PMP Today

The new Philips SA3100 series of MP3 player reminds you of the Sansa Connect, only a lot less exciting inside and with a trimmer and more refined appearance. Models already available are SA3114/SA3124 (white trim) and the SA3115/SA3125 (black). Displays are a similar 1.8-inch 65k 160 x 128 LCD. Also included in the specs for the players is an FM tuner and file support for MP3, non-DRM WMA, WAV, SMV (video) and JPEG. The players will also have USB ports. Apparently only the colors and the clickwheel styling would be different. The 1GB version is priced at €70 and the 2GB is at €100.

[via generationmp3]

Archos posted 1st quarter results and what might come as a surprise to some, is that the overall sales dropped 20% compared to same time last year. I know that you have been seeing some great reviews and new lines of product coming out steadily these last couple months, so you might ask why the drop? Well it’s mainly because of their plan to transfer completely to direct distribution in China compared to previously importing via Hong-Kong. Because of change of strategy sales in Asia dropped a substantial 57%, but we should see some movement back up around 2nd quarter this year.

It is obvious that Archos are expanding here in the US, as seen by the 13% increase here as well as distribution through major retailers like Circuit City. Very soon we will be seeing 5th generation offerings from the company which should definitely boost their sales even more.

All in all it is obvious that Archos are here to compete and the decrease in sales for this quarter is not attributed to poor performance, but different strategies. They have more plans for this year, and looks like they will continue being one of the top names in portable player market.

Check out the whole release after the break… Read the rest »

A new service from software maker Makayama will let you watch 100 TV channels on your pocket PC. Called Pocket Live TV 1.0, the service is available in 10 countries including the U.S., U.K. Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands. Any pocket PC will do as long as it has WiFi or 3G connectivity (UMTS, WCDMA, EVDO, EDGE). The best thing is that there is no subscripton, just a one time purchase of $ 19.95 or EUR 17.95 plus taxes. The software works with a host of Wndows Mobile phones, a long list of compatible models are available on the product page, which also includes a link to the demo. The $19.95 one-time software purchase is cheap but expect it to spke up once the orders flood in.

[via textually]

This rumored Google Phone is a few days old, but I think it’s worth looking back to, if only for its aesthetic appeal, which is considerble.  We can’t just let a good idea go to waste like this sorry terminal point of a mighty good rumor.  Not to take anything away from LG, they do make the prettiest phones, and PMPs. It’s just too bad Google couldn’t use bold colors of its logo on an tactile object like a phone.

[via generationmp3]

Dubbed the Chinese iPhone, we’re familiar with the form factor and touchscreen looks of Meizu’s miniOne. We know that Meizu will take out telephony, at least for the time being, and we’ve learned recently of the miniOne’s face-lift. I know it takes a lot of effort to get interested in the miniOne’s specs outside the superficial form factor, the need to be objective compels us to be give our attention. So here are Meizu miniOne PMP specs.

- ARM11 533MHZ (perhaps Samsung S3C6400) processor

- 128MB DDR SDRAM cache (two 16 512Mb chip components 1024Mb 3 2)

GSM+EDGE+WCDMA

- WIN CE6.0 based on the Windows CE kernel FOR MEIZU M8

- Video decoder CODEC (Possible Samsung S3C6400 built-CODEC)

- 3.32-inch TFT VGA （720 x 480） 16 million colors Touchscreen

- 3 megapixel camera and a .3 megapixel VGA for conferencing (Autofocus, no flash)

- 1600mAHBattery : 1600mAH

- Bluetooth (with GPS access) , Line Out with DMB support, Wi-Fi connectivity with wireless card

- Plays 30fps 720 x 480 AVI, MPEG4, WMV videos and other mainstream video formats, even Real player through decoder, also video recording, and digital TV and GPS through DMB with downloadable maps.

about 2,000 yuan ($260) for the 4GB, 2500 yuan ($324) for the 8GB and 3500 yuan ($ 453) for the 16GB

[via mcann, source]

A very dedicated Googler finally hit pay dirt when he found an image taken from the iPhone’s 2.0 megapixel camera. In case we’ve forgotten, the iPhone isn’t just all multi-touch controls and user in interfaces; it’s got other features as well like the very capable 2 MP camera, among others. The iPhone pics has since been taken down from Flickr. One of them is nicely taken (above) while the other must’ve been (after the break) taken without the benefit of a flash… the iPhone doesn’t have one.

See the second iPhone camera pic.

[via engadget] Read the rest »

The abdurdist and adult progaramming block on the Cartoon Network is going to be preloaded in 500 limited Zune players. The programming block includes The Venture Brothers, Aqua Teen, Boondocks, Frisky Dingo, Moral Orel, Sea Lab, Harvey Birdman, and Robot Chicken and even some Japanese anime. They’ll include actual shows, pictures and music, which would pretty interesting if you know anything about Stones Throw Records. Having really cool content preloaded in a Zune, like Lucy, Daughter of the Devil, would blow some minds away. The tech, however, remains the same disappointing one since the first release date.

[via engadget]

Remember that leaked info about Zune 2.0 that we covered some weeks ago? For a couple days there we have seen enough Zune 2.0 to make Microsoft build a new factory even if they weren’t going to, but thanks to all the Zune followers we find out that they have indeed started construction on the factory some time ago. In the above picture you see the Xbox factory in Dao Min, and another structure under construction right next to it.

If these pictures are of the correct locations, it’s not like China is short on manufacturing plants, then these rumors are getting a bit more legit. To make it even more believable we even added the appropriate logos.

Check out the original image from Google Earth here. Since these are satellite shots, there isn’t really a date when the picture was taken, so the new factory might be already done, or transformed into a Zune Phone Factory, oh wait…

[via ZuneScene / Zune-Online / ZuneInfo]

[Google Earth Coordinates ]

LG Electronics has come up with a way for mobile TV users to enjoy their experience via force-feedback during crucial moments of the show. LG and partner MNBC calls it 3D broadcasting. LG is hoping they can sell the technology outside Korea. Well, it’s up to consumers if the idea appeals to them. A subtle vibration during an action-packed car chase could be enjoyable the first few times you try it. But I suppose it could get a little annoying the longer you use it.

[via tech.co.uk]

Background: The much-anticipated satellite in-car (backseat for Americans) TV will be produced by automotive parts maker Delphi based in Michigan. Chrysler will be the first cars that will house the SIRIUS Backseat TV, which will feature Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network programming. Expect the Backseat TV to come optional in Jeep and Dodge vehicles by the end of the year. Two antennas will be mounted on the roof. Pricing is around $470 including one-year service warranty. The service carries a monthly fee of $13.

Bandwidth: What kind of resolution can we expect from Satellite broadcast TV in the States? From the geeks at Satellite Radio Techworld: “So, we can calculate that video [Sirius Backseat TV] will consume 2.5 MHz of the 12.5 MHz band, or 0.625 to 0.833 MHz per channel. Since it is broadcast on 3 carriers (two satellites and one repeater), the numbers have to be divided by 3, meaning that each channel per carrier will consume 208 to 278 KHz. If we understand the technology correctly, that should translate into video streaming somewhere on the order of 625 to 833 kbps per channel.” And that isn’t bad at all.

The WCS Coalition (AT&T, Sprint Nextel, BellSouth, NextWave, Comcast and the WCA ) have raised concerns to the FCC that video would create more interfere than audio, using over-powered terrestrial repeaters.

[sources: crave, twice]