Steinheil Anti-Fingerprint Film for Cowon S9.

The Cowon S9 has a nearly scratch-proof screen, but like every other touchscreen player is a magnet for fingerprints. A check through http://www.sgpstore.com/ found this high quality LCD Protection Film for my S9. The feature that stood out was "Anti Fingerprint". My order arrived within a couple of days, and so far I'm impressed with it's anti-fingerprint ability.

The package contains two protectors, a cleaning cloth, and a plastic squeegee. Application is easy, but you have to make sure your screen is clean. A spec of dust is enough to make a visible bubble beneath the cover.

The film is a perfect fit, covering the entire front glass of the S9. It is translucent and not transparent, but photos and movies are only barely affected shining through the film. There is a little optical downgrading, but no more than the effect of a fingerprints covering the screen. It's not perfect, but after a few hours of tapping my S9's screen there are no discernible prints on it. You'll still need to clean it occasionally, and keeping your hands clean is advised. With this screen protector those ugly splotches from each tap won't both you again.

4D

Memorex MMP8020R MP3. Clip-On Player Review

Browsing my local Target store I noticed this little clip-on player from Memorex. At $39.99 for 2gb capacity, it's half the price and half the capacity of the new iPod Shuffle. You can store up to 500 songs on it, and it also includes an FM radio with 20 presets. The controls are all on the front face, along with a 2-line OLED monochrome display. USB and headphone jacks are on the top edge. A small reset hole is on the left side.

Mine came with enough charge to test the FM radio, although I'll need to figure out how to add presets to it since that was not explained in the skimpy documentation it came with. There is a PDF with more information but it does not show any way to reset the FM presets or delete one (or more).

MP3s play fine, and when playing the track, title, and artist info is displayed or scrolls across the screen. The Memorex also will play WMA and WMA-DRM but I didn't have either to test on it. Within it's settings options you can find five equalizer presets including XBass, Pop, Jazz, Classical, Rock, and a Normal (non-equalized) setting. You can set it to repeat one or repeat all song in a playlist. The upper menu level lets you pick from Now Playing, Play All, Shuffle All, FM Radio, Playlist, Artist, Album, and Genre. The package includes a standard USB cable, inexpensive earbuds, an installation mini-CD (not needed with Vista), Quick Start guide, and a 90-day warranty sheet. The included earbuds work, but are short on bass, and offer minimal comfort to your ears. I strongly suggest upgrading headphones to truly appreciate any music you might put on this player.

This Memorex has a decent amp, with volume scaling from 0 to 30. I found putting it on 15 was plenty to drive my large Sennheiser HD-595 headphones.

Out of the box, with version 11.0 firmware, this little clip-on player performs as advertised. The XBass EQ preset produced the best results (to my ears) when using large over-ear headphones that reproduce bass better than the stock earbuds. Build quality is "cheap". I worry the spring tension from the clip on the back might lead to cracks or separation of the case over time.

Is it better than an iPod Shuffle? I certainly prefer controls on the player face rather than on the cable. You get several ways to sort your music. FM radio is a nice convenience that Apple apparently doesn't believe in. It won't win any aesthetic design awards, but with function taking precedence over form it appeals more to my design sense than the new iPod Shuffle. Is it the best value out there? If you can find the 4gb Sansa Clip (my review) on sale for $50 or less, then get it instead. You'll get voice and FM recording plus an additional 2gb of storage space for that extra $10. If you've got a Target 10% discount card to bring the price down a little, or can find it on sale for $5 or $10 off, then it's not a bad investment.

4D.

Noreve Leather Case for the Cowon S9. My Review.

While my Cowon S9 is so good looking that it is something you want to show off naked, I need something with a belt clip to take it safely along with me. Noreve was fairly quick after the S9's release to come out with a beautiful leather case for it. I was a bit surprised when mine arrived that it didn't close with a snap. This case has magnets embedded in the cover and a metal plate in the body. It closes securely and doesn't come open on it's own or even when shaken vigorously. Fit is snug, yet the S9 slides in and out easily. It's a good thing, since to charge or sync the S9 it will have to come out of the case.

The S9 is well protected, yet the power, volume +/-, and headphone jack are all accessible with the cover closed. There is an opening on the back for the microphone and reset hole. Track and play buttons on the top are covered, but can be pressed through the leather. Noreve included a small screwdriver that made it easy to install the belt clip mount. If you don't need the belt clip there is a smooth decorative screw to cover the threaded mounting point.

I'm not sure if cows are demanding more pay, or getting more rare, but this case is one of Noreve's priciest at over $50. You can get a case from Jetmall for a little more than half what the Noreve case costs, but it won't be as nice. You'll need an appreciation for the Red color too. I think Noreve's case for the S9 is worth it's cost. You won't find a better case anywhere.

4D

iPhone Growing Up. iPod Touch Owners Screwed Again.

With Apple's press announcement today we discover that the iPhone and iPod Touch are getting significant new features in the upcoming 3.0 firmware update. Bluetooth stereo, although much appreciated, is just the tip of what is now possible using Bluetooth on these iDevices. The first generation won't benefit as it doesn't have a Bluetooth chip, but the 2nd gen Touch has had a Bluetooth chip in it from the start. The iPhone 3G will also get features the original iPhone won't due to hardware differences.

Looks like I'll be investing in a new Touch. Some examples of what will be possible include data updates from blood sugar meters, other health related technology, and accessories that might include keyboards (although they wouldn't say). Peer-to-Peer play is now supported. Maps within apps too. A new "Spotlight" page on the device where you can put your favorite and/or most used apps. Copy/Cut/Paste across all apps is now possible. Much more too. Subscriptions are now another way to drain your pocketbook via the app store.

I'll update this blog when I've got more to share. Looks like my search for the perfect media player may have been answered with the 3.0 update to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Of course Apple doesn't believe in free firmware updates, despite the new firmware potentially making them more money once installed. Prepare to pay the $10 Apple Tax if you own a Touch. Pure iGreed from my point of view.

4D

My Take on the New iPod Shuffle.

Apple released a new Shuffle today. It is smaller than most USB thumb drives at only .3" thick (including the clip) by .7" wide by 1.8" tall. There is one 3-way switch on the end for Shuffle/Play/OFF. Specs HERE. It uses proprietary earbuds that have a controller for play/pause/next/prev and a few other commands on the cable. You get an adapter cable for USB transfer and charging that plugs into the headphone jack.

I'm convinced this Shuffle will be a failure. Yes, they'll sell a few thousand. But it will go the way of the square Nano 3rd generation. Why?:

- It's too small. I've lost microSD cards, small USB thumb drives, and every other tiny thing I owned simply because they were all tiny.
- With 4gb capacity the blind/voice interface will prove slow to find and play a specific song from the 1000 or so you might have on it.
- It requires Apple's earbuds, and a replacement will cost you another $29.
- It will cost you $79. While the software on board might have taken a little extra development time to create, the hardware itself is worth about $3. A 4gb Sansa Clip goes for $49 (on sale), and it includes a screen, FM radio, and voice recording. Of course with the earbuds costing $29 you could consider the player's cost to be just $50. Still a bit pricey for a USB memory stick. You can get THIS similar sized player that also includes FM radio, an LCD screen, and is also 4gb for half that price. For $55 you can own THIS iRiver 4g player with FM, Voice recording, Radio recording, EQ, and available in 5 colors.
- No colors. The ONLY reason I own a Nano was because it came in a color I was fascinated with.

Will you buy this tiny Shuffle? If so, what aspect is most desirable? Small size, 4gb capacity, remote controls? I can't think of a single reason to buy one.

4D

Cowon S9 gets Widgets!

UPDATE: The english version of the S9's new firmware is now available. For more information the download page is HERE. For a direct download of the 2.10 firmware ZIP file click HERE.

Not to be surpassed by the (upcoming) Samsung P3's user interface, the Cowon S9 is getting new firmware that includes widgets. From my point of view they don't add any new functionality to the S9, but do add visual distraction. The Korean companies (Samsung, iRiver, Cowon) are playing king-of-the-mountain with their touchscreen PMPs. I like it. Competition is a good thing.

The widgets include both digital and analog clocks, an alarm clock, battery level indicator, a mini photo viewer, shortcut menu to media apps, a play control, a recorder button, and memory status.

·

The firmware now allows using a photo from your collection as wallpaper/background image in the home and other menus. Also notice the battery level icon in the upper right corner. There are several other small bug fixes and improvements. The U.S. version is not out yet, but usually follows the Korean release (shown above) within a week. I'll post a download link when I see one.

·

4D

Kindle Books on Your iPhone/Pod Touch!

As rumored, Amazon has now released a Kindle ebook application for the iPhone. It took me 30 seconds this morning to find it and install it on both my iPod Touch and my Wife's iPhone. You enter the Amazon account that is used with your Kindle and you will immediately have access to all the books you had previously purchased on your Kindle. You can sort by Title or Author. You can GO to your most recent book/page. You can add, delete, or goto bookmarks, and everything you update in the Kindle app will be updated on your Kindle via whispernet as well!

If anyone doubted how well the Kindles new and old would do, you need to step back and realize that it's not about the hardware. Amazon make it's money selling ebooks. You can now shop for and buy Kindle formatted ebooks from your iPhone, and whispernet will keep everything synced between your Kindle-capable devices.

The Kindle application is free and available from the App store right now. Be warned, as I predict several hundred thousand people will be downloading it today.

Read Well!