iFP-100/300/500 firmware again

[reddshack]

Well, the firmware for these players was officially released on the iRiver International site on June 3. (including the 120, 140 and other models of the iFP.)

HERE

Hmm.....this must mean that firmware for other iRiver devices might be due out shortly, now that the iFP's are out of the way. This is definitely good news for all iFP owners that wanted adjustable playback speed.

[Sp00k]

Yeah red... Definitely good news for all iFP owners who've been asking for variable (+or- 25%) playback speed... I'm sure they're all whooping with joy... btw, are there any?... apart from koreans using it to learn a foreign language?

What would have been greeted with considerably more enthusiasm I suspect, would have been the implementation of a non-crippled recording bit-rate in the UMS firmware, as faithfully promised "in the future", back in October 2003, see foot of this page if you doubt it... Frankly, I can't see it ever happening now... and I think that most of us can guess why not.

Still... It's reassuring to know that iRiver programmers are still slaving-away to improve the firmware of the older models, it's good to know that we iFP-users are not forgotten. <- bitter sarcasm

After looking at this article and the 'Related story' below it, reading between the lines, the influence of the pigopolists of the music industry in Korea is becoming apparent. What if this is the reason for iRiver failing to meet the recent H-1-series firmware update schedule? What if they no longer provide any form of lossless recording in future? ... Don't forget that they've been in recent discussions with Micro$oft! ... I don't see the WAV codec mentioned in the H-3-series specs that I've read so far ... Though admittedly, this could be an accidental omission.

Don't for a minute think that iRiver aren't capable of, or wouldn't dare to cripple updated firmware, they are and they have... witness the iFP-series UMS firmware recording bit-rate limit!

Incidentally, your saying this... "Hmm.....this must mean that firmware for other iRiver devices might be due out shortly, now that the iFP's are out of the way." is equivalent to iFP-owners saying... "Great, now that H-1-series owners have lyric-support, iRiver can get on with the iFP UMS firmware updates!"

Caveat Emptor!

[FlameGrilled]

For sure, lifting the artificial recording ceiling on the UMS firmware, or the crippled recorder mode as it's more fondly and politely described, would definately have been more welcome to many.

ah well, quick-wins and looking after their own.. is becoming a trait it would seem at the 'wonderful' grotto that once was producing premium if obscure players. Now they produce premium crippled players...., evolution at it's finest

[Sp00k]

Well folks... At least one part of the suspicion seems to be confirmed...

The Latest iRiver Korea Site Announcement Of The H-3-Series DOESN'T List WAV support.

I wonder if the 'soon to be forthcoming' H-1xx firmware upgrade will omit it too?

[seadzz]

iRiver never ceases to amaze me that the are sucessful at putting out firmware on time that has features no one has asked for\wants\will ever use \is worth a rats butt. BUT when it comes to giving us upgrades that have valid value added functionality they always manage either to butcher it or are late.

What a company!

sdz

[JohnnyTest]

Its very sad indeed that very very small fixes are made and useless features are added, and I can imagine that iRiver thinks they have done a good job. When in fact they have yet to take care of any of the real problems. Do they think we are retarded ? iRiver says "Oh, give them variable speed playback, that should keep them amused for a while !" I mean really what the hell am I going to do with that. Maybe if you battey is dying, I could play the songs faster to listen to them all before the battery craps out !!!