Portable Splash

Today Archos, grandaddy of the portable media player category, introduced five new fourth-generation media players.

Coming in early September (and available now for preorder) is the 30GB Archos 604 (right picture), which Mike Kobrin has previewed already. This is Archo's followup to the AV500, which Mike loved. It'll have a 4.3-inch screen, a removable battery, and a kickstand. But some of its predecessor's features are now optional extras, including the ability to record video from analog sources; it's $349.99. Also coming in September is the 30GB Archos 404 (left), just .6 inches thick and only $299.99.

Later this fall we'll see the Archos 504 PMP, which will have a 160GB capacity. The company will also extend the 404 with a camcorder, and the 604 with integrated Wi-fi and touchscreen capabilities. We're promised more details on these products in a few weeks.

Roberts thinks thin with the slim RD49 digital radio.

The RD49 comes in "sexy" iPod white. [more images]Roberts latest DAB radio may not look particularly record-breaking, but it is: according to its makers, the RD49 is the smallest, most compact mains/battery DAB on the market.

The radio measures a svelte 215 x 116 x 40mm, and totes all the usual DAB bits and bobs: FM tuner, 10 station presets, LCD display and alarm clock.

What's slightly more interesting is its built-in battery charger, which tops up the battery power every time the RD49 is plugged into the mains - meaning you don't have to worry about the notoriously power-hungry DAB tuner cutting down your mobile music time.
The RD49 is out now priced at around ï¿¡60.

Disney is set to jump into the portable video game market with a set of devices called Disney GAMEiT! Yes, the (nearly) all caps format and exclamation point are part of the official name. A little annoying, I know.

The devices, made by the same folks behind the VG Pocket, can work either as truly portable gamers -- launching one of the 12 "new and unique" titles on the 2.5-inch LCD screen -- or as home consoles by hooking them up to a big screen TV. You'll find a 16-bit processor for 3D graphics and a couple of built-in speakers for the cutesy-wootsy soundtrack. The button layout is about as standard as it gets, with a video game "joystiq" (no relation to the popular gaming blog) on the left and a pair of action buttons on the right.

Marketed at kids 6 and older, the GAMEiT! will come in two varieties, one featuring classic characters (Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, etc.) and the other with a different set of characters (Little Mermaid, Lucifer, Fotsam, etc.). Look for both versions to go on sale next month for $40 each, with "starter kits" (for accessories like an A/V cable, carrying case, and so on) going for $15 more.

This is definitely an improvement on the usual portable TV experience. It's certainly more portable anyways.

The Aevoe Mobix is a plug-n-play DVB-T receiver that is specially made for laptops and other portable USB computing devices. It unfolds into a small antenna that boosts weak signals while eliminating interference.

You can also use the digital receiver capabilities to pause or rewind live TV and, of course, record your favorite shows. For that, however, you'll need to clear some space on your hard drive or stock an external or two. Recording TV is a good idea, as long as you have the space to store it.

As Apple refuses to tip its hand about the possibility of a so-called "true" video iPod with a larger, 16:9 screen, Archos has been filling in the gap with its ever-expanding line of portable digital video players. Although it hasn't been officially announced, the Archos 604 ($350, specs on CNET), part of what the company is calling its "Generation 4" devices, will be available shortly.

The main draw here is the great-looking screen. I've been testing the Archos 604 for a few days now, and can safely say that Archos's claims about the quality of the 604's screen are justified. Colors were clear, sharp, and deep, and the 4.3-inch (diagonally) screen was large enough to afford decent viewing of short format shows.

But the 604 suffers in the area of video compatibility. I transferred a random selection of 22 video files acquired from BitTorrent, and only one of them, an MPEG-4 AVI with an MP3 soundtrack, played on the device.

Out of the box, only WMV 9 and MPEG-4 files are supported by the 604, although you can add support for MPEG-2 and H.264 using $10 plug-ins from Archos that aren't yet available. I think Archos should have included a conversion utility that would have converted (or at least attempted to convert) a wide range of video formats into something the device can play. Instead, the manual advises you to use a soon-to-be-outdated version of Windows Media Player, or to find your own conversion software.

The other way to get video onto the 604 is to record it from your television, but the required accessory ($100) for that is not included. (Archos told me a camcorder attachment could be in the works as well.)

For the consummate early adopter, the Archos 604 offers a good way to import video onto YouTube or BitTorrent, share downloaded clips in the offline world, and watch video on the go (assuming anyone actually does that). It also has some DVR functionality, if you get the video recording accessory; its high-quality video output and rudimentary scheduling features make it a somewhat clumsy replacement for a TiVo.

But the lack of a simple conversion utility hampers the usefulness of this PVP (portable video player) for the one market segment that will truly embrace it: parents who spend a lot of time in the car with their kids. As things stand, those looking to fill every last minute of their child's non-academic day with video entertainment of some kind will have to look for something easier to use.
The gearhounds that Archos is trying to target with these things tend to listen to music players while on the go, and I don't think they're looking for a heavier device that can also play video. A laptop can do everything the 604 can do and more, and most early adopters have one by now.

To me, it doesn't really matter how good the 604 is, because I don't see any clear need for portable video, especially on an unconnected device. I could be wrong... portable video enthusiasts, feel free to add a comment explaining what you like about these devices. I'm want to believe!

RAmos RM150 portable media player released
No, that’s not a spelling error, the company is deliberately named RAmos, and the two caps at the beginning aren’t for any reason that's obvious.
After receiving a lot of flak last year for releasing a kitschy “gold� mp3 player, RAmos is out to make amends this time by releasing their latest RM150 portable media player and sticking to two safe colors - black and white.
In the already over-crowded PMP market, the USP of this device seems to be its support for the XviD video format. If you are not yet tuned-in to XviD, it is the latest video compression format being developed as part of an open-source project to combat the other paid alternatives in the market. That probably is a major plus for the RM150, as most other PMPs don’t support this format as yet. The other features of the PMP include a very decent 2.2-inch TFT screen, built-in FM radio, text and photo viewer, and support for all the standard audio formats in the market.
One niggling shortcoming of the RM150 PMP is its storage – the highest is 1GB – and you can't store too much with that kind of space. However, if you're someone who doesn’t mind that, you could get yours from the Chinese market - the RM150 retails in 512 MB and 1 GB versions in China for $50 and $63 respectively. Which is really cheap. And as the popular Chinese saying goes – “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one�.

New Duel, Combat, and Force Combine Style, Portability, Ruggedness, and Ingenuity to Take Gaming, Movies and Audio Wherever, Whenever

VISTA, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- August 21, 2006 -- Everki, makers of mobile lifestyle products designed to carry and protect the digital equipment we use everyday, today announced its new line of mobile gaming and multimedia digital lifestyle sling bags.
As PSPs, Nintendo DS', iPods and portable media players (PMPs) permeate our digital lifestyle, legions of users are searching for dedicated, mobile, stylish, and compact bags to easily, and efficiently, take everything on the road. The new Everki sling Duel, Combat, and Force feature durable Nylon shells, sling strap, small, innovative designs.
The Duel is a small, unique satchel that can carry small multimedia and mobile gaming devices. It features a cushioned nest, inner compartment accessory space, mobile phone cache, plus a media player pocket. MSRP is $24.99 and it's available at Fry's Electronics as well as through distributors worldwide.
When gamers are playing more than breathing or music enthusiasts listen to their earphones more than the outside world, the Force carries everything they need to get their game on and their music/video on while on the road. The Force features a cushioned inner PSP and media player compartment, rear sunglass case, key slot, power adapter compartment with plenty of media storage space, plus a zippered front change pocket and easy access stash slot. MSRP is $29.99.
The Combat carries everything gamers and multimedia enthusiasts need to take their gizmos anywhere, quickly. The smallest of the lineup, Combat features a smooth and contoured design with a nest, inner media storage slot, mobile phone cache, and a media player section -- ready for access anytime, anywhere. MSRP is $19.99.
About Everki
Everki, http://www.everki.com/, manufactures movement-focused lifestyle products designed to carry and protect the digital equipment we use everyday. Everki bags combine comfort, convenience, durability and style. The stylish and innovative bags offer smooth zipper lines, stash pockets, top load design cuts and quick snap buckles, which provide easy access to files and accessories. They are constructed with tough, reliable materials, robust padding inside walls, computer nests, and sturdy zippers with smooth lines, classic colors, and unique features to blend distinctive function with impeccable looks.