Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

I’ll admit there’s not much in terms of features that makes this new portable DVD player from Plezo really stand out. But if you’re looking for a player that does everything, the PPD-1920S seems fairly robust when it comes to functionality. The 9.2 inch screen is relatively large for a portable player, and it’s able to swivel up to 270 degrees, allowing it to be flipped around and used as a tablet player. If you’re wondering how big 9.2 inches really is, just use the round DVD tray lid on the player as a size reference.

It also supports Divx, which is a must-have feature for any video capable media device these days. And it can presumably play those videos off an MMC or SD card thanks to a dedicated slot, or a flash drive since it also includes a USB port. From what I can tell the player even includes AV in and out connections for watching the videos on a larger display, or using the PPD-1920s itself as a display for another external device.

It’s currently available in the Korean and Japanese markets for about $362.

[ Plezo PPD-1920S Portable DVD Player ] VIA [ Mobilewhack ]

By David Ponce

On paper, I suppose it makes sense:

1. StealGet inspired by the iPod nano’s look.
2. Shove a 2MP camera on the back.
3. Profit!

That’s the kind of ballsy capitalist innovation we like to see, and we’re certain that BTL International is going to ride its creative streak to fame and fortune in no time. Heck, their M2406 even has a couple specs that we wouldn’t mind seeing in the original:

It can play AVI videos, and MP3, WMA, WMV and WAV audio files. It has a 2.4-inch TFT screen (220×176 pixels, 262,000 colors), a built-in speaker and six EQ settings. Internal memory ranges from 128MB to 4GB, all flash, and can be supplemented with miniSD cards.

Of course, by now you’ve probably realized this company is based in China (official Home Of The Knockoff), and that we’re not entirely sure how to get shipment on this, nor how much we’d expect to pay for one. Still, the device is out there somewhere.

[ Link To Similar Model, Without Camera ] VIA [ Coolest-Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While the debate continues over whether or not a video can actually be enjoyed on a screen this small, manufacturers don’t seem to care. Instead they just keep churning out newer and better video-capable watches, and at cheaper prices. The latest model manages to add an FM broadcaster to the long list of features, which can be used with audio files or the audio portion of MP4 videos.

At 1.8 inches in size the OLED screen has a resolution of just 160×128 pixels, but on the plus side that tiny screen means you can enjoy about 4 hours of video playback on a full charge. (Or 7 if you stick to just audio and keep the screen off.) The built-in 4GB of memory is not too bad either, particularly when you consider how small a 160×128 video must be, and supported file formats include MP3, WMA, MP4 (audio and video), JPGs and e-books.

The watch is available from Gadget-USB.com for just $126.

[ Wrist Watch MP4 Player With FM Transmitter, 4GB ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Evan Ackerman

It happens all the time: you’re rocking out under a pair of headphones, practicing your kickboxing routine or ballroom dancing moves at 3am, and just as you’re in the middle of a jab/uppercut combo or a pirouette, your headphones are rudely ripped from your skull thanks to the cord attached to your computer. Or worse, your iPod gets tossed into the next county. You’d think there would be a simple solution to this problem, and there is… A magnetic headphone connector. It’s much like the magnetic power plug you find on newer Macs: if the cord gets jerked, the magnets simply separate, sparing your electronics and head a lot of grief. The Replug is an adapter that sits right between your headphones and audio jack, and will fit just about any 3.5mm connectors.

It’s genius. So why interim? Well, I’m pessimistic about cables in general, or rather, I’m optimistic about the progression of wireless tech. Whether or not it breaks away without jerking you around, cables are still an annoyance, and they’re so close to being obsolete what with bluetooth, high bandwidth WiFi, and wireless power all on the verge of being universally practical. In the meantime, though, Replug can be yours before the end of the year for an undisclosed price (but probably cheap).

[ Replug ] VIA [ Engadget ]

By Ryan Nill

This pair of Lederhosen, on display at IFA 2007, comes with a set of controls for your iPod. Made by all-weather wear German company Lodenfrey, these lederhosen will let you listen to music with a distinct lack of style. Made of high quality layered suede, the controls are unobtrusively located down the left side of the pants and the MP3 player is integrated into the pants.

Lodenfrey is apparently the leader in the design and production of lederhosen and other pieces of high quality traditional garb. The company also seemingly refuses to acknowledge the existence of these devastatingly ethnic pants on their home site, therefore further purchasing information is scant.

[ Lodenfrey ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

By Evan Ackerman

Maybe it’s not actually edible, but the Lobster multimedia concept is still quite tasty, as far as I’m concerned. It’s called Lobster because of its segmented design (resembling a lobster tail, I guess), which is the heart of the functionality of this device: each segment is a quasi-independent module, and by clipping them together the Lobster can take on whatever configuration you desire. The core of the device is a base module (the big bit with the screen) containing a cell phone. Other modules clip onto the base module, and could include an MP3 player, a GPS, a digital camera, and even a cardiometer. Another obvious module might be an extended battery, or a bluetooth module. And according to the designer, each module can also be used completely independently. Of course, it’s easy to say all sorts of things since it’s a concept, but I don’t care, I’m hooked anyway. The renderings do have a teeny little LG logo, but it’s too much to hope that there’s an actual prototype on the way. More pics after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

By David Ponce

Remember a few years ago when everything looked like an iPod? Well, the iPhone’s the big daddy now, and what do you know… stuff is hitting the market that bears more than an uncanny resemblance. In this case, Samsung’s YP-P3 DAP has taken more than a few design clues from the Jesus phone; from the touchscreen interface, to the icon-based navigation menu. Of course, it’s not actually a phone, but it is a capable media player with 8GB of flash memory and Bluetooth. Oh, and built-in speakers, which we kind of like on a music player.

There’s no word on price or availability yet, but we do have one more picture after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Ryan Nill

The Eco Media Player is a wind-up MP3/video player. It can play MP3, WMA, ASF, MP4, WAV and comes with an FM radio, a photo-viewer and an analog recorder. Similar to winding a fishing reel, one minute of winding gives you up to 40 minutes of playback. Alternatively, you can charge the media player through the USB port of your computer. It accepts SD cards and has an internal memory of 2GB. It can even be used to charge your cellphone. Not particularly cutting edge or even very useful, as one might argue, but it is certainly very eco-friendly.

In stock 22 August, 2007, for £169.99 or about $230 US.

[ Ecodigital ] VIA [ Boingboing ]

By Evan Ackerman

The Thomson A1 is being billed as the world’s smallest personal media player with a 3 inch diagonal screen. Aside from that single (and dubious) claim to fame, it’s fairly unremarkable (16:9 TFT, plays movies and pics, FM tuner) except for the actual dimensions, which are about 3.2 inches by 2 inches, i.e. larger than the 3 inch screen. The A1 will be shortly available in China in 8 gigs for $120 and 4 gigs for $106, but by the time they come out in the US, an actual world’s smallest PMP with a 3 inch screen (or something in the same size with a larger screen) will undoubtedly be available.

[ Thomson Audio ] VIA [ PMP Today ]