Iriver

iriver (formerly iRiver) is a brand and division of ReignCom, manufacturer of digital audio players and other portable products. They typically include USB mass storage, or the Media Transfer Protocol, multiple codecs, FM tuners, recording capabilities, and upgradeable firmware. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, iriver is the consumer electronics marketing arm of ReignCom, a company founded in 1999 by seven former Samsung executives.cite web
url=http://cis.kaist.ac.kr/data/brick(reigncom).doc
title=Outsourcing Strategy of Reigncom, the MP3 Player Corporation
accessdate=2007-05-13]

History

In 1999, Duk-Jun Yang and Rae-Hwan Lee left Samsung Electronics, along with five colleagues. They formed ReignCom, with Yang as CEO, originally as a semiconductor distributor, then decided to capitalize on the growing MP3 player market. They decided to outsource manufacturing to AV Chaseway, located in Shenzhen, China, and contract product design to INNO Design, an industrial design company in Palo Alto, CA, while keeping R&D in-house.

Their first iriver product was the iMP-100, a portable CD player capable of decoding MP3 data files on CDs, released in November, 2000. It and a later model, the iMP-250, were rebranded and sold by SonicBlue in the United States under the Rio Volt name. Iriver sold later models with its own SlimX brand, billing them as the thinnest MP3 CD players in the world, [cite web
url=http://www.iriver.com/html/company/overview/coov_profile.asp
title=iriver Company Introduction
accessdate=2007-05-13] before jumping to other types of players. The company rose to the No. 1 position in the global market, before being displaced by the iPod's introduction. ['Innovation became part of our lifestyle' THE KOREA HERALD September 15, 2005]

In 2002, iriver scrambled to develop its first flash memory player to meet demand from the U.S. Best Buy chain. A year later, it was first to market with 512 MB and 1 GB players, [cite web
url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_04/b3867071.htm
title=Korea's ReignCom: Moving Up The MP3 Charts
accessdate=2007-05-13] and completed its IPO at KOSDAQ, a Korean stock exchange. [cite web
url=http://www.webitpr.com/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=2147
title= iriver unveils the H10 [5GB colour]
accessdate=2007-05-13] By this time, the company was also selling hard drive players to compete with the iPod. It also used adult film star Jenna Jameson [cite web
url=http://www.skyventure.co.kr/newupfiles/jenna_iriver.jpg
title=www.skyventure.co.kr/newupfiles/jenna_iriver.jpg
accessdate=2007-05-13] and an Audrey Hepburn lookalike [cite web
url=http://218.145.55.194/Data/paper/audreyhepburn.jpg
title=218.145.55.194/Data/paper/audreyhepburn.jpg
accessdate=2007-05-13] as spokesmodels promoting its products.

iriver adopted a new marketing strategy in 2005, attempting to grab mindshare from Apple. It referred to the U10 flash player as the "thumb thing." This referred to users controlling their MP3 devices with their thumbs, just as they do their cell phones and text messaging devices. ["ReignCom Unveils MP3 Players." "Korea Times," June 21, 2005.] The company also announced plans for digital audio players featuring Internet telephony. [cite web
url=http://www.telecomskorea.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5099&Itemid=42
title=www.telecomskorea.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5099&Itemid=42
accessdate=2007-05-13]

iriver's U.S. unit, based in Vancouver, WA, held 3.4% of the U.S. MP3 player market in 2005, according to IDC. The company targets early adopters among American users as it tries to regain dominance of the category. [cite web
url=http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/business/115509032770520.xml&coll=7&thispage=3
title=iRiver banks on Clix
accessdate=2007-05-13 ] It also opened sales divisions in Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan.

ReignCom announced in May, 2006 that it would adjust its focus toward handheld mobile gaming. [cite web
url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2006/05/iriver_on_the_r.html
title=iRiver On The Rocks
accessdate=2007-05-13] It has also reported sluggish sales for its music player business, [cite web
url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200607/200607310033.html
title=Big Quarterly Losses for Reigncom
accessdate=2007-05-13] including a loss of 35.58 billion won (US$36.68 million) in 2005, compared with a net profit of 43.46 billion won in 2004. [MP3 player maker ReignCom swings to loss in 2005. "Yonhap", February 28, 2006] ReignCom also owns the Korean-language Yurion and Funcake entertainment services.

In its South Korean home market, iriver accounts for 50% of sales [cite web
url=http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200412/kt2004121618562811810.htm
title=times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200412/kt2004121618562811810.htm
accessdate=2007-05-13] and the company has bought ads claiming its products are a symbol of patriotism. [cite web
url=http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/02/irivers-strategy-against-apple-buy-korean/
title=iRiver's strategy against Apple: Buy Korean!
accessdate=2007-05-13] It also operates a small chain of "iriver Zone" stores, with locations in Korea, Japan, and China. The Incheon International Airport shop features a large heart-shaped art piece, which represents the corporate "Heartbeat Philosophy" of "dedication to its customers." [cite web
url=http://www.iriver.com/html/company/press/copr_news_view.asp?searchField=&searchString=&page=3&idx=106&tmpSearchField=all
title=Grand Opening of iriver zone at Incheon Int'l airport
accessdate=2007-05-13]

In May, 2007, Reigncom announced a new division, Reigncom USA, to manage the iriver brand in the United States and help develop new products. [http://stocks.us.reuters.com/stocks/keyDevelopments.asp?symbol=060570.KQ&WTmodLOC=L2-LeftNav-12-KeyDevelopments] The company also bought the Siren brand in Japan from A-MAX Japan, despite protests from Siren Inc. itself. [http://www.sirenplayer.com/company/mediakit/05_31_07.html]

Product Features

iriver's current products can all play MP3 and WMA audio files. Some units support text viewing, Ogg Vorbis audio files, Macromedia Flash, and/or BMP files. The company also supports Microsoft PlaysForSure, which allows recent products to support subscription-based music download services, including URGE, Napster, Rhapsody, and Yahoo! Music Unlimited. [cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060815/sftu031.html?.v=59|title=biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060815/sftu031.html?.v=59 |accessdate=2007-05-13] It also lets users disable its DRM functionality. [cite web|url=http://www.boingboing.net/2006/05/26/iriver_gives_custome.html|title=www.boingboing.net/2006/05/26/iriver_gives_custome.html |accessdate=2007-05-13]

A nearly unique feature of the newer iriver players is the direct MP3-recording capability with selectable bitrate of internal (FM, microphone) and external (line) sources.

Many players supports multilingual display in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. They support Winamp playlists and allow repeat, shuffle play, and programmable functions. Several preset and one user-defined EQ settings are included, plus a built-in FM tuner. [cite web|url=http://www.iriveramerica.com/images/pdf/iRiver_121001.pdf|title=iRiver America Announces Next Generation MP3 CD Player|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-05-13]

Most iriver players include a unique feature called "study mode". Users can quickly jump back and forth within tracks by a certain time interval, set from three to 180 seconds in current models. [cite web|url=http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=30790|title=www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=30790 |accessdate=2007-05-13] The option was designed to help people listening to recorded language lessons. [cite web|url=http://www.iriveramerica.com/download/imp150.pdf|title=www.iriveramerica.com/download/imp150.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=2007-05-13] SonicBlue removed this feature from its Rio Volt models, causing some users to hack their players with iriver firmware from other regions. [cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/cryophil/RioVolt_FAQ.html|title=www.geocities.com/cryophil/RioVolt_FAQ.html |accessdate=2007-05-13]

Mobile Internet Device (MID) / UMPC

Wing

iRiver Wing introduced at Consumer Electronics Show January 2008 [ [http://www.linuxelectrons.com/news/mobile/15700/iriver-showcases-linux-based-umpc iriver Showcases Linux Based UMPC | LinuxElectrons ] ] [ [http://www.slashgear.com/ces-2008-iriver-wing-umpc-079492.php CES 2008: iRiver Wing UMPC - SlashGear ] ] . ( [http://www.pocketables.net/2008/01/10-pictures-of.html photos] ).

Portable Music Players

iriver makes Hard drive, Flash and portable media players. All hard drive and flash players play WMA, MP3, and OGG files and have FM tuners unless stated otherwise.

Hard disk based players

Current

iriver p10 (p.ple): 33GB memory, with touch screen. It has .pdf, .doc, and .hwp support, as well as a built-in PDA feature.

iriver clix3 will have the same 1.3" 33GB hard drive used in the p10, manufactured by Samsung Electronics.

Discontinued

* E10: (6 GB) [The term gigabyte (GB) has two possible meanings. Sometimes it means 1000³ B (one billion bytes) and sometimes it means 1024³ B (one gibibyte). The manufacturer does not specify which of the two is intended.] Similar interface to that of the U10 series. The device also features a remote control for TV. PlaysForSure and UMS are supported. The device allows Flash files to be played, videos and FM radio. It contains recording capabilities for both voice and FM radio. The E10 is still sold in Australia.
* H10: (5 GB, 6 GB, 20 GB—except Asia), available in 4 different colors (red, blue, silver and grey), 16-bit color screen, can record from Radio, Internal Microphone (Voice) or Line-In (Line in only with extra cradle). The 5 GB and 6 GB models are around the size of the iPod mini and are composed mainly of aluminum. The navigation is done with a touchpad designed by iriver. These devices cannot play Ogg Vorbis files. PlaysForSure and UMS.
* iHP-100 series: (10 GB, 15 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB) Voice, line in and FM recording. Optical in and out. Built in lithium-polymer battery. UMS. USB 2.0 connectivity.
* H300 series: (20 GB, 40 GB) PlaysForSure and UMS. Built in lithium-polymer battery. Transfer with certain Digital Cameras. Voice, line in and FM recording. Plays video with Korean firmware. USB 2.0 connectivity.
* iGP-100 (1.5 GB) USB 2.0 connectivity. Plays MP3, WMA, ASF, and Ogg Vorbis files. UMS. Built in lithium-ion battery.

Flash memory based players

Current

* T60 series: (1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB). Using AAA battery. Smaller than T50.
* S7: (1 GB) Small, screenless version of S10.
* S10: (2 GB flash) Very small player, only 17.5g. Has OLED screen. Uses D-click control system. Built in lithium-polymer battery. UMS. USB 2.0 connectivity.
* Mplayer and the newer Mplayer version 2: A Mickey Mouse head-shaped digital audio player.
* The Lplayer S20
* E100: A portable media player with video, music, photo and a built-in FM tuner.
* NV Life: (2gb and 4gb): An MP3 player based on Windows CE 5. It has a GPS and DMB feature. It has a touch interface with some keys for volume and power.
* NV: Similar to NV Life, except it has a turnable wheel to navigate in addition to the touch screen.
* The Clix gen 2 Supports MP3 & OGG audio files. WMV, DivX & XviD video. Flash Lite games, and display of JPGs & plain text files. Hi-Res AMOLED screen. Player is about the size of a credit card. Comes in 2, 4 & 8 gigabyte versions.

Discontinued

* T50 series: (1 GB). Using AA battery.
* T10 series: (256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB). Semi-prism shaped, MTP ou UMS.
* T30 series: (256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB). Prism shaped, line in, PlaysForSure and UMS. [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

---

]
* T20 series: (256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB). USB-Stick design. Voice, line in and FM recording. Built in lithium-ion battery. PlaysForSure and UMS.
* U10 series: (1 GB, 2 GB), 2.2" screen, Uses D-click control system, Flash lite support
* H10jr.: (512 MB, 1 GB). Smaller but same shape as H10. USB 2.0 connectivity. FM tuner. Voice and FM recording. Built in lithium-ion battery. PlaysForSure and UMS.
* N10 series: (128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB) "Medallion-style" — worn hanging from the neck. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS.
* N11 series: (128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB) "Medallion-style" — worn hanging from the neck. Features longer battery life than N10. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS. Built in lithium-ion battery. OLED Screen.
* iFP-100 series: (32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB) Prism shaped. USB 1.1 connectivity. Plays MP3, WMA and WAV files. Prism shaped. MTP (UMS upgradable).
* iFP-300 series: (64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB). Prism shaped. USB 1.1 connectivity. UMS. FM tuner. Voice, line in, and FM recording.
* iFP-500 series: (256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB). Soap bar shaped. USB 1.1 connectivity. UMS. FM tuner. Built in lithium-ion battery. Voice, line in and FM recording.
* iFP-700 series: (128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 4 GB). Prism Shaped with rounded edges. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS. FM tuner. Voice, line in and FM recording.
* iFP-800 series: (128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB). Prism Shaped with rounded edges. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS. FM tuner. Voice, line in and FM recording.
* iFP-900 series: (256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB) Soap bar shaped. Color 1.2" LCD display. FM tuner. Voice, line in and FM recording. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS. Built in lithium-ion battery
* iFP-1000 series: (256 MB, 512 MB). 0.3 megapixel digital camera built-in, prism shaped, color screen. USB 2.0 connectivity. UMS. Removable lithium-ion battery
* "SlimX" sub-series: iMP-550, 450, 400, 350European customers should be aware that several models are missing the FM Radio functionality available in other world markets.

Iriver initially dropped UMS support for the U10, T30, T20 & T10 models in favor of Microsoft's MTP. The company later released an official "Firmare Updater"cite web | url=http://www.iriver.com/html/support/faq/sufq_view.asp?idx=387 | title=iriver Firmware Updater] that allows users to switch between the MTP and UMS interfaces (for some models except 256 MB and 2 GB ones). The updater will only connect to the player from Windows XP SP1 or above.

Although the T10 2 GB version distributed in the US and Canada does not officially support such firmware, the European version does. There is currently ongoing discussion on the [http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=48107 misticriver forums] to port this firmware for use on the US version.

Portable media players

Current

* clix: iriver's flagship product. Started off as a rebranded U10 player and underwent a completed redesign in 2007 with the 2nd generation player. Best known as the implementer of iriver's direct click interface. Both the first and the second generation of the clix were very well received by critics, and both are the highest rated mp3 players ever at CNET with 8.7/10
**Generation 1: (1GB, 2GB, 4GB) Rectangular with rounded edges, 2.2" LCD, 70 grams, microphone and FM radio recording, cradle available for extra functionality.
**Generation 2: (2GB, 4GB, 8GB) Stretched rectangle with rounded edges. 2.2", Active Matrix OLED Display, customizable with themes, FM and voice recording, UMS(MSC) - MTP compatible (interchangeable), cradle available for extra functionality.
*** Update (Clix+): (4GB, 8GB) A somewhat flatter Clix model featuring a DMB tuner. Like the previous generations, the Clix+ has a 2.2" AMOLED screen.
* X20: Portable video player (PVP) with a removable battery. Expandable with microSD cards.
* P10 and P20
* APlayer and APlayer II(screen version of the APlayer)
* Spinn: (8GB, 16GB) 3.3", Active Matrix OLED Display, FM and voice recording, T-DMB, Expandable with microSD cards.
* W10 is a media player featuring a 3" touchscreen and an optional car dock, which adds GPS functionality.

Discontinued

* PMC Series: (20 GB, 40 GB) ("Portable Media Center") running Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center.
* PMP Series: (20 GB, 40 GB) ("Portable Media Player") discontinued for the PMC.The U10 and Clix can also play Flash Lite 1.1 games in the .swf format.

Korea-only electronic dictionary player

* D-10 (Dicple, which is a simplified character of dictionary & (mp3) player) This is an Electronic Dictionary featuring music playback. It is selling after 2004 Dec.
* D-11
* D-20 (Dicple α) This is also an Electronic Dictionary. Featuring an improved elegant design and a 4.3, 260000, TFT color screen supporting pictures and other features that a typical electronic dictionary does not. It is designed to mimic the look of a laptop at 176(W) x 81.9(D) x 26.7(H) mm and comes in glossy red or black. The device has a 22 hour battery life for browsing the dictionary and a 30 hour battery life for audio. It is selling after 2006 Jan.
* D-25 (Dicple 51) This Electronic Dictionary features 4.3, 260,000, TFT color screen, 1.3gb flash memory. This device is also known as Dicple 51 due to its number of contents. It is selling after 2006 Aug.
* D-26
* D-27
* D-30
* D-5

See also

*Digital audio player

References

External links

Official iriver

* [http://www.reigncom.com/eng/en_default.asp Reigncom] (Parent Company)
* [http://www.iriver.com iriver official site] (English)
* [http://www.iriveramerica.com/ iriver America]
* [http://www.iriver.eu.com/ iriver Europa]
* [http://www.iriver.com.au/iriver/ iriver Australia]