In reality, it appears to be just another mediocre PMP with no real distinguishing characteristics. But the company shrewdly named it an MP7 player to trick the tech-unsavvy portion of the public into thinking that if MP3s are good, MP7s must be better. And it probably worked.

The MP7 player can be yours for the unreasonably-high price of $US70. [Product Page via Technabob]

The cans have wooden housing for improved sound quality. They operage in a 5Hz to 30kHz frequency, feature 64Ω impedance, an overpressure value of 101dB/mW and support a maximum input of 1,500mW. The whole package weighs in at about 385 grams, which means they’ll cost you about $US1.90 per gram when they go on sale in Japan next month. Worth it? [Engadget]

In theory, being able to buy 1,000 good songs on a microSD card for $US40 is great. You’d be able to pop it into various phones and MP3 players and you wouldn’t have to deal with any of the hassle of downloading or ripping or any of that stuff. It would be perfect for people who aren’t tech-savvy or huge music buffs.

But in practice, the entire thing has been so crippled that it’s basically worthless. Yeah, you get 1,000 songs, but there’s no way to actually sort through them. There’s no back button. If you hear a song you like, the only way to hear it again is to hit the skip button 999 times. Seriously, who’s idea was it to not include a back button? Can you think of a more disastrous interface choice on any portable music player ever?

In addition, if you want to play the songs on any other device, you can’t. There are plans to bring firmware updates to Sansas and some Windows Mobile devices in the future, but you can’t use them in your computer and it definitely isn’t a simple process to pop it out and put it in other devices. You can’t pull the songs off, you can’t make your own playlists, you can’t add your own songs. You can’t really do anything.

Obviously most of these restrictions are demands from the major record labels, all of which contribute songs to the $US40, 1,000 song packs. That’s why these songs are so cheap: you don’t really own them. Sure, there are no subscriptions and you technically “own” the songs forever, but Sandisk showed its hand at its press conference with a screenshot of a Windows Mobile phone running slotRadio. Under each song was a “Buy Song” option. Wait, didn’t you already buy the song? You want people to buy it again so they can, you know, actually use it how they want? That’s a pretty shitty move, Sandisk.

Sure, some people may be conned into buying this thinking that it’s a simple way to acquire a lot of music. But you’ve got to think that people will want to have more control over songs they listen to than this, even when they aren’t too particular about their music.

Maybe eventually the major labels will loosen up a bit and sell song packs like this without the insane, device-murdering restrictions attached, but until then we’re going to keep seeing garbage like the slotRadio coming out. And nothing promotes music piracy like being tricked into paying for songs that you don’t really own.

Beyond the touchscreen navigation, the iXA-W404 meets “Works With iPhone” and “Made For iPod” designations, it also features a dedicated USB input (can also play iPod/iPhone video files), Bluetooth connectivity (with a separate module) and the ability to connect to additional music sources like HD Radio. A price and release date have yet to be determined.

Other releases include:

•iDA-X305: 2.2-inch colour TFT screen, iPhone/iPod compatibility, USB input, built-in 18W RMS x 4 amplifier, three pairs of pre-outs and a 24-bit DAC. Price: TBC
•CDE-102 CD Receiver: USB, iPhone/iPod compatibility, built-in 18W RMS x 4 amplifier (at CEA-2006 power ratings), HP crossover and two sets of pre-outs. Price: TBC

Further details are available in the press releases below.

Alpine iXA-W404 2-DIN Digital Media Receiver

The iXA-W404 is Alpine’s first touch-screen digital media receiver. Designed to deliver a
fully integrated iPod®/iPhone® experience in the car, the receiver has no CD
mechanism. The iXA-W404 meets Apple Inc.’s specifications for the “Made for iPod” and
“Works with iPhone” designations, and features a dedicated USB input for optimal
iPod/iPhone connection and superior digital sound quality. The USB input also enables
connection to USB memory devices. The iXA-W404 can also play iPod/iPhone video
files.

The 2-DIN iXA-W404 gives users two ways to navigate and access their iPod music via
their in-dash head unit: the double-encoder knob and the vibrant 4.3-inch QVGA color
touch-screen monitor. The unit’s intuitive user interface and search menu are very
similar to the iPhone/iPod Touch interface, so that users can continue the familiar iPod
experience in the car. The unit’s ultra-responsive touch-screen lets users quickly browse
through their file collection by lightly dragging the on-screen album covers with their
finger. The current album is shown in the centre of the screen, with the previous two
albums/songs and next two album/songs on either side of the current selection. Users
can also navigate through files alphabetically via an alphabet bar shown on the right side
of the screen.

For those who want more from their aftermarket head unit, the iXA-W404 delivers. It is
enabled for integrated Bluetooth connectivity so that users can conduct hands-free
phone conversations through the car’s sound system. (Separate Bluetooth module
required.) The iXA-W404 can also connect to a variety of additional sources, such as HD
Radio™ with iTunes® Tagging and multicasting, satellite radio, navigation and more.
(Additional products and subscriptions required.) Discerning audio enthusiasts can enjoy
custom sound processing with the addition of a separate Alpine IMPRINT Audio
Processor.

The iXA-W404’s suggested retail index is $TBD.

Alpine iDA-X305 Digital Media Receiver

The iDA-X305 represents Alpine’s third generation of mech-less Digital Media Receivers. It
has “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” connectivity and is designed to deliver a fully
integrated iPod/iPhone experience in the car. It features a dedicated USB input for optimal
iPod/iPhone connection and premium digital sound quality.

The iDA-X305’s crisp 2.2-inch colour TFT screen displays artist, album and song
information, as well as album art. The unit’s double-action encoder knob enables maximum
control over all iPod/iPhone music search functions, including search by playlist, artist,
album, song, genre, podcasts, audiobooks and composer. Quick Search and Alphabet
Search make it fast and easy to navigate the largest of music libraries.

Built on Alpine’s proprietary Ai-NET platform, the iDA-X305 can connect to a wide variety of
digital entertainment options for a more enjoyable driving experience, including hands-free
Bluetooth; HD Radio with iTunes Tagging and multicasting; and satellite radio. (Separate
tuners, adapters, subscriptions and cables required.) The head unit’s dedicated USB input
also allows connection of USB MP3/WMA players and USB mass storage devices.
Discerning audio enthusiasts may enjoy customised, superior quality IMPRINT sound with
the addition of the PXA-H100 Audio Processor (sold separately).

The iDA-X305 features a built-in 18W RMS x 4 amplifier, three pairs of pre-outs and a 24-bit
DAC. Users can also choose blue or red illumination.

The iDA-X305’s suggested retail index is $TBD.

Alpine CDE-102 CD Receiver

The CDE-102 head unit features a front panel USB port for memory sticks and portable hard
drives, as well as a front panel auxiliary input. It is ideal for consumers looking for an
integrated solution for music playback from a memory stick, portable hard drive or portable
music player.

The CDE-102 also has “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” connectivity, which is
available through the KCE-433iV Full Speed Connection for iPod/iPhone cable (sold
separately). Both offer fast access to music files from the head unit and on-screen display of
song information. The Percentage Search feature divides music libraries into six sections
that can be accessed via six preset buttons on the head unit, making file navigation quick
and easy.
When used with the KCE-400BT Bluetooth module (sold separately), the CDE-102 allows for
hands-free mobile phone use with full phone book access, as well as calling information
displayed on the head unit’s screen. The built-in “Phone” button on the head unit offers easy
one-touch access to a paired Bluetooth phone. Users can also enjoy streaming music from a
Bluetooth device equipped with A2DP or AVRCP protocol.

With a built-in 18W RMS x 4 amplifier (at CEA-2006 power ratings), HP crossover and two
sets of pre-outs, the CDE-102 offers flexible opportunities to build a complete Alpine sound
system.

The CDE-102’s suggested retail index is $TBD.

The X-series Walkman seems like a very impressive piece of hardware. Much like its direct competitor, the iPod Touch, it comes in 16GB and 32GB flavours and can be used to surf the web. The screen’s half an inch smaller, but it’s also OLED (rather than the Touch’s LED) so you can expect brighter colours and better contrast.

It also comes with digital noise cancelling–a first for any MP3 player I’ve seen. The feature, allows any accompanying 3.5mm EX headphone to block out ambient noise, and basically renders those expensive Bose earphones you just got for Christmas obsolete.

What I like about this is that it’s one of those “D’oh, of course!” ideas. I’ve always hated how the sound gets muffled and crappy (or turns off completely) when your noise cancelling headphones run out of batteries–you don’t have to worry about that if it’s all incorporated into the MP3 player.

We’ll have to run it through the standard tests to see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be, but what worries me most about the X-series, and it’s most likely roadblock to widespread success, is the price. Right now it’s TBC. Sony has come out with a ton of outstanding MP3 players, but unless it’s willing to sell this one for $US400 and lower, the X-series probably won’t knock the iPod Touch off its perch.

Besides being wire-free, this wearable walkman features quick charging times–3 minutes for 90 minutes of playback, and half an hour for the full 12 hours. Magnetic connectors keep the earphones in a cute heart-shape when not in use.

The W-series doesn’t have a display, but lets users sort through their music with a hilariously-named ZAPPIN function–it plays “popular clips” of each song in the library until you select what you want to hear. Hm, sounds less fun than its name.

Ultimately, it’s neat looking but I wonder if they’ll actually stay on while you’re jogging.

Yes, Sandisk’s newest Sansa makes acquiring music easier than ever, with 1,000 songs “handpicked from the Billboard charts” coming on a microSD card for use with the player. If you get bored of those songs, you can grab genre-specific 1,000 song bundles for $US40 more.

It’s a neat idea, what with the bundles bringing the costs of music down to a delicious 4 cents per song and cutting downloading out of the equation, but you’ve got to wonder what percentage of said songs will be ones you’ll care about. I mean, I love music, but I love specific music, not just music in general. But hey, there are people out there who listen to light rock radio all day at work just to create background noise, so maybe there’s more of a market for this stuff than I think. And hell, there’s an FM radio integrated in there for those folks as well.

Oh, and the catch, if you were wondering, is that those $US0.04 cent songs are locked to the card. No pulling them off onto your computer, no playing them on other devices, no backing up. Eep.

In any case, the Sansa slotRadio will be available in “early 2009″ for $US100 (1,000 song card included) at RadioShack.

The SE110 uses something called a balanced armiture driver, easy to shrink down so customers don’t stretch your ear canal just because they like their damn music. Trouble was, some people didn’t think there was enough bass there. When the guys went to build the SE115, the technology was finally available to shrink down the more traditional—and bass happy—dynamic driver. This is what the old E2 model had, but those were big and for some reason couldn’t use the same foam ear padding; the new dynamic driver, using neodymium magnets, a fancy new voice-coil winding system and a new diaphragm material, could be fit inside earbuds that look just like the SE110, and be given the same comfortable padding.

Audiophiles will still want to go up the ladder. Shure says that the armiture-equipped SE210 will still have a more balanced “flat” frequency response, while the SE115 will be admittedly more “fun.” Perhaps to emphasise this, in addition to austere black, the buds will come in red, blue and pink. (You know, nothing says “I like to party” like hot pink sound-isolating earphones.)

As a fan of the SE110, I’m surprised to hear that something I thought was nearly perfect is only getting better. I have yet to try them, of course, but I look forward to it, and so should many of you. Shure says the SE115 will go for around $US100 on the nose, without a lot of discounting at first. But for people who don’t care a whole lot about the extra low-end boost, the SE110 sells for $US90 or so now, but will stay on the market for the time being, and could very well start selling for even less. [Shure]

Shure Blends Brilliant Sound and Colour with New SE115 Sound Isolating Earphones

LAS VEGAS, NV; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; and NILES, IL, January 6, 2009 – At the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld Conference and Expo, Shure Incorporated today unveiled the SE115, the newest, most affordable, and most colorful member of the Company’s acclaimed family of Sound Isolating™ Earphones. The SE115 arrives in four vivid hues – Blue, Pink, Black, and Red – and at a $99 price point. Already a likely icon for its aesthetics and affordability, this newest earphone, like the Company’s other SE models (SE210, SE310, SE420, and SE530), is most remarkable for how it reproduces sound.

During the past five years, Shure has delivered a personal listening experience unlike any other, making the brand synonymous with exceptional sound quality. While many have tried, none have been able to achieve the same combination of reliability, comfort, portability, style, and audio performance without compromising one requisite for another. Now, with the SE115, creative Shure engineers have achieved a new breakthrough and fit a dynamic driver capable of delivering incredibly rich bass into the sleek, compact form factor once only attainable with a smaller driver.

“There’s no doubt about it – for decades, Shure has set the standard for superior audio and unparalleled design,” said Mark Karnes, Executive Director, Global Marketing, Shure. “Now, as MP3 players, smartphones, portable gaming systems, and laptops break new ground in functionality and style, our engineers have blasted even bigger sound into a smaller and more beautiful package than ever before.”

Additional SE115 features include:

• Superior Sound Quality: The Second Generation Dynamic MicroSpeaker delivers detailed, warm sound with enhanced bass.
• Colour and Style: Blue, Pink, Black, and Red create a personal fashion statement for any user.
• Isolation from Background Noise: Unique Sound Isolating technology prevents outside noise from interfering with the user’s listening experience.
• Superior Comfort and Flexibility: The included Shure fit kit provides interchangeable earphone fit and cable options that deliver unmatched personal customization.

Pricing and Availability

At a $99.99 retail [$119.99 MSRP], the SE115 Sound Isolating Earphones will be available to consumers in spring 2009 and will carry a two-year limited warranty. The SE115 and all Shure Sound Isolating Earphones and inline accessories can be purchased online at www.shure.com, as well as at select retail partners. Check www.shure.com for a complete list of Authorised Dealers.