Tiny wonder: theKube

Kelvin Low | Jun 19, 2009

(Credit: Ollo)

We thought the new iPod shuffle was tiny enough already, until we got wind of theKube.

Manufactured by Singapore-based Ollo Technologies, a subsidiary of Bluetree Electronics which specializes in portable electronics and audio MP3 products, it measures 23 x 23 x 23mm, which is exactly 1mm smaller than the already-small mobiBlu DAH 1500i (24 x 24 x 24mm) every way you look at it. It is not exactly as light as the 10.7g iPod shuffle 4G, but at 18g, it's still reasonable.

theKube is essentially a screen-less, microSD card-based music player. Only three buttons exist on the player and control all its functions. The main functions are Reverse, Forward, and Play/Pause. Holding the Reverse and Forward button will lower and raise the volume level, respectively. Toggling between sequence and shuffle playback modes will require the user to hold down on the Play/Pause button when the music is paused. And it's nice to have a simple, retro mechanical sliding power switch.

MP3, WMA, MIDI, WAV and PCM formats are supported. But what's really interesting is that this wee player accepts up to 32GB microSDHC cards. A pity its built-in battery is adequate for just 6 hours of playback. But at S$34.90 (US$25.16) for a 2GB MP3 player that's available in black, white, pink, yellow or blue, we're not complaining. We'll bring you a full review soon once we get hold of a unit.

Kelvin Low is CNET Asia's very own go-to intern for Music & Play. When he's not fiddling with gadgets or setting up new PC rigs, he can be found hitting the dirt tracks on his mountain bike. Kelvin is currently studying mass communications at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. Email Kelvin.

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