Portable Media Player Reviews

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Haier ibiza Rhapsody (8GB) Wi-Fi digital player. 'The 8GB version of the ibiza we tested was a two-tone blue, with a flat, metallic-looking front. It is large but slim and, at 3.2 ounces, suprisingly light—1.7 ounces lighter than the 30GB model—and has a 2.5-inch, 320 x 240-pixel screen. The ibiza also comes in a 4GB model as well as an array of metallic colors (aqua, black, pink, and purple). Below the QVGA-resolution screen are four chrome buttons and a 1.1 x 0.9-inch clickable touchpad with adjustable sensitivity. On the right side are volume and power buttons, and a hold switch, Wi-Fi menu button, and headphone jack are on top. A variety of accessories are available for the dock connector on the bottom, but you can use the mini-USB port next to it for syncing and charging.'

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Computeractive have published their review of the Sandisk Sansa Fuze MP3 player. 'The Fuze adopts many of the same features as the other current Sandisk models, with a mechanical scroll wheel, black plastic case and memory that can be added to by slotting in a memory card (it takes Micro SD cards). The interface hasn’t changed much from previous players, offering straightforward access to music, video and photo playback, along with an FM radio and voice recorder. Each of these features is pretty basic, and though this makes them straightforward to use, they pale in comparison to the degree of control offered by Sony or Apple players.'

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Digital Trends have published a review of the affordable Nextar T30 portable media player. 'The Nextar T30 will surprise you with its overall dimensions, it’s a tiny thing at just a hair over 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall and less than a half inch thick. It’s super light and has a protective orange band around the body to help with small drops. The casing is a plastic polished piano black finish with the power, record, fast forward/rewind and return buttons on the top. Also on the top of the T30 is a slot for an external 2GB SD card. On the right side is the volume up and down with the play and pause key in the middle. The left side has the mini USB input, headphone jack and 5 volt DC power input; lastly there is also a miniature reset button.'

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A review of the new iRiver Lplayer has been posted over at Pocketables.net. 'The pint-sized player has the same clean, minimalist design of the original iriver clix and clix 2. Though "clix thoughts" are inevitable due to the Lplayer's glossy black edges, rounded corners, and all-screen face, the comparisons actually do a bit of a disservice to the unit. Because despite its appearance, the Lplayer is not a mini clix or clix 2.5. Far from it, really, as the device doesn't feel quite as solidly built and (as you'll find out below) its feature set is rather ordinary. Without clix-influenced expectations, however, the unit will please consumers with its small footprint, smooth feel, and stylish curves.'

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The Gadgeteer have publsihed a review of the Macally iPod All-in-One Battery Pack/Speaker Case Stand. 'As a case, it's not exactly one that I'd use everyday as it is too bulky and not exactly pocket friendly. It would work fine as a transport case though... The clear front of the case swings open to allow you to slide in the iPod and seat it on the docking connector built into the bottom section of the PowerTune. This 'case' is compatible with the 5th generation iPod video and the current iPod classic models. If you happen to have the thinner 30GB iPod classic, you can use the included foam spacer to keep the iPod from wobbling around on the connector. To use the PowerTune as a desk stand, you just swivel the cover around to lay flat on our desk. In this position, it is easy to view the display. This is great for watching videos on a tray table during a flight.'

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CNET have published a review of the Cast Grabber MP3 player accessory. 'The Cast Grabber promises just two things: that it will charge any USB-powered device; and that it will download podcasts to your MP3 player without the aid of a computer. In our testing, the Cast Grabber delivered on its promises with one exception--video podcasts. Unlike audio podcasts, which conform to the MP3 file standard, video podcasts come in so many varieties that very few will agree with your particular MP3 player without first being converted using computer software. Even our fifth-generation video iPod and third-generation iPod Nano, devices for which the majority of podcasts are tailored, could not playback video podcasts downloaded using the Cast Grabber. Despite our disappointment with video podcast support, the Cast Grabber proved itself consistently capable of downloading audio podcasts directly to several of our iPod and non-iPod MP3 players.'

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PC Advisor have publsihed a review of the SanDisk Sansa Fuze portable media player. 'The Sansa Fuze from SanDisk is the memory manufacturer's latest release of MP3 player. Measuring 50x7x78mm, the Fuze is clearly designed to rival the iPod nano and fills the gap between SanDisk's Sansa Clip and Sansa View players. It enjoys MP3 and WMA audio playback as well as video playback capabilities and an FM tuner.

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Archos Lounge have published a review of the Archos GPS system. 'First an accessory sold € 99 for owners of a 605, then a bundle comprising a 30GB Archos 605 and support GPS decorated with a few bonus. It is therefore time for the team ArchosLounge turning to a fine-tooth comb this new gadget. In this case, we will test the GPS bundle and hence indirectly the accessory GPS. To judge the performance of GPS Archos we will take as a point of reference the brand new GPS Tom Tom XL Europe 31 Traffic, proposed around 230 € (More information about it on the site of the manufacturer). We égayerons our test videos of the two comparative models for the field of navigation essentially (the videos and photos do not matter, we refer you to our test 605 Wifi made in July 2007).'

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CNET have published a review of the Samsung S2 Pebble (1GB, purple) MP3 player. 'Unlike nearly all other MP3 players, the front of the Samsung S2 Pebble is almost completely plain, except for a large, oblong LED that glows from beneath the outer shell to let you know the status of the device. The controls are housed on the back side and are indented in a bowl shape, which gives them a nice feel. A central play/pause/power key--the only bit of silver on the device--is surrounded by track shuttle and volume buttons.

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A review of the SanDisk Sansa Fuze portable media player has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'The Fuze is still a very nicely designed player, though, with a soft-touch rubberised rear and glossy front (available in more colours than just black, for the style conscious). Arguably the rubbery finish and slightly thicker profile makes it more comfortable to operate one handed, too. It isn't quite as soap-bar slippery as the nano.

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