“Gateway will finally ship its long-awaited own-brand digital music player on 15 November, more than a year after its first move on the market was planned to debut,” Tony Smith reports for The Register. “The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox incorporates a 4GB hard drive and a 1.6in, 128 x 128 TFT colour display in its compact 96.4g, 9.6 x 5.9 x 1.7cm shell.”
“The device is pitched at Microsoft Windows Media 10-based music services – one month’s access to Napster’s Napster To Go offering is included… In addition to WMA and MP3, the unit also supports ACC, for which we think gateway means AAC, the format chosen by Apple for the iPod, though Gateway notes that its machine doesn’t support iTunes Music Store downloads,” Smith reports. “Picture support is limited to JPEG and BMP files, and can grab photos straight from a digital camera, via its USB 2.0 port. The MP3 Photo Player includes enough RAM – 32MB – for 16 minutes’ anti-skip playback and provides up to eight hours’ continuous music play thanks to an 820mAh battery… The MP3 Photo Player is set to ship on 15 November for $250.”
Full article here.
Gateway’s Press Release:
The new Gateway(TM) MP3 Photo Jukebox will give music lovers a new fun, affordable and very convenient way to take their favorite music and photos with them wherever they go.
The new Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox will make anyone currently on a waiting list for other mini-digital music players think twice. The new Gateway jukebox combines 4GB of storage in a small and lightweight 3.4-ounce design, with cool new features including a large color display, digital photo storage, and a removable and rechargeable battery.(1)
“This feature-rich digital music player is very small, sleek, easy to use and offers a combination of features that can’t be found anywhere else in the market,” said Ed Fisher, senior vice president of product planning for Gateway, Inc. “Combine its affordable price, unique features, music service
compatibility and out-of-the box Napster To Go Service, and you’ve got a great holiday gift for music lovers of all ages.”
The new device promotes a new way of enjoying digital music. Right out of the box, the jukebox comes ready to download music content directly from the new Napster To Go service, the world’s first portable subscription service. Available as a plug-in through the new free Windows Media Player 10, Napster To Go gives music lovers unlimited access to more than a million songs for one low monthly price. Rather than having to purchase individual songs a la carte, Gateway customers can use Napster To Go to get unlimited fill-ups of their MP3 Photo Jukebox. For a limited time, a prepaid month of Napster To Go is provided at no cost with the MP3 Photo Jukebox and customers who want to subscribe after the prepaid month pay only the $14.95 monthly fee.(2)
“Napster To Go offers an amazing value to consumers and the new Gateway MP3 Jukebox lets them experience this revolutionary portable subscription service on a smart, simple, affordable device full of features that are important to die-hard music fans and novices alike,” said Laura Goldberg, Napster’s COO. “We are extremely pleased that Gateway has developed a quality device that complements Napster’s service and will enable consumers to make the most of their digital music experience.”
Moving beyond the typical black-and-white displays available on most MP3 players, the Gateway jukebox boasts a large 1.6-inch, vibrant color display. The crisp and bright images give music lovers a better way to navigate their music library and view track information.
Unlike most other digital music players, the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox can store and display digital photos. This unique feature is perfect for people traveling on vacation or business who find they’ve maxed out their camera’s capacity, or who simply want to carry a collection of photos along with their digital music. Transferring photos to the MP3 Photo Jukebox is easy; the jukebox can be connected directly to a digital camera with the included USB 2.0 cable. By simply connecting the two devices and following the prompts, the photos are quickly transferred. The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox can be used to view digital photos one by one or in a slideshow format, giving the customer even more enjoyment out of the large color display.
The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox is simple to use. The large 1.6 inch color display is easy to read, whether viewing photos, playlists or track information. The intuitive scroll navigation makes accessing and managing content quick and easy. Music can be browsed by album, artist, genre, track or playlist, and modes such as shuffle and repeat tailor the music mix. Plus, music lovers can personalize their listening experience with more than 20 different equalizer settings.
After filling their Gateway jukebox with music and other content, Gateway customers have maximum listening time ahead of them, since the battery delivers more than eight hours of play time on a single charge.(3) And unlike most other digital music players, the battery can be removed and recharged.
Comfortable to carry in a pocket or purse, the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox is compact and sleek. It measures only 3.8in x 2.3in x 0.7in (L x W x D) and weighs just 3.4 ounces — less than most cell phones. And while the size is small, the sound quality is big. The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox delivers clean, crisp high-fidelity sound. Its large 4GB of storage capacity can house up to 1,000 MP3 songs — so an entire collection of great music can always be on hand.
The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox will include the new Windows Media Player 10, offering Gateway customers more music and more choices including built-in access to a broad range of digital music services. It also includes the new Auto Sync feature, which automatically synchronizes customer’s digital music collections and photos from a PC to their new Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox.
Gateway plans to verify the new MP3 Photo Jukebox with the PlaysForSure logo when it ships in November. The PlaysForSure logo offers consumers a symbol of verified support for a broad range of music download services. This will also include support for the state-of-the-art Windows Media DRM 10 for music subscription services. Using a portable subscription service like Napster To Go, Gateway customers can fill their jukebox with enough music to fill hundreds of CDs, at a price of just a single CD.
Priced at just $249.99 the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox comes with an AC Adapter, soft cover bag and ear bud headphones.
Smaller Screen Smaller Hard Drive. What’s to like? Does it play games??? Can I sync it with my calendar and to do list? I think NOT! I think the first generation iPod is a better value!
What really gets me is the “State of the Art DRM…” Microsoft wouldn’t know art if it bit them in the assets!
Last Rant:
Why with iPod NOTES isn’t lyrics and CD notes supported when music is downloaded from the iTunes store? Even transcripts from the public conventions would be nice. That is what I would call added value. Then the digital music download experience would definitely surpass the benefits of buying CD’s.
Yeah, I went to the Hyundai dealer and discovered that the turning radius on the Elantra is better than the Porsche 911. The radio has better AM reception too. No comparison which is the better vehicle. <rolling eyes>
It could be an iPod killer but is missing one very important feature, an A/V out port. Who is going to want to view images on such a tiny screeen. Read Gateway’s on description. No mention of any other ports other than the USB data and Audio line out.
I agree that the iPod Photo should have the ability to download directly from a camera. Perhaps Apple left that open for 3rd party developers like they did recording and radio.
I think it’s safe to assume that over the next year, the whole iPod line will have color screens and photo capabilities.
Andy C. says:
“You can transfer your pictures to an iPod using the Belkin Digital Camera Link for iPod w/ Dock Connector”
Yes, but it’s slow as mole asses.
Downloading from a camera is a MISSING feature on the iPod Photo.
Fix it Johnny iPod!
Hey MDN – shouldn’t the headline read ‘Beleaguered Gateway announces ‘iPod photo killer’ (with photo)’???? Given their financial position and stock price I’d say they are still beleagurered.
I thought Gateway was beleaguered.
Forget Gateway, checkout Archos. Hardware looks good, though not as stylish as the iPod. More expensive than the iPod but has a much bigger screen and up to 100GB HD! Wonder what the sofware is like…
http://www.archos.com/av400/
Guess they couldn’t get the other members of U2 or even Ashlee Simpson … as for ‘state of the art’ – MS is not lying that it is state of the art for them … just read the Walt Mossberg WSJ review on the ipod competitors. It took him HOURS to load “music-to-go” and on others, they still would not work correctly.
That’s what people want – uglier, heavier, dumber and harder to use.
here is a transcript of a support chat I had with gateway with regards to the new mp3 player. Enjoy!
12:44 New party (‘Boeing777’) has joined the session
12:44 You have been placed in queue. An advisor will join soon to assist you. When you choose to finish your chat, please use the EXIT CHAT button on your right.
12:45 New party (‘Andre’) has joined the session
12:45 Boeing777> greetings
12:45 Andre> Hello and welcome to Gateway.com !!! My name is Andre’ and I will be your e-Sales advisor today. If you like, please provide your phone #.
12:45 Andre> What state are you chatting from today?
12:45 Boeing777> the new mp3 photo jukebox
12:46 Boeing777> I’m calling from Canada. just read the news about your new mp3
12:46 Andre> Due to recent company transitions, Gateway is no longer selling or shipping products internationally. I apologize for any inconvenience.
12:47 Boeing777> can u answer some technical questions at least?
12:48 Andre> Sure
12:48 Andre> What is your e-mail address?
12:48 Boeing777> does your new mp3 player works on macosx?
12:48 Boeing777> <something>@hotmail.com
12:49 Andre> I’m not sure if it does….I’ll send you the tech info shortly
12:49 Boeing777> so, this product is mainly designed for a windows platform? am I right?
12:50 Andre> correct
12:50 Boeing777> ok, thank you for your assistance Andre
12:53 Andre> THANK YOU
I almost feel sorry for them to spend all that time and money coming up with something that fills a gap in the market, and then have the market leader come along and release something that covers most of the same ground. It does go to show how you can’t afford to delay for even a few weeks if you want to have the latest and greatest.
I do like the USB interface though. Something for Apple to add to a G2 iPod Photo.
Go to more, shall we say, bipartisan forums, and you’ll hear Windows-dorks and Apple-hatas wonder aloud why we Macophiles get so defensive about the iPod and the iTMS. Why do we hate these other players and services so, they wonder, and why do we take such delight in their continuing display of competitive incompetence?
Simple. NONE OF THESE COMPETITORS WORK WITH THE MAC. As it stands now, iPod and iTunes’ continued dominance is the only thing preventing my platform of choice from being marginalized in yet another area.
So of course I hope that this player is yet another in a long line of flops. Looking at it, I’m guessing I’ll get my wish.
My face hurts!!!
Stop making me laugh!!!!
Does anyone know of software that would allow my Casio BE-300 to work with my Mac? There’s no mention of it working with PocketMac.
“Forget Gateway, checkout Archos. Hardware looks good, though not as stylish as the iPod. More expensive than the iPod but has a much bigger screen and up to 100GB HD! Wonder what the sofware is like…
http://www.archos.com/av400/“
I just love web pages that do nothing. I just don’t understand why these nitwit web designers think everyone has Flash, or everyone wants to download Flash. I go to the Apple iPod Photo page and everything works just fine. I guess these also-rans feel it’s okay to neglect small segments of their potential market. After all it’s not like they have very far to go to catch up to the iPod.
The competition is rising as I expected and Microsoft is there to provide a OS/DRM for everybody.
1: Introduce new product to market.
2: Maintain market dominance as long as possible.
3: Improve product to stay ahead.
4: Eventually lose market share due to flood of cheap copycats who don’t fund their own R&D.
Life in the buisness world.
The photo transfer thing is next to useless if it eats up too much battery power and/or takes too long to transfer photos.
On top of that, the screen is laughably small.
The iPod Photo is missing an important feature, I agree. Get that direct transfer of photos off of digital cameras in there PRONTO! And when I’m on vacation, I don’t want to have to carry an extra Belkin do-hicky or dongle otherwise I’d just bring a laptop. Directy transfer from cameras is pretty much the only reason I’d get an iPod Photo (and the price is high enough, thank-you).
iPod Photo killer ? 4 lousy gigs ?
All these companies putting out iPod rivals are probably actually helping iPod sales. we all look at the choices and say ‘nah, the iPods still better’.
Yeah, if it don’t work on a Mac why bother. I’ll admit I was a little shocked at the price of the new iPod so I checked out the Creative Zen. They have a 60giger, which is what I was after. Colour/photo capabilities wen’t that important to me. But alas of course the Zen isn’t mac compatable. Oh well, I think I’ll wait till this time next year when the 80gig video iPod comes out. Now thats something I wouldn’t mind paying top dollar for.
Plays for sure ? Plug it into a Mac and see if it plays for sure. � of pod rivals don’t work on a mac. Well not as easily.