iRiver rumor roundup

Straight from the rumor mill to your brain: Korean forums are buzzing about a pair of upcoming devices from iRiver, one of which is being touted as the world's smallest DAP with a screen, while the other sounds like a W10-esque palmtop that will supposedly be running some flavor of Windows. Obviously deets are very thin at this point -- and the pictured mock-ups that look like cocktail napkin sketches don't help much -- but apparently the MP3 player will be a followup to the pendant-style N10 and N11 / N12 models that are already available, and is said to "focus on size, not features," meaning that MobiBlu and Klegg need not fear an equally-diminutive competitor with video playback (or even a color screen, for that matter). Even more interesting than the so-called N20 is a product being referred to as the J10, which could be anything from a Windows Mobile-powered PDA to a UMPC running the full version of XP Tablet Edition, and which is rumored to sport both a DMB tuner and of course the WiBro functionality that iRiver has so much love for. We wish that we had some more info for you -- and, like, some real pics -- but we're committed to bringing you only the freshest of gossip, even if there's very little evidence to support it. Keep reading to check out seven of the supposed sixteen designs that are being considered for the "J10," and stay tuned for more details as they become available...

Read- N20 [Via DAPreview]
Read- J10 [Via DAPreview]

[christomapher @ Jul 21st 2006 9:55PM]

I can't wait until the iWhatever naming trend dies when people get more creative.

[HisTinkness @ Jul 21st 2006 11:04PM]

As I understand, the company's been called "iRiver" for more than a decade, their name appearing concurrently or even preceding the iMac, the first "iWhatever" consumer product I remember. Or...iRemember?

[superman @ Jul 22nd 2006 12:23AM]

Dammit, I just want a 8gb clix please iRiver.

[thesawzall @ Jul 22nd 2006 12:24AM]

Wait M$ is going to be announcing their Zune stuff (and it now seems there'll be more than one device). And IRiver's going to be announcing new devices at around the same time. These two companies have been in bed together before.

This kind of has the feeling of seeing those two at work that you thought were awfully affectionate with eachother, walk into the office at the same time, with one of them wearing yesterdays clothes.

[Deezee @ Jul 22nd 2006 4:58AM]

LOLOL! ^^^^^

[Henry @ Jul 22nd 2006 4:58AM]

"I can't wait until the iWhatever naming trend dies when people get more creative."

iRiver predates the iPod. By quite a bit. This is one area where the Koreans were actually first.

[ephraim @ Jul 22nd 2006 7:40AM]

Its always wonderful to read about alternatives, perhaps it's the appeal of rooting for the underdog, but a rumors of new mp3 gadgets always get me salivating.

http://www.cafepress.com/urbangrenade

[ephraim @ Jul 22nd 2006 7:52AM]

still sa

[Zero @ Jul 22nd 2006 2:02PM]

"I can't wait until the iWhatever naming trend dies when people get more creative." - Christomapher

For your information iRiver existed before the iPOD naming trend even existed. iRiver was established in 1999 I believe. Anyway, I hope it's nothing stupid and useless again. All i'm asking for is a 6-8gb clix. The clix is almost perfect. I'm hoping for the Wibro devices too so I can go on the internet with its widescreen large screen.

[narco @ Jul 23rd 2006 1:30PM]

I wonder how many of these Korean people discussing iRiver rumors are actually iRiver employees.

Fishes,
narco.

[Sindre Strandum @ Jul 23rd 2006 3:29PM]

"For your information iRiver existed before the iPOD naming trend even existed. iRiver was established in 1999 I believe. Anyway, I hope it's nothing stupid and useless again. All i'm asking for is a 6-8gb clix. The clix is almost perfect. I'm hoping for the Wibro devices too so I can go on the internet with its widescreen large screen."

I do not know which product started the naming trend, but tihe iMac was "..announced the iMac on May 7, 1998, and started shipping the iMac on August 15, 1998" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imac

ON TOPIC:
iRiver has great flashplayers. Cannot say the same about the hdd ones.

Me wants to use a T10 (for great battery) or N11 (for style) as stereo bluetooth handsfree, give me!

[JanSolo @ Jul 24th 2006 2:32AM]

And I bet this device will have the crappiest support ever by a company that should stay out of the US market - iRiver. They do not support their current crop of devices which are prone to failure and have the world's worst batteries. Did I mention the lack of support? Screw iRiver.

[isaac @ Jul 25th 2006 12:14AM]

"They do not support their current crop of devices which are prone to failure and have the world's worst batteries. Did I mention the lack of support? Screw iRiver."

I don't know, I've had my h120 for 2 years, and its battery life is still better than most of my friends' (newer) hd-based ipods. Not to mention I can replace they battery by myself quite easily. I don't think that's so shabby. Can't speak to customer support though (fortunately).