By Jasmine France, CNET.com
25/04/2008
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/musicplay/0,39050461,62040616,00.htm

Samsung has announced two new MP3 players, including a Zen Stone-like model dubbed the S2 Pebble. The super simple device measures only about 2 inches across and offers no display for navigation. Instead, an LED built into the bottom edge of the device glows and flashes various colors and patterns based on the current EQ settings and playback mode, although goodness knows how you might easily adjust those in the first place with no screen.

Considering its screenless design, the S2 offers a reasonable amount of features. It comes in five shiny colors--black, white, red, green and purple--all reminiscent of a highly polished stone. MP3, WMA and OGG file formats are supported, as well as shuffle and repeat playback modes and DNSe 2.0 audio enhancements. A five-way tactile control pad on the back face of the device handles all navigation. Of course, the biggest news is that this 1GB player is super competitively priced at just US$39. If that sounds appealing to you, keep an eye out in June, which is when the Pebble is due to hit shelves.

In addition to the ultra-basic S2 Pebble, Samsung has also announced the super skinny S3 Slim. With a name like that, a player better be ready for the runway, and at 0.4-inch thick, the Slim can certainly compete. However, it's necessary to note that there are thinner MP3 players, such as the iPod Nano. That being said, the S3 promises to be quite the compact media player, stated to be about the size of your average business card case. Samsung complements the petite dimensions by splashing on an array of shiny colors--black, blue, green, white, and red (although it looks more pink in pictures)--and incorporating the same glowing blue touch pad found on most of the company's other players at the moment. If nothing else, the Slim is stylish.

In fact, the S3 Slim appears to be an update to the Samsung T10, albeit one with a slightly smaller screen (1.8-inches versus 2-inches) and a more rounded and shrunken design, such as that found on the old YP-T9. The features are largely the same, though. The S3 offers Samsung's Digital Natural Sound engine, photo and video playback, and a built-in FM tuner. It likely offers the same stinted audio format support as the T10 (MP3 and WMA only, but at least including subscription music services). The rated battery life for the Slim is 25 hours for audio and four for video, which is certainly satisfactory for a player of its size. The player will come only in the 4GB capacity and is expected to come out in June with a price tag of US$130.

(Originally posted in CNET Crave here and here.)