Trekstor takes on iPod with 12GB player
updated 01:05 pm EST, Fri November 24, 2006
Trekstor takes on iPod
Trekstor today launched the Vibez, its mini music jukebox that stands to compete with Apple's iPod digital music players. The device is the first to use a 12GB one-inch hard drive which stores as many as 250 albums, the company claims, and is the first third-party player to use an enhanced version of the Rio interface (Sonic Blue), which sold its code to SigmaTel in 2005. Trekstor praises the programming which gives the new player support for many formats that many newly released players lack, including OGG and the lossless FLAC standard that are playable alongside newer MP3 and WMA files. According to Electronista, the updated Rio software also allows for crossfading between tracks and viewing JPEG photos sorted by EXIF data. With an estimated battery life of 20 hours, the new player offers line-in as well as microphone recording. The Vibez is supplied with Sennheiser headphones, a line-in cable, and a neck strap. The player is compatible with Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows systems with 8GB ($170) and 12GB ($200) editions.
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Joined: Jan 2005
smart...
Unlike most MacNN claims of yet another player 'taking on' the iPod, this one has the distinctive advantage of actually being mac OS X compatible. Of course, all that probably means is that the player mounts as a storage device on the desktop, and you drag your files back and forth.
Still, it's a step in the right direction - then again, it won't make much of a dent in anything iPod.