BenQ builds MusiQ, rivals iPod shuffle
updated 12:05 pm EST, Fri December 1, 2006
BenQ MusiQ Player
BenQ today unveiled the MusiQ, a screenless flash player aimed directly at the increasingly popular iPod shuffle. The player resembles a military dog tag and is built out of brushed aluminum and magnesium, and attaches easily through a chain to a keychain or necklace. Its small size is not an obstacle to storage, BenQ notes. Even though the base players contain only 512MB or 1GB of flash memory depending on the model, a microSD card slot is built in that can more than double the song capacity. Either capacity will ship with a his or hers matching decorative tag, BenQ says: a "steel wings" logo will be etched on one side of the tag for men, while a "magic beans" floral design exists for women. Both versions come with a metal earphone chain and are expected to launch first in China on December 15th. The 512MB version will retail for $88 US; 1GB pricing has not been released. A profile photo is available after the jump.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2003
More expensive
So it's more expensive than the iPod shuffle for half the capacity?
I get that it has an SD card slot, and that is worth something, but I doubt that's going to be enough for them to compete, especially when they don't have the software side of things on point like Apple does with iTunes.