Mattel to launch Barbie MP3 players

To revive the declining sales of Mattel Inc., the company has come up with a doll-shaped MP3 player that turns into a live character at BarbieGirls.com, a Web site where girls can interact with each other. The new toy which brings together web surfing, shopping and music downloads, might help in suppressing the sale of rival MGA Entertainment’s Bratz dolls. The official launch of BarbieGirls.com came a week after it successfully cleared a public test run. Toy analysts claim that the latest addition to the 48-year-old Barbie line should help reverse the declining sale of five years, which is the main agenda of the company. In the past few years, the girl’s best friend has lost its significance to not only to Bratz dolls, but also to flashier, high-tech items such as iPods and video games. The Barbie Girls music players, which are targeted to girls of 10 – 13 years of age can hold up to 120 MP3 or 240 WMA-file songs. The product will hit the market in July and will cost $59.99. Via

Creative’s i600 system for your iPod: A perfect match

Creative’s i600 system is a perfect machine with high end looks that will fit in your iPod to give out some astonishing output. The X-Fi Sound System i600 has a X-Fi audio processing technology that provides with a enhanced sound quality and a virtual surround to let you feel the vibrancy of the compressed music. This package includes dual 2-way satellite speakers, each amplified at 35 Watts per channel and a subwoofer that can offer 130 Watts of power for some serious bass. Moreover, a full size wireless IR remote that will let you control both these machines. The X-Fi i600 will be available this May for just $599. So, get ready to shake yourself on the amazing music flowing out of this awesome machine while your iPod collects some juice. Via: technabob

Plezo’s PMP PM-220 sports a 360-degree rotating screen

Although it’s not that sleek, but it does sport a full 360 degree screen rotation function. The new mini PMP ‘PM-220′ from Plezo comes with a 2.2-inch 260K color LCD and dual earphone slots so that the two can listen to the music at same time. It handles video at 30 frames per second and boasts an array of other features such as MP3 player, FM radio, voice recorder, and image/text viewer, and game. Priced at 109,000 KRW for 1GB version. Via: Aving

Ocacom uncovers its latest mini UB-870 PMP

Now we can say that ‘Small’ is still getting ‘Smaller’. Korean manufacturer named Ocacom has just presented its mini PMP that incorporates a 2′ display. This stylish marvel withholds a good reputation as far as it’s features are concerned. The company has made it capable enough to support a wide range of codecs, including the DRM free codecs. The only one it does not support is the quicktime codec. It also features an ‘integrated music playback’ so that you may not strain your eyes. It uses a non-replaceable rechargeable battery that lasts for approximately 12 hours when you are listening to your music and can give you a backup of 5 hours when you are watching videos. It supports a USB 2.0 port that helps you connect it to your PC, I am definitely aware that one can do wonders with this add-on feature. Ocacom has done a great job by giving this mini PMP a trendy and a sporty look. According to me, ‘Style’ is the precise word that explains this small wonder. It has already started getting attention and many PMP lovers are looking forward to have one for themselves. I have already abandoned my PMP as it surely looks obsolete in front of this one. So, folks what are you waiting for, Christmas? Via: Nextlust

Apple’s touchscreen iPod rumor was just a rumor

Seriously, I didn’t feel like believing the rumor of Apple going to announce touchscreen iPod today. But now, ThinkSecret has added a note that reliable sources have added that there will not be an iPod update this week. Simply, why the heck Apple will release a touchscreen iPod to steal all the charm of their hyped iPhone? Anyhow, we might expect a 6G iPod later this year. Image

Transcend’s latest shot: T.sonic 840 MP3 player

Transcends has just unveiled its latest MP3 player called T.sonic 840. Besides mirrored surface and metal body design the device weighs 70 grams and measures 82 x 40.5 x 12.5mm. T.sonic 840 features: � 1.8-inch (176 x 220 pixels) super color TFT-LCD screen for playing videos and photos �Supports music, video (.mtv) and photo (.jpg, .bmp) files � MP3 player supports MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM10 and WAV music formats � FM radio (FM radio recording and the ability to preset 20 FM radio stations) � Advanced digital voice recorder � Ability to read E-books (.txt) � Karaoke-type lyrics display � VAD (voice activation detection) that results in very high quality, gapless audio recordings � A-B repeat function allows you to continuously replay a designated section of a track � Variable track playback speeds � Supports 13 user languages including song/artist name display � USB flash drive capabilities for data transfer and storage � Included software can be used to lock your computer and setup passwords for your files � 7 Equalizer effects, including a customizable USER EQ setting � Powered using a rechargeable Li-ion battery (fully charged battery supports over 30 hours of continuous music playback) � Hi-Speed mini USB 2.0 connector for easy computer connectivity and fast file transfers � Real time clock (RTC) displays local and world times � 2-year warrant The device is available in 2GB in Glacier White color and 4GB in Mystery Black color but no info about price and availability. Via: Transcendusa

Samsung uncovers YV-150 Voice Pen

Samsung’s YV-150 Voice Pen is not a pen in fact but an MP3 player, which can play MP3, WMA and WMA-DRM music. Great idea indeed! Samsung YV-150 Voice Pen also characterizes an FM tuner. Though its core utility is voice recording to inner flash memory with storage capacities of 512MB or 1GB. Spoken voice is able to be recorded in three modes SP at 32kbps, HQ at 64kbps, plus SHQ at 128kbps. A text-to-speech software changes text into MP3 voice, so you are capable of listening to a file on the computer after transfer. The pen like MP3 is also capable of functioning with 6 languages comprising English, Chinese and Japanese. Voice- activated recording put a stop to the recording while the subject stops talking and five folders let you save recordings and file browse helps saved recordings simpler to get. Integrated speakers enable you to listen in on the move and playback time is claimed to last for 20 hours.

Will future iPods boast dual touch screens?

The latest news around the corner is that Apple has filed an odd iPod patent that describes a device with screens on both the front and the back of the player. The mixture of Sprint’s UpStage and the iPhone, this patent explains an interface in which rear touchscreen accepts inputs and reflects that input back on the front screen. I don’t know how soon this unique patent will be introduced in its assumptive posture but I think this potential design will surely rule our upcoming Nano-sized iPod. Via: Techcrunch

Freestyle Audio launches Waterproof, Shockproof MP3 player

Freestyle Audio has introduced a new stout MP3 player whose test reveals that it even works when dropped from the 3rd story of the building to concrete floor(an ipod nano was also dropped). The results of the videos revealed that Freestyle MP3 player turns on but it is not sure whether it was still playing music. It did not break into pieces and was still giving power notably. This strong MP3 player features associated software for managing music and sports Mac and a PC. It also comes with waterproof earbuds, an armband or lanyard, a USB cable, software to manage your playlist. It offers different capacities ranging from 256MB, 512MB and 1GB. The device weighs only 35 grams and its battery offer 30 hours of playtime with one charge. To get it one has to shell $200, $170 and $140 for the 1GB, 512MB and 256MB respectively. Check out its dropping video: Via: Slipperybrick

Memorex intros 4GB Digital Media Player

To explore DAP market profits, Memorex electronics has taken a step ahead to introduce its MMP8640 digital media player. This new device encompasses both MP3 and MPEG 4 media playback to support WMA-DRM protected files. It comes with 1.8″ color display that is good to surf options and for audio listening but for watching videos I think company should add some more inches to it. Some other features of the device include a miniSD memory card slot, an integrated FM radio, 4GB memory, battery life of 20 hours and an additional protective sleeve. The player also comes preloaded with 100 sounds but no comments about pricing and availability. Via: Chipchick