Registered: Jul 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 14

I am simply boiling at Innogear for their LIES about MiniJam's voice recording abilities. For months and months they had a MiniJam .pdf data sheet with "Voice Recording" all over it, and even during the pre-ordering the pdf file was still there. However I have since learned that the MiniJam CANNOT record through the Visor's microphone and is just a plain old mp3 player AND ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONES ON THE MARKET ON TOP OF THAT!!! There are several mp3 players that can do voice recording that cost far less than the MiniJam.

I am simply boiling at Innogear. I cancelled my order and sent them a furious email as well. If enough of us do it, perhaps they will come out with a 2nd version quickly that CAN do as promised and voice record.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 241

Calm Down!!

Did you read the FAQ? It says that the voice recorder and other features may not be available on the first release. However, I do believe they said that the voice recorder could be activated later using a software update (they must be using flash memory for the hardware)

Read the FAQ, I'm sure it'll tell you more.
Hope this helps,

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-Petro
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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 14

I just got off the phone with Innogear (again!). The latest is The MiniJam's first edition WILL NOT have voice recording...EVER! A firmware upgrade alone cannot enable voice recording.

If their is a second generation MiniJam, it MAY have voice recording.

The Innogear lady I talked to said she has been getting A LOT of calls complaining about the lack of Voice recording. I qonder if Innogear knows there is such a thing as market research before a product is released?

Too bad...I was looking forward to throwing away my terrible Minicassette recorder once and for all.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Petro:

I have to weigh in with rockreid, even if he does seem somewhat excitable. While I'm not fuming (it's only an MP3 player, after all, and this is a free market), I am more than a little disappointed: not only at the loss of the voice recording function, but at Innogear's glib handling of the situation.

As a consumer, I resent having to hunt and be held responsible for key information that should've been clearly stated on the website. If the ordering page had simply provided a statement like, "Please note: the MiniJam does NOT provide the voice recording functionality we hoped include with the unit. We apologize," a lot of consumer ire would've been abated.

Notice that it took a very astute reader to catch Innogear's nonchalant redaction of the voice recorder function on the SixPak in the company's FAQ. That's inexcusable, regardless of the economic or logistical problems behind the need to drop the function. Companies aren't necessarily responsible for price fluctuations and shortages for key components, but they're absolutely responsible for how they communicate with the public.

I can live without the MiniJam's ability to store a vast amount of data. I have over 6MB left in my Visor already.

[This message has been edited by Gameboy70 (edited 07-14-2000).]

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 14

I am "excitable" only because I put off buying an mp3 player/voice recorder for months and months... ALL FOR NOTHING!

Wasted time and wasted faith in Innogear for producing the product they promised they would, and the LIES posted all over their MiniJam .pdf data sheet even as I was pre-ordering it!

I have also emailed Handspring themselves and told them about the situation. I suggested they either produce or license their OWN mp3 player module THAT WILL voice record.

I am now looking for a REAL mp3 player that voice records... the Sensory Science mp2200 looks cool, 64MB, and voice records and has USB.. for $10 more than the MiniJam.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Lambertville, MI
Posts: 25

Well, since it seems to be "Bash innogear's MiniJam" corner here. I might as well start to whine also. I have two complaints.

1. The dang module is taking seemingly forever. I gave up. Summer was the stated time. and now that it's halfway through, I bought myself a Rio 600. I've got lawn to mow. I'd rather get me a skip free MP3 player now than wait for one.

2. Second, at $200 it's rediculous. I only spent 160-170 on the old Rio and it has the same mem. Plus it has a screen. Isn't it just me, or isn't the purpose of the Visor is the use the common hardware (screen, speaker, and proccessor when applicable) to save money on the module. I'm certainly ain't shelling out 200 on something I can get the equivilent (not to mention, overall more compact) for less.

Besides, once Diamond gets it's act together and starts to sell the extra mem Backpacks. Good old Rob's gonna be walking around with 370MB of music.

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<><

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

I placed my order 2 days ago and I am anxious to get the product. I am sure that some of you would like the voice recording function, but I don't need it. I like the ability to make two devices into one. I already carry a cell phone and my BDx so I don't need to carry yet a third device. I can plug it in and go.

I think the price is justified because you're talking about miniaturization-I don't know of a smaller MP3 player except for the Casio MP3 Watch. It has a built in 32MB?(unsure as the product description only says 33min of playback) non-upgradable MMC card, title playback on the display, Motion Graphics, USB interface, and 4 hours of playback. Price? $250! They crammed all these features into a watch by process of miniaturization. Granted those features don't compare to the MiniJam but I think this is the cost of making things smaller. Anyway, as cool as the Casio is, I don't want a wire creeping up my arm to my head! Add some Bluetooth and I may reconsider.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

I hope you'll be happy with the MiniJam, Swendor, but the size issue is virtually negligible. The Rio is smaller than the Visor's screen, and you can pick up one of the grey 64MB Rio 500 models on Amazon for $199. Granted, it's last year model, but that's twice the memory for the same price. I just put in a voice mail today with my media contact at Rio to see about getting a review unit for the Rio 800, which is rechargable, has a remote control and does voice recording.


[This message has been edited by Gameboy70 (edited 07-15-2000).]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Didn't the President of Innogear usually post on this board? I wonder why he is silent all of a sudden? I know that in any case he is reading the comments here.

Personally I am undecided about the minijam especially considering the price. If the device was capable of being a stand alone, then I would have been tilted towards getting it.

I will wait and see what VCers who but it think of it.

An Aside:
DOn't forget that Rio is suppose to come out with an MP3 player of its own later this year.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie:
An Aside:
DOn't forget that Rio is suppose to come out with an MP3 player of its own later this year.

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REALLY?!!! WHEN? OH! you mean a Springboard!

Also, Innogear is active on these boards. For a comment only a few minutes old see: http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...TML/000536.html

tyler

[This message has been edited by tyler (edited 07-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by tyler (edited 07-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by tyler (edited 07-16-2000).]

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: planet earth
Posts: 55

I just hope when it comes (yes I ordered one!) it works better then the "BLIND" EYE MODULE from Indeo !! The INNOPAK/2V
I purchased works great. I think its better they left out the voice recording if it was unworkable at this time. If the mp3 player and software works as good as the Innopack/2v has for me I will be happy %)
I give INNOGEAR two thumbs up for taking the heat on the price and producing good products
in this dog eat dog memory game.
Hey, I remember when a 4MB 30 pin simm cost$125 wholesale!!!!!!!!!! Lets support them so they can continue to provide bigger and better products!! not kick them in the ass for trying...

Just my opinion
Thesmith

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