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Toshiba updates Gigabeat lineup from obscure to niche

February 7, 2008, 2:42 am
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There was a time not too long ago when Microsoft and Toshiba seemed poised to make the Gigabeat a household name. That all changed when Microsoft killed PMC and then blazed a manufacturing trail of its own with the second generation Zune. Nevertheless, Toshiba trudges on with enhancements to their Gigabeat U-, V-, and T-series of audio and video players. The ¥34,800 (about $327) V81 doubles the flash of its V41 to 8GB while tweaking the 1Seg recording capabilities. The ¥15,800 (about $149) U407 and U408 are just 4GB updates to their 1GB/2GB sibs while sporting an enhanced GUI. The ¥29,800 ($280) T802 (pictured) then, is just a T401 with double the flash (8GB) and new deal to make the wildly popular (in Japan) GyaO video service available for download from NTT hotspots around Japan. Right, the Japanese rough-equivalent of the domestic iPod, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and iTunes mashup. Well, at least you've got your HD DVD business to fall back on Toshiba. Oh... right.

[Via Akihabara News]

Read -- T802
Read -- V81
Read -- U407/U408
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Rockbox 3.0 firmware breathes the life back into your MP3 player

September 25, 2008, 1:31 pm
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Well it took three years, but Rockbox 3.0 has finally made it on the scene, with a major overhaul in the sound decoding department and support for several new players. This open source firmware replacement is chock full of tasty new features, including codec support for over 15 formats like FLAC and Ogg, 5-band parametric EQ, MPEG video, multilingual interface, Doom and a pile of other games, not to mention freedom from iTunes. Oh yeah, and it can talk to you via a spoken interface -- which comes in handy for not driving off bridges and what not. iPod, iriver, Sansa, iAudio, Gigabeat and Archos models are all supported, though Archos didn't get many of the major 3.0 improvements like expanded codecs.

[Via Ostatic; thanks Eric L]
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Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one

October 1, 2008, 1:47 am
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Toshiba continues to tease us with its prototype liquid fuel cell-powered gadgets: last year it was a Gigabeat media player, and at this year's CEATEC you can check out a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that's been crammed inside a cell phone, lending it a robust six hours of talk time (compared to the paltry three or four hours of a traditional battery). Toshiba won't reveal the capacity of the DMFC, but they have said that a 50ml cartridge is good for about 15 refills. No release date yet, but the phone "might" be available "as early as next year." In the meantime, enjoy this picture of a woman holding a flip phone with "DMFC" clearly visible on the display.
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Y2K8 Zune quirk really a Freescale bug?

January 2, 2009, 11:04 pm
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Well, here's an interesting twist to this story. That mysterious and completely enraging "Zune bug" that cropped up on the final day of 2008 may not have been restricted to Microsoft PMPs. A much smaller cadre of Toshiba Gigabeat users reportedly experienced similar issues, and some even noted that the whole "discharge and re-date" rigmarole fixed their unit right up as well. Upon further investigation, it seems that the issue may actually reside in the Freescale MC13783 processor, which -- coincidentally enough -- is used in the Zune 30 and a few of Toshiba's alternatives. We suppose it's a little late to ask, but did any non-Zune owners experience similar issues just prior to the dawn of '09? Or were you too busy, um, partying like it was 1999?

[Thanks nywytboy68]
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Engadget Podcast 058 - 01.04.2006

January 5, 2006, 2:15 pm
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Podcast logoWhile it's been a whirlwind few weeks in the world of the Engadget podcast, the flavor is back and ready for your CES consumption. Today's first episode of the podcast rocks out with more than your classic podcast favs like Ryan and Peter; today's podcast has interviews with everyone from Engadget contributors on the front lines to the exhibitors behind velvet ropes at the Digital Experience. We talk with some of the folks shaping CES including Microsoft's main Windows Mobile man John Starkweather, and OQO's Jory Bell. Clocking in just shy of an hour, this episode is the first of many we'll be recording here at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas!

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3)
[RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3).
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
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[OGG] Download the show (OGG).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts
Peter Rojas and Ryan Block

Producer
Randall Bennett

Music
J J J - Jobs that Require Headphones

Format
58:16, 26.6 MB, MP3

Program
00:36 Welcome to CES 2006.
03:31 CES Unveiled: ROKR E2
06:41 GigaBeat S-series
08:56 Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players unveiled
10:10 External HD-DVD for Xbox 360
11:40 CES2006.engadget.com
12:53 Barb on Sony's Press Preview
23:23 John Starkweather from Microsoft on the GigaBeat
24:45 Jack from Sony Ericcson and the Sony Walkman Phone
26:08 Tom from Sanyo, talking about the tapeless 720p HD1
27:23 Paul Boutin on the Bill Gates keynote
38:21 In-depth interview: Jory Bell and Dr. Richard Pocklington from OQO talk about the Model 01 getting Tablet PC OS

LISTEN (MP3)
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LISTEN (AAC)

Call up the Podcast at: 1-888-ENGADGET

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Giga-what? Giga-who?

January 6, 2006, 9:00 am
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gigabeatYou've probably heard all the talk about the new Toshiba Gigabeat S Series Portable Media Center. It's the video-capable 5G iPod killer announced by Toshiba and Microsoft over at CES this week. It's supposed to come out this quarter in 30GB  for $299 flavor and 60GB for $399 flavor.

It looks good. Nice screen and nice device and if I didn't already have a 5G iPod (or any iPod for that matter), I might consider buying one for the Vongo compatability alone.

However, the Gigabeat,  like all products of its ilk, is no iPod killer. Why? Look at it. Look at any of these iPod killers. They either are trying to cram too many features in or they are trying to in some way shape or form appear similar to the iPod. They are all followers to a device that has already permeated the market.

When an iPod killer does come, as it eventually will, it's not going to be an MP3-player with video capabilities. It's going to be an entirely new creature of technology. Like a cellphone that dominates the market. Or some other unknown gadget that reaches cult status because it is lighter than a feather, is powered by the wind, displays holograms, and looks really cool. The iPod is the cult right now and all these multiple cool devices, even though they are undeniably cool are not going to be able to knock the iPod off the top of the hill.
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Toshiba Gigabeat S shipping this month ... in Japan

April 10, 2006, 5:26 am
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If you haven't been getting your internet access via Webaroo, you must know that the Toshiba Gigabeat S is one of the most eagerly awaited new products of the year -- especially by us (we were seriously tempted to "borrow" one from the Toshiba booth at CES, but managed to resist). Now the Windows Portable Media Center is nearly upon us, getting a full list of specs and a rough ship date -- for the Japanese market, that is. Specs look basically consistent with what we saw at CES: both the 30GB S30 and 60GB S60 will include a 2.4-inch QVGA display, an FM tuner, and full compatibility with Windows DRM for both audio and video. They're expected to ship in Japan, in white, black and red versions, by the end of this month at prices of around $299 for the S30 and $399 for the S60. And we're going to have to decide whether to bite the bullet and pay the markup to pick one up through a gray market shipper, or continue waiting for the eventual US release.
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Toshiba Gigabeat V30T: a Portable Media Center with mobile TV

May 30, 2006, 4:00 am
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While we've been patiently waiting for the US launch of the Gigabeat S (set for release today tomorrow according to Amazon), Toshiba has been quietly prepping their new Gigabeat V series of Windows Portable Media Centers. Sure, the V30T player looks nothing like its sleeker sib, but that's due to the fact that this portable flaunts a new Wansegu (AKA, OneSeg) ISDB-T tuner for viewing the Japanese-flavor of mobile digital television launched last month -- in other words, the T-DMB / DVB-H / MediaFLO of Japan. Now on top of extracting that sweet TV from the ether, the V30T features a 3.5-inch, 320 x 240 display, support for WMV/WMA/MP3/WAV/JPEG and PlaysForSure WMA formats, and a brawny battery capable of up to 7/9/25 hours of TV/video/music playback, respectively, while keeping it all less than an inch thick. But this is all about the TeeVee Jack, so the V30T packs in a 30GB drive which, when combined with the EPG, allows you to record broadcasts up to 24 hours in advance for a maximum of about 130 hours of recorded, portable video. Expect the V30T to drop late June for about $450 in green.

[Via Impress Watch]
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Gigabeat S now on sale... at least somewhere

June 2, 2006, 4:35 am
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Yeah, yeah, we've been hearing mild rumblings about the impending launch of the Gigabeat S; in our ever vigilant effort to keep our collective ears pressed firmly to the ground we've got something for ya. Now, we don't normally do this, but we were tipped off to a web shop called eTailElectronics apparently located in North Dakota that supposedly has some coveted Toshiba MES60VK 60GB Gigabeat S players -- and is selling them for a solid $55 off MSRP markup, no less (weighing in at $345.99 not including T&S&H). It took us a couple days to get someone on the horn, but they confirmed that they had a few dozen players left, they've been flying out the door, and yes, they were actually really physically sitting right there, waiting to ship. Being that this was a business call in the name of journalistic research, however, we refrained from buying one. It was rough though, believe you us, rough indeed.

[Thanks, Brian]

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Toshiba drops a bomb: Gigabeat V in the US

September 1, 2006, 3:35 pm
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Well, well, well -- it seems that Toshiba's been up to more in the portable media space lately than just helping Microsoft out with the Zune manufacturing. In fact, ole Tosh has been working on a DTV-less version of its Japanese OneSeg-capable 30GB V30T; shake off the TV tuner, and you've got America's own MEV30K. This model borrows many of its features from the popular S series -- including Microsoft's Portable Media Center software, WMV9, WMV10, and PlaysForSure video playback, plus support for MP3, WMA, WMA lossless, WAV, and Windows DRM 9 / 10 audio files -- but, like the V30T, tosses what will probably be some well-received spec bumps into the mix. Besides the addition of a built-in speaker, the main changes here involve screen size and battery life: the V30K sports a 3.5-inch TFT LCD (compared to the 2.5-incher on the S, though both share the same QVGA resolution) and promises up to 8 hours of video or 25 hours of audio playback on a full charge (as opposed to the meager 2.5 and 12 hour lifespans for video and audio, respectively, on the S). We're sure that there are more than few people interested in this stamina-filled $400 Gigabeat, so the good news is that pre-ordering begins today through Crutchfield and Amazon, though a nationwide rollout is not expected until sometime in October. Let the iPod comparisons commence!
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PSP still one of the "top 10 must-haves"

September 6, 2006, 7:00 pm
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Need ammunition for the strange YouTube video flame war building between PSP Fanboy and DS Fanboy? Well, here's one for you guys: CNET's constantly updated "top 10 must-haves" still has your beloved handheld on the list. The PSP joins other gadgets, such as the incredible Motorola Q, Toshiba Gigabeat S, the Slingbox, the Xbox 360 and Canon PowerShot S80. Here's what the CNET folks had to say:
"The Sony PlayStation Portable was the portable gadget of 2005. If you haven't gotten yet, you must not have seen one in action. The screen alone will make you salivate. So much more than a portable gaming console, it also plays music and movies. Not only does it look hot, it also has outstanding sound and graphics, a built-in Memory Stick Duo slot, and Wi-Fi."
You get a lot of bang for your buck with the PSP. Considering how the PSP costs only $200, that's a lot cheaper than most of the items on this acclaimed list.

[Via 1UP Boards]
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Toshiba Gigabeat V30 reviewed

October 5, 2006, 5:12 pm
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If you've been on the lookout for a sizable screen to enjoy Microsoft's Portable Media Center and all the interface joys that lie therein, the new Gigabeat V -- which has finally made it to the US in a 30GB, tuner-free version known as the MEV30K -- is a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, PMC is all there, enjoyable as ever, and CNET found the screen to be plenty bright and colorful, but they found it grainy as well, perhaps due to Toshiba stretching out the QVGA resolution over a whole 3.5-inches. They also found the thumb stick to be a bit "spongy," and the other controls were a bit awkward as well. Other little inconveniences like a lack of FM, no video input and a weird requirement to unplug USB when charging make this player hard for the reviewer to recommend. Luckily, the 25 hour and 8 hour battery life estimates seem to be no lie, audio quality is excellent and Toshiba has slashed the price down to $300 mere days after launching it for $400, which ain't bad at all for a 30GB PVP with a 3.5-inch screen, no matter how it reviews.

[Thanks, Nana]
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Toshiba announces 1GB P10K and 2GB P20K Gigabeats

November 13, 2006, 8:07 pm
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If you thought Toshiba was only involved in one DAP launch this week, think again, because ol' Tosh has also decided to revitalize its Gigabeat P-series with the P10K and P20K. Last time we heard from this flash-based line was when the 512MB / 1GB P5L got a multi-colored premium edition, and the pink variety must have been especially popular, as that and white were the two colors chosen for the 1GB P10; white is your only choice for the 2GB P20, but both models can change it up with removable faceplates. Besides the capacity bump over the P5L and P10L, these new P's retain all of their predecessors' features: a 1.1-inch color OLED, MP3 / WMA / WAV / PlaysForSure support, line in / voice / FM recording, and a 14-hour rechargeable battery. Scheduled for release in early December, the P20 is listed at 17,980 Yen ($153), while the smaller P10 will be priced around 13,980 Yen ($119).

[Via Impress]
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Toshiba Gigabeat V30 goes pink and blue

December 5, 2006, 6:12 am
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The buzz (was there any?) surrounding the Toshiba Gigabeat V30 has all but faded. Not unusual what with the bigger, badder V60 and Tosh's other DAP -- the Zune -- already kicked out the door. So in a knee-jerk fit of marketing us-too-idness we've come to expect, out rolls the pastel pink V30E with integrated 1Seg TV tuner. Also available in navy blue, you know, just in case pastels are too much of a challenge to your man palette. Otherwise, same specs for that same ¥49,800 (about $434) when these hit December 15th in Japan. Pictured in blue after the break.

[Via Impress]
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Toshiba's gigabeat U gets social with FM transmitter

March 19, 2007, 5:48 am
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If you're the type to shun audio trend in favor of audio quality then be sure to give a glance in the direction of Toshiba's latest audio player. The new gigabeat U series of music players comes in 1GB (U101) and 2GB (U201) flavors and features Toshiba's new high-quality, 1-bit TC94A82XBG DAC. Otherwise, the most notable feature is the integrated FM receiver/transmitter allowing you record FM broadcasts to MP3 and even share your audio collection with your car audio system or any other DAP equipped with an FM receiver -- pretty much all of them these days. The player sits 11.9-mm thick with a 1.1-inch organic EL display sporting a 96x96 resolution and graphics reminiscent of nascent web interface design. A 20-hour battery and support for Windows Media DRM10, MP3, and WAV (PCM) round out the specs with a full Japanese launch by April 7th -- ¥13,800 ($118) for the 1GB player or ¥16,800 (about $142) for the 2GB model. Not cheap, but not too beaucoup either.
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Toshiba's 80GB Gigabeat V801: the last Portable Media Center

May 28, 2007, 4:01 am
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In what constitutes a death rattle for Portable Media Center devices, Toshiba just sputtered forth the latest in the V Series of Gigabeat players: the 40GB V401 (¥49,800 / $409) and 80GB V801 (¥59,800 / $491). Each packs a new 4-inch, 24-bit color, 480 x 272 pixel display with built-in brightness sensor for automatic adjustment to local lighting conditions. In addition to supporting WM DRM10 and WMA 9 Lossless as you'd expect in a Microsoft PMC, the device also packs an improved 1Seg tuner and EPG for plenty of digital TV viewing (and recording) while on the go. The latest Gigabeat also features improved sound quality and 24-mm thickness and a battery capable of 28/10/8 hours of playback audio/video/1Seg TV, respectively. Available June 1st in Japan.

[Via Impress]
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Toshiba Gigabeat MET401 WiFi media device hits the FCC

July 20, 2007, 9:58 am
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Not a whole lot to go on here, but it looks like Toshiba has a new Gigabeat media device in the works, one that the FCC seems to have already gotten its hands on. Dubbed the MET401, the device looks to boast built-in WiFi capabilities and, as you can see above, appears to run on Windows Embedded. Unfortunately, those are about the only details we know at the moment, but those curious to see the complete FCC test report can get their fix at the link below.

[Thanks, cf18]
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Toshiba's gigabeat U202 supports direct-to-MP3 ripping

July 24, 2007, 6:46 am
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If you passed on Toshiba's first few U-series DAPs due to their lively color schemes and substitutable feature sets, the new 2GB U202 goes a long ways to correct both of those quibbles. The exceedingly simplistic device dons a silver / black motif, an uncomplicated "PlusPad" control scheme, and a 1.1-inch color OLED display. Furthermore, this unit sports the same 20-hour battery life, FM tuner, and MP3 / WMA / WAV playback capabilities as its predecessor, but the newfangled direct-to-MP3 CD ripping ability enables users to "record audio tracks digitally from a CD player directly to the gigabeat." Consider it yours in one to two weeks for $99.99.
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Toshiba's Gigabeat T401 flash PMC comes packin' WiFi

August 28, 2007, 4:45 am
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Ah, so that's what that FCC approved MET401 is, the new Toshiba Gigabeat T401. That spiffy Windows flag should be your hint as to this player's Portable Media Center roots. A lingering death rattle from this once fertile lineage. The player sports a 2.4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display; support for WMV video and MP3, WMA 9 Lossless, and DRM'd WMA audio; up to 4GB of flash; 802.11b/g WiFi (nice); Toshiba's latest H2C audio processing tech; and the ability to pump the audio for up to 16-hours or 5-hours of video if that's your thing. Looking pretty swank in that 9.9-mm thin packaging when it hits Japan on October 5th for ¥29,800 (about $258). Check out the WiFi-less 401S models (September 7th, ¥24,800, about $213, with three color options) after the break.

[Via Impress]
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Toshiba intros WiFi-less Gigabeat T400

September 25, 2007, 8:03 am
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While there's still no official word of a North American release of Toshiba's WiFi-packin' Gigabeat T401, it looks like those round these parts can now get their hands on its slightly less-capable counterpart: the WiFi-less Gigabeat T400. Apart from the lack of WiFi, this one looks to be identical to the T401, with it packing 4GB of NAND flash memory, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and support for WMV video, along with MP3, WMA, WAV and WMA Lossless audio. According to Toshiba, you can also expect about 16 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video playback from the player's rechargeable battery. It also looks like Toshiba's decided to tone down the color options from the Japanese release, with the player now only available with your choice of blue, pink, or orange trims, each of which will set you back $120.
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