenless PMP in the manner of the iPod shuffle, the row of icons at the top of the Cowon teaser (which you can see full-sized after the cut) does seem to suggest a more complete range of features.
We’re used to Brando pumping out bizarre little MP3 players, slightly dubious USB hubs and other desktop ephemera, but could they be on to a winner with the Cube Multimedia Player Speaker? Janky name aside, the 84 x 84 x 88 mm box packs a 3.5-inch 320 x 240 LCD, stereo speakers, FM radio, video and audio playback and a voice recorder.
JVC has revealed their UX-LP5 today and it’s a little bit different. This sound system is a Hi-Fi and features an iPod dock that can flip down whenever you want to put it to good use.
The device has a video output as well, so you can watch videos stored on your iPod for viewing on a nearby connected television. Also including is an audio input on the front of the device for easy connectivity.
Additional features include a total power output of 70 watts, an AM/FM tuner, a CD player, a USB port, MP3 and WMA compatibility and more. So, if you’ve always wanted a Hi-Fi that could play your MP3s, you’re now in luck. You can get the JVC UX-LP5 now for $149.95.
[via Coolest Gadgets]
Gizmodo got their hands on Microsoft’s answer to the iPod Touch: the Zune HD. So far, they’ve only had a few minutes to play with the device, but their impressions are favorable. Giz claims that the UI is nicer than the iPod Touch (and the iPhone) and the overall design and “beauty” of the device is much nicer than that iPod Touch.
Those mock up photos leaked earlier in the month turned out to be the real deal. Microsoft announced the Zune HD today. The device is meant to compete with Apple’s iPod Touch. The HD comes from the device’s support of HD Radio and 720P HD video (through the optional docking station) and will feature a 3.3″ 16:9 multi-touch OLED display. This makes it the first portable media player to include HD radio, giving it a higher quality sound than standard definition radio.
It looks like Samsung is gearing up to release a brand new MP3 player specifically for the Korean market. The new player is called the U5 and what makes this one stand out is the inclusion of a fitness program designed to help you stay in shape.
JP
