Gadgets Blog » Portable Media Players

Archos has released Archos 5 , a well stacked media player and internet tablet that has all the looks of a worthy opponent to the iPod touch . I know most of you are probably yawning by now. Yet another inane imitation that is sure to bite the dust, you say… Let’s play fair and see what’s on the table shall we?

Archos 5 comes with a powerful wi-fi for super fast web browsing allowing for full width, PC like viewing without shrinking or need for zooming . It runs on the open source android platform which is awesome for apps developers .Moreover, the Flash 9 supporting device not only enables you to watch videos on sites like YouTube but also is the only Android device that supports video formats in High Definition. So expect things to get really creative and very apps rich a la ipod pretty soon.

The Archos 5 will come already preloaded with several Android apps, like the eBuddy instant-messaging app, Twidroid for sending and receiving tweets, Craigsphone for posting or accessing classified ads, Thinksfree for viewing Microsoft Office files, Quickpedia, and many more. You can always download more apps from the Android Market or from Archos’s own AppsLib store.

The full email application lets you read, write, download, send attachments, and manage your contacts. You can also access content seamlessly from a variety of on-the-go , on demand services such as CinemaNow, Hulu , integrated Internet radio, music from sites like Pandora and Web TV widgets. You can schedule TV recordings from any channel on your cable or set-top box and watch it at a time and place of your choice. Then if you so choose, play back the digital content from ARCHOS 5 to your TV, all in HD quality, at 720p.

It comes with a Bluetooth, through which you can access the 3G connection of your mobile phone.

There are also some interesting accessories that you will be able to purchase on the side such as DVR station to record video or  integrated GPS with TeleAtlas application. The TeleAtlas software provides all the usual GPS features plus an additional 3D Photo Realistic mode which is pretty neat. In the 3D mode the maps use multiple angles and zoom levels to portray the landmarks and streets as realistically as possible.

The slim, light weight model that ships with a DVR station adapter and a standard USB cable is available at 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities (with a MicroSD card slot) and a hard drive version with a choice of 160GB or 500GB.

Pricing is about $249.99 at the entry point. You can order from Amazon or the Archos website. Make sure though that you are ordering the latest model as quite confusingly the earlier model still on sale in different outlets is also called Archos5.

Watching a movie is one of the easiest ways to pass the time on a long (or not so long) trip.  With airlines making cutbacks on everything else, you might find it necessary to bring your own entertainment soon anyway.  Not to mention, for those of us with young children this is a valuable tool for long drives or when you suddenly find yourself stuck in traffic and a 20-minute car ride just became an hour.

I keep a stash of DVDs along with the portable DVD player in the storage pocket behind the front passenger seat.  And I have to admit, there were a few lunch breaks when I drove away from the office, parked somewhere peaceful and zoned out on an episode of Firefly before returning to the grind.

As far as portable DVD players go, something that can do double duty — be mounted on a headrest for in-car play and then removed for on-desk play — is the best fit for those of us on a budget who seem to live in our cars but are also endlessly running from place to place.

The Coby TF-DVD7307 Portable DVD Player is a good example.

From: $82.99

Widescreen DVD player, 7 inch LCD swivel screen, folds down for easy carrying when not in use, anti-skip circuitry, headphones, remote control, AV cable, UL-listed AC adapter, Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and headrest mounting bag.  It also plays your CDs and MP3s.

Get it at Amazon.com and get free shipping.  Decide to purchase it at Newegg.com and get a free gift with select items.  No codes required.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable portable DVD players.

Yes, You have come to the right place!  This is the Smarter Gadgets Blog and not the Smarter Fashion Blog.  But don’t these sunglasses look really hot?  With the release of these fashion forward sunglasses, Trispecs has completely changed the way we think of our basic Blue tooth headsets.

Who does not want to protect their eyes with a pair of cool designer glasses in summer?  But how do you pair it up with your head set for cell phones and MP3 players?  Thanks to Trispecs we don’t need to discard one for the other.  We can have all the three actions happening at the same time!  How?  It has STEP labs patented noise elimination technology akin to that used for US Defense projects built right into the sunglasses along with stereo and call controls.  The STEP software uses advanced algorithms to separate the voice on the phone from unwanted background noises like the wind, traffic etc and eliminates them to provide unprecedented voice clarity and also stereo sound from your portable music player.  All this without any cumbersome and ugly looking wires!  The buttons for controlling the volume, voice dial and music controls including Play/Pause, Fwd and Back are hidden strategically behind the glass frame.  The device is switched on and off by retractable ear buds that can be hidden behind the ear when not in use.  The lenses are made of spherical polycarbonate with high-impact resistance and UV protection to 400 nm and are RX compatible.  It comes in cool shades of black, white, silver, blue, red and gold and can be purchased from TriSpecs Store for $199.99 to $224.99.

This is an interesting new gadget.

So it looks like the S1 Audio’s NxSet neckphones are directed towards those who don’t necessarily want to wear headphones, but also don’t want to blast their music from their stereos. Well, if this sounds like something you’d like to do, then maybe these unique neckphones are for you.

This baby also has some retractable earbuds for private listening and is also compatible with mobile phones to be used as a mobile headset.

If you don’t mind looking like you’re on a lease, then check them out. They were just recently announced at CES.

Click here to read more.

Let this be the last deal you take advantage of during 2008.

If you’re still one of those who is lugging around that bulky CD player case, then you should make getting an mp3 player one of your New Year’s resolutions.

Expiring December 31st, 2008, this Sony deal will allow you to save 50% off an 8 GB Walkman Video mp3 player from Sony Style.com. Store up to 1,850 songs or over 40 hours of video on this mp3 player.

Enter in this Sony Coupon Code for the deal during checkout: WLKMN50

To check out more Sony deals and coupons, click here.

To go to Sony Style, click here.

Apple iPods are great mp3 players, but sometimes they can get a bit steep in price for those looking to not shell out that much cash.

With this deal on a Microsoft Zune MP3 player, you’ll not only save some cash, but you’ll also have a bigger memory capacity in comparison to an iPod at the same price.

Right now you can find this 8 GB Microsoft Zune at Compuvest for $119.99. With this sleek and slim Zune mp3 player, you can save up to 2,000 songs, 25,000 pictures or 25 hours worth of video. And with Compuvest’s four star rating, it means that it’s a trusted store among Smarter shoppers.

To check out this Microsoft Zune player and to compare prices with other stores, click here.

Dare to be different and not jump on the Apple iPod bandwagon, well maybe this mp3 will interest you. If the Sony brand doesn’t draw you in, then maybe the $40 Sony coupon we have will.

Right now we’re offering this Sony coupon code that will let you take $40 off a Sony 8 GB NWZA-818SLV mp3 player when you buy it at the Sony Style online store. With the coupon, your price will only be $169.99. Not bad for an mp3 player that can hold up to 5,000 songs, up to 30 hours of video and a 2″ LCD screen. Not to mention, it looks pretty slick as well.

Just enter in this Sony coupon code during checkout: WALKMAN40

Just be sure to use this coupon before it expires on May 31st.

To see this on Smarter.com, click here.

To buy this mp3 player at Sony Style, click here.

If you’ve held out on getting an iPod Shuffle, then your wait has now been rewarded.

Apple is now shipping out the new 2GB iPod Shuffle as of today and it’s a very affordable $69.00. Only $20 more than the 1 GB version and you’re able to store up to 500 songs, whereas the 1 GB holds about 240.

Twenty bucks can get you a long way when you’re bored on the bike at the gym.

To go to the Apple Store, click here.

Source: Engadget

If I had some money to burn on a monitor, I’d pick up this slick new monitor from Dell.

Dell’s Crystal monitor is in a league of its own, not to mention it looks flippin’ awesome.

The 22-inch widescreen monitor is crafted from 4mm-thin ultra-clear tempered glass, has four built-in speakers and webcam, with all the wiring visible. And you’d think something like this can’t have such a nice display, but it has a 1680×1050 resolution. In other words, it’s pretty good.

And remember when I said if I had money to burn, I’d buy one? Well, if you have $1,500 to burn, I’d recommend picking up one of these. Even if you don’t have a computer to attach it to, it’s still cool to look at.

To see it on Dell and to see a quick clip, click here.

Source: Uncrate via Dell

Forget about getting the new pink iPod nano or Blackberry. Show your Valentine’s Day love with another cheesy gift.

Give your significant other a piece of your heart. Literally.

This Newman Heart mp3 player allows to split it down the middle and lets you keep one and give the other half to someone else.

The only problem is, I don’t know where to get one. But hey, they’re good to look at. So print out this picture and say hey, “it’s not my fault I didn’t get one. It’s cause this blogger didn’t know where to buy one” excuse. If you still have a girlfriend after that, then, you’re welcome.

Source: New Launches

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