KarmaLib

[Odie]

Take a look at this:

http://karmalib.sourceforge.net/about.php

That is really cool, there's lots of scope for application development by users due to the underlying software structure that Rio chose for the Karma.

I wonder if the ihp-120 is capable of things like that, that would be awesome.

[profingersk8er]

does this mean Karma's firmware is open source?

[sweetspot]

Man...those guys are awesome. I'm pretty jealous. Seeing support like that from the Iriver guys would make me swell up and cry like a little biatch ! And I'd gladly show myself doing so FOR that worthy cause !

Come on Iriver ! Make me cry if you can ! I DARE YOU ! :P

[divad6719]

Wow, there's some pretty big implications there.
Imagine it, open source software for a portable player.

Just think what some people could do with that, you only have to look at what good open source software has done for music on the PC.
Is this RIO's retaliation to the iRiver MS deal I wonder ?? practically going in the opposite direction.

I can't help but be impressed by this company.

Cheers

P.S. "www.misticrio.n et" , doesn't have the same ring to it though.

[coreman]

Rockbox did the same for the Archos players/recorders...tremendo us improvement in features and quality with the global development team and the firmwares are free and bugfree when released.

Takes a huge load off the OEM to produce updates. I am also getting more and more impressed with Rio everyday.

I hold out hopes for iRiver but not "bloody likely" to buy another product from them any time soon. Glad Santa brought my daughter a Panasonic MP3 CD player and not a SlimX....he must've heard about my experience with -120.

Agree that www.misticrio.net doesn't have the right ring.....

[Odie]

Originally Posted by profingersk8er

does this mean Karma's firmware is open source?

Well, from the bits and pieces I've read (therefore I'm not 100% certain about it), I think the Karma's underlying software is somewhat tied to Java. I remember reading that most of the included official applications for connecting to the player are written in Java.

The RockBox project is also awesome to see, but it gets you thinking, maybe iRiver didn't pick the same sort of software design as Rio and Archos. There's a lot of iPod owners, yet I'm not aware of similar projects.

It could be that Apple and iRiver chose a more 'closed-source' or lower level operating environment.

- Odie

[coreman]

Odie, from what I read on the Rio, you are correct it is based on Java and that seems to be part of the problem in getting the drive to mount as generic USB drive...but certainly not insurmountable, as their engineers point out.

I don't know the underlying iRiver software but it can't be that different from either Archos or Rio...you can issue a head park command in (4) different languages but it is still a head park command...the decision is whether to open the language to developers. That isn't an easy one to make and really depends on the long term vision of the management. Gates made that decision early on and Apple didn't, Apple wanted both the OS and the computer business....which is why we now have a world full of Windows when most agree the Apple platform is superior...same thing with Sony and Betamax .... Betamax was far superior to VHS but license fees drove people to the more generic VHS standard.

There are many, many talented people out there, with lots of energy and enthusiasm (same as Jeff with this board) that would love to work on the iRiver firmware ala Rockbox project....

[laz]

This is starting to seriously change my view on the iHP-120. If iRiver can not release firmware updates, then why should I buy it?
I think it is good hardware side, but really now, is it worthwile if the firmware is not mature.
Something better happen real soon, or I may get the Rio Karma.
I do like the idea of the microphone and all, but if I can only record about an hour at a time of wave, there isnt much of a point.
Dont get me wrong, I really like the features of the iHP (recording), but if the average playlist gives it problems, and it has not been adressed in many months. I would not feel like I got a worthwile product.
Also, I would go for the new 40gig version, unless it does not come out in a few weeks. Too bad there is no 40gig karma. Because I know I could get a better digital recorder somewhere if I had to.

What are your thoughts on this issue of mine? Unless they spring some sort of magic firmware out of the blue, I think I may go for a differnt product/service.

[Odie]

laz, at the end of the day the decision is really up to you on what you expect from your player.

I think most of the serious issues with the iHP can be sorted with a firmware upgrade (or a few firmware upgrades).

If you're not in a rush, just wait and see if iRiver release a fixed firmware to go with the launch of the iHP-140. It doesn't seem like the launch is too far away since it's already been announced on the iRiver Japan site.

- Odie