IER-DEC09-PG28-30-31.n:Layout 1 04/12/2009 11:59 Page 30
Solid State Audio and Media Players
Archos 5 Internet tablet
video formats, plus the BBC to digital music and video
iPlayer. Philips’ GoGear Muse players. The Archos 5
includes active noise cancelling Internet Tablet can be
headphones, FullSound2 used for watching video,
technology and up to 16GB of viewing still images,
storage. Samsung’s recently listening to music or
launched YP-R1, YP-R0 and accessing the internet,
YP-M1 players include a and includes Wi-Fi and
‘drag-and-drop’ function for Bluetooth.
accessing audio and video
libraries anywhere, anytime. Perfect sound
The super-slim R1 is the Philips says one of the
world’s first DivX certified MP3 biggest selling points on
player with a 2.6in wide touch this year’s range of MP3
screen, while the M1 has a 3.3in and MP4 player is audio
touch screen MicroSD memory card slot, Limrick, managing director of Archos, quality. The GoGear Muse features
built-in stereo speakers, FM radio, voice northern Europe, says: “We believe the FullSound2 technology, which restores
recording and Bluetooth. consumer is looking for a device that will sonic details and balances soft and loud
Sales of iPods have reached a plateau, deliver many functions and that Wi-Fi is sonic passages at a more constant level,
suggesting that the digital music player an important piece of this desire. To be says the company. The Muse is also
market has become saturated. Some able to connect, surf the web, use social supplied with advanced noise cancelling
think that offering some form of wireless network sites, etcetera, is key to this headphones. For Sony’s Gurnah, the
connectivity, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, solution for many.” biggest drivers will be: “BBC iPlayer and
is the next step for this market and that iTunes support across the MP4 video
this development will help boost sales. Video playback range, but also FM radio recording, built-in
But companies are divided over the More and more digital music players are speakers, noise cancelling, OLED screen,
potential impact of wireless functionality also offering video playback. “It’s very and digital amplifier. In other words, features
on the market. Omar Gurnah, Sony’s important for some customers,” says that make listening to music or watching
category marketing manager for Sony’s Gurnah, “some people just want a videos, easier or better.” Archos’s Limrick
Walkman, says: “I don’t think enhanced simple player to take jogging, or will never says that increased functionality, such as
connectivity is top of many consumers’ watch a video on a small screen. For GPS navigation, and the ability to stream
shopping lists just yet, but that will others, it’s great, but like wireless, ticking digital content around the home network
change over the next few years. Right the box isn’t enough; it needs to be easy to via Wi-Fi is a major sales driver.
now, it’s more important that if get video onto the player in the first place.
manufacturers do offer connectivity, like We added things like support for BBC Home support
Wi-Fi, that we actually do something with iPlayer and iTunes last year, and have The rise of solid state music has resulted in
it. There are a few media players popping added a video converter in the box on our a range of home products designed to
up that have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to tick a newest products.” Archos’s Limrick, adds: enable users to continue listening to their
box, but don’t actually offer the consumer “Video playback is a must have. Screen iPods or MP3 players in the living room
much benefit from it. We wouldn’t have size and quality are important for the
put it on our X Series Walkman if we optimum viewing experience, and if
didn’t have one-touch YouTube and artist I’m on the web I want to be able to
iPod family
information look ups while listening to view the web content. If I can’t play
your music and automatic podcast back the video what’s the point of
downloads.” going to the web page in the first
Philips points out that its Go Gear place?” What is clear is that more
series offers a good range of product and more features are being added
options, from simple, MP3-
only players, through to
models with large high
quality screens aimed at
consumers wanting to
enjoy video content. It
expects the market will
continue to evolve in similar
fashion, and that features
such as Wi-Fi connectivity
will be found only on high-
end products. But Tony
30 The Independent Electrical Retailer December 2009
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