Portable Media Player Reviews

The TrekStor i.Beat Organix FM MP3 player hs been reviewed over at PC Magazine. 'Outfitted with an integrated FM tuner, audio recording capabilities, and a slick two-color OLED screen, the Organix is available in 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB capacities. There are also two other versions. One lacks the FM tuner and is just called the Organix; it's $20 cheaper than the corresponding FM model. The other is cast in 18-carat gold and encrusted with 63 one-carat diamonds. Seriously. It was designed by Jewelers Wenthe of Germany and is properly billed as the world's most expensive MP3 player, at a cool $20,000. (For some reason, I couldn't get that model in for testing.).'

German-based TrekStor has announced the new TrekStor Vibez MP3 Player which features OGG and FLAC playback and a replaceable lithium ion battery. 'Measuring 105 x 50 x 18 mm, the TrekStor vibez – comprising a wieldy, oval, soft touch casing and rounded, stainless steel back plate – sits elegantly and sexily in the hand. Besides MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG and FLAC, the gadget also supports WMA-DRM (Digital Rights Management) 9 and 10 formats. In DJ mode, the TrekStor vibez automatically generates play lists sorted to reflect the listener’s mood. While an integrated microphone enables it to be used as a dictation machine, a line in jack also allows music to be uploaded from other audio devices. In addition to this, the Cover Art function can be used to display the CD cover of the played songs on a 176 x 132 pixel, full color TFT display. A vibez design cleaning cloth and two vibez logo stickers are also included in the deliverables.'

The TrekStor Vibez 12 GB new MP3 player features a 1.5" full color TFT screen and is powered by a long-life Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of play. The player supports MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG and FLAC files as well as WMA DRM (Digital Rights Management) 9 and 10 formats. 'Though physically larger than the Nano, the slim, smooth Vibez is still plenty pocketable at 4.1x1.9x0.7 inches and 3.2 ounces. It's also quite comfortable to hold and operate one-handed, thanks in no small part to its large, black scroll wheel. Unlike the iPod's wheel, this one's tactile and actually spins.

Digital Trends have published their review of the TrekStor vibez 12GB MP3 player. ‘When the TrekStor Vibez MP3 player was first announced, it was wryly described by a journalist as “being shaped somewhat like J-Lo's derriere”. In fact, TrekStor's own website features the nude silhouette of a curvy woman next to the vibez. Does this sort of advertising mean that the vibez is as sexy as some unclad hottie? Perhaps it means that you too will have naked women standing next to you if you buy the vibez. One can ponder the many messages.

IT Reviews have published a review of the Trekstor Vibez 12GB audio player. 'TrekStor's player is beautifully styled, with its running-track shape coated matt black on the front surface and mirror-finish chrome on the reverse. The top part of the player has a 176 x 132 pixel TFT display set into it, while the bottom half sports a large control pad. A three-way push panel controls power and provides an alternative selection tool.The rotating pad, which is contactless and works via magnetic switches, is used to scroll through menu options and to raise and lower the volume. While the magnetic mounting makes the wheel very smooth, we'd swap the smoothness for a click-wheel effect, which would make selection easier.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the TrekStor vibez (12GB) portable media player. 'With its curved profile, smoothly sculpted chrome back and luxurious rubberised front panel it's a joy to pick up and hold, and rivals any of the iPod range for style – not something you can say about many players. It's also pretty compact, though that slightly bulbous profile (the player measures 105 x 50 x 18mm) means it isn't as thin as the latest full-sized iPods or as small as the newer nano. The vibez also attempts to rival the iPod navigation system with its own homage to the clickwheel system. Below the 1.5in, 176 x 132 colour TFT screen protrudes a large, rubberised wheel – not touch-sensitive like Apple's, but mechanical. It works in pretty much the same way, too.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the TrekStor i.Beat Motion Mp3 player. 'Now German manufacturer TrekStor, manufacturer of the fantastic Vibez, is trying to muscle in on the ultra-cheap-but-not-completely-rubbish MP3 player sector with its 1GB i.Beat Motion. And it makes a reasonably good first impression. The price is suitably low at a very-reasonable £15 (give it a couple of months and this will be less than a bunch of Waitrose bananas) and yet the i.Beat Motion still manages to pack the features in, including not only music playback, but also video, an FM radio, voice recording via an external mic and an external speaker.'