The third BlueWave update has been out for a while, but only as a beta. A few days ago the final version was finally released to the masses and like it's predecessors it adds a lot of new features.

The new features include new themes, a calculator, a full screen mode for music playback and brightness and speed controls for video playback. As we wrap up the third BlueWave release the countdown for the fourth has already been going on for a while. It's said to bring new games, subway maps and voice recording and will hopefully see daylight in about a month.

[Samsung Download Center via ABi>> Forums]

A little over a month ago we saw the first pictures of Samsung's new players - the S2 and S3. At the time all info we had was provided by a few youtube videos taken at a Samsung product showcase and since then we haven't heard anything more about them - until now.

Both the new players focus on design, as Samsung states in the press release. The S2 is as expected very close to the first generation Zen Stone, but also features OGG support, playlists, FM radio and EQ. Since the player has no screen some of these features are handled through various variations of LED colors and patterns. To be honest I'm not sure how well this will work in real life, but at least with the extra features it has something new to offer compared to it's mentioned Creative brother. It will come in four different colors, 1GB only, and be available in June.

The S3 is basically the new version of the K3. Specs wise it's very close to Sony's S610 featuring a 240x320 1.8" display, 4/8GB, compact design and video playback. Battery life is a little behind the Sony with 25 hours for audio and 4 hours for video. Bluetooth is not included like on many other Samsung players, but you will get text support, flash games, a clock, and a FM radio with recording. Like the S2 it will come in four different colors and be available in June. Hit the link below for more pictures.

[Engadget | Press Release]

The Samsung YP-P2 is one of the most popular players these days, with a wide range of features including touch screen, an excellent widescreen, and Bluetooth. The only thing that has been holding it down is the capacity, as so far it's only been available in 2, 4 and 8GB. Until now.

True to their word, the 16GB Samsung P2 is now on it's way. That should be welcomed news for those who couldn't make due with 8GB. The 16GB version will launch in Korea in a few weeks and hopefully the rest of the world will follow shortly. No word yet if there will be a 32GB, but knowing Samsung that is still way into the future.

Update: A member of Dapreview found the 16GB P2 on BestBuy Canada

[ GenerationMP3 ]

Following yesterday's YP-S2 spotting, Shinyshiny once again brings us news from the ongoing Samsung showcase event. This time it's the YP-S3 they've gotten their hands on, a new player which follows an old recipe.

The Samsung K5 was just replaced by the S5, so it's not surprising that the old K3 will be replaced too. The S3 is to the S5 what the K3 was to the K5 - essentially the same player but without the speaker. The S3 will come in capacities of 2, 4 and 8GB, and in a variety of colors. It's a simple player, just like the K3 was, so expect it to be fairly priced when it hits the stores. No official word yet on when that will be. Video after the jump.

Tiny players are in these days. Both the Sansa Clip and the Zen Stone (Plus) have had great success with small form factor, and it seems more manufacturers want a market share - in this case Samsung.

The YP-S2 was spotted at a Samsung showcase event last night, and seem to fit right in with the rest of the gang. From the looks of it it's screen less, so features will be limited. It will be available in 1GB capacity, and have a expected battery life of about 10 hours, putting it in direct competition to the first generation Zen Stone. Several colors will be available when it launches in May. Video after the jump.

[ Shiny Shiny via Gizmodo ]

WiBro is a technology far into the future for most countries, but in Korea this isn't far off. Samsungs new SWT-W100K Portable Media Player uses this technology for internet access, along with having pretty much anything you could ask in a PMP.

The WiBro feature will provide internet speeds up to 13Mbps, and both VoIP and video chat is supported. The 4.3" 800x480 touchscreen can be used for MP4, XviD, WMV, and H.264 video, photos or DMB (TV), which even supports picture in picture. The device also sports a 2 mega pixel camera, GPS, and USB host. It comes with 8GB of internal memory, priced at about $520. It's doubtful this will ever hit the US.

[ Akihabara News ]

When I went to CES I carried a bag filled with the latest MP3 players. At various dinners and events I would pull out this magical bag of MP3 players for show and tell. It is one thing to read users’ reactions to MP3 player, but to be able to put one in their hands is when you really get quality feedback. Out of all the players the one that never ceased to impress was the P2, especially when I showed them how I could dial their phone without my Treo in sight.

I like all of them, am still impressed (review) and even more so with the second firmware updated dubbed “BlueWave 2” which adds improved functionality, features, and games. It’s not over yet, there is still a BlueWave 3 on Samsung’s roadmap. Even though the firmware is “unfinished” it is still extremely stable, much like how Microsoft handles the Zune firmware updates- adding stable updates on top of stable firmwares.

We have a growing P2 community, so if you would like to get real consumer feedback, hacks, and latest info on the BlueWave updates; check out our very helpful Samsung P2 forum. Also compare the P2 to the Touch, it can definitely hold its own.

Samsung had nothing new to show in terms of MP3 players, but I did find out from a Samsung rep that they will be releasing a 16GB version of the P2 sometime in Q1 of 08.

I did get a chance to check out the S5 which will replace the K5. It sounded just as good but slims down and gets a color screen and Bluetooth. This will actually make an interesting accessory for Bluetooth mobile phones being that it will give you a nice and loud speaker phone conferencing set up. The S5 is available now in the US in 4GB versions and can be picked up for around $180.

The other interesting portable audio accessory was the portable Bluetooth speakers, the BS300. It sounded a bit better than the speakers in the S5 and K5 from what I could tell over all the noise. It will tie into your Bluetooth MP3 player or operate as a speakerphone with its built in mic for your cellphone. It retails for $130.

I snapped a few pics at the booth- a bit blurry but still fun to look at.

Confirmed Fake- sorry for the bad info =\

As if the all the current features were not enough for the P2, it will now get more with an addon cradle. The cradle will attach to the bottom of the player and add 4 brand new editions: Wi-Fi, MicroSD, FM transmitter, and even a built in speaker. This is really interesting in that it brings the P2 in closer competition with the iPod Touch. Maybe even as to trump the iPod Touch on features. This is a very welcome features really making the P2 a jack of all trades MP3 player. No pricing or availability is know right now, but we will find out more at this years CES.

Check out the video below and if you didn’t get a chance, check out the Samsung P2 review.

Samsung’s P2 is their flagship MP3/PMP device with many features, starring the full screen touch interface. Bluetooth also plays a supporting role in the feature set, giving the player the ability to connect to wireless headphones and to your mobile phone (in future updates).

The near-buttonless design comes together very nicely with a solid build quality common to Samsung’s portable devices. Wrapped inside this player is a well thought out interface that most people will be able to just pick up and use. Despite a few complaints, the P2 is definitely something to consider even though it commands a higher price than similar capacity MP3 players.

Samsung’s T10 is the next progression in their lineup of flash based players. The “T10” suggests an upgrade from the T9. This is true, but much was borrowed from the K3/K5 as well, - both nice players. The one thing that stands out is the design of this player. It has a solid build quality and the touch interface gives it a very clean look. However, tactile fans should be warned the touch interface can be finicky.

The T10 has a hand full of other features that have been executed nicely and less common feature to the MP3 player market- Bluetooth.

Presently there a number of MP3 players produced by Samsung to cater for the expanding flash memory market. Of these, the T9 is the single player to adopt a completely tactile approach.

Incorporating aspects from predecessors in the line of T players as well as the standalone Z5, the T9 attempts to touch base with a variety of multimedia functions, support it with constructive features, combine them in a simple interface, and wrap it with an attractive and portable design. Let’s take a look at how well these aspirations have been fulfilled by the Samsung T9.

Everyone is gearing up for the next generation of MP3 players and Samsung is the next to announce a new set of flash players. First off is a follow up to the K5—appropriately called the S5 with built in speakers. The S5 however, adds a color screen (1.8” 222 x 176 pixels), Bluetooth (for wireless headsets and mobile phone control), and video playback to go nicely with the built in speakers.

The T10 is almost a follow up to the K3, at lease in form factor and controls. The speck at the moment are scant, but we do know that it will also do video, Bluetooth, and rock 30 hours of battery life.

No word on capacities for either of these players, but we are keeping our fingers crosses for some nicely sized 16 giggers.

[Press Release]

Embarking on a new breed of Samsung flash players is the YP-P2. This sleek device uses a touch screen interface with an LCD measuring 3.1 inches, while the 428 x 240 resolution provides a 16:9 standard for viewing video in MPEG-4 and WMV9 formats.

The P2 contains up to 8GB of storage, and features Bluetooth and FM Radio functions. The form measures 3.9 x 2.05 x 0.35-inches, battery lasts 30 hours of audio and 6 hours of video, and weighs 2.8 oz. Presently, details on the P2 are incomplete, but the player will be displayed at IFA in Berlin next month.

[Digital Times via Yepp]

Video below after the jump.

Yesterday saw Samsung Japan’s long overdue, yet official, announcement of their YP-U3 flash-based USB stick DAP. Just one day later reports of the YP-E3 in China have set a shadow over the company’s release.

So far the E3 has only been confirmed with a 1GB capacity and colors of black and white, but the OLED screen has the capability to display four lines of text in two colors. This will no doubt prove useful as the player supports lyric display, has an FM radio, and features Samsung’s DNSe sound enhancement technology, all powered by an internal lithium-ion battery with 11 hours of continuous audio playback. The E3’s measurements, 2.85” x 0.91” x 0.47", give it a slightly less stick-like shape than the U3.

[Zhongguancun Online]