It could be just iPod fatigue, but this YP-K5 from Samsung looks much better, classier, and dare we say it, sexier than the iPod Nano. The player has a pixel-type icon display and supports MP3/WMA/ASF, plus even the open source nerd supported OGG. It’s available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB sizes.
Even with that extra bulk from the integrated speaker, which we probably wouldn’t need most of the time, the YP-K5 still looks quite thin. It’s only offered in Korea right now, but if this finds its way to the US we’ll let you know.
YP-K5 the DAP with integrated speakers [Akihabara News]
Palm announced today the Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition. The system is powered by the new TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software that features voice navigation and turn-by-turn directions. Meanwhile, a new SiRFstarIII Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver handles all that meddlesome satellite communication. It is compatible with Treo 650, 700w and 700p devices.
I’ve always wondered why GPS hasn’t been embraced by more developers. I know it’s sneaking its way into more-and-more devices, but instead of crappy camera phones, GPS would have been a much more appropriate feature to intergrate. Hopefully it soon becomes more prolific.
Palm Announces New Bluetooth GPS with TomTom for Treo Smartphones [Palm News]
Sirius has produced its first fully-portable satellite radio receiver, and it is a gem. The Sirius Stiletto 100 hosts a bigger screen and an easy-to-use click wheel, putting the device in league with the more premium players.
The pocket sized the player allows users to store up to 100 hours of music (MP3/WMAs), stream audio via WiFi connectivity and, you know, listen to Sirius content.. For $399.99, the Stiletto 100 might be a better option than the iPod.
Sirius Stiletto 100 – FOUND[orbitcast]
QuickerTek has released a WiFi Transceiver that will allegedly double the signal strength of a MacBook Pro. Although that is a respectable gain, the transceiver utilizes an AC adapter which effectively limits portability.
Adapters are the bane of laptop users, and the fact that this device utilizes one makes it a bit undesirable. Now if you thought that the fact that it’s powered by a clunky adapter is bad, the $200 price tag will add insult to injury.
QuickerTek WiFi transceiver[ubergizmo]
This is all pure conjecture, which is the best kind, but according to Bokardo, a site that covers social networking sites, Apple may be making a play in that space when Leopard hits the streets.
The most interesting idea is the Wiki server that will be embedded in Leopard, allowing teams to create and share live documents.
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More on Blackberry’s Pearl which is set for release by T-Mobile on September 28th. Nothing new and amazing here, just more fodder for blackberry fanboyz, but with enough effort it might be possible to glean the chipsets used in the new Blackberry and reverse engineer your own in your garage. Or you can just stare at the pictures. Mmmm…
BlackBerry Pearl internal photos [BlackberryCool]
Motorola’s latest clamshell the W220 has gotten FCC approval. The phone is intended as a base level device, so its features are somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, it will sport an FM receiver and a wap 2.0 browser.
Perhaps I’m just falling for a gimmick, but I find something aesthetically pleasing about its modest exterior. I wonder if its retro-esque design will, like the RAZR, help to cultivate a new trend in cell phone appearances. Nah. Probably not, but, for now at least, I wouldn’t mind.
The W220 is expected to drop in Q3 2006, but no details have yet emerged on pricing or carriers.
FCC Approves Motorola W220 Cell Phone [MobileWhack]
M-Audio is now offering its Session software for Windows PCs in a stand-alone configuration, bundled with the low-cost Micro interface. Before, it was only available as a package with M-Audio’s more-expensive FastTrack USB audio interface, but now the $49 software can be used on its own, and using the ASIO (audio streaming in/out) driver lets you input your sources using the M-Audio Micro USB interface.
Session is designed to be easy to use, and lets you make music right away without a steep learning curve. It ships with 3.5GB of loops and instrumental content, and you can drag-and-drop those tracks onto Session’s timeline along with those you’ve created using the included Micro USB interface.
Keep in mind that M-Audio is part of the same company that makes Digidesign Pro Tools, the standard of the professional audio industry. Perhaps the consumer audio company has learned a thing or two from its mighty pro brother…?
M-Audio Site
