The MP3 Players

Another Korean product introduced. It’s MPIO FY600. Well, this model is not equpped with Philips decoder solution as previous models did before. Is Philips losing market share in Korea?

Just like new iRiver’s model, MPIO FY600 is paired up with Samsung’s decoder. However, it is not the same one that iRiver used. Anyone can tell us which decoder is inside the FY600?!

This model supports playback of MP3, WMA, ASF and OGG (Q10). The price in Korean is 120,000 Won (approx US$155) for 256MB and 170,000 Won (approx US$165) for 512MB.

{ AVing via DAPreview }

Finally, it’s shown up. iRiver N11 was recently appeared on a product launching show in Hong Kong. It remain the same design, same dimension and same weight as N10. So, what does it improves?

Technically, it is an improved version of N10 with:

• Lower power consumption, up to 13 hours of playback
• Built-in FM tuner
• Supports OGG format
• Supports USB 2.0 Highspeed interface

N11 is treated as iRiver’s reponse on MPIO FL350, the improved FL300. Well, this is quite a late response as FL350 was introduced on this March.

Recent products tell us that iRiver plans to make more with Samsung’s decoder. Will iRiver stay with Philips this time? Most probablythe answer is “YES”. It is not easy to maintain the same design with new decoder chip. It will involve more development cost. It is most likely to use Philips’ PNX0102 just like MPIO FL350 does. If this is true, then N11 will be the first iRiver’s product to pair with PNX0102. But I hope it is not the last.

{ via iMP3.net }

Wow, iTunes Music Store (iTMS) in Japan has just sold 1 million songs in just 4 days! This is the greatest startup in any of the 20 countries that iTunes Music Store made. The Japanese iTMS was just launched last thursday, 4th August 2005.

“We’ve had the No. 1 digital music player in Japan. And now we can say we have the No. 1 online music store in Japan,” said Eddy Cue, Apple Computer Inc. vice president of applications.

With just 4 days, iTMS is outperformed than Sony Corp’s online music store. It is around 450,000 songs downloaded per month through the Sony Corp’s online music store.

It’s time for Sony to make some changes! Will Sony join the iTMS?

{ CBS News via DAPreview }

Last few days, we had discussed about the Sigmatel. Now it’s the turn of another techonology leader of audio decoder - Philips. How good is Philips decoder? Just have a look on how well do the iRiver and MPIO perform.

The popularPhilips decoder on the market are SAA775x and PNX010x series. These audio decoders are embedded with a 24 bits DSP core and 32bits ARM processor. The ARM is to process the calculation of audio decompression algorithms of various formats such as MP3, AAC and WMA. On the other hand, the DSP core is to process the audio enrichment algorithms that supports Philips’ LifeVibes.

Read the rest of this entry »

It seems that the Samsung’s YP-U1 is a direct competitor of the Apple’s iPod Shuffle. Neither on their design nor price range, both of them are definately on the same par. Let see Samsung make its YP-U1 different from iPod Shuffle!

• Built-in hinged USB plug
  
  No more worry on the lose of cap like the iPod Shuffle.

  

• 128 x 64 LCD display where iPod Shuffle has no display



• Up to 15 hours of play time as 12 hours for iPod Shuffle

How much does it cost? It is suggested that Samsung YP-U1 to be sold at the price US$99.99 for 512MB and US$149.99 for 1GB. At this price range, it is definitely to aim on the market shares that iPod Shuffle currently own.

{ Pictured by Engadget }