Just released in Korea, the iRiver NV PMP is a beautiful example of consumer design. It’s specifications are pretty nice as well:

• GPS via SiRFStar III chip
• T-DMB (for those who get it, of course)
• 7-inch, 800X400 screen
• Small display on the control wheel
• 1.3-megapixel camera
• Great format support (OGG, MP3, WMA, XviD, AVI, AAC, etc.)
• Two SD slots

It’s going for $536, but with the question remains whether it’ll ever make it to the US.

If you have a tyke that’s just got it goin’ on for Winnie the Pooh, the the Aigo MV5910 PMP may be just the ticket. As you can see, it sports the Disney logo (which of course added some to the cost) and the controller is all Winnie (which also added some to the cost). It’s a decent device, I suppose, with the following specs:

• 3.5-inch LCD
• AV output
• SD slot
• Image viewer
• 2GB internal storage
• Up to 16 hours of battery life
• Supports VOB, RM/RMVB, AVI, ASF, MPEG, and DAT (VCD)
• On the audio side, supports RealMedia, MP3, and WMA

In US currency, it’s $224, which is a bit pricey, but again, it’s Disney’s Winnie the Pooh we’re talking about. For some people, that’s worth real money.

Capitalizing on its return to (relative) fame, Commodore is expanding beyond computers with the Gravel C200 medial player. Beyond the strange name (Gravel?), it looks like a pretty mediocre device. First, it’s a little, well, not good looking, and has some unimpressive specs: 1.8 inch color screen, plays MP3, WAV, WMA, MPEG 2, MPEG 4, DivX, Xvid, and WMV (which is admittedly a nice long list), and is available with 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB models. Pricing and availability unavailable, but I’m not sure anyone’s going to be waiting that impatiently.

I’m sure other vendors would argue with Thomson that the A1 is the world’s smallest media player, but they’ve definitely gone small at 3 inches and 87 grams. Still the unit has can play MP3, WMA, WAV, and AVI, has a 16:9 display, comes in 4GB and 8GB flavors, and even sports an FM tuner. Pricing in China will be equivalent to $106 for 4GB and $120 for 8GB. No word yet on wheter Americans will ever get a chance to lose an A1.

Sony has announced (release in Europe in August, in US, who knows?) the Network Walkman NWD-B100. Perhaps the most important aspect is the non-proprietary formats it now accepts (MP3 and WMA, of course). No more ATRAC to contend with, and since it supports mass storage mode, no more Sony software. No pricing available, but there will be 1GB and 2GB models, both which include an FM tuner, voice recording, and upwards of 12 hours of battery life. Doesn’t look too shabby, either.