DigiHunter

iriver's upcoming models in 2009!

Dec 3, 2008 12:51

iriver, one of the giant MP3P manufacturers based in Korea and former No. 1 Flash MP3 player until the iPod came along into the flash player market, introduced us to quite a number of impressive models at CES 2007 back then, and I think that moment was the peak of their creative capabilities.

Anyway, they announced eight to nine models at that exhibition, but only six have been released so far. One of models was launched last month and that caught my attention enough to ponder over the remaining models still in development at iriver's lab. Let's look back on some of the models that were introduced at CES 2007 and the actual models which have since been released in the Korean market.

During CES 2007, iriver introduced the CLIX2, B20, Mplayer, T50/60, iriver +1 (modified to Lplayer), W10, UNIT2, BOOK2, BOOK1.

The CLIX2, B20, Mplayer, T50/60 has been released based on the original design and concepts, but the iriver +1 and W10 were modified and released separately based on the main features.

iriver +1 was a watch concept which can be detached from its band. Hhowever, this model was released in Korea as the Lplayer based on the main unit design separately (I think).



Also, W10 was a networked-based multimedia player carrying Wi-Fi features to use as a GPS system (through Wi-Fi AP, not GPS), but it has been separated into two models, the W7 and WAVE. The W7 is a clone of the W10, but the Wi-Fi feature has been removed. (This didn't succeed in Korea.)

WAVE is also a clone of the W10 and uses Wi-Fi to connect and work as a VoIP phone through the Korea Telecom network. iriver WAVE was just released in Korea a few weeks back and is available in very limited places at the moment (about 10 places actually). So, I assume next Q1 will be actual season for this model in Korea.







Now, W10 was introduced at CES 2007 and released in Korea as WAVE now. This will give us time to think what other models we can expect from iriver in 2009.

Yes, the UNIT2 and BOOK2, if we are right on track here.





The UNIT2 was introduced as a home multimedia player with Wi-Fi features to play various functions including a wireless remote to make calls via a VoIP line. Since iriver is collaborating with Korea Telecom to release the WAVE phone in Korea, if they are still working on the UNIT2 inhouse, it will be out soon through Korea Telecom. Because the Internet phone (VoIP) market is growing in Korea with three Internet service providers, Korea Telecom needs to secure its market from the other two newcomers in the Internet phone market. (Korea Telecom has 90 percent of the landline telephone market.) So, KT has announced that it will focus on SoIP phone and services to differentiate itself from other VoIP services. This makes us think the UNIT2 is still under development and that iriver may be working with KT already in their labs, too.





The BOOK2 is an e-book reader which differentiates itself from existing ones like Amazon's Kindle, Sony's PRS series and the i-Rex iLiad by sporting two screens, just like a real book. It has touch capability to page over by simple using a tipping gesture and runs on two AAA battery rather than a built-in rechargeable battery, which gives customer a more efficient way to change power when they run out of it while on a trip.

Don't forget about the BOOK1 which has a single screen but is in color with touch ability to write memos.

Amazon has had a great season with the Kindle in 2008 and it is preparing a second-generation Kindle soon for 2009. The e-book market is emerging now and this may give iriver cause to consider the BOOK2 or BOOK1. Yes, it is time to release your great e-books, guys!



Just adding Wi-Fi or CDMA or a 3G module inside the e-book will allow us to download contents wirelessly. I'm sure the technology has since been integrated into the devices since it's been two years now from the working sample which you showed us.

Let's see those two models out in 2009. CES 2009 is just a month away now and maybe we can have a chance to see which models will be introduced in 2009 at the iriver booth during this exhibition.

What do you think, guys?

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