May 25th, 2005 by Chi An
With initial applications targeted for implementation within SigmaTel STMP35xx MP3 player solutions, the STIR4230 will also be available for non-music applications including cell phones, digital still cameras, in-store kiosks and printers.
SigmaTel is continuing to build upon its core technologies to bring to market products that will provide portable applications with wireless transfer methods for large files such as digital music and photos. This latest offering expands the company’s range and allows our customers to easily implement wireless, secure functionality within their devices.
The STIR4230 differs from previous SigmaTel IrDA devices in that it is designed for use in portable and other embedded applications and not only as a PC peripheral. The product, with VFIR speeds, is the ideal method of transferring digital music and photos between portable devices.
{ via SigmaTel Press Release }
May 24th, 2005 by Chi An
The PNX0106 is the latest addition to Philip’s Nexperia Personal family of ICs for portable audio and multimedia players. The chip is a low-power solution for optimal battery life and it includes additional features like advanced user interfaces, interconnectivity and multimedia functions.
It also includes features such as the 32-bit ARM926EJ-S processor, dedicated DSP for audio processing, IDE interface and USB connectivity.
{ via Techtree.com }
Well, sound quality of Philip’s IC always better than those Sigmatel that used in low, mid level of MP players. Moreover, it’s featured with DSP audio processing. But, the drawback is its higher price. As I know, the flash MP3 players made with Philip’s IC generally will cost about USD10 - USD 15 higher than those with Sigmatel’s IC. Nevertheless, it’s worth for the sound quality 
May 24th, 2005 by Chi An
Growth of electricals range adds to pressure on rivals. Tesco is raising the competitive stakes once again as it expands its electricals range to include products such as iPods.
In a move which will increase the pressure on rivals such as Dixons, an increased range of digital products will be introduced into 200 Tesco stores over the next week, with MP3 players available in 69 stores.
Digital music players will start at £24.97 for an Inovix 128MB player. Players on offer will include the Apple iPod Shuffle and the Creative Zen Micro. Sales of MP3 players grew by 400 per cent in the UK last year, with the market expected to double again in 2005, as the price of players drops and downloads become more accessible. Tesco offers a download service via its Tesco.com website.
via [The Retail Bulletin ]
May 20th, 2005 by Chi An
PalmOne Inc.’s new handheld with a built-in hard drive makes it possible to jam more rich content than ever into your pocket.
PalmOne Inc., the world’s biggest maker of hand-held computers, began selling Wednesday a new device that combines business and entertainment functions and targets Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod Photo digital players.
The LifeDrive mobile manager has a 4-gigabyte micro-disk drive that can store and play digital music, photos and video, as well as access data generated by business programs from Microsoft Corp., Stephane Maes, PalmOne’s director of product management, said in an interview.
{ Source; PalmOne LifeDrive; Apple iPod Photo }
The world’s largest maker of hand-held computers is trying to gain back the market leadership, which lose to the Pocket PC. A PDA now is not just a PDA.
Let see how does Apple react to the PalmOne’s move.
May 20th, 2005 by Chi An
A Reuters article published on the ZDNet Web site on Thursday relates an interview with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates that was published in a German newspaper. He’s quoted as saying: “As good as Apple may be, I don’t believe the success of the iPod is sustainable in the long run. You can make parallels with computers: Apple was very strong in this field before, with its Macintosh and its graphics user interface — like the iPod today — and then lost its position.”
The article quotes Gates as saying that he’d “bet on the mobile phone for sure” as the mobile device that will eventually emerge as the best for listening to music. The article also notes that Microsoft is working hard to get its Windows Mobile smart phone software into devices manufactured by nearly 70 companies, a move that the company hopes will make it more competitive in the face of another threat: Research in Motion’s ubiquitous BlackBerry.
Gates also told the German publication that, at 50, he’s eyeing the day he steps away from the company he helped found. “I think that when someone is 60 years old, he should better leave it to someone else to follow trends in technology. But until then, there’s still a lot to do.”
{ Source }
I think Bill Gates should pray his Smart Phone to overtake Symbian or BlackBerry before the cellphones overtake MP3 players. Who knows maybe the next iPod is integrated with cellphones? Now Apples has iPod Photo, maybe the next will be iPod PDA or maybe iPod Mobile? 
Just my 2c.
