CES 2007 iriver Roundup: clix2 W10 X20 B20 T50 T60 Mplayer
We've been holding off on covering the slew of iriver DAPs appearing at CES in hopes for some hands-on time, but it seems we'll have to wait like everyone else for the official releases (most of which are unknown). That's okay, though, because from what we've seen and heard, most of the devices should definitely be worth the wait . . . assuming they'll be available in the U.S., of course.
In the meantime, let's take a quick look at everything the lovely folks at iriver have in store for us this year.
clix2
One of iriver's most exciting new offerings is the clix2, the ultra-thin successor to the clix. And what a successor it is! Featuring a 2.2-inch QVGA AMOLED display (320 x 240), 25-hour battery life, and MPEG-4 support up to 30 fps, the clix2 will be available in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB (hooray!) capacities. And don't worry. All of things you loved about the original clix (D-Click, FM radio and recording, Flash, MP3/OGG/WMA) are still there.
W10
The most unexpected of the new crop is the touchscreen-enabled W10 running Microsoft's Windows CE 5.0 operating system. We wouldn't go so far as to say that the W10 is iriver's entrance into the Pocket PC market, but some of its specs are rather PDA-like. Among them are its 3-inch WQVGA TFT display (480 x 272) and integrated WiFi for web browsing and WPS, which is essentially WiFi-based GPS. Codec support and storage capacities mirror that of the clix2, though the W10 is equipped with a miniSD slot for expanded memory. No word on price yet, but we've heard that it's scheduled for an April release.
X20
Where did this one come from? Judging from the feature set, the X20 is pretty similar to the original clix: FM radio, MP3/OGG/WMA, AVI (MPEG-4)/WMV9, photo viewer, etc. What differentiates the players (aside from their appearance) is that the X20 has a scroll wheel of some kind, a miniSD slot, built-in speaker, and comes in an 8GB model. It also doesn't have any Flash support. Hmm. Okay, so maybe the X20 isn't that similar to the clix.
B20
The selling point for the B20 is its T-DMB tuner, making it a very unlikely candidate for U.S. citizenship. Too bad, too, because it looks pretty good: 2.4-inch QVGA TFT (320 x 240), miniSD slot, D-Click, Flash, T-DMB recording, and all the codecs you've already seen too much of in this post. Battery life is also good with 26 hours for music, 7 hours for DAB, 5 hours for video, and 4 hours for DMB. The downside of the player, aside from availability, is that it maxes out at 4GB.
T50/T60
Here we have the comeback of iriver's Toblerone-inspired flash DAP. Unlike the company's other upcoming devices, the 1GB T50 is powered by a single AA battery that is capable of keeping your MP3s playing for a reported 53 hours. It's equipped with a tiny 1.01-inch CSTN display (128 x 64), has an FM radio and voice recorder, and also supports WMA, OGG, and ASF.
The T60 reportedly has the same features but it runs on a AAA battery (good for only 20 hours) and comes in 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB capacities. Since the players have been advertised together as the T50/T60, we've always assumed that they were identical in appearance. However, this indicates a "colorful" device that has not yet been spotted.
Mplayer
Last we have the Mplayer, undoubtedly designed in honor of Mickey Mouse. In fact, if you look closely at the press shot, you can see the words "Walt Disney" printed on the bottom of the player. As is expected on a screenless device, the MPlayer is very bare bones. Exclusively supporting MP3s, it features an LED light (where?), mini USB 2.0 on the bottom, and headphone jack and lanyard loop on the top. Mickey's ears act as the controls.
Check out iriver (Korean) and Engadget for a few videos of some of these players in action.
[iriverfans | Engadget | MisticRiver | dapreview]
Comments
Nodspy on January 12, 2007 9:24 PM
hmmm if the w10 is 300 and below i might consider it (especally if its below) but i just bought a clix 4gb so yea darn
RockinAmigo on January 12, 2007 9:51 PM
i'm interested in the W10 but the idea of buying a MicroSD pains me. I'll probably go the way of the Cowon D2 due to the fact it accepts normal SD cards.
Sannet on January 12, 2007 10:13 PM
^ It takes mini SD cards. I'll want to get w10. It looks so nice. Hopefully the prices are $170, $220, and $270 (2g,4g,8g). I will get the 8g if its under $300
oregon on January 13, 2007 2:56 PM
Wait... So does the clix 2 open up? It looks almost like a Sidekick phone.
LOL on January 14, 2007 3:58 AM
I love when iRiver make players.. All of them look cool.
Skobbolop on January 15, 2007 3:01 PM
they do.. i just don't get why they had to change the design of the original Clix?... is was perfect the way it was. why couldn't they just upgrade the old one to 8 gb and 30 fps..
and what's up with the huge amount of unused space on each side of the screen on the clix2?
What the... on January 15, 2007 3:45 PM
I know CES is a huge show, but why would they come and show off a bunch of players if they weren't going to release them in the US?
Why not just save a few $100k and only do shows in Europe and Asia?
I hope they do release these in the states tho.
Benz on January 15, 2007 6:01 PM
Iriver products are absolutly superb. All there products are amazing and cool looking. The new Clix 2 is much thinner to the old Clix. The old Clix looks sort of like a TV and the Clix 2 looks like a Flat screen TV. The extra space on the side is for less finger prints on the screen but more off to the side were the black is. I can't wait for the release for all there new products.
Iriver Rules
Frankie on January 21, 2007 4:26 PM
The W10 looks nice although I highly doubt it will sell for less than $250. $300 sounds like a decent price considering it has WPS and wireless internet. The interface looks pretty sweet. I own a Clix 4GB and I absolutely love the design quality Iriver puts into their products.
Sebek on February 2, 2007 5:25 PM
I'm gonna buy clix 2. Together with my ZVM they're going to be an unbeatable team :)
Shawn on March 7, 2007 3:06 PM
Where Can I order iRiver X20? Currently located at the Los Angeles, I need to find a new player for replacement.
Linda on March 14, 2007 12:30 AM
the iRiver X20 are now available for purchase from warehouse123.com
The 2Gb version is avaiable for $129 only. http://www.warehouse123.com/ProductInfo.php?pid=IRIX202G-BLK
Well worth the money, I fall in love with it immediately.
KF on April 13, 2007 10:01 AM
Folks, if the W10 available to buy anywhere? I live in the US and I want to get my hands on one of these! Thanks!
Nicke on April 14, 2007 6:48 AM
The T50 seems to be a conversion of the T10:s chipset which is kind of sucky in my op.
However...
The T60 has 18 + 18 mW:s worth of juice compared to Clix2 with it's 17+17. And yes... that's equal to E10. :)
So. That's what I'm having. You kids go have fun with your twinkly lights. Don't forget to check best before-date. Buy an iPod while your at it.
iivAna on April 28, 2007 12:42 AM
i bought my iriver for $216 for 4GB but my voice recoreder dont work ?
Exultopia on April 30, 2007 7:44 PM
The T50/60 looks good, reminds me of the good old days...sign...
Ignacio on May 20, 2007 11:47 AM
i want the B20, anyone know when it will arrive in England?
kabula on May 29, 2007 9:42 AM
Where is the W10?
Siraceliay on June 12, 2007 7:27 PM
WOW, THOSE MPLAYERS R SMALL/TINY/INCY WINCY. Those look totally dangerous for certain aged kids. LOL, it's looks like a jelly bean.
Siraceliay on June 12, 2007 7:28 PM
WOW, THOSE MPLAYERS R SMALL/TINY/INCY WINCY. Those look totally dangerous for certain aged kids. LOL, it's looks like a jelly bean.