Gizmodo: k3

Samsung YP-K3 Reviewed, Almost Here [verdict: still not an iPod nano killer]

www.gizmodo.com — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 05:35:53 EDT

The launch of Yet-Another-Nano-Killer is imminent. Again. Maybe. Or it will be someday, anyway, because according to CNET, the Samsung YP-K3 is not it, even if it's a "solid sexy player."

While they think it's nice-o, with a very good design and simple interface, CNET says the touch- sensitive controls can be "challenging to use." Whether "challenging" means "not even Laura Ocaña would manage" or "requires you to rub your fingers until the skin peels off" or "requires you to jump on one leg while wearing latex pajamas with your hands glazed in maple syrup" for the controls to work is yet to be seen.

More highlights after the jump.

They argue it doesn't have video or audio recording, but then again, the nano doesn't have that either, so I don't see their point.

Looking at the latest news, my main problems with it is that it doesn't support AAC. Also, like the Samsung YP-K5, it won't work with Macs or as a storage unit.

Cheaper than the nano, the 0.27-inch thin, 1.8-inch OLED screen Samsung YP-K3 will set you back $119 for 2GB and $169 for 4GB. – Jesus Diaz

Samsung YP-K3 (4GB, red) [CNET Reviews]

Reviewed: Samsung K3 Digital Audio Player (Verdict: Thin, Clutch Player)

Gizloco — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:05:24 EST

While we're still waiting for the Samsung K3 digital audio player to hit our area, those wily Koreans have already reviewed it and it looks to be a hit. It has the same interface found in Samsung's other recent DAPs, like the K5. The K3's main draw is its size, boasting a thickness of only 6.95mm. It's important to note that, while thin, the iPod nano is thinner at 6.60mm. The K3 also has those love it or hate it touch sensitive buttons like the LG Chocolate. While I personally can't stand touch sensitive buttons (it's not a button if I can't push it), plenty of other folks do. Additionally, the player's small size does result in some drawbacks

Don't bother using the K3's picture viewing function since the display's ho-hum resolution (160 x 128) just makes photos look like dirt. There's also a bunch of other accessories with limited appeal, such as FM radio for listening to morning zoos and a text viewer. Why you'd want to read text for a prolonged amount of time on such a tiny screen befuddles me, but I'm a grumpy old man anyway.

Overall, the K3 looks like to be a fine little DAP. It'll have a tough time knocking the iPod nano off its high horse, but a certainly has a more attractive design than other players out there. – Nicholas Deleon

Paper thin K3 [popco.net via dapreview.net]

Samsung K3 Gets a Splash of Color

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:52:56 EST

It won't be available until March, but the ultra-slim Samsung K3 that we unpantsed back at CES is already getting a few upgrades. In addition to the $50 speaker dock that gives the K3 boombox capabilities (unlike the K5, the K3 doesn't have built-in speakers), Samsung has also announced that the K3 will be available in lime green and red colors. Personally I think black looks best, but so far it seems Samsung is playing its cards right with this tiny MP3 player. – Louis Ramirez

Samsung DS200 Speaker Dock [Anything But iPod]

Portable Media Players We Dig (That Aren't The iPhonePod Communicator)

Travis Hudson — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:00:13 EST

There has been some nice portable media players around CES, all of which have been instantly overshadowed by the iPhonePod Communicator that was announced today. But here are still some impressive media players here, and I've gotten my grubby hands on the best of 'em.

• SanDisk Sansa View Video
• De-Pntsing the Samsung K3 Slim MP3 Player
• Harman Kardon Drive+Play 2 and Guide+Play GPS-500
• Dirty Hands-On: Sony VIO WA1 Wireless Music Streamer (Not really a portable media player, but still cool despite the aesthetic problems.) –Travis Hudson

De-Pantsing the Samsung K3 Slim MP3 Player

Travis Hudson — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:23:21 EST

We first told you about the Samsung K3 back in November, and it is on display at CES. Rather than getting the details of specs or prices or the release date, we took the au natural approach and had Jason cram the player down his pants. His official depants-ing review:

Thin, yet firm. Didn't damage the goods.

Okay, for real, this is the slimmest MP3 player to date. It is pretty much the K5 that we unboxed and reviewed the hell out of back in September without the speaker and even thinner. It supports JPG for photo viewing and MP3 and WMA for audio.

If you speaker fiends still need your audible fix, there will be a $30 carrying case-style accessory that the K3 slides into and provides a small speaker for sharing of your horrible music collection. It should be available with the K3 at launch.

The player will be available this March in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB sizes with prices at $119, $159 and $209, respectively. – Travis Hudson

Samsung YP-K3 Wafer-Thin MP3 Player Launches March '07

Jason Chen — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:11:10 EST

The vomitorium-thin Samsung YP-K3 we've been looking at (at left, next to the saftig YP-K5) finally gets a release date for the US. Not price yet, but it's going to be available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB sizes, and yes, it's still 0.27 inches thin.

Other specs: touchscreen icy blue and white versions, MP3/WMA/JPG, PlaysForSure, 1.8-inch OLED. – Jason Chen

Samsung YP-K3 In The Wild - Still Really Thin

Jason Chen — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:30:09 EST

If you couldn't tell from the shots yesterday, the upcoming Samsung YP-K3 player is really thin. Arguably the thinnest player from Samsung, if not anyone, that we've seen.

To refresh, it's got a 1.8-inch OLED display, FM Tuner, up to 4GB of storage and MP3/WMA/OGG playback. We bet you could probably stack three of these up against one Zune. – Jason Chen

[Generation MP3 via Mobile Mag]

Samsung YP-K3: The K5's Little Brother, Sans Speaker

Gizloco — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:03:17 EST

The Samsung YP-K3, scheduled to make its debut at CES in January, is the slimmed down successor to the YP-K5. Supposedly it's Samsung's "slimmest and sleekest," which, given the picture, would be hard to argue against. The biggest difference between the new K3 and the K5 is that that K3 is believed to be lacking the built-in speaker that made the K5 unique amongst other DAPs. The screen is a little larger, too, this time coming in at 1.8 inches versus the K5's 1.7 inches. Whether or not it's any better at viewing pictures is anyone's guess. There's a higher-res shot after the jump.

Other than those most basic facts, nothing else has been officially announced by Samsung. All it needs to do is correct a few of the complaints we had about the K5, which was a little clunky and some of its extras like picture viewing and FM radio weren't as well-done as they could've been, and the K3 could end up being a fine DAP indeed. – Nicholas Deleon

CES Innovation Honorees [CES 2007]