CES Roundup: PMPs Look for the Right Niche Amidst Changing Market

What CES 2010 coverage has demonstrated over the last few days is that the market for PMPs--or personal media players--is changing fast. It appears that this year, for the most part, much of the hoopla around PMPs has been drowned amidst fervor for netbooks and technology that feels, well, much more 21st century. Maybe it's simply that gadgets in general are changing: cell phones act like computers, computers act like cell phones, and they all play MP3s. So perhaps it's not so surprising to see that what few players were unveiled at CES 2010 certainly demonstrated a desire to go into unusual, and often curious, directions.

We've already profiled the Samsung MyFit, and it looks like other manufacturers are hoping that fitness sells, as well. The Philips Activa MP3 Player (pictured at right) doesn't even vaguely resemble the MyFit—it's absolutely tiny in comparison, and looks more like a miniature stopwatch than an MP3 player—but its premise is a little more, shall we say, extreme? According to CNET, the Activa is designed to take your fitness routine up a notch by giving you real-time feedback on your workout performance. Engadget explains:

Activa brings along a little trick called TempoMusic; a feature that analyzes your music library to later match songs to your aerobic intensity. That means that Activa can help keep you motivated by shouting out feedback on your progress in addition to words of encouragement while automatically selecting the appropriate music to match the pace of your workout or give you a boost when needed.

The success of the product will likely have to do with users' reactions to the player. As Donald Bell of CNET put it: "Only time will tell if the voice is more in step with the Wii Fit style of chipper encouragement, or with the Tony Little brand of aggressive shouting." (Let’s sincerely hope for the former, at least for Philips’ sake.) The suggested retail price is $130.

Another unveil at CES was the iRiver Smart HD PMP (pictured at right). While extant pictures are a little blurry to say the least, it's still sounds like a relatively promising device that crosses the boundary between eReader and PMP. According to gadgetell's Natesh Sood, the Smart HD PMP includes some pretty impressive specs, including open API widget developments, Wi-Fi, FM Radio, eBook reader integration, and a 3.5 inch, 480x320 screen. According to CNET:

The Smart HD will actively transcode most HD videos down to the screen's 480x320-pixel resolution. There's no word on whether the Smart HD will include TV output capabilities to make HD video resolutions worthwhile.

If you're of the teenage persuasion, or just prefer your gadgets polka-dotted and resembling candy dispensers (or as Donald Bell put it: "an MP3 player for children that looks like a miniature lipstick tube designed by a team of fairy princesses") then you might be interested to learn about the Samsung TicToc (not to be confused with the candy, or L. Frank Baum's automaton). Yes, this is the same Samsung we already profiled with the MyFit and IceTouch. Certainly this year the company has pulled out all the stops to reveal unusual and very demographic specific gadgets.

The TicToc has 12 hours of playback, and comes in three different designs (as well as 2 and 4GB versions).  Of particular note, the TicToc also has an intriguing single-button functionality that, according to sources, changes depending on the orientation of the device.

A last mention is due to the Korean-based company Villiv and their P3 and HD5 PMPs. While technically leaked before CES, Villiv’s PMPs definitely bring to mind the design of the iPod Touch, but have some rather intriguing features for a relative newcomer on the market. The P3 allows for Windows CE 6.0/Android dual boot capabilities, for instance. Display wise, the P3 has a 2.7 inch screen, and is a scant 9.7mm thick. According to TrustedReviews’ Andy Vandervell:

Inside, the unit is powered by an 800MHz ARM Coretex A8 processor, giving it the power to play 720p resolution MKV video. This is supplemented by integrated Wi-Fi, a G-sensor and a vibration motor – presumably used for haptic feedback. Those lucky Koreans also get the option for T-DMB mobile TV – if you've ever been in a Korean taxi you'll understand why this is a popular option – and DAB. 

The P3 will be available in 8, 16, and 32GB; pricing and availability to be determined.

On the heels of the P3 is the HD5 (pictured below), with full 1080p video playback.  Released specs include Windows CE 6.0 OS, HDMI port, SDHC port, 5” screen (800 x 480 capacative touchscreen). While the HD5 certainly seems to err on the side of multimedia rather than music, and while some reviewers are skeptic about the Windows CE 6.0 OS, it could still pack quite a punch. As Vandervell admits, "I must admit to being somewhat taken the company's P3 and HD5 PMPs."

All in all, it's been a somewhat unusual year for the PMP contingent. The few reveals as CES have certainly been intriguing—I think my favorite has to be the IceTouch; I just want to figure out how it works myself—but it's unclear what kind of staying power these gadgets will have. Between slate PCs, netbooks, eReaders, and cell phones at the forefront of consumers' minds, it certainly makes me wonder what CES 2011 will bring in the PMP department. Time will tell.

--Natania Barron

Comments

[Jan T. on January 11, 2010 at 08:17 PM]

What is a PMP? Pocket Music Player? Personal Media Player? Private Military Police? If you're going to use jargon, how 'bout 'splaining it to the rest of us?

[Natania Barron on January 11, 2010 at 08:23 PM]

Jan, apologies. Yes, a PMP is a portable media player. As the term mp3 player doesnt really hold water for some of these devices, its a slightly more broad term. Sorry for the confusion. Ill clarify above.

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