DailyTech - Xmultiple's Flashpoint MP3 SharePlayer Does it all

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Gadgets Xmultiple's Flashpoint MP3 SharePlayer Does it all
Brandon Hill (Blog) - March 14, 2006 9:30 AM

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15 comment(s) - last by stupid.. on Mar 16 at 11:17 AM

Xmultiple's new MP3 player can transfer data between computers and other MP3 players on the go

Xmultiple Technologies has introduced an MP3 player that breaks the mold in an already crowded market. The Flashpoint MP3 SharePlayer features both a male and female USB connector so that users can not only download and transfer files from a desktop or notebook computer, but also from one MP3 player (or thumb drive) to another.

Integrated in our device is a chip that contains our Sharing-On-The-Go (SOTG) firmware to provide the MP3 to MP3 upload and download capability. Also integrated into our device is a female USB connector, which connects to the male USB connector of another MP3 Player. In most cases, the MP3 Players manufactured without a built-in male USB provide a cable to make this connection. Connecting and transmitting files and folders from one MP3 Player to a FlashPoint MP3 SharePlayer is as simple as attaching the devices and pressing a button. Now, as never before, a user can upload and download songs straight form the MP3 Player to another MP3 Player without a computer or electrical outlet.

The 75 gram Flashpoint MP3 Shareplayer is available in white, black and grey in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities. Some of the other nifty features of the player include:

Player to MP3 Player direct connections while your are mobile
Download photo’s from digital camera’s and cell phone’s enabled with USB connectors
Copy away from computers with a push of a button
Combo MP3 Player, MP3 SharePlayer and Flash Drive device
Small thumb-size
Works as a plug-and-play removable portable mass storage class drive that stores all sorts of data files
Easy drag-and-drop of files between PC and player.
Self-Powered. Re-Charges off a standard USB port.

Although pricing and availability for the 512MB model has not been released, the 1GB ($169), 2GB ($199) and 4GB ($259) models are available now.

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"Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By h04x on 3/14/2006 1:06:36 PM , Rating: 2

I love it when a product is hailed as ground breaking when several already exist with the same features, and on the surface appear to be better products. I cant speak for the functionality or usability (or quality) of the Flashpoint part, never having used one. But I can say this. I have a Samsung YP-T8A http://www.samsung.com/Products/DigitalAudioPlayer... that not only has the same USB host features (I use it all the time to pull images from my cameras 512Mb SD), but plays movies, shows pictures, has an integrated FM tuner, line in lncoding, is universal PnP flash media mass storage compliant, drag n' drop in windows, handles DRM protected content, has a killer display, and has a much better formfactor..

RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By h04x on 3/14/2006 1:12:13 PM , Rating: 3

Not to mention the fact that the YP-T8A actually exists, in the real world, not just as some pretty 3D render from autocad and some illustrated pictures.

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RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By masher2

(blog) on 3/14/2006 1:28:49 PM , Rating: 2

> "I love it when a product is hailed as ground breaking when several already exist with the same features"
I guess you didn't read the article, where it specifically says other players require a cable to act as a host (as does your Samsung TP-T8A). This is the first to integrate male and female connectors within the device.

> "the Samsung...has a much better formfactor.."

Are you kidding? Ignoring the fact you have to cart around two sets of cables, the Samsung is considerably larger.

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RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By h04x on 3/14/2006 2:21:29 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
where it specifically says other players require a cable to act as a host (as does your Samsung TP-T8A). This is the first to integrate male and female connectors within the device.

Uhh huh.. Show me any device out there besides this one, or another usb key formfactor mp3 player that will plug directly into any of the full sized usb ports on this thing without using a cable. So theoretically you still need at least the cable for the device to plug into the female usb port on the bottom of the player. All you have accomplished here is eliminating one three inch adapter cable that I "cart around" in my camera bag.

quote:
Are you kidding? Ignoring the fact you have to cart around two sets of cables, the Samsung is considerably larger.

Considerably larger? Look at one in person. Same length, same depth and twice the width. 1.75" W x 3.27" H x .6" D to be exact. But meh, I guess you have to make such compromises for a beautiful color display that shows pictures, plays movies, and gets 3 times the battery life from the Li-Ion (that charges from a wall outlet or USB port) in this "considerably larger" device. Not to mention the excellent bundled Sony earbuds, and the included well designed protective case with belt clip.
Try pressing those buttons to fast-forward or turn up the volume on that little keypad on the Shareplayer without looking at it and see what happens. I dont even have to look at my T8 to get the exact function I want.

But anyway, everyone is entilted to thier opinion. Thanks for voicing yours.

.:H04x:.

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RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By masher2

(blog) on 3/14/2006 3:17:23 PM , Rating: 2

> "Show me any device out there besides this one, or another usb key formfactor mp3 player that will plug directly into any of the full sized usb ports on this thing without using a cable"

There are dozens of such players. Basically, any player that can plug into a computer without a cable...will plug into this without a cable.

So for some players, you save two cables...for others you save one. More convenient, in either case.

> Considerably larger? Look at one in person. Same length, same depth and twice the width."

Therefore twice the size. So how can you call it a more convenient form factor?

> "a beautiful color display...3 times the battery life...bundled Sony earbuds...protective case with belt clip"

None of which has any bearing on the form factor of the device. If you want to argue the Samsung is a better overall product, I won't dispute it. But it certainly doesn't appear to be a better form factor.

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RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By masher2

(blog) on 3/14/2006 1:30:50 PM , Rating: 2

> "Not to mention the fact that the YP-T8A actually exists, in the real world, not just as some pretty 3D render from autocad and some illustrated pictures."

Not sure why you think they don't exist. Xmultiple is shipping these today, according to their website.

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RE: "Ground breaking".. Not hardly.

By h04x on 3/14/2006 2:27:23 PM , Rating: 2

I stand corrected. I usually expect companies to release actual photos of shipping products to press outlets and industry rags when they are trying to generate press.

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RIAA's gotta love this

By DarthPierce on 3/14/2006 9:47:40 AM , Rating: 2

HAHAHA.... now you dont even need a computer to pirate music from your buds... that's great!

RE: RIAA's gotta love this

By NFS4 on 3/14/2006 9:54:06 AM , Rating: 2

LOL, I didn't even think about that until now. The RIAA must smell blood in the water :)

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RE: RIAA's gotta love this

By Aquila76 on 3/14/2006 10:34:52 AM , Rating: 2

Yup. So that means another device we won't see in the US. F'ing RIAA.

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RE: RIAA's gotta love this

By tjr508 on 3/14/2006 7:37:17 PM , Rating: 2

that is why we have ebay =)

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I want!

By Imaginer on 3/14/2006 12:07:58 PM , Rating: 2

Ahhhh.... I shouldn't have jumped into the product market with the mobiblu - this device fits my uses almost completely (although I wonder if it has FM tuner and voice record)

And it fits as a keychainish and as a jump drive too!

Where can I get one of these guys?

RE: I want!

By Xenoterranos on 3/14/2006 12:14:33 PM , Rating: 2

It would make sense that it would allow the transfer of any file, not just music right? So I would love to use this to transfer files out of my camera to make room for more stuff, and not have to wory about carrying around an extra flimsy flash card!

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