CES 2007

Philips DCP850 with iPod and 8.5-inch swivel screen

Instead of having to choose between a portable DVD player and an iPod, now you can tote both using one of two Philips portable DVD players. Both the DCP750 ($149), equipped with a 7-inch screen, and the 8.5-inch DCP850 ($199) have a well that accommodates a remote control that, when ejected, can now handle an iPod.

In addition to playing from an iPod, you can bring media in via the players' SD card slots. Both decks can translate a variety of MPEG-4 video formats including DivX, and most CD and DVD rewritable formats including SVCD. The players' most distinctive feature is the swivel screen, which can be rotated a full 360 degrees and laid flat and flush with the screen up.

The remote is a bit confusing--there's no volume control that we could find--and we had trouble getting the iPod video to show up on the screen. But the floor samples were preproduction models, and we were assured that these hiccups would be solved when the units hit stores sometime in the next couple of months.

Harman Kardon unleashed its nifty Drive+Play 2 for gadget-loving drivers everywhere. With an impressively simple setup (you can hook it up in a couple minutes sans tools), you can have a single interface for everything from your iPod or Zune to your phone or satellite radio. The 3.5-inch color display is easily mountable on your dash with screws or adhesive, and a 2.4GHz wireless control knob lets you navigate the very iPod-like skinnable menu system for "distraction-free browsing."

The system is powered by a cigarette-lighter module that doubles as an FM transmitter, line output, and charging hub. If you don't want to use the FM transmitter, you can just wire the Drive+Play 2 directly to your car stereo. There's also a Harman Net expansion port for adding more stuff, such as a Bluetooth hands-free system.

The software interface is pretty cool too: it automatically creates music channels based on what's on your music player, so you don't have to browse too much while trying to rack up points for running down pedestrians. It drops this spring for $399.95.

Challenging the Keyspan TuneView is iJet's black two-way RF iPod remote (available in March for $129.95), which lets you view your tracks and control your player from up to 500 feet away. (This was measured in an open space, always a popular RF-range caveat; since there are walls in the real world, your results may vary.)

The iJet is a fraction of TuneView's size, just a bit smaller than a Nano. Both your iPod and the remote charge in a dock, which transmits the contents and EQ settings menus to the remote for viewing and choosing in its 4-line OLED.

The iJet, which is likely to be marketed by DLO through a new partnership between the two companies, also can control Apple's Jukebox function. ABT was showing an all-black version; there may or may not be a white version.

A full charge of iJet's rechargeable battery supplies enough juice for six hours of constant use and weeks of just lying around not being used. But since it's small enough to lose, we'd keep it in its dock.

HandHeld Entertainment's Zvue Model 260

One size fits all with the latest memory-free MP3/video player from HandHeld Entertainment, the Zvue Model 260. Instead of making several models of different capacities, Zvue lets you decide how much memory you need. The entry level configuration of the Model 260 ($99.99) will include a starter 512MB SD card instead, but the slot will accept a card as large as 4GB when it becomes available mid-year.

Physically, the silver-and-black player bears more than a passing resemblance to an iPod. It measures 4.16 x 2.4 x 0.5-inches, a hair long and thicker than a video iPod, and at 3.93 ounces is about an ounce light. It's got a square, 2.5-inch color screen, three transport keys just below the screen, a small speaker and a circular menu navigation wheel on the bottom half.

To support its entire line of players, Zvue has its own iTunes-like store for videos at its Web site. You can also use the 260 to access open source video sites Dorks.com, FunMansion.com and YourDailyMedia.com.

Three versions of the thin Wallet MP3 player

The MP3 player takes on a whole new dimension--literally--with the Walletex Wallet MP3 player. It measures a measly 2mm/0.091 inch thin--thinner than a pair of credit cards and slim and tough enough to store in a credit card wallet slot.

On one side of the player are the usual transport keys that require a forceful push, which means the thing won't accidentally start playing when it's in your wallet and you're sitting on it.

Sticking out from one end is a unique all-purpose sliver USB jack that's the same thickness as the rest of the unit. This jack can be plugged into a standard USB plug for syncing and battery charging (2 hours to a full 5-hour play charge) and is also the headphone jack; the lanyard earbuds have a plug that fits around the sliver.

The top can be imprinted with any logos or graphics, so even if you can't find one in a store, there's a good chance they will be a popular promotional item. There will be 1GB ($80) and 2GB ($150) versions when they become available in March, and versions as copious as 8GB are possible.

Silex Technology America's new wiDock is a pretty hip iPod dock that lets you sync your iPod wirelessly (if you just can't wait for that feature to show up in the iPod itself) via a built-in 802.11b/g module. Its 3.5mm stereo audio and S-Video outputs let you use the wiDock with your home stereo and television set, as well. The dock also has an IR sensor on it that lets you control playback with a standard Apple Remote. Not a bad product at around $120, though maybe not as cool as one with wireless USB, especially since the wiDock requires an existing wireless network.

A canvas headband wrapper with loop holders

(Credit: Jasmine France)

Skullcandy, maker of some pretty rad accessories, showed off its new headphone lines including the Lowrider ($29.95) and the G.I. Stereo ($59.95). The Lowrider comes in nine color schemes (several designed to match the iPod Nano) and has DJ-style swiveling ear cups. Its 40mm drivers should give you enough bass to make you forget slamming into that tree on your snowboard.

Those needing a beefier set of cans can check out the G.I. Stereo line, which uses 41mm drivers and comes in black camouflage, khaki camouflage, or Rasta color schemes. The headband is thicker, and you get soft leather pads for the earphones (including an extra set), a quarter-inch adapter, inline volume control, and a carrying bag. You can also get a canvas headband wrapper with loops for holding...uhh...pens?

Lowriders come in plenty of cool colors

(Credit: Jasmine France)

miDock Studio has a backward-slanted design

(Credit: Mike Kobrin)

I'm a big fan of Polk Audio's bookshelf and floor-standing speakers, so when it released two iPod speakers, I just had to check them out. Both are available in black or white.

The miDock Portfolio ($119) is a portable model and is compatible with any iPod via the supplied plastic adapters. It also has an auxiliary input for non-Apple players, though it'll only charge dock connector-equipped iPods. The speaker is pretty small and folds up flat for traveling. It has four 1-inch drivers and runs on four AA batteries or the included AC adapter. I took a quick listen, and it sounds pretty good for something so small, and would be good for hotel rooms and such. The included carrying case is cute too.

miDock Portfolio folds up flat for travelling

(Credit: Mike Kobrin)

Polk is also taking a run at the Apple iPod Hi-Fi with its miDock Studio, which is fairly large but still portable, thanks to battery or AC operation. Its two 3.25-inch full-range drivers and ported enclosure give it a reasonably beefy sound, even on the noisy CES show floor. I dig the backward-slanted design, which keeps the sound pointed at your head if you've got the speaker placed on a low table or the ground, as well as the simple six-button IR remote. And at $229.95, it's cheaper than the iPod Hi-Fi. Sadly, there's no carrying case for this one.

The Boxon is all screen

(Credit: Mike Kobrin)

In addition to its recent release of the Cube2, MobiBlu launched a pair of flash-based MP3 players at CES 2007.

The Boxon is a bit reminiscent of the iRiver Clix in that it's all screen on front, but it measures just 2x1.7x0.5 inches and weighs about 1 ounce. It has VoIP phone capabilities, too, so you can use it to make Internet phone calls--hot! Available in 1GB ($109) and 2GB ($129) capacities, it'll do video, photos, FM radio, voice/FM recording, direct line-in encoding, and audio playback, but it can't handle PlaysForSure subscription content.

The newbie-oriented X3 still packs some good features

(Credit: Mike Kobrin)

The X3 is an entry-level player with a 1.8-inch color LCD screen. It's got plenty of features like FM tuner and voice/FM recording, but it doesn't support any DRM scheme. Still, it's cute and costs $89 for 1GB or $109 for 2GB. Maybe a nice iPod shuffle alternative for Apple haters or screen-lovers.