A good example of a horrible OEM case is the one that came with my iPaq. It had a bad design and felt tacky.

I'm not too keen on cases which have a huge logo stamped on the outside. It's like a huge sign that says I've got some expensive bit of gear in here so mug me now!

- Trevor

I don't care about the speed I am still trying to fulfill my dream of having home, car, and portable players that contain all my cd's and are synchronized without having to take vacation time ripping and retagging tracks.

The only time the speed would be an issue to me is when you do the first huge upload (So I just let it run overnight big deal) after that it would just be one cd at a time.

In reply to:

---

The Pearl design is based on ergonomic principles. Hands are not rectangular.

---

However the fabric that makes up my pants pocket are a certain size, and they are rectangular. This is why something like the ipod is such a success and the riot is not. If it does not fit nicely in your pocket, then you are requiring the user to either have a back pack, sachel, purse, bag, or dork-holster. Most people I know who have a portable hard drive player have an ipod, and most people keep them in their pocket. Make it comfortable in the pocket and you have a winner.

-eric

But then there are the months and years the rest of us have waited....

I agree. I've put it in my M3 and I get compliments all the time. It not only matches the car well, it helps give it 'character'. I have another friend with an M, 2 years newer than mine, but people have said (unprompted) that they think mine is better. The only differce on the inside is the seat style, and the empeg. I know they're not talking about the seats.
(oh, I forgot mine also has wood...) blarg.

The empeg makes the cars interior much more interesting. It's better than anything else I could put in that spot.

We're talking about a very small bit that sticks out of the right hand side; it's a matter of a few millimetres, and won't stop it from fitting into a suitably-sized generic carry case (IMHO). It's not hanging an inch out of the side, for example.

Then again, I've only seen the CAD and not any hard models.

Hugo

In reply to:

---

then you are requiring the user to either have a back pack, sachel, purse, bag, or dork-holster.

---

Hey who you calling a [realization] dork? Ok never mind... [/realization}

I think the thing looks just fine, with the exception of that orange, which I can't imagine them not changing. Of course, I may be wierd because I have never liked the iPod white thing in any event.

Rob, why is the screen color blue in that picture but white on the other ones? Do you know which one it is going to end up being?

Rob... PLEASE change that orange!

The screen is backlit blue, like the S Series.

Rob

I agree on the orange bit. That really ought to be changed.

As far as size, even being wider than the Ipod, Isn't this device still small enough that you could fit it in a pocket with ease?

-Biscuits

> OK, here's a comparison, but it's not an official SONICblue image. I believe I have it approximately correct.

Sorry to be so picky Rob, but that image is a bit off. The iPod is 4.02 inches tall, and a quarter is about 15/16 of an inch, so it should be a tad over 4 quarters high.

But in any event, leaving the quarter out of it and just going by the size comparisons between the iPod and the Pearl, it looks like a size of 2.75 inch wide at the bottom and and just shy of 3 1/4 inch tall (and presumbly just short of 0.8 inch deep). That will fit in a shirt pocket, though perhaps a bit snug (depending on the pocket)

Hmm, how you guys keep your head straight when it comes to inches, quarter of inches and such, I don't know. I'm glad we're blessed with cm and mm here in most of europe.

TommyE

Conditioning. I'll admit that the metric system is probably much better, but I still have trouble dealing with relative sizes in metric and have to convert them to English measures in my head.

Yeah, metric is cool and all, as factors of ten are generally a good idea, but it is way too late for America now. They tried to change us to metric while back, but it failed miserably.

In that event then, the Pearl looks to be about 68 mm wide, 82 mm tall, and just shy of 20mm thick. Those numbers mean absolutely nothing to me of course.

The height of Pearl is 80.5mm.

I spent ages trying to scale everything just right in Photoshop. I even measured a quarter I happened to have on my desk. Maybe I screwed it up, I'll check tomorrow. It looks about right visually though.

Rob

> The height of Pearl is 80.5mm.

Cool, I was pretty close then. Did I get the width and depth right too?

Man, the Pearl is small all right. I made a quick little mockup of this thing, and it is tiny.

I have a new dream. I want one of these bad boys. Rob, need any testers?

So that makes it half the size of a pack of cigarettes?

I don't smoke, but such a comparison would put things in perspective.

-Biscuits

In reply to:

---

I have a new dream. I want one of these bad boys. Rob, need any testers?

---

After me, please.
I said I'd buy one before you did - got the money right here.

I'm in position number 6 (of course!) in the unofficial queue to buy one.

So I think I'm entitled to test one before you :-))

Change the orange it horrible

Jumping into this thread a bit late, but...

Gimmie gimmie gimmie. Definately *want*

Will they be released globally at the same time, or will those Yanks get their paws on it first? Or will it be released over here in Blighty first?

Hey, Jim,
I know its off topic to this thread, but are you planning to come the Rally of New Zealand still - or have you postponed that pending the outbreak of hostilities with your credit card company?

what he said, lose the orange
Its like so, 70's

I thought 70s retro was "in" at the moment

Maybe it is at Empeg house, or whatever SB call Cambridge these days.

Not round here.

In any case, if their design consultants are so-up-to-the-minute, then they'd know that by the time this releases Orange will be so old hat.

Probably the best answer is as someone suggested, removeable covers ala cell phones so we can all personalise our Pearls the way we like.

The design house know what the fashion will be in six months time

(or maybe they plan to create one?)

Ok, rob can you get them to tell me what colour will be the new black?

number6 - you seem to have stolen my car

I quite like the orange.

Maybe I should seek professional help...

number6 - you seem to have stolen my car

I highly doubt that. He's had that same car since 1967.