Review: Flipster offers audio, video on the go

From...

By Liane M. Gouthro

(IDG) -- Can't live without your multimedia entertainment center? You don't have to strap a stereo on your back to keep it handy. Simply slip Flipster into your pocket.

Flipster, a portable multimedia device, plays your digital audio and video files, shows off digital pictures, and plays voice recordings and video games. It won't weigh you down: Flipster is about the same size as a deck of cards.

IDG.net INFOCENTER PCWorld.com home Free daily newsletters PCWorld.com: Week in Reviews TechInformer Related IDG.net Stories Bertelsmann wants all of Napster Sharp device plays video on the go Panasonic picks Windows Media format for players Features PC World.com Product Finder An inside tour of the Pentium 4 Surviving a disk crash: A checklist Visit an IDG site Choose a site: IDG.net CIO Computerworld Darwin Dummies.com GamePro.com The Industry Standard ITWorld.com InfoWorld.com JavaWorld LinuxWorld Macworld Online Network World Fusion PC World Publish.com UnixInsider IDG.net search

The device is scheduled to ship later in April priced in several configurations starting at $399. And it's a gadget-lover's dream, according to Bob Fullerton, the director of product marketing for PoGo Products, the company behind Flipster.

Running Windows CE, it features a clamshell design that flips open to reveal a 2.5-inch TFT color display. Flipster plays MPEG-4 videos and MP3 and WMA audio files, and it displays standard image file formats. It can connect to your PC via USB and comes with software that lets you drag and drop files to be downloaded to the device. Storage Space

But just how many space-hogging audio and video files can it store? Flipster will come in two versions: one with 64MB of internal flash memory, and one featuring 128MB. The 64MB version will cost $399, while the 128MB version will run $449. If you need more storage, Flipster also includes an expansion slot for MMC or SD (Secure Digital) cards.

Flipster's storage capacity can't compete with that of the iPod, Apple's popular new MP3 player, which stores 5GB, or that of the Archos Jukebox, an MP3 player that offers as much as 20GB of storage. The iPod costs $399, while the Archos Jukebox currently costs $307 for the 20GB version.

The capability to add storage cards will help Flipster compete, Fullerton says. SD cards are available in up to 512 MB capacity, with a 1GB card expected by the end of the year, he says.

Business Uses

Flipster has an advantage in its additional features, Fullerton says. The device plays videos as well as audio, and includes a voice memo capability that lets users record and listen to voice messages. These features make it a useful tool for business professionals, who could use the device to show sales videos to potential clients, he says.

"It's like a Windows-based handheld PC, without a lot of the complicated features. It's for people who don't need all the organizer features that those devices offer," Fullerton says. "It's easier to use."

Flipster also includes an expansion connector, which will allow more features to be offered in the future, Fullerton says. Accessories in development include a digital camera, a TV tuner, and a wireless Internet connection. In addition, because the device is based on the Windows CE operating system, its software should be upgradable in the future. As Fullerton says, "Flipster will get better with age."