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World's Smallest MP3 Player

Chris_Yates writes "mobiBlu is claiming to produce the world's smallest mp3 player, the DAH-1500 cube. The player is 24x24x24 millimeters (about the size of the tip of your finger or various small items), weighs 18 grams, uses OLED technology, and comes in a variety of colors. The 1GB version is currently selling for $130 at Wal-Mart. Buy one today, so you can lose it within a week!" Update: 07/25 22:56 GMT by T : An anonymous reader points out this review of the device.

72 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Laebshade · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it really that small?

    1. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Eric+Giguere · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It is small, but I wouldn't describe as being "fingertip" in size. Sure, it balances on your finger, but I've yet to see a fingertip of those proportions, The Thing's notwithstanding!

      Eric
      See your HTTP headers, live!
    2. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Formz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      People seem to be focused on size, but SHAPE is just as, or even more important. What you you rather carry in your pocket, a SQUARE, or a FLAT RECTANGLE (IE: shuffle, sony thing, etc.)

      Imagine a corner of that stupid thing digging into your leg. No thanks.

    3. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Indeed. 24x24x24mm is roughly an inch cubed. Small, yes, but hardly fingertip size.

    4. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by saider · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'd rather stuff a LONG CYLINDRICAL player in my pants.

      --


      Remember, You are unique...just like everyone else.
    5. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Washizu · · Score: 5, Funny

      What you you rather carry in your pocket, a SQUARE, or a FLAT RECTANGLE (IE: shuffle, sony thing, etc.)

      You'd be able to fit an infinite number of two dimensional squares and rectangles in your pocket, so it's hardly an issue.

      --
      OddManIn: A Game of guns and game theory.
    6. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 3, Funny

      Is that a long, cylindrical, portable mp3 player in your pocket, or are you just trying to convolute my clichéd sexual innuendos?

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    7. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by rhesuspieces00 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yet another manufacturer fails to make the distinction between "we can" and "we should."

    8. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by adamjaskie · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bah. My company is manufacturing POINT-shaped mp3 players with INFINITE storage capacity. NEVER RUN OUT OF ROOM AGAIN!

      Unfortunately, we seem to have a problem with them being a little bit too... dense. It has caused several mishaps with things such as nearby stars and passing photons, so we like to keep our factories in remote places in the universe while we perfect the process.

      --
      /usr/games/fortune
    9. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by funkyfreshcoderdude · · Score: 2, Funny

      That would be an MP12 playa.

  2. weird... by grub · · Score: 5, Funny

    I found this wee thumbnail sized MP3 player... plugged in my own earphones... hit play and heard weird static with the sound of flies buzzing played. Then my cell rang and a weird, detached voice said "Seven days..." and hung up. Any ideas?

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:weird... by sdpuppy · · Score: 3, Funny
      7 days?

      Did they mean "7 business days"?

      What if there is a holiday?

      Is the recording copy-protected?

      If not, I'd suggest you make a backup copy, then give it as a present to that boss you don't like...

    2. Re:weird... by VikingBerserker · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's odd. About a week ago I lost my thumbnail sized MP3 player, and I~d&()@#[NO CARRIER]

    3. Re:weird... by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're safe. The monster would crawl out of the TV, you'd go into your questions about counting weekends, and what about Monday, which was Washington's birthday - does that count? It's not a real holiday after all... and on and on. The monster would just say fuck it and go back into the TV to get away.

      That movie scared the shit out of me, by the way.

      --
      Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
  3. Don't swallow it... by Pxtl · · Score: 4, Funny

    You'll get it stuck in your iSophagus.

    1. Re:Don't swallow it... by srvivn21 · · Score: 2, Informative

      I belive the official term is Sluggite ...

  4. obligatory sluggy reference... by paco3791 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Can you say iSophagus?

  5. One small problem by ClaraBow · · Score: 2, Informative

    The device uses USB 1.1 which is painfully slow to manage songs IMHO.

    1. Re:One small problem by Norgus · · Score: 2, Informative

      With a 1GB capacity its slow, but not as horrible as using USB 1.1 on a decently sized serious mp3 player.

    2. Re:One small problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      USB 1.1 is the same as USB 2.0. You're thinking of USB 1.0, which IS painfully slow.

      Educate yourself.

    3. Re:One small problem by DrEldarion · · Score: 2, Informative

      When you're only uploading a gig, though, it's not a big deal. I had a 10GB USB1 player - THAT was a pain.

    4. Re:One small problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      USB 1.1 is the same as USB 2.0. You're thinking of USB 1.0, which IS painfully slow.

      USB 1.1 == 12 Mbps
      USB 2.0 == 480 Mbps

      So, same thing, in that they are both spelled the same until you get to the number part.

  6. is it also by arootbeer · · Score: 4, Funny

    powering their web server?

    1. Re:is it also by RaffiRai · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Not yet, but give those NetBSD boys some time.

  7. 24mm square = 1" square. by baryon351 · · Score: 5, Funny

    > The player is 24x24x24 milimeters (about the size of the tip of
    > your finger

    Anyone with one inch square fingertips is scary. Seriously. I doubt seeing a 1" cube I could relate it to *ANY* body part.

    1. Re:24mm square = 1" square. by nEoN+nOoDlE · · Score: 4, Funny

      I doubt seeing a 1" cube I could relate it to *ANY* body part.

      Some guys get all the luck.

      --
      Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
  8. Fascinating by stanmann · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Having a device that small is nice, but my MP3 player is already mostly size limited by UI concerns why would I want anything smaller than a Credit card.

    --
    Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
  9. now we need a d20 by suso · · Score: 3, Funny

    Call me a geek but one of the first things I thought of when I saw this was being able to roll a 20 sided wireless die w/ speaker and have it say 'HIT!'. It could be hooked up to my character sheet and the DM computer. Throw in that overhead LCD map projector and we're good to go.

    1. Re:now we need a d20 by PHP+Addict · · Score: 2, Funny

      Geek ;)

      --
      Laziness, check. Impatience, check. Hubris, double check!
    2. Re:now we need a d20 by akozakie · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Hmmm... Nice idea. A d20-shaped mp3+ogg (of course!) player with good weight distribution... And preferably wireless headphones... Press a button, then throw - fun way to pick a random song. ;-) Only works for 128MB versions though - larger would store too many songs.

  10. Hmmm... by xor.pt · · Score: 5, Interesting

    With a player that small, maybe they could just make one the shape of a hear piece and we could just change the musics with a bluetooth remote.

    1. Re:Hmmm... by Pxtl · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I'd like that - just do 2 pieces of equipment - a headphone MP3 player, and a bluetooth wristwatch for control..

    2. Re:Hmmm... by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hear piece? Musics?

      Why do I hear Mr Burns when I read your post, and why is it hilarious?

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
  11. Impractical by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think that this may so small as to be impractical... I had a cell phone that was too small in that the buttons were impossible for me to press with my (sausage like) fingers without messing up. I had to get a bigger one.
    I don't mind something that is small enough to be hidden by a sock, but not a match book...
    It does seem like this could create some interesting possibilities for integrated earphones. Perhaps an ear phone that hooks over your ear>
    Anyhow, Like my wife says, anyone who says that size doesn't matter has a small , er, MP3 player

    --
    And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
  12. Re:OLED display by JWW · · Score: 2, Informative

    You have to hover over the cryptic arrows in the middle of the page. Apparently they are for the view from the diretion the arrow is pointing. A copule of those pics show the display.

  13. It looks pretty awesome. by Stick_Fig · · Score: 2, Funny
    I was just looking at this thing last night. If I wasn't getting hardcore poontang from my iPod, I would be interested in this.

    And hey, since Wal-mart is selling this, I think it might just give the iPod a run for its money.

    --
    ShortFormBlog: Writing a little. Saying a lot.
  14. For the lazy people... by damionfury · · Score: 3, Informative

    ...here's a link to Wal-Mart's website. They appear to be nearly sold out of the 1 gig ones, though.

    1. Re:For the lazy people... by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 2, Informative

      Don't buy these things from WalMart. http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff &ie=UTF-8&q=walmart%20sucks

      There are other places to buy from. Pick one that treats its employees better.

      --
      Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
  15. Mirrordot by guardiangod · · Score: 2, Informative

    Mirror

    /. in 6 minutes...it must be a new record or something

  16. Re:Imagine a beowulf... by hal9000(jr) · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I dont know why you'd want a mp3 player that small, interface would be a bitch compared to the slightly larger say, ipod mini. You are obviously not a grrrl. Glue a chain and post on it and you got a music earring. In fact, I think it was at WalMart that I saw something just like it.

  17. fingertips by justforaday · · Score: 4, Funny

    The player is 24x24x24 milimeters (about the size of the tip of your finger...

    Sounds like it should be really easy to push the buttons to control the thing...

    --
    I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
  18. Tip of one's finger?? by sczimme · · Score: 5, Funny


    The player is 24x24x24 milimeters (about the size of the tip of your finger or various small items)

    I don't know about the rest of the non-gigantism population, but the tips of my fingers are rather smaller than one cubic inch.

    For scale: early in the movie 'Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban', Harry causes his b*tchy aunt to inflate and blow away like a balloon. Her finger was the first part to inflate; when she holds it up, the tip of the finger appears to be about 1" in diameter.

    To sum up: normal finger tips are not 1" in diameter.

    / pulled a muscle reaching for that comparison

    --
    I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
  19. Does it get any bigger? by winkydink · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh wait, wrong site. :)

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  20. Cube? CUBE? by Hortensia+Patel · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you're going for small form factor, why on earth would you want a cube? Surely the ideal is more of a thin credit-card shape, so that it'll fit conveniently in pockets. Not to mention offering more surface area for sensibly-sized controls.

    I suppose this is marginally more convenient than the "caltrop", "shuriken" and "mousetrap" form factors, but it's a close thing.

  21. Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffle. by argent · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1"x1"x1" = 1 cubic inch.

    0.98" x 3.3" x 0.33" = 1.06 cubic inch.

    And the shuffle is easier to fit in your pocket.

  22. Compared to a shuffle? by Decimal+Dave · · Score: 3, Informative

    This thing is almost exactly the same volume as the ipod shuffle (though a cube is arguably an inferior form factor), and requires a cable to connect it to a computer instead of having a built-in USB plug.

    That means it's not as useful as a self-contained portable storage device.

    --

    "Leave the strategizing to those of us with planet-sized brains." -Tycho
    1. Re:Compared to a shuffle? by twd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Funny thing, for those of us working in "secure" facilities where the security idiots^H^H^H^H^H^Hstaff think that USB is the mark of the beast, being able to leave the USB connection at home can be a big advantage.

      --
      ~*~ Tara
  23. And if the RIAA comes after you... by FunWithHeadlines · · Score: 2, Funny
    ...swallow the evidence.

    Of course the new Digital Millenium Toilet Act will let the RIAA hang around your house for a day or so until the evidence reappears.

  24. Re:M.Bison vs Motaro by PHP+Addict · · Score: 2, Funny

    So that's how it happened... I've spent many nights lying awake wondering what would happen if these two ever met.

    --
    Laziness, check. Impatience, check. Hubris, double check!
  25. Review by XCorvis · · Score: 2, Informative

    Ooh, look! An actual review.

  26. mobiBlu? Or JNC? by Psionicist · · Score: 3, Informative

    The mp3-player is also known as JNC SSF-8100: http://www.jnc-digital.com.au/products_details.php ?id=66#

    So, as the mobiblu site's down, who _actually_ created this?

  27. Re:Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffl by VidEdit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yup, the shuffle is easier to pocket, but a display screen, nested folders, WMA playback and an FM tuner kick in features Apple is to elitist to include. (PS, I'm writing this missive on my Powerbook...but I do think Apple is elitist.)

    --
  28. the first rule of the iPod micro is by Knights+who+say+'INT · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do not eat this micro iPod.

    Do not eat this microsized music player.

    Do not eat it.

    You have been warned!

  29. Re:Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffl by Decimal+Dave · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So the headline reads that this is the worlds smallest mp3 player... yet if I take the usb cap off my ipod shuffle, it's volume is measurably less than that of the DAH-1500. Does that mean I've had the world's smallest mp3 player since february, and nobody's come out with anything smaller?

    --

    "Leave the strategizing to those of us with planet-sized brains." -Tycho
  30. Obl Futurama Quote by indig0 · · Score: 2, Funny


    Leela: What's the matter Amy? Did you swallow your MP3 player again?

  31. Actually by i_should_be_working · · Score: 5, Informative

    The one sold at walmart is usb 2.0

    1. Re:Actually by Vizthex · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually apple has a one up on this. The Fleapod. =P http://gprime.net/video.php/ipodflea

  32. For people with pointy fingers only by jurt1235 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or with an extention set so you can use the controls.

    BTW: I think I will paint one dot on side on, 6 on the opposite, 2 on another, 5 on that opposite, and 3 and 4 dots on the two remaining sites. Then I can use it for monopoly.

    --

    My wife's sketchblog Blob[p]: Gastrono-me
  33. Why the hell is this a troll? by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It seems perfectly reasonable to me...The main problem these days is fitting a functionally sized UI onto the smallest possible player, but if you made a UI-less player, built into some headphones, say, with a bluetooth UI hooked into a watch or something, that would kick ass.

    Mods on crack I tell ya.

    --
    ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  34. hearing aid form factor by peter303 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They should fit the whole contraption in a hearing aid size form factor. Then have a wireless control either on a ring or wristwatch form factor.

  35. iPod flea by BlueEar · · Score: 3, Funny

    They've got nothing on iPod Flea!

    --
    A religious war is an adult version of a fight over who has the best imaginary friend
  36. USB 2.0 by thrill12 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Highspeed (400+Mbit) or Fullspeed (11Mbit). I gather the last, which is practically completely compatible to USB 1.1 - same slow speed.

    --
    Slashdot: stuff for news, nerds that matter, matter for news, stuff that nerd
  37. Re:Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffl by argent · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Yup, the shuffle is easier to pocket, but a display screen, nested folders, WMA playback and an FM tuner kick in features Apple is to elitist to include.

    Oh, I do think it's a nice little unit, though I'd rather have it do MP4 than WMA since WMA is kind of tied in to Windows. The functionality and price are all good, but I'd rather they have made it a less clumsy shape even if it was in a slightly larger box.

    Incidentally, the thing that I miss the most about my shuffle is the clock. Since it doesn't have a clock, it can't update the "last play" time in iTunes when it syncs, so my clever set of chained smart playlists for Party Shuffle can't account for and avoid dups for the music that I listen to on my shuffle.

    I suppose I could write a script that I could run before and after syncing the shuffle to put the songs whose play counts have changed into a "recent shuffled" playlist, but I think I've already spent way too much time on fine-tuning my iTunes settings.

  38. Re:iPod Shuffle smaller? by randyest · · Score: 3, Informative

    This little cube is more than 20% smaller than an iPod shuffle by volume. (24 mm per side / 25.4 mm/inch)^3=0.84 cubic inches, which is .84/1.06=0.79 times the volume of an ipod shuffle (1.06 cu. in.)

    It also has FM radio, which no ipod does.

    It's also considerably cheaper than an iPod.

    Sorry mods -- this post may appear to disparage the ipod and/or other apple products, but, um, well, ipods rulezorz!!!!111!one

    --
    everything in moderation
  39. iPod Shuffle is 25% bigger, better shape by billstewart · · Score: 2, Informative
    Apple annoyingly uses Antique measurement units, as opposed to metric, but the size is 3.3 x 0.98 x 0.33 = 1.067 cubic inches = 17484 mm3. (Not sure whether that's with the USB-jack cover on or not.) The cube is 13824 mm3. So the Shuffle is a bit larger, but yes, I'd rather carry a flat object than a clunky-shaped object.

    But you don't put this thing in your pants pocket you'd need a really long headset cord and it'd get caught on things. Either you put it in your shirt pocket (where flat is also better), or you just leave it hanging from the cord, in which case flat is usually better as well.

    --

    Bill Stewart
    New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
    1. Re:iPod Shuffle is 25% bigger, better shape by slevin · · Score: 2, Funny

      But a cube will fit much better in my eyesocket. No way am I getting a shuffle in there.

  40. Re:Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffl by argent · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not scripts, just smart folders. Unfortunately I can't just dump the XML because the important stuff is binary gibberish.

    Basically, what I did was set up a series of smart folders:

    2star - Rating is 2 stars and last played is not in the last 2 months
    0star - Rating is 0 stars and last played is not in the last 6 weeks
    3star - Rating is 3 stars and last played is not in the last 3 weeks
    4star - Rating is 4 stars and last played is not in the last 4 days
    5star - rating is 5 stars and last played is not in the last 25 hours
    Weighted - playlist is 0star or 2star or 3star or 4star or 5star
    Ambient - Genre is not Hip-Hop and playlist is not Unambient and genre is not Opera and playlist is not Flakey and kind does not contain quicktime

    This works a lot better than just "play higher rated songs more often", because I know how often "more often" is. And I can tune things around, cut 5star down to 3 days or raise 3 stars up to 1 week when I'm feeling like more variety... that's how I ended up giving 0 star a frequency that's between 2 and 3 stars.

    Unambient is just a regular playlist where I put stuff that I don't want to listen to while I'm working. Flakey is another set of chained playlists. I don't play quicktime in ambient because the volume equalizing algorithm iTunes uses doesn't work for quicktime.

  41. Re:Almost the exact same volume as the iPod Shuffl by huge+colin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Ogg Vorbis is technically superior to MP3, so if I have a choice (and I often do), I'll take a Vorbis. I therefore am not interested in any player that doesn't play it.

  42. WROONNGGG by sp0rk173 · · Score: 2, Informative

    24x24x24 mm = 0.945" cubed.

  43. It has FM Radio as well! by Kamiza+Ikioi · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "And hey, since Wal-mart is selling this, I think it might just give the iPod a run for its money."

    That's modded funny? That's pretty insightful to me. I think if the price comes down a bit, it'll sure give the iPod Shuffle a run for its money. On price, if Walmart wants to be it, it will.

    Besides, with a built in FM tuner, even the technologically inept can use it until they figure out what an MP3 is. That's a definate Walmart winner. That feature alone makes is a definate Rio killer. It also has 5 hours more play time than the iPod Shuffle, weighs less than iPS, and actually comes in color (white is so 2004, unless you like being mugged).

    The jury is out on iPod killer status, but I have to say one thing. It is pretty sexy, and a definate conversation starter (for geeks at least). If it goes hits $110 or less, I'd probably get it.

    --
    I8-D
  44. Re:iPod Shuffle smaller? by jimbolaya · · Score: 2, Informative
    It's also considerably cheaper than an iPod.

    Actually, a 1GB iPod shuffle is $129.

    --

    There ain't no rules here; we're trying to accomplish something.

  45. The Cons? by horza · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Two of the four 'Cons' in the review are:
    It's Tiny
    No DRM Support

    Surely in the wrong column?

    Phillip.