We're beginning to see some more
interesting PMPs out of China lately, like this white number out of Acelabs that's listed as the S3 even though it's marked "Handy." The 0.4-inch thick device features a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, 8GB of microSD-expandable storage and pretty decent codec support including MPEG4, VOB, WMV, and, randomly, Real. Most impressive, however, is the slick-looking touch interface, which actually looks well thought-out for once. No word on whether we'll ever see these over here, as usual, but encouraging nonetheless.
Update: Yep, Acelabs is Korean, not Chinese. Explains the Cowon resemblance a little, doesn't it?
[Via
AVING]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ignatius @ Nov 8th 2007 8:28PM
Now if people actually bought these instead of the same old iPod upgrade every year, we might actually have some progress in PMPs...
Constable Odo @ Nov 8th 2007 8:40PM
Yeh, like we need more "use once and throw away" products. Besides, what kind of cachet does some nameless device offer. Yeh, I just got me a DungMuk DM-8912. It sure is sweet. Yo, talk to the Hand. I ain't saying that device doesn't look nice or have some cool features, but looking at a photo ain't the same as using it.
Hate to disappoint you, but like it or not, the iPod will be around for many years to come.
tcardone05 @ Nov 8th 2007 9:28PM
So basically you're saying that if the name isn't recognizable, it obviously sucks?
who_the_f @ Nov 8th 2007 9:53PM
"So who is this Constable Odo? What he says may be right!"
"Dunno, never heard of him. Stupid name. 'Talk to the hand...', OMG! Pony! Is he 13-yo girl or something?"
"Yeah, you're right. Silly name. Ignore him."
Mike @ Nov 10th 2007 8:29PM
Dude, Odo, you're a dingus. Please stop posting if all you can do is compare everything to Apple products.
It's ok to share an opinion, but it's a bit annoying to voice it every time you have the option...
Mike @ Nov 8th 2007 8:31PM
Portable video players won't ever have the same following as strictly mp3 players, mostly from the standpoint of not being able to really multi-task while listening and watching. Anyone can still go through their day jamming out to music, but you can't really ride a bike, walk to class, or drive a car while watching a 4 inch screen. Just food for thought.
Jason @ Nov 8th 2007 8:47PM
Yeah but I can listen to music on my PMP while doing all of those things, and then watch video or browse the web when I get there.
"People will never buy in to a device with more features than what they have."
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Charlie @ Nov 8th 2007 8:35PM
if you guys are gonna report, could you get your facts right atleast?
acelabs is korean
Reader @ Nov 8th 2007 8:43PM
Hmm I wouldn't have caught that if you didn't say anything.
Also probably why it's a thought out interface, it's Korean.
nate @ Nov 8th 2007 8:40PM
from their website, as translated by google:
"Teaching is the ace of domestic MP3P maker ---who live with their lovers---, established by the company, S3 started out as DAB handsets, mobile TV, with features such as Bluetooth products, plans to introduce successively. "
what the?
(don't you just love google?)
insertAlias @ Nov 8th 2007 11:45PM
I do love the funny translations you sometimes (most times) get, but you got to admit that it's tough for a computer program to translate between such dissimilar languages. Transliteration is easier, but it's even worse than what's there now. At least with what they do now, you have a decent idea what the conversation's about.
kojo87 @ Nov 8th 2007 8:42PM
seriously, who uses Real Player or the format? it blows.
if this thing was twice as good as an iPod at half the price, the iPod would still sell way better. at this point people will blindly buy whatever Apple stamps "i" in front of.
James Yopp @ Nov 8th 2007 9:26PM
seriously, who uses Real Player or the format? it blows.
By my totally random and partially informed estimate, about 98.7% of the Chinese file-sharing community. You can't even get a movie in DivX or x264, because nobody wants to use their hard drive space on it; It's CIF or QVGA at best, with 64kbit audio and hardsubs, and there are thousands of TV shows and movies out there encoded in this format -- it sucks, but it's the de facto standard. Compatibility with .rmvb is one of the main gotta-have-it features of PMP's for the mainland.
loci @ Nov 8th 2007 9:03PM
but can it vote?
Leach @ Nov 9th 2007 8:34AM
But does it play Doom?
Jeff @ Nov 8th 2007 9:15PM
We have no progress in PMP's. I completely agree with you Ignatius.
- http://blog.zingwat.com
Derek @ Nov 8th 2007 11:30PM
It's actually pretty easy to get other info from the images on the page itself.
FM tuner with 30 presets, an FM transmitter, built-in microphone, records FM broadcasts as well, plays XviD videos, comes with one pre-loaded game as well.
The battery is only 350mA though. Does anyone know how that compares to other MP3 players or PMPs?
What Sells Online! @ Nov 9th 2007 3:24AM
This looks pretty cool. However, without the proper branding, I doubt it would sell well online. I agree with kojo87 that if Apple slaps it with a brand, it would stand a chance on eBay.
For more ideas on what sells online, click here - http://www.what-sells-online.com
Miguel @ Nov 9th 2007 1:45PM
I like how it is able to play real player formats. No more converting my "sucky" realplayer shows into an even suckier (mind my vocabulary) mpeg4 because of the dumb conversion process.
hale @ Nov 27th 2007 11:53PM
What's wrong with you, guys? IT'S NOT "TOUCH SCREEN". Therefore, you should fix your article before someone read and buy a product like this. It isn't a good choice because with its price i can buy a better one. Ex: MU929 or MU909.
markus @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:15AM
wow, the mu929 is really nice ! do you know any websites that sells it ? i've only find some korean ones, thanks !
GuesT @ Oct 5th 2008 11:57AM
Interface looks fairly similar to the Cowon D2. If the player has a good firmware, I may buy this considering that the D2 has a crappy firmware and a little uglier design.