New MP3 Player
Hi,
I finally got myself a portable Music Player, and now I want to eloborate a little about my choice and possibile alternatives.
Of course, everyone considering such a device will look at the available Apple iPod models. However, even though they are quite nice, they are just a little bit to expensive for my simple needs. Actually I ended up buying a device in the price range of the iPod shuffle, but with a display, which is kind of essential, if you want to listen to specific files among a larger selection.
While browsing through the shelves of a huge nameless electronics store, I noticed one thing, there are certain types of portable music players: those that look crappy and cheap, those that look like iPod ripoffs, and those that look like crappy and cheap iPod ripoffs. At first I wanted to have one that runs on standard batteries, and has an integrated usb plug, but unfortunatly those were just to crappy looking and not cheap enough.
So I decided to check out an iRiver that supported the “politically correct” ogg vorbis format, and was quite expensive. But, the device wasn’t in stock at the shop, so I moved on. Actually, from a practical point of view mp3 is just as “free” as ogg vorbis, and considering that software patents are immoral anyways, and that algorithms in ogg vorbis could be covered by some bogus patents as well, I don’t care for political correctness.
So after I had another look around, a sales clerk showed me the sungoo 7.01, and was able to check the manual to see whether it supports “resume”, which it did, and I settled for this nice device. Being able to resume a piece from the position it was stopped when switching off the device is quite essential when one wants to listen to audio books, because you can continue after interuptions without having to skip back and forth restlessly.
So what is good about that thingy? At first it doesn’t look cheap, it is well built and features an original design. It does have a little outdoor style design, which I like, even though it is not what could be called a “rugged” device, at least that’s what the manufacturer seems to imply in the manual. 
Another nice touch is that Linux Compatibility is advertised on the package. Of course, since it works as an usb storage device, this feature comes for free, so it is hardly an extra effort by the manufacturer, but at least it shows that someone cares.
As mentioned, I miss the ability to run the device from standard batteries, but whats even worse in my opinion is that a charging device is completely missing. Only an usb cable is included, and one is expected to recharge by plugging it into a computer. This is unfortunate, because what if I am on vacation for a couple of days, and want to recharge the player and I do not have a laptop with me? The solution is actually quite simple, and Apple for example manages to the right thing, which is including an usb power adaptor. Funny enough, the company that produces the device also offers such a power supply for a couple of euros, but with a lengthy cord which adds yet another piece of clutter to the luggage. (Besides the included adapter cable, which is of course needed to plug into the usb connector of the power supply)
Everything is a compromise I guess, but overall I do like the device, and I am quite curious to find out how it does in “real life” usage. Btw. It advertises itself as german engineering.
Oh, did I mentioned that its OLED screen does look real fancy.
Cheers
-Richard
June 3rd, 2007 at 19:38
It seems we are a niche market now
July 2nd, 2007 at 20:49
yeah, nine inch nails *sigh*