It’s hard to believe, but it’s been exactly ten years since the iPod was first unveiled, ultimately changing the music industry forever. The iPod wasn’t the first, it wasn’t the smallest, it didn’t have the largest hard drive, but it did have an iconic style and simple to use interface that led march away from CDs. When the history of Apple is written the iPod (perhaps more than the iMac, OS X or the iPhone) will be credited with helping spearhead the company’s second coming. Over the years the music player has seen countless iterations and redesigns, and an expansion of the product line to include smaller devices and touch screens — but for most it’s the scroll wheel and white earbuds that define the iPod. Sure, what is now called the iPod classic hasn’t seen a serious update since about 2007, but it still holds a special place in our hearts, especially for those of us who don’t measure their music collection in a few dozen iTunes downloads.

The iPod turns 10, celebrates a decade of destroying physical media originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s official, Motorola’s just officially unveiled Motoactv (not to be confused with these guys), its very own music and fitness device. The little running mate sports a 600MHz processor, runs Android and weighs a healthy 35 grams. It’ll apparently track your heart rate, and log running, walking and cycling statistics, and packs GPS to track your exercise routes. The Nike+ competitor is unsurprisingly sweat and waterproof and can hold up to 4,000 songs. It also offers FM radio and audio “coaching,” which updates on pace and distance, for those who need a little inspiration in their routine. Moto’s also outing a pair of accompanying Bluetooth headsets, the SF700 ($149) and SF500 ($99), which will be sold separately. The Motoactv will set beat-bumping runners back $249 or $299 for 8GB and 16GB, respectively. Full PR is after the break, and official photos are on the way.

Be sure to check out our Motorola liveblog right here!

Continue reading Motorola announces Motoactv, ‘the ultimate fitness device’

Motorola announces Motoactv, ‘the ultimate fitness device’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung has had its sights set on a PMP with MP3 HD support for some time now — first announcing (and later killing) the IceTouch in 2010, and now launching the YP-R2 and YP-Z3 in markets including Russia and Korea. Claiming that the lossy/lossless HD MP3 sound is five times better than the standard variety, the company will put it to the test with access to Melon, Korea’s largest 2.2 million song music store. So far, Samsung has only confirmed the R2 has a 3-inch WQVGA full touch display, is .3-inches thick and weighs around 52 grams, while the Z3, on the other hand has a 1.8-inch display and measures in at 36 grams. The music players also support photo and text viewing, FM radio and 5.1-channel surround sound. The R2 comes in black and silver and costs 149,000 KRW ($140) for 4GB, and 169,000 KRW ($160) for 8GB. The Z3 comes in white, pink and blue and costs 89,000 KRW ($83) for 4GB, and 119,000 KRW for 8GB ($110). There’s no word yet if these devices will ever see US release, but check out the source for more pictures.

Samsung launches YP-R2, YP-Z3, MP3 HD compatible PMPs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s no question Klipsch’s S4 in-ear headphone line has some of the best to be had for under $100, yet aside from its iPhone-compatible S4i variant, mobile phone users wanting an in-line remote’s benefits were outta luck. Well, it looks like times are a-changin’ as an Android-oriented version of the noise-isolating buds, appropriately dubbed S4A, has popped up for pre-order on Klipsch’s site. The remote’s compatible down to Android 2.1 and appears to be slightly tweaked from the S4i with less buttons, but the specs say it’ll work for phone calls, music control and volume adjustment. To make this cake’s icing even richer, a Klipsch Control App will also allow for “customized functionality.” They’re priced at a cool Benjamin with no word on a ship date just yet, but you’ll find some robot-clad closeups in the gallery below.

[Thanks, Bjorn and Jason]

Klipsch intros Image S4A in-ears, lets Android users feel the in-line remote love originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve been working out with help from tunes on your Sansa Clip MP3 player or Sansa Clip+, chances are you’ve gotten a bit trimmer — and you’re not the only one. SanDisk’s launched a thinner and upgraded version of its song slinger, the Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player. The newest incarnation plays all standard major music formats, comes in red, blue, black, orange, white, grey and purple, and has 4GB or 8GB worth of storage with room for more via microSD. It’s launching in Europe next month, but is currently available in both the US and Canada for $50 and $70 depending upon how many jams you want it to hold. Thanks to its massive 1.1-inch display, the Clip claims 15 hours of battery life, which should be just enough time to keep up with your daily workouts, right? Jog on over to the full PR after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date

SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve been working out with help from tunes on your Sansa Clip MP3 player or Sansa Clip+, chances are you’ve gotten a bit trimmer — and you’re not the only one. SanDisk’s launched a thinner and upgraded version of its song slinger, the Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player. The newest incarnation plays all standard major music formats, comes in red, blue, black, orange, white, grey and purple, and has 4GB or 8GB worth of storage with room for more via microSD. It’s launching in Europe next month, but is currently available in both the US and Canada for $50 and $70 depending upon how many jams you want it to hold. Thanks to its massive 1.1-inch display, the Clip claims 15 hours of battery life, which should be just enough time to keep up with your daily workouts, right? Jog on over to the full PR after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date

SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maybe you’ve wanted to step up your iPhone listening-game with Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones Maybe its $300 price tag or supra-aural fit just weren’t appealing. Well then, maybe you’ll be pleased hear about the company’s new and extra-mobile $180 C5 noise-isolating in-ear headset. Crafted mostly from aluminum, its bullet-shaped earbuds look like a posh blend of the Zeppelin Air and Mini geared for mobile. The ‘buds are iDevice compatible with an inline remote / mic to get a handle on phone calls or swap though playlists, and have a few unique features to boot. To ensure a proper fit on-the-move, you’ll find Secure Loops that can be adjusted to hug the inner cartilage of your ear, along with added heft (Tungsten Weighting) near the inner-ear side for a tight seal. Internally, there’s a Micro Porous Filter to widen the perceived soundstage, while also preventing any leakage to folks around you. We’ll be checking these out in due time, but for now, audio lovers will find full specs at B&W’s website linked below.

Continue reading Bowers & Wilkins C5 iPhone headset oozes luxury into your ear canals for $180

Bowers & Wilkins C5 iPhone headset oozes luxury into your ear canals for $180 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A no-name PMP selling for $179 at Brando — purveyor of all things inexpensive, electronic and often USB-powered — may not ordinarily make the grade for us, but this so-called Gadmei P83 device has one somewhat notable trick up its sleeve. It packs an 8-inch, 1,280 x 768 display that’s able to do glasses-free 3D video. Of course, you’re left to yourself to actually hunt down or provide your own compatible video files, and the PMP itself is decidedly ordinary otherwise: 4GB of storage, an SD card slot for expansion, and the usual media playback capabilities and nothing more (no one’s going to confuse this for a tablet). Still curious? Head on past the break for a video that offers a slightly more accurate depiction of the device than the image above.

Continue reading Gadmei P83 PMP does glasses-free 3D for $179

Gadmei P83 PMP does glasses-free 3D for $179 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nah, grenade and bomb-shaped PMPs aren’t anything new, but we’ll confess to never seeing anything quite like this. Hosted up at the always-unpredictable Brando website, the USB Bombshell MP3 Player acts as a portable speaker, a radio and a markedly volatile MP3 player. There’s an inbuilt USB port and SD card slot for loading up your favorite Rise Against albums, and the integrated Li-ion battery pack should keep it ticking for an undisclosed amount of time. ‘Course, sneaking this one past airport security could be an adventure unto itself, but those willing to live life with the pin pulled can get one headed their way for $43.

[Thanks, Lawrence]

Brando’s Bombshell MP3 player gives the TSA something new to balk at originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look at what one curious tipster stumbled upon while thumbing through Best Buy’s mobile app — it’s the five-inch version of Samsung’s soon to be released Galaxy Player. The PMP is, for most intents and purposes, the Galaxy S handset devoid of that pesky 3G and calling functionality — in fact, it’s still known as the Galaxy S WiFi elsewhere in the world. Priced at $270, according to the app, the 8GB touchscreen player has two cameras (a VGA on the front and and 3.0 megapixel on the rear), a microSD slot, and an FM tuner. Back in March, we heard that the music player would be hitting our shores this spring, between this and its FCC appearance a couple of months back, we’ve got our fingers crossed that it will still make it in under the wire.

[Thanks, Josafat]

Samsung Galaxy Player priced on Best Buy mobile app, dares you to rate it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 10:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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