Samsung is looking to take some market share away from Apple in the MP3 and PMP department which they dominate.  We first saw the Galaxy Player 5.0 at the Galaxy S portfolio event in NYC earlier this year. The PMP comes with a 5 inch LCD touchscreen display, 3.2 Megapixel camera with LED Flash, 8 GB of internal storage, micro SD card slow that supports up to a 32 GB card, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread with an older version of Touch Wiz UI layered on top.

It’s definitely a thicker and bigger MP3 than what you have with the iPod Touch. Its bigger than your average MP3 player and falls more into the portable media player category aka PMP. The 5 inch screen is large and in charge and I hope will be good for view video content. Check out our unboxing and first impressions below.
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Well the writing has been on the wall for a couple of years now but Microsoft has officially announced that they will no longer make Zune HD or Zune Player devices. This doesn’t really come too much as a surprise since Microsoft has stated before that the Zune software now lives within Windows Phone platform. They will still offer support for the devices and your warranty is still good with the devices.

The Zune HD was the first device to really challenge the iPod in terms of software and user experience. We gave the device a great review and I still use the Zune HD as my main MP3 and PMP player. Many other companies tried to copy the iPod but the Zune came with a unique design and user interface with Metro that now see in Windows Phone. With phones become better at multimedia it makes sense for Microsoft to move towards the mobile phone platform.

Source: WMPowerUser

From Microsoft:

At Samsun’s Galaxy S portfolio event we get some hands on time with the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0. Both of these new PMP players focus mainly on multimedia content and aim to be an alternative to the iPod line of devices. They both offer the same core features with Android 2.3.5 gingerbread, Touch Wiz, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.2 Megapixel rear facing camera and VGA front facing camera. The differences come in the screen size with the Galaxy Player 4.0 with a 4 inch screen and the Galaxy Player 5.0 with a 5 inch screen. Check out our hands-on below.
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Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0

Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0

Press Release:

Samsung Mobile Announces New Expansion of Galaxy Family with Addition of Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 and Samsung Galaxy Player™ 5.0 and 4.0

 

Ultra-thin & powerful Galaxy Tab 8.9 available for pre-order right now; available in stores nationwide on October 2

 

Galaxy Player™ 5.0 and Galaxy Player™ 4.0 available for pre-order starting September 27; available nationwide starting October 16

 

DALLAS – September 26, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.¹, and Samsung Electronics America today announced the immediate availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9, along with the upcoming availability of the Galaxy Player™ 5.0 and 4.0.

The Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 joins the Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 as the thinnest mobile tablets currently available in the U.S. market, measuring at 8.6 millimeters. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 shares many other features and services with the Tab 10.1 including Samsung’s TouchWiz® UX. This unique user interface was created to integrate with Android™ 3.1, Honeycomb, to deliver a truly customized and interactive tablet experience. The TouchWiz UX includes:

• Live Panel: Magazine-like widget view for immediate access to weather, social updates, email, news, photo gallery, all on the home screen

• Mini Mode Tray: One-touch overlay access to commonly used applications—Task Manager, Calendar, World Clock, Pen Memo, Calculator and Music Player
• Clipboard: Advanced copy & paste functionality allows Galaxy Tab 10.1 users to store photos, Web pages, YouTube links, etc., for easy sharing via email and social network sites
• Indicator Quick Panel: Quickly toggle on/off connectivity, notifications, sound, brightness and settings in lower right-hand corner of the display.
• Photo Editor: Rotate, crop and adjust colors on high quality digital images

The Galaxy Player™ 5.0 and 4.0 offer a premium entertainment experience without the need for cell service, in a choice of form factors that are extremely pocketable. The large 5-inch and 4-inch touchscreens are an excellent option for enjoying games, music, videos, e-books and social media while on the move. The Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 weigh just 6.4 and 4.2 ounces respectively, delivering powerful entertainment, communication and information without the bulk of portable DVD players or laptops. The Galaxy Players are powered by Android™ 2.3.5, Gingerbread, complete with a new, streamlined user interface and are enabled with Wi-Fi™ (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity for quick and easy access to online services and Web search. In addition, the two devices are designed with front and rear cameras for video chat and photography. Both Galaxy Players will support Samsung’s Media Hub content service in the future through a software update.

 

“These three additions to the Galaxy family of products are impressive examples of our commitment to offering consumers an unrivaled array of choices for entertainment and information on-the-go,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. ”People want their mobile device to fit their lifestyle and the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Galaxy Players offer unparalled power and portability to meet the widest consumer needs.”

The Galaxy Tab 8.9 is built with a dual-core T250S processor, WXGA TFT display (1280×800 resolution) fortified by Gorilla® Glass. The portable tablet includes a 6,100 mAh battery for hours of entertainment without needing a recharge. This premium hardware is packaged in a sleek, portable design weighing less than one pound (447 grams).

The Galaxy Tab 8.9 is packed with entertainment, productivity and content sharing services to make the device a true focal core of the user’s consumer electronics ecosystem. The list of powerful services includes:

· Samsung Media Hub: Choose from more than 5,000 popular and acclaimed movie and TV titles to download for rent or purchase. Upcoming new release additions to the Media Hub library include “Fast Five,” “Horrible Bosses” and “Green Lantern.” The added service, Media Hub Show, uses an HD Extender to playback content on TV through an HDMI cable from the Galaxy Tab 8.9 dock or adaptor.

· Samsung Music Hub: Choose from more than 13 million songs to download into an intuitive playback system. Music Hub also provides extensive background information, with access to all artist bios, discographies and reviews.

· Samsung Readers Hub: The lightweight design and large display make the Galaxy Tab 8.9 an ideal device to access the Readers Hub robust library of more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers and 2,300 magazines.

· Social Hub: Users can aggregate email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface through the service’s “Feeds” and “Messages” files.

· Google™ Mobile Services: A suite of Google Mobile Services is preloaded on the Galaxy Tab 8.9 including access to more than 250,000 applications on Android Market™, Gmail™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ 5.0 with 3D maps and Google Talk™ with video and voice chat.

· AllShare™ service: Provides seamless content transfer between the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV’s, monitors and digital cameras.

· Rear and Front-facing cameras: The rear-facing 3-megapixel camera and front-facing 2-megapixel camera including flash and autofocus, 1080p video playback and full support of video chat and digital imaging

· Polaris™ Office: Instant access to documents, spreadsheets and presentations to view and edit while on the move

· Swype: Re-size the keyboard, move the virtual keyboard anywhere on the screen and type faster by swyping

· Mobile Printing: Print documents and pictures wirelessly from the Galaxy Tab 8.9 to any compatible printer.

Additional features of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 include:

Enterprise Solutions and Services:

• Full support for Exchange ActiveSync version 14
• On device encryption
• Cisco VPN (Virtual Private Network)
• Sybase® MDM (Mobile Device Management)
• Cisco WebEx™ mobile conference solution for meetings on the go

 

FindMyMobile:

· If the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is lost or stolen, the user can locate the device on a map, and track it live as it moves, remotely lock the device to prevent unauthorized access and delete personal information stored on the device.

 

Additional features of the Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 include:

Samsung GALAXY Player 5.0

Network	WiFi™ 802.11b/g/n
OS	Android™ 2.3.5 (Gingerbread)
Display	5” WVGA TFT LCD (800×480)
Camera	Rear : 3.2MP Camera AF with LED Flash Front : VGA Camera
Video	Format : MPEG4/H263/H264,Divx/Xvid Playback & Recording: 720p HD Video
Audio	MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, OGG, WMA, FLAC, WAV 3.5mm Ear Jack, FM Radio and Stereo Speaker
Value-added Features	Android Market™
Google™Mobile Services : Google™ Talk, Google™ Maps, Books, etc.
Allshare
Task Manager
Voice Recorder
Connectivity	Bluetooth® 3.0 Mini USB
Memory	8GB , microSD slot (up to 32GB)
Size	3.07 x 5.56 x 0.46 inches
Weight	6.42 ounces
Battery	2,500mAh

Samsung has officially launched the Samsung Galaxy S Wii Players 4.0 and 5.0.   These are portable media players that included everything but a cellular connection. and will be first available internationally and unfortunately no US release date just yet.  Check out the list of key features below and product specs.

From Samsung:

Stunning Performance, Powerful Features

Key Features of the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 include:

• Display: The clear display makes web surfing and multimedia viewing a joy. Keep your lifestyle mobile – enjoy movies, your favorite TV shows, photos and web-browsing anywhere.Samsung’s latest mDNIe image engine technology ensures that video and images look stunning.
• Android™ 2.2 “Froyo”: The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 feature the Froyo operating system, with a possibility to upgrade to 2.3 Gingerbread.
• Application Customization: With access to over 150,000 apps available on Android Market™, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 are fully customizable smart devices. Integrated GPS support further expands the capabilities of the device, letting you benefit from Google’s map services and directory applications.
• Google Mobile Services: Enjoy premium Google™ services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™. Utilize voice recognition technology to search with Google faster than ever on the Internet. Stay plugged into the world with premier Google applications.
• Samsung Social Hub: Your entire social life in your hand. Simultaneously post messages and pictures on Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter using Samsung’s Social Hub. The integrated address book provides the ultimate command & control station for the most popular SNS services. Synchronize your personal calendar with friends, family, and the latest events.
• VoIP Voice & Video Calls: The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 utilize cost-effective video and voice communications services. The Qik application allows video chat which can be shared over social network services.
• HD Video & Images: A camera lets you shoot and share your life, capturing high-quality video or still images. The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 support DivX HD, allowing high-definition video playback; Support for various codec standards including MPEG4, H264, DivX, XviD, WMV codecs ensures you can enjoy huge catalogues of content from all over the web.
• Audio excellence: The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 “Smart Player” put entertainment at its core, designed to deliver the best possible audio and video experience. Samsung SoundAlive™ technology provides unrivalled sound quality, with deeper bass and greater tone articulation.
• Enhanced Memory Capability: Packed with generous 8/16 GB memory, plus mircoSD slot and powered by a powerful 1GHz for an industry leading performance, the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0

Tech Specs:

Press Release:

Samsung Launches GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0:

Smart Mobile Entertainment

Two different sizes combine greater entertainment opportunities with smartphone-like innovation and app experiences

SEOUL, May 2, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading provider of Smart Mobile Devices, today launched GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and a fresh addition to its smart player portfolio, the GALAXY S WiFi 5.0.

Each featuring 4” and 5” screen-sizes and delivering the powerful application experiences as the original GALAXY S, the two versions give users an unrivalled entertainment experience through a clear display, a swift 1GHz processor and the Android™ 2.2 “Froyo” platform. The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 will be first available in Russia and will be gradually rolled out in other countries. The GALAXY S WiFi 5.0 will be first available in Switzerland.

“With the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 we’re delivering a rich, immersive experience for multimedia enthusiasts.” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “A large, high-quality screen, a world of fun and useful applications and great communications services make this a powerhouse device at an affordable price.

The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will deliver all the rich smartphone experiences of the GALAXY S smartphone. With video communications via VoIP services and rich video and music entertainment with multi-codec support, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will keep you constantly entertained.

Samsung will be bringing their android based PMPs to the US this spring with the Galaxy Player 4 and 5.

We saw what these players looked like at CES 2011 with the YP-GB1 and it looks like the Galaxy Player 4 and 5 are American named version of the same player. They will come with Android 2.2 upgradable to Android 2.3 and full Android Market access Check the stats below.

The Galaxy Player 4 & 5 look similar to the YP-GB1 view below.

The other half of the Galaxy Player lineup the YP-GB50 is the smaller of the two Galaxy Players. Coming with similar specs such as a 3.2 megapixel camera GPS , Wi-fi, Bluetooth and access to the android market all in a smaller package. No word yet on US availability or pricing.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy Player the YP-GB1 which is a Android based PMP with a 1 GHz Samsung hummingbird processor, 3.3 megapixel camera, VGA front facing camera, wi-fi, GPS, Bluetooth and running on Android 2.2 with Touch Wiz.  It will come in 16 GB and 32 GB capacities. No word on availability yet.

For beach goers, swimmers and water sports lovers Dry Case want to help you take your favorite portable electronics with you in the water and keep it dry with the Dry Case. Here is our review.

Hardware & Usage

The Dry Case is made up of a thick plastic pouch with a audio jack on the inside of it to plug in your iPod, Zune HD, MP3 player or even your phone.  There is slot on the outside to put the armband sleeve through and on the top is a hard plastic closing clamp that locks into place with a twist of two locks on each side and it locks tight and secure.

Before you get read to go in the water you will need to suck out all the air that is left in the case to create the vacuum seal using the included pump to get the air out and make the tight seal. After that its ready to take a dip in the water.

In our testing in the bowl of water we used an iPod Touch for testing and it was fine in the water but  we were unable to use the touch screen cause of the protection but the buttons still functioned.  When we took it out of water and out of the Dry Case the iPod worked find and was dry as a bone.

Overall

The Dry Case works as advertised  and keeps your non water proof electronics protected. Hopefully in the future they can find casing that will work with a touch screen device in the water. Good quality product and would recommend.

Buy your Dry Case From

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Mobi Headphones is cool little designer speaker to bring style to your audio. Lets see if the performance matches the style.

Hardware

The Mobi Headphone hardware wise come pretty simple with one speaker on the back of the headphonies head and the audio jack below it.  It’s made up of a solid hard plastic which feels like it can take a few bumps. It comes with a USB cable for charging and the audio cable to connect it to the device of your choice. There is small hoop on the top of its head that can be used for key chains or to hook it on a backpack or jeans or whatever you choose.

Usage

We tested a few different devices with the Mobi headphones and found them all to work well. We used a Zune HD, iPod Touch 4th Gen, Motorola Droid 1 and a Nintendo DSi XL and audio out of all devices sounded crisp and clear however if you listen to music with a lot of bass in you’ll start to hear distortion the louder you turn it up which I would expect in such a small device.

Overall

The Mobi Headphonies are really cool Mini speakers with a nice style. They have tones of designs that you can look through to choose the on that fits you. At the price range of about $25 its a pretty good deal for external audio when needed and a good small gift for someone.

Video Review Below

Buy your Mobi Headphonies From

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Here are a couple of videos showing off the Samsung Galaxy player which will be unveiled at CES 2011. From what we can see it has a version of touch wiz that is customized for media playback.  The video language is in all Korean but we get an idea of what the player will look like if it gets to the US. I can only hope they find a better name that YP-G50.

Hands-on

Promotional video by Samsung