Packard Bell, the top selling home PC manufacturer in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK (Source: Gartner Dataquest - January 2003) and the consumer brand of NEC Computers International, has introduced a new all-in-one MP3 player and portable USB storage device, the Packard Bell AudioKey.
"MP3 music is probably the most popular digital activity today," says Fadi Dayoub, MD of NEC Computers (SA).
The 128MB Packard Bell AudioKey holds 12 hours of high-quality MP3 music, and when used as an MP3, the user simply drags and drops files from the PC`s hard drive to the Packard Bell AudioKey. The buttons for play, stop and skip are easy to access, putting music at the user`s fingertips. A solid-state construction means no music skipping, and an AAA alkaline battery provides an average of 12 hours of uninterrupted music playback.
A built-in monochrome LCD screen displays track information and a built-in EQ provides preset equaliser settings for any song type, including Rock, Jazz, Pop, Classical and Xtra-Bass.
As a portable storage device, the Packard Bell AudioKey offers two important advantages. Firstly, it connects directly to the USB port of any PC for cable-free file transfer and secondly, does not require any special drivers except for Windows 98/98SE.
It is also recognised by the PC as a removable solid-state hard disk for simple drag-and-drop files transfer.
The Packard Bell AudioKey is light, weighing only 30g and small in design, allowing end-users to take it anywhere they want. It is made of a soft touch material but is fully shock-resistant.
Packard Bell AudioKey - technical editor specification
Size: About 27x91x17mm
Weight: 30g
Memory: 128MB (internal memory)
Interface: USB Rev. 1.1
Power: 1xAAA battery - Battery continuous playing time >12 hours
Equaliser: Normal, Rock, Classic, Pop, Jazz, Xtra-Bass
Display: 128x32 dots Dot-Matrix LCD
Button and switch: Power on/Play/Pause
Stop/Off
Skip next
Skip previous
Menu
Volume +
Volume -
Hold switch
Processor: 65 MIPS DSP
Audi playback: MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) decode - Windows Media Audio (WMA)
Voice recording: IMA-ADPCM encoding - About 8 hours recording at 128MB memory
Signal to noise ratio: >90 Db
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20KHz
Output: 5mW (each output)
Total harmonic distortion output: > 0.005%
Ports: USB port - Phone out
Firmware: Upgradeable firmware
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Created in 1991, the number one home PC brand in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK (Source: Gartner Dataquest - January 2003), Packard Bell invented the first truly consumer tailored PC and through its commitment to the consumer has continued to develop many of the industry`s `firsts` including - the first software bundled PC, colour-coded PC cables as well as being the first manufacturer to equip PCs with built-in CD and DVD - RW drives.
Packard Bell is the only PC manufacturer to continuously invest in the consumer market - driving and delivering upon consumer demands and desires through innovative technology, bold new designs and stronger partnerships. Packard Bell products are sold exclusively through the retail channel.
NEC Computers International
NEC Computers International (NEC CI) manufactures and supports all NEC PCs and servers within EMEA. NEC CI also serves the consumer market with Packard Bell, one of Europe`s home PC leaders.
NEC CI owns two R&D centres (France and Malaysia) and three factories (France, Scotland and Malaysia).
For more information, please visit www.nec-online.com.
NEC Computers (SA)
NEC Computers (SA) is a subsidiary of NEC Computers International. NEC CSA provides a wide variety of computer hardware, storage and audiovisual equipment through the channel, to small and medium enterprises, corporations, government and other public agencies. The consumer market is served with the Packard Bell brand.
For more information, please visit www.nec.co.za.
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