Cowon iAudio U3 (1GB, white)
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"Defective Product" on by middlebunny
Pros: compact, fm radio, color screen, easy interface
Cons: defective product, horrible customer service, difficult product registration process
Summary: If my new iAudio U3 (noble white) actually worked, I'd give the product an 8++. I'd give it a 10 if Cowon had a better on-line registration and technical support website/phone line. In theory, the device is incredible and I cannot find anything else that packs so many functions in such a tiny device. Unfortunately, my device doesn't actually work and I've owned it less than a month. When I only had about about 7 songs loaded, it worked fine except it would occassionally stop playing songs. I didn't think much of this since it worked when I pressed the play button again to power it back on. Unfortunately, I loaded an additional 200mbs of songs this weekend and the thing hasn't worked since. I've tried reformating the device, reinstalling the firmware and reloading my music with no luck. I'm in the process of trying to return the darn thing; but, I'm very disappointed. The device showed so much promise. I read the reviews prior to purchasing the thing and had really high hopes. I'll have to start using my clunky Dell 20G DJ again until I can find something with the theoretical functions of the U3 but actually works.
Updated
In order to receive customer/technical assistance with this product, you have to correspond with a service rep over a period of serveral days via email. I'm used to dealing with companies that provide same day assistance so this is unacceptable to me. In addition, none of their recommendations worked so I have to send my product back to them to see if they can fix it. Personally, I'm tempted to ask for a full refund as I never want to deal with Cowon's limited customer/technical service options again; however, I'm torn. What if they can actually fix it? The other users seem to be happy with their devices and don't seem to have experienced any malfunctions so it is possible that I just happened to receive the one in a million problematic, malfunctioning devices. Who knows? It really would be a revolutionary, compact device if it worked. I guess I'll have to wait and see. -
"Durable and user-friendly!" on by mau_the_grump
Pros: The iAudio U3 is ridiculously durable (I've dropped it hundreds of times since I bought it). I also love the interface. It's easy to use one handed without looking. The filing system is very easy to use if your MP3s aren't tagged properly.
Cons: It would be nice to be able to use more than 1 playlist.
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"Excellent features, but could be slicker" on by c0rf
Pros: ogg vorbis playback, crisp screen, great size & price
Cons: slightly annoying interface, no battery indicator when charging under linux
Summary: All my research on a player that could handle .ogg files and operate under Ubuntu was blown apart when I found this little guy on sale for sixty five bucks. So I bought it. Opinions are after a whopping three hours of use (it just arrived today). I'll focus more on the bad, since everything else is impeccably wonderful:
When plugged into my USB port, it only displays the "USB" connected graphic. I'd like to see how topped-off the battery is. Word on the street is you can do that if you eject hardware under WinXP and leave it plugged in, but unmounting in in Linux doesn't have any effect on what the screen displays.
I'd also like to be able to browse by folder name rather than linearly through them as they were uploaded to the device. That's one of the few areas where the iPod got it exactly right: sort by artist/album/title and your device will move like the proverbial hotcakes. As it stands, I'm hoping I'll discover some interface tweaks down the road, but I'm doubtful.
Other than that, GREAT little player. The sound is amazing, the screen is well executed, and options for tuning the sound are varied & plentiful. -
"One Awesome DAP" on by wasnot
Pros: Robust, Awesome sound, Flac and Ogg support with fm/recorder, voice recorder. On and on...well worth the money for audio enthusiasts. The pic and video capability is just icing on the cake.
Cons: Get the 2 gig
Summary: See pros and forget the reviewers ratings.
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"Amazing little device" on by risktaker3
Pros: playes a myriad of file music formats, plays video, fm tuner, bright LCD
Cons: flimsy usb cover, price
Summary: I was looking at quite a few different flash based digital audio players this christmas and it came down to 3 for me the iaudio u3, iaudio f1, and the mobiblu.
What really set this unit apart was the amout of audio codecs that it plays (MP3/OGG/WMA/ASF/FLAC/WAV). The bright colorful LCD. The controls (although the iaduio F1 is quite simliar). And the overall look, size, and layout of the player. Just looking at the player it seems stylish.
I didn't even really understand how small this player was until I received it is wonderfully small, but not so small that it will be lost like the mobiblu.
Another plus is the video playback. Mow I am not saying it is a replacment for a 4in pvp, but I was able to easily watch a movie on it.
Overall I believe the U3 is quite a unit for the money. A bit more expensive then say the nano, but unless you are teathered to itunes I would definately give this unit a shot.
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