To those of you who haven’t heard about Slacker, we are talking about an internet radio service that hosts hundreds of radio stations. Slacker announced the release of a portable internet radio player, back in January 2008 at the CES show and now it goes live and getting shipped to retailers. The new Slacker player comes with three 4-inch screen models:

• 2GB – stores 15 stations and free 500MB for your personal media – 200$.
• 4GB – stores 25 stations and free 1.5GB for your personal media – 250$.
• 8GB – stores 40 stations and free 4GB for your personal media – 300$.

The stations are loaded to the player through your USB-PC sync or through wireless hotspots, via the WiFi connection. Each station is presumably loading 100 songs to the player and it seems they are doing a good job in learning your music taste, Pandora style. A satellite car dock is expected to be released in the near future.

[via slashgear]

Check the video after the break.

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Garmin announces the release of the Nuvifone, a new 3.5G GSM HSDPA smartphone, combined with a media player, full GPS navigation system, proprietary OS and many advanced elements. The Nuvifone sports the following features:

• Display: 3.5? touchscreen.
• 3 major icons: Call, Search, Maps
• Built-in camera with longitude / latitude tagging system.
• Full GPS navigation system, loaded with North America and European maps.
• Google local search capability.
• Garmin Online Service: an online updates information service, including weather, traffic, stocks, news, sports, hotels, etc.
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Email, SMS/MMS and IM support.
• Nuvi navigation service, providing “Where Am I ” function, for an accurate location info, on and off the road.
• Integrated media player, supports MP3 and MPEG4/AAC .
• Availability: Q3 2008.
• Price: Unknown.

I’m definitely looking forward to snack one of those and see it in action.

[via gizmodo]

More pictures after the break.

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Kenwood announces the release of Media Keg MGR-A7 series that combines a recording device with an mp3 player in one unit. The MGR-A7 is a high-performance 3-mounted microphone recorder with three levels of automatic recording feature set, to prevent noise incorporation. The device features 2GB of internal memory, SD/SDHC slot, small LCD screen, USB 2.0, multi-language support, MP3, WMA, WAV audio formats support, 19 hours continuous playback and recording sustained, 7EQ compatibility and the size of 52.7 x 100 x18 mm for 95gm. It is available in Japan in Black and Red colors.

[via gmp3]

Pasen revealed a new mp3 player, the F10. The new device features the following specifications:

• Display: 2.6?, 16:9, 260k colors (400 x 240).
• Storage size: 4GB (90 Euros), 8GB (120 Euros).
• Audio: MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, AAC.
• Video: AVI, XviD, Divx, RMVB.
• Features: microSD slot, microphone, FM tuner,  touch pad,  8 EQ effects.
• Pictures: JPEG, BMP, GIF, RSC, TXT.
• Size:  102x47x7 mm.

 [via gmp3]

Creative released a new line of Zen Stone and Stone Plus MP3 players, equipped with a built-in speaker and encrusted with aluminum body. From what we read, the external speaker is surprisingly good, though it has a limited range. Like the previous Stone players, the new line includes an OLED screen, FM tuner and a microphone. Price is set for $60 to Stone Plus models with a screen and $50 to those without one.

[via gmp3]

iRiver was a major showing player at the CES this year. Just before recapping, the company introduced a new media center prototype, the iRiver Unit II. This model is a futuristic combination of audio, video, TV tuner, FM tuner, internet WiFi, SD expansion and a 7″ portable control display, loaded with some cool widgets. The Unit II is packed with some advanced features, such as mini handy keyboard, speaker dock, VOIP connectivity and various connections, including component, RCA, RGB, optical, HDMI and more. The device is expected to be released in 2009 for 700$. check out the video:

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[via engadget]

More pictures after the break.

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Recently, we have reported on a new Nokia online music store. The new store provides music purchasing services directly from your mobile phones or downloading to your PC. Now we hear, that Nokia has closed a contract with Universal, to offer free, unlimited songs from various of millions of tracks, to those who will purchase a Nokia phone. Although the new Nokia Comes With Music program is limited to 1 year, it is considered a huge revolution, since the users will be allowed to keep the songs for themselves, after the subscription is over.

And we say: Let The Competition Start.

Update: Tracks format is WMA 128kbps and 192kbps.
[via gizmodo]