Panasonic readies Bluetooth-armed audio player
updated 12:45 pm EDT, Wed August 29, 2007
Panasonic Bluetooth player
Panasonic's Japanese flagship has released the SV-SD950N, the newest audio player in its D-snap series. It can play AAC, MP3 and WMA files, but its key feature is Bluetooth, something normally reserved for third-party add-ons. This allows it to accomplish things like transfer files to cellphones, or listen to music on a car stereo with a Bluetooth receiver. The player is further notable for its 60-hour battery life, and bundled noise-cancelling headphones, said to eliminate 83 percent of ambient sound. Files are loaded on the player through an SD slot, to which end Panasonic has included a 1GB card. The 950N is selling for approximately 25,000 yen ($218).
Coinciding with the player's release is the debut of the SC-SX950, a stereo system with 80GB of storage. CDs can be ripped to the drive at 12x speed, and the system also accepts input from digital sources, including an SD slot and an Ethernet connection. The highlight is intended to be another Bluetooth transmitter, which allows copying or playing music from the SD950N, as well as using the player for private headphone listening. An iPod dock adapter, the SH-PD9, is due on September 21st. It should cost 5,000 yen ($44), while the SX950 is being priced at 75,000 yen ($654). [via Impress Watch]
