Introduction:
iriver America, a maker of portable media players, has a new device out which is making some waves as a potential challenger to the Apple iPod’s long held dominance in the portables arena. iriver is hoping their new clix portable media player will click with shoppers nationwide.The iriver clix, formally announced May 17 as part of a trilogy of Apple iPod/iTunes killer style products (Microsoft’s Windows Media Player 11 and MTV’s URGE digital music service being the other two), is available now for a price of $199.99. For this amount, users get the 2GB iriver clix player, a CD which contains music management software, a carrying case with screen cleaner, earphones, a USB 2.0 cable and printed manual. The player also comes preloaded with a selection of music, video, photos, wallpapers and games.
Digital Media Features:
At its heart the iriver clix is a portable media, or video, player. This means the device, unlike a typical MP3 player, can also display videos and photos. With its 2GB of internal flash memory, the clix is capable of storing quite a lot of media files. It also gets upwards of 25 hours of rechargeable playtime with its internal Li-poly battery.For audio, the iriver clix can play MP3, OGG and WMA music files, including secure WMA music files downloaded from Microsoft PlaysForSure compatible online music subscription services like the new MTV Urge, AOL Music Now and Napster. If music transferred to the clix from one’s computer is not entertaining enough in the moment, the player also has a built-in digital FM tuner and recorder to extend the entertainment options.
For video, the clix is capable of playing MPEG4 video as well as Macromedia Flash files. This option is joined by the enhanced ability to view JPEG digital photos, which are transferred over from a connected computer. Users using the new Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 will be offered “optimized photo syncing” with their computer and the clix. Photos copied to the player can also be used to customize the on-screen interface.
Other Features:
Speaking of the screen, the iriver clix sports an ultra-bright, 2.2-inch color LCD display. It is controlled via some small side buttons and also by pressing the four sides of the display itself. The player physically measures 2.7-inches x 1.8-inches x 0.6-inches and weighs 2.5 ounces.Other features of the iriver clix include FlashLite game support; a now playing screen which features album art, song ratings, play lists and next song preview; a built-in voice recorder; portrait or landscape viewing modes; a “direct click” interface; a programmable, one touch “smart key” for quick access to common functions; quick USB2.0 file transfers; alarm clock; and SRS WOW sound-enhancement technology.
