Any word on whether this is going to be able to be used as a file storage unit? If you could say, just plug it in and have it show up as a separate drive on your machine, move files from one machine to another using it; I think that would give it a lot more flexibility. And of course the fact that I could probably convince my boss to buy our department some of them for "file transfer" purposes!

Well, the Empeg isn't a file taxi by default, but a little bit of hacking turns it into a rather handy one. Even if that feature isn't in it by default, I'd bet that the Pearl will be similarly hackable...

You could also probably do what I do with the empeg to make file transfers. Set your computer to show the file type extensions, then just rename the extension to ".mp3". Then I just use emplode to load the file on like an mp3. It works great. You just have to make sure you rename the extension back to what it was when you download the file back from the empeg. If you are doing this with several different types of file extensions and want to make sure you remember the right type for each file, you can include the type in the filename. For example, if i had a file called "filename.exe" I would rename this file to be called "filenameexe.mp3" Then when I downloaded this back onto a computer, all I would have to do is delete the mp3 and move the period in front of the "exe". My guess is that you could use this method to turn any mp3 player into a file transfer device although I dont know for sure.

Pearl includes a file taxi. It isn't mass storage, but it's rather more useful in some ways.. all will be revealed.

That would only work if the player lets you download the songs from it. (Can't do that with the riot)

I know this may be a stupid question, but, if you can answer in a sort of "bigger or smaller than a breadbox" kind of way:

WHEN???????

As I mentioned in another thread, motorcycle season is finally upon us, and I am coveting my girlfriend's iPod. I'm a die-hard empeg loyalist and if even *I'm* thinking about getting an iPod rather than waiting longer, I can't imagine how much of the market is passing the Pearl by...

No offense intended, of course. I love you guys. I just want my mp3s with me on my next long m/c tour (New England, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Bay of Fundy, probably).

Jim

It's a few months away. We're using a brand new type of drive (to get the smaller-than-iPod footprint) which isn't shipping yet.

Everything is on schedule - I'm just not sure how much information marketing have chosen to make public so far.

Rob

That would only work if the player lets you download the songs from it. (Can't do that with the riot)

This isn't the Riot.

I agree here. SB's timing may be 'off'. First the 'too ahead' product like the empeg (in the future EVERYONE will be geeks right?) now possibly the 'just missed it' timing of the pearl.

I hope it doesn't happen, but I preferr hearing about a product and then being able to buy it within a month... :/

Here's hoping those small HDs ship soon.

*cough*
Rio were not ahead of the curve when it came to the empeg
*cough*

Rio were not ahead of the curve when it came to the empeg
I assume you mean "Rio was not ahead" and that it was empeg that was ahead of the curve... you could look at it that way, but then, SB/Rio had the forsight to purchase empeg, in that sense I think they WERE.

But this time, buying Apple is not an option

I know but he was implying that all hdd players will let you download from them. Are you trying to distance this product from the riot

Yes, and yes.

now possibly the 'just missed it' timing of the pearl

Hardly.. the hard disk market is still tiny in comparison with the almost-main-stream Flash market, and Flash is tiny compared with the currently-mainstream CD market.

You seem to be thinking of Pearl as the Rio answer to iPod. It isn't - Riot came out in the iPod timeframe and clearly the ball was dropped (mainly due to form factor - it has some nice software features). Pearl is the next step. This time I'm confident we have the right featureset AND form factor for a next generation product.

It was mentioned in this thread that empeg was ahead of the curve - that's true and we're proud of it, but it sure didn't help with the cashflow! My prediction is that the empeg (in a slightly different form factor) could make money around two years from now - four years ago the market was miniscule.

Rob

Right on Rob, you tell 'em.

You gotta remember though that the people on this BBS want to be at the "bleading edge", where a months lag makes you "old news" so to them a rival to the iPod is necessary, nay, MANDATORY and it has to be NOW or its "so last year".

Me, I like the fact that you, the developers "let us in" on your next generation products (albeit in riddles ), I feel very special [ wipes tear from corner of eye, sob ] to be allowed in on that.

Keep up the fine work and don't let the barstewards grind you down.

Cheers, Sim

So when is an alpha team selected and when does said alpha team get a device?

Also feel free to post screenshots from the UI ... That might keep us lemmings going for a couple more months.

And how much does it cost to be on the Alpha Team...

sh*t, I was hoping the alpha phase was finished

Oh. Cool.

Riot came out in the iPod timeframe and clearly the ball was dropped (mainly due to form factor - it has some nice software features).

There is one bit I'd like to rub about the riot, and I believe I mentioned it in another threat @ the time. I bought one, and I really liked it... except the desktop software. It has to be just about the WORST interface/core i've ever used. It locked up, took more system resources than I'd like, and worked like crap. It's why I took the riot back after paying $300 for it (the same price I payed for one of my backup empegs) I believe THAT was why the riot failed. I can't imagine a 'user' trying to make it work.. :/

It's my hope that pearl either mounts as a disk, or uses an emplode derivative.

Which PC Software? Real Jukebox?

Pearl comes with Rio Music Manager 2, which I hope you'll like. If not, Roger will be in trouble!

Rob

Hmm,
Pick up the monthly salary tab for the Cambridge Tab for one month and I'm sure you'll be a Alpha team member in short time.

Note: I am not suggesting that you guys ARE overpaid. But its real hard to build next generation products when you can't pay the current generation of bills.

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Pearl is the next step. This time I'm confident we have the right featureset AND form factor for a next generation product.

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Thats EXACTLY what I want to hear, I'll take 3 please...