iriver has announced their latest MP3 player, and its sure to have a cooler name than feature set. However, moving on the Volcano T7 comes in the form of a long, skinny player that is shaped similar to the original iPod Shuffle. The T7, unlike the original Shuffle does however offer a small OLED display. In addition to the display, the T7 features an FM radio, has radio and voice recording capabilities, an 8 preset equalizer, a USB 2.0 port and can play MP3, WMA, ASF, OGG audio files.

The Volcano T7 offers either 2GB or 4GB of storage and will retail for around $48 and $78 respectively. It will be available in your choice of white, black, blue, pink or chocolate.

As far as mini, portable speakers go, from a technical standpoint alone this MyTunes MP3 Amp may not boast an especially impressive range of features but what it lacks in terms of specification it more than makes up for in terms of exquisite (some would say kitsch) styling.

Powered either by 3xAAA batteries or via a USB connection – the MP3 Amp can also be used as a computer speaker – this mono speaker, in sporting a standard audio in socket, can be hooked up to just about any device that comes with an earphone socket, from MP3 players to portable radios, cell phones to handheld consoles, though its hardly going to blow you away in offering a mere 5w output.

That said, the MP3 Amp does have working treble and bass dials which the product site rightly states is ‘an element lacking in a lot of mp3 speakers currently on the market’ and the detailing is exquisite with the front grill, corner protectors all present and correct.

At the time of writing the MP3 Amp, which will set you back a mere $20, is expected to become available mid June though pre-orders are already being accepted.

As part of its recent Zune update, Microsoft has revealed that it has sold two million of the music players since their launch in November 2006, revealing relatively flat growth for the device lineup. Although the company originally promised and slightly exceeded a target for its first million sales between the original launch date and June 2007, the company has largely remained silent on its data for its players in nearly a year.

The sales still give Microsoft a slight gain in overall US marketshare from three to four percent, according to figures published by the NPD Group.

However, the figures also indicate fragmentation in Microsoft’s sales in the wake of the company’s second-generation Zune players. The electronics maker had sold its first million using solely the pioneering 30GB model but since November has been selling two inexpensive flash-based models as well as two hard drive players, with the Zune’s slow growth indicating little effect on the market for its broader product range.

Such slowdowns have been partly attributed to current and predicted drops in spending on MP3 players triggered both by a US economic downturn as well as saturation of the market, as few purchases are being made by first-time buyers regardless of the brand. Continue Reading…

We didn’t realise it, but an MP3 player can kill you. According to Australian police, that is, who have launched a series of hard-hitting posters designed to stop people crossing roads while changing tracks.

Created on behalf of New South Wales (NSW) traffic cops, the ads show lifeless bodies lying in roads. Each iCorpse is outlined with a white headphone cable, instead of the traditional white chalk mark.

Does this mean only iPod users are at risk, we wonder?

John Hartley, NSW Chief Traffic Services Commander, said that an increase in the use of portable media players and mobile phones demands a greater awareness from pedestrians and drivers.

Hartley didn’t detail any MP3-related road-death stats, but his general opinion seems to be that it’s not wise to cross the road while listening to AC/DC and air guitaring away in imitation of Angus Young.

The adverts are set to appear across NSW over the next few weeks.

Based in Taiwan, kinyo famous for its speaker systems under brand name ARTDio has launched stereo speaker system MS-780 especially for the latest 3G, 2G iPod nano and 2G iPod shuffle. A docking adapter is included to accommodate the iPod’s. You can connect your iPod, MP3 players or other audio sources with 3.5mm stereo input connection to enjoy pleasing music. The speaker system with 2 Watts per Channel output has magnetically shielded 2 x 2″ full range drivers. Other features include-volume control, LED Power Indicator.

ARTDio MS-780 can be operated with USB power, AC adapter or even batteries and is available in 5 pleasing colors for approximately 2,980 yen ($30). The ARTDio MS-780 measures 196 × 112 × 73mm and weigh approximately 525 g.

Canton has released an iPod digital sound system, the DSS 303 Digital Sound Station.

The sound station includes an iPod dock and charger (of course), an FM/AM radio, clock, and auxiliary input.

The DSS 303 is “Made for iPod” certified, with seven adapters for most iPods with docking connection.

Other features include a 4-inch cone subwoofer and a 1-inch fabric dome tweeter-each channel can deliver up to 50 watts of power.

The DSS 303 is also compatible with the iPod shuffle. The system has a rear panel USB port to connect to a computer to be used with an iPod.

And if you’re one of the few who doesn’t own an iPod, the DSS 303 has a 3.5mm rear-panel line-in connection to accommodate MP3 players from other manufacturers.

It is available in white and black with a MSRP of $499.

The Bamboo Speaker is a slick little concept design that uses bamboo as an inspiration for its shape. The unique design apparently uses the “natural acoustics of cylindrical objects” to enhance the sound, which may or may not actually do anything.

In addition, it’s got detachable, wireless speakers and a base station with a subwoofer, a CD player, line-in for hooking up MP3 players, and “remote desktop syncing,” which sounds like a nice touch. Unfortunately for you, it’s just a concept, so it won’t be hitting stores anytime soon, but with a little like you’ll be enjoying your music in cylindrically-enhanced ways before too long.

Source: Yanko Design

Continue Reading…

Yamaha has announced a new portable Bluetooth speaker system, aimed at the growing hordes using their mobile phones as handheld music sources. The NX-B02 costs £180, and carries 10 watts of power, as well as a compact and high-gloss design.

Many are now using mobile phones as their primary portable music device. Despite this, the big trend for ‘dock’ systems has not really extended to music-playing phones.

Continue Reading…