This is the Motorola MOTOACTV, a touch-based compact music player with a form factor that makes it look like the iPod nano’s athletic, muscle-bound brother. Sounds like a simple generalization, since they’re both new MP3 players, but that’s really the best way to describe it. Like the nano, the MOTOACTV is a music player that sports a 1.6-inch touchscreen, as well as an accessory that’ll let you rock it as a wristwatch. But Moto’s player adds a lot more in the mix: as a player that specifically targets athletes and outdoorsy-types, the player is built to last with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, and a case that’s sweat-proof and rain-resistant.
If you need a mobile speaker kit that can blast your tunes, then there are hundreds – if not thousands – of choices out there, ranging from cheap, tin can-sounding cans to relatively big portables that can be a little too hard to stuff in a bag. So how does JBL’s OnTour iBT differ from what’s already out there? For starters, when they designed this mobile speaker kit, they really focused on the “mobile” part, thanks to a compact frame, battery powered-running, and the elimination of having to pack (and connect) an audio cable. Also, despite the small frame, it’s a premium kit designed to sound good.
Altec Lansing has announced the inMotion iMT630, which is basically a new speaker dock from a company that has already put out a lot of speaker docks (which, by the way, is not a bad thing). The highlights on this one? A slim and light design that’s pretty slim and self-contained, thanks to an iPhone/iPod dock that slides into the body for easy packing, and a remote that can be stowed inside a door at the back so you don’t misplace it.
Despite the recent trend of fitting advanced audio processing and larger speakers on mobile devices, you really can’t expect much from tiny speakers. Scosche is looking to fill a need with their boomCAN portable speakers: basically a mobile speaker kit that fits its own rechargeable battery and a 40mm driver into a highly portable shell that measures 2.5 inches tall.
Okay, maybe the Xoom didn’t pan out as a good iPad rival, but a survey revealed that Motorola is working on a new device that looks set to rival the iPod nano and GPS-equipped Nike+ Sportwatch. We don’t know exactly what it’s called yet (according to the survey, it could be named the “MotoActive”), but it’s going to target the gadgety-fitness crowd for sure. According to the description sent to Engadget, the device is an “all-in-one fitness and music personal fitness device,” so yeah, if you’re into fitness, or personal fitness even, this one’s for you.
