Toshiba's Gigabeat S packs portable media player functionality into a device the size of an iPod. Are you ready for the new way to stay entertained on the go?
Review summary of the Toshiba Gigabeat S:
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 The Toshiba Gigabeat S offer PMP features in a pocket-sized package. Great, clear sound and a bright 2.4-inch screen make the Gigabeat S an attractive option for anyone looking to listen to music and the radio, view photos, and play videos on the go. The display is a bit small for watching full-length movies, but it works fine for clips and TV shows. Release: June 2006. Price: $349.
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Full Toshiba Gigabeat S Review:
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The Gigabeat S was first displayed at CES in January. The device is the same size as an iPod, yet it runs on Microsoft's Portable Media Center platform, includes an FM radio, and is compatible with monthly subscription services, including Starz' Vongo movie downloads.
Music and video - Very good
Music playback of both MP3s and the FM radio was clear and sounded great. There aren't any custom EQ settings but the seven preset options all work well. The Gigabeat S supports MP3, WMA, and WAV; it also supports WMA subscription services like Napster To Go and Yahoo Music Unlimited. Transferring content onto the Gigabeat S was quick and simple.
The 2.4-inch LCD is bright but a bit small. Squinting through a movie works, as the orientation can be changed to landscape, but it's not the best experience. Video playback was smooth without any stutters. We only wish that the Gigabeat S could record video, voice, or music.
Ease of use - Very good
The navigation is responsive and simple. A cross-shaped control below the LCD lets you scroll through and make your selections. Power, volume, rewind, play/pause, and fast forward are found along the right spine. The controls are as simple as Apple's Click Wheel, and we quickly mastered them.
The Gigabeat S works with Windows XP and XP Media Center Edition. If you're using a Mac or an older version of Windows, you're out of luck. Microsoft's Portable Media Center platform is clean and smartly organized. The Start screen is intuitive, and submenus are streamlined with graphics and simple choices. The music screens actually look better than iTunes.
Battery life - Very good
The Gigabeat S' battery life is rated at 20 hours for music and 6 hours for video. Unfortunately, our tests showed around 13 hours of music and 2.5 hours of video. These times are a bit less than Toshiba's claims, but they're still good.
Price and availability
The Toshiba Gigabeat S will start selling for $349 to $499 () in June 2006.
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