Unboxing the Gigabeat S

We know, we know, you've seen it clothed, you've seen it naked, it's been previewed, reviewed, but we were a mite bit slow to the draw in snagging a Gigabeat S. But now that Toshiba sent one over, it's time for the ceremonial package porn session of gadget unboxing; we have a feeling it's gonna be a long weekend of sitting in bed watching Vongo movies, folks. For now you can go ahead and click on to see the S before it's been besmudged and sullied with our gross fingerprints.

We have a pavlovian response whenever we see one of these things, we tell ya.

Nondescript enough.

Say, what's that in there...

Ahh. Finland was here.

Love those paper inserts to make it look like the screen is on. They look terrible, man, just give us a blank, black screen please.

New gadget smell, like nothing else.

Here we have: manual, software, Napster trial (hey man, the first hit's always free), USB cable, component out, mini USB to USB adapter, headphones, adapter and power cable.

See that little black notch on the lower left? That engages the battery -- make sure you flip that switch before using your player, or you might, um, lose power. For the curious, no, it's very recessed and really only accessible with a fine-tipped pen or paperclip.

Boots up mighty fast, we must say.

The end... of the beginning.

[Grant @ Jun 23rd 2006 6:56PM]

I just ordered mine yesterday...the 60 gig version, though. Sweet.

[Yanathin @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:05PM]

I just bought one... and am returning it. Don't get me wrong, it's an absolutely AMAZING player. It just lacks the diversity of accessories that the iPod has.

- There aren't even any accessories for its dock connector yet. -

Right now I use my iPod in my car using a "RoadShow" cable kit that charges it and has audio AND video out all through one single cable connected to the dock connector. It also has a custom mount for my car's dash that doesn't work with the Gigabeat's side buttons. Give me a cable like that and a car mount made for this player, and I'll happily get rid of my iPod.

[iBill @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:05PM]

Looks so clean, lol.

[Mathew @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:08PM]

Apple is going to need to integrate Front Row's interface in future iPod releases. As simple as the current iPod UI is it looks archaic to the Gigabeat's Windows Media UI.

So basically to sum up what I'm looking forward to in the 6G iPod:
Front Row UI
wi/fi connectivity
bluetooth (headphone quality will improve with time)
80gb HD

I'm still not sure how a touch screen would integrate as most people are expecting.

[Ivo @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:11PM]

Ordered mine 2 nights ago from Radioshack. Came to $258 with free shipping.

Too bad the deal expired an hour after I ordered it.

[AlbinoChimp @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:14PM]

Composite or AV out not Component, right?

[Tob3z @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:19PM]

I had an ipod but sold it because of money issues... I still have no money and I want this player soooo much. *sigh* It's not even expensive.

[z @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:20PM]

Can't wait to have one of these running linux, .. or anything else than windows... or, let's compromise, something that just stops showing this horrible logo everytime you turn it on.

[snafle @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:30PM]

Gah, why? The PMC system is easy to use and nice, whereas most other UIs aren't. I personally don't want to know what the bitrate of the file I'm listenig to is- I put it on the machine.

To go a sub-par UI just to get rid of the windows logo, or just so you have linux chic, is pretty silly.

[freshiam @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:32PM]

this is a bad ass player i just wished it worked with macs

[shirizaki @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:35PM]

To Yanathin: when the iPod was released there weren't a plethora of connectors. Wait for the companies to release stuff for it.

[Marzouq @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:36PM]

I really like it, and I have read a lot of reviews.

The one thing I am not sure of is if it shows up as a hard drive or not, or do i have to use some software to transfer music! I would rather it just acts like a hard drive that way I can transfer files on and off!

[Xophonic @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:40PM]

Wow. I took a good long look at this baby on the toshiba site. I must say for the first time ever as an apple man I have XP envy. Why can't apple make anything this good and drop in the windows DRM. I need OSX media edition and the next ipod stat.

[3rdsun @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:42PM]

Yanathin...just wait till this dethrones the ipod then you'll see a flood of accessories that dont really serve a puppose anyway.
engadget can you send me the box i know u dont need it

[Dave Zatz @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:52PM]

I'll give you 50 bucks for it!

[Ian @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:12PM]

I have a Sony walkman from a couple years ago that I sorta regret buying. If I ever break or lose interest in my PSP then I might pick this up. I wanna see MS's "iPod killer" first though.

[Pi @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:34PM]

I had a Gigabeat (one of the last gen ones) and from what I've seen of these, I don't really like the new UI. I have too many things with that same bland Windows cornflower blue design, and I'm getting tired of it. My PDA has it, and I don't like it on there either. While I can't say anything good about the previous aliased interface, I can say I liked the simplicity of it as well as the wallpaper function and that it would go with any wallpaper, instead of being glaringly blue. Yes, it's a well done design (and I don't favor the iPod's) but it could still use some user customization capabilities--even if that doesn't mean GigabeatBlinds.

Since I haven't gotten to play with one yet, anyone know if the cross works like before, with the sliding motions, or if this is more "clicky" ?

[h0ss66 @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:35PM]

Had the 60gb version and returned it. Didn't work with my digital camera (brand new sony 7.2MP). I was impressed by the UI however I exchanged and got a 60gb Ipod Video. I felt much more at home with the IPOD and the screen seems bigger and more brilliant. Also, the gigabeat was a little slow sometimes when accesses the "next" song of an album or suffled playlist and it tended to make some crackling and popping sounds when changing songs. Overall the gigabeat is nice, more features than the ipod for the same price, but its just not executed as well as a total entertainment package. In conclusion, the design and implementation of the iPod just FEELS better however the gigabeat will please many.

[OyoyoY123 @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:02PM]

thanks for sharing this,engadget.

now, how about writing an review??

[scott @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:33PM]

i love my Zen Vision: M, im still very secure in my purchase ^_^

[Shaun B @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:35PM]

looks nice, might buy one in time. Now i dont have to look at my ipod video anymore! whoo hoo!

[Nick @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:44PM]

I would love to have one of these, if only it would work with my Mac.

[David @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:55PM]

very nice player. I want to buy the 60GB one badly, but Toshiba really need to do something about that now playing screen (or let us do something about it)

[Eric @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:56PM]

Zomg! I want one of these! *orders*

[Aaron Rodriguez @ Jun 23rd 2006 10:24PM]

I have a 60 gig version and to me its far superior to the ipod. It feels quicker and is able to convert many videos on the fly for me (including all of my media center recordings) so no need for videora with a gigabeat.

There is actually a google video of the gigabeat S interface. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3428996358728158914

and david whats wrong with the now playing screen? I dont have a problem with anything on there and you can use the left/right buttons to access the other stuff.

[Nick @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:27PM]

This looks like sweet player and I kinda want one. I will confess something though - the NikeiPod hookup has kinda got me locked in for the time being - I want that new bluetooth pedometer in a major way.

Does this mean I'm now a fanboy? *lame me*

[Kevin @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:27PM]

No mac support. No buy.

[Sean @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:28PM]

I can't stand any handheld device with buttons down the side. Having large hands make using any such device a pain.

[flip @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:44PM]

You had me until I saw the Windows Mobile screen.

[Reid Sorenson @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:48PM]

The box reminds me a lot of that YouTube video: "what if Microsoft designed the iPod packaging?" Here's the link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CEmZuieb7TM&search=microsoft%20ipod%20box

[qbix @ Jun 24th 2006 12:04AM]

I don't own a mac, and I really don't like iTunes (I think WMP11 is just ok, not the holy grail) so I decided to get this player (60GB one). So far I am very pleased. Music quality is good, UI is responsive and being a graphic designer, I appreciated the eye candy seen at screen transitions. Video plays smooth and the FM tuner had good reception. The only thing I would improve upon is the battery life and support for more codecs such as DivX. Now it's just a matter of time before someone hacks it and runs Linux on it with support for all kinds of formats and applications ;) Just my 2 cents.

[Uchendu Nwachukwu @ Jun 24th 2006 12:09AM]

With the excellent UI that the Portable Media Center software offers, it's a wonder why more players don't use it.

[LongshotX @ Jun 24th 2006 12:34AM]

Ivo that was a steal. What model did you get? How the heck did you get it for 258?

[Discosis @ Jun 24th 2006 12:51AM]

I'm so much more interested in this after seeing that Google Video - thanks, Aaron!

[Tomas:mygigabeat.com @ Jun 24th 2006 3:03AM]

Nice pics! Enjoy the weekend!

[Yawns @ Jun 24th 2006 4:38AM]

To 3rdsun. Oh yes, because we know how easy it is to "unseat" popular media. If that were the case we'd be living in a Linux and MacOS dominated world instead of having to suffer the pains of dealing with the legions of MicroS**t. Please. It's much more likely that the iPod will be "unseated" by a revolutionary multi-function GSM (cell-phone) design which incorporates camera, phone, mass-storage, and media-player in one compact stylish package.

Yawns,
JAFG

Microsoft - Obsolescence in seconds

[Jvar @ Jun 24th 2006 5:16AM]

I heard it used Freescale I.MX31 Chipset (500Mhz/DDR).I want to know if it is better than Intel Xscale PXA270 512Mhz in their multimedia's performance.

[daddycool @ Jun 24th 2006 6:04AM]

This is the bullshit of bullshit! This thing is supposedly NEVER going to be released in the UK, and amazon US refuses to ship one here. I'm going to have to go back to the states myself, or get one smuggled in some how.

[dasmenneke @ Jun 24th 2006 7:20AM]

dapreview(.net) has a review of it. They gave it quite high but some minuses... anyway if your intrested in buying you might check it out

[AG @ Jun 24th 2006 11:45AM]

Is there any difference between the 'Gigabeat S' and the 'Gigabeat X' Series ?

I was considering getting an X Series when my current MP3 Player dies

[ben @ Jun 24th 2006 1:15PM]

Is it sad that I saved those pictures to my ipod?

[Mike @ Jun 24th 2006 2:35PM]

The difference between the X-Series and the S-Series is that the X-series runs on Toshiba's own GUI while the S-series uses Windows PMC. The X-Series won't come out in the States though..

[Miker @ Jun 24th 2006 6:21PM]

Ugh, Why must MS cram "Windows Mobile" into everything? Is "it runs like Windows" something you really want to promote? Do people go around saying "Damn, I wish this worked as well as Windows!" Didn't think so. I've got a Pocket PC at the moment and I want to beat whoever designed the UI senseless.

Needless to say, I think the UI tries to be 'stupid' as opposed to iPod or Rio-esque 'efficient,' . Although it has some nice tricks up its sleeve, I can't imagine anyone saying "Yeah, this thing with the plus-sign navigation and the UI that tries to mimic your crappy PC at home... yeah, this is better than an iPod" .

[Greg @ Jun 24th 2006 8:35PM]

Can anyone confimr this wokring with Windows Media Center on Vista

[Ivo @ Jun 25th 2006 3:55PM]

LongshotX: I got the white 30gb model. Radioshack.com was having a huge sale, but sadly it's over now. The 60gb version was $320 or so before tax, so that was a steal as well.

[jay @ Jun 25th 2006 4:40PM]

Windows Sucks. Everything. Period. You can't do better than the iPod. I'm sorry...

[Steve @ Jun 25th 2006 10:50PM]

Mike you twat. It's running the Portable Media Centre interface... It is not running the standard "Windows" desktop/mobile interface that you seem to be whining about. The interface on this is getting rave reviews, sans some requests for more customisation. It's miles ahead of Apple's archaic iPod interface. Try read up before making yourself look like just another ignorant iPod toting, Apple sheep.

[Brian @ Jun 25th 2006 11:24PM]

Seriously,

Can you guys quit adding 15 page posts to the feeds section. Use a link - this is a pain in the butt for scolling and not everyone is interested in these long posts.

Brian

[sujoy @ Jun 26th 2006 5:29AM]

Engadget: What do you do with the gadget once it is reviewed? Do you send it back to toshiba? Could it be waylaid to my house?

[Lincoln's Log @ Jun 26th 2006 7:34AM]

Wow, such venom, Steve. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were Mr. Ballmer himself but then I guess you'd be busy throwing chairs and F-bombs not wasting your time on a silly little messageboard.

So after you're done calling me a twat, sheep, etc. could you please tell all of us back here on Earth what it is exactly about the PMC interface that makes the iPod interface so "archaic", as you so eloquently put it? Is it the XP sheen ala 2001? Maybe it's that oh so sexy color scheme? When it comes down to the actual navigation...which is really what the iPod interface is, simple navigation...how does the PMC interface get you to your desired digital location in a better way? But seriously, I do look forward to your review of the G6 iPod when it's released.