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It has been nearly 3 years since the original Linux-based GP2X handheld first arrived, and based on this spy shot, it appears that a second-gen version is well on its way. Naturally, not much is known about the device other than a GP2X emulator should run on it after recompiling and it is (tragically) being called the "Wiz." Let's hope not because I already bought a "Wii" so I doubt that I would be able to stomach another product with a name that stupid. [Zodttd via GP2X News]
Last week we told you that the upcoming LG Chocolate 3 was going to be available July 14th: Verizon have just come up with the news that it'll be available a day earlier, July 13. They're pretty proud of the candybar phone's Verizon Rhapsody interlink, and the "all-in-one" nature of the gizmo as a PMP, mobile phone, GPS navigator, camera and car-stereo FM source. It'll be available in black or light blue, for US$129.99 after a US$50 mail-in rebate at Verizon Communications Stores (including Circuit City branches.) Press release below.
Looks like the Zune isn't the only PMP to be getting a colour makeover, Creative's Zen is in on it too. The new model was spotted at Wal Mart, where it is retailing at US$69.99 for a 2GB unit, with no other capacities listed. As far as we can tell, the pink Zen is ready for immediate shipping, despite the fact it is not available at Creative's own online store. The new addition has me thinking it is time for a pink gadget in my arsenal; admit it, you want one as well. [Wal Mart via Geek&Hype; Thanks, pickupjojo!]
IOGEAR's portable media player, actually named Portable Media Player, may look as generic as its name on the outside, but actually has some good features on the inside (but no screen). There's the most unique one, the ability to upscale video files to 720P for display on an HDTV, but there's also XviD, DivX, MPEG1/2, and full DVD menu support as well as a bunch of audio support. With a 120GB drive on board, the US$349.95 price tag doesn't seem all that steep, but there's probably little to no chance that most people will have the use of playing back 720P video on the go, on other people's screens. Maybe if you traveled a lot and wanted to watch your own movies in hotel rooms? [IOGEAR]
We'd be lying if we said we weren't partial to the Telcast M26 PMP, which has a 2.6-inch WQVGA (400x240) display with capacitive touchscreen functionality and supports RMVB, RM, FLV, AVI video codecs, as well as the standard music file formats. The iPod touch-esque styling has us contemplating giving it a chance, not because it's a copy-cat, but because it actually looks a little better.
Philips' GoGear SA52 music and video player looks quite nice, with the Creative Zen-like curved lines and directional pad, but where it really stands out is this interesting audio upscaling feature. The DSP is supposed to enhance your MP3s and WMA and AAC files, but to us that sounds like some sort of audio alchemy, creating sound where there was silence before. Is a 128kbps MP3 file going to sound as good as a 320kbps one when you use this? Doubtful, but it might sound slightly better than it did before. 4GB of storage and WMV playback round out this pretty decent looking player. [Tech Digest]
Panasonic's latest D-Snap audio player, the SV-SD870N, is debuting (in Japan at least) with a trio of cool features, though no Bluetooth:
• It can run for "approximately" 100 hours without needing a recharge.
• It can record directly from music source to SD card when docked.
• It has built-in "noise killer" active noise cancelling, so that, according to the loosely translated release, "the noise of the train is cut 83 percent at the touch of a button." [Press Release via Akihabara News]
The Gadget: The eMotion Solar PMP, a 2GB machine that claims to play music, videos, Nintendo/Game Boy/Sega ROMs, e-books and more—all while charging itself and other devices via its built-in solar panels. If you're nice, it may even pump your gas and tuck you in at night.
The Sansa Fuze, which we heard word of earlier, has just turned up at Amazon. The listing confirms the PMP will have a 1.9" screen, voice recording function (that works via the built-in microphone), microSD/microSDHC slot and will offer support for MP3, WMA and MPEG-4 encoded content. Retailing at US$99 for a 4GB edition, the internal battery will squeeze out 24 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video on a single charge. Checkout some more shots of the PMP below.
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