iRiver U10 - The Video Player

In a new and emerging market of digital media players, a competitive race for the mainstream population is in progress. Wherever one looks in this rapidly changing world of entertainment, there seems to be the world of digital media players on the move - one after another - with the new iriver U10 video player 512 as the last product that uses Windows XP as the only operating system . Reviews consider it a leap forward in design and something different than Apple to follow around.

The 2.5 oz U10 features an eye-catching, direct-click interface for songs, videos, photos or games. A bit 'bulky compared to other flash based players, which is still small and thin compared to programs that are available. It also works with music subscription services and pay-per-song, so that the world is at your fingertips for availability with a maximum of 34 hours of music. The size of a business card, with a 2.7 "x 1.8" x "body 0.06, MP3/WMA/OGG support, MPG4 simple profile QVGFA Macromedia Flash Lite 1.1/non-progressive JPG. Skip-free Listening is a true longer, especially for those who like to jog or exercise to music. Other advantages include the digital FM tuner, integrated voice recorder, an alarm clock, a higher SRS 3D audio that includes WOWTM. Built with an internal Li- poly rechargeable battery, its main display is 2.22 inches LCD screen with 260,000 colors and a screen of 320 x 240 pixel resolution. games have a free download site on the iriver site for games.

Another aspect to consider is the interfaces. Most other MP3 manufacturers get along with one interface, but iriver uses three of them: to transfer audio, WMP or Windows Explorer must be used with WMP needs to be used to transfer files in the playlist, when the video transfer, Windows Explorer is used, with a new joint venture between them and Microsoft to transfer video to the U10 via WMP, and to transfer the photos you need to resize images PicturePlus (installed with the computers) and transferring them onto your player.

Then there is the very unfriendly navigation system that does nothing to compete with the iPod click wheel function. To browse through the iRiver U10 Video Player you must be a bit 'more on the "techie" and that eliminates a great majority of the market of pop culture. Their goal seems to be to find out if the consumer wants battery life, ease of use, or a lot of space. It will be interesting to see their next step .......