When we did our initial review of the Element/SoniqCast Aireo MP3 player back in May, we knew there was some great work going on behind the scenes at SoniqCast to improve the device in an updated firmware release. Well, the new 3.x series firmware is out, and we’ve had some time to test out the latest release. Did SoniqCast get in the types of improvements needed to bump up their score? Read on and see.
Just as a quick recap (in case you’ve already read the original Aireo Review but need a refresher), the Aireo is a slick little MP3 player that actually has a WiFi network adapter built in, which allows it to ’sync’ music from your PC to the player over a standard WiFi network. In addition to a very capable MP3/WMA player, it includes an FM receiver mode, has an FM transmitter built-in for broadcasting to car stereo or home theater, and even includes a WiFi ‘HotSpot’ finder utility on-board.
SoniqCast has been clear that they are continuing to work on improving both the Aireo and the SoniqSync PC application, and not sitting back and just letting the product sell as-is. We give a lot of credit to companies that further invest in their current products, rather than cutting-off support to move onto another product – which is what the majority of the industry seems to do after one or two minor bugfixes for the firmware of a product.
There’s been definite enhancements to the user interface of the Aireo, that should improve the usability of the device a lot for the average consumer. There’s also some new features that really notch up the Aireo versus the competition, and new pricing that makes it an easier sale/purchase.
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Do you know if the Aireo can handle content from two Audible accounts?
David Chait said:The Aireo itself I believe can only have one active account for internal WiFi access. However, you can have multiple accounts on your PC, and download via AudibleManager, and let SoniqSync just sync as if they were any other audio files in a Mix.
Malinthea Rhodes said:This is a wonderful and informative artical. I enjoyed what Charles? had to say about this Aireo.
Jaime said:I’am always looking for the latest and greatest new gadget on the block.I wish I had known about this gadget before I purchased my ipod.Any how I’am still looking for an mp3 player that can convert some of my old spoken word cassets onto /into mp3 format with just as much ease as this Aireo.
Players are going for an average of $100 at ubid.com.
Curt Smith said:The great reviews didn’t mention a few stats like: battery life in the various modes like FM xmit, wifi download, just play to head phones.
I’m a mp3 newbie, no device yet, the aireo might be it, but I don’t have any concept of how much music 1.5Mb is?
tnx and keep up the great public service! curt
David said:Total battery life is up to 8 hours. Offhand, FM XMit will certainly take some power, but we don’t have specific stats. I imagine it less than halves battery life, since I’ve had it running more than 3 hours, and other FM XMitters can go forever on little battery.
1.5GB of storage is a lot for the average person. Think of 1MB==1 minute of high quality audio, or 4MB as average song file. ==1500 mins, approx 30 full CDs, approx 375 songs.
Chris said:so is it compatible with musicmatch drm or not, I’ve heard reports that it’s not, but the soniqcast website seems to suggest that it is.
David said:I’ve never seen any refs to Aireo 1 supporting any DRM formats.
BLiTZKRiEG said:I love this player.. i only wish it would read
Daniel said:ID3 tags instead of having to do everything by playlist.. that way you could just copy music over to it, instead of having to jump through the playlist hoops, other than that it’s great!
Great review, thanks aton.. The SQ-1000 is the one for me..
Does anyone know where I can get the firmware for this mp3 player?
kris said:looking at making my 1st mp3 move by purchasing this player. Napster now offers unlimited downloads to a mp3 player for $15/month (I already have a $10/month account, so $5/month more). Is this product compatible with the napster system through my pc??
David said:I don’t think so at the moment. “Napster To Go” requires very specific players that it works with. Check out the list at:
Bill Kearney said:http://www.napster.com/compatible_devices/index.html
I have one of the 1.5gb units. It’s nice enough. But it’s a bit bulky. Syncing over WiFi or USB1.1 redefines the word SLOW. The holster is poorly designed with no access to the controls. The SD slot isn’t well integrated. Nor can the SD slot be seen from the desktop. But it does support 1gb SD cards (some players don’t). The desktop software is confusing.
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