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MintPass Mintpad Now Available AMP3.co.uk
comment: 16 | Monday, September 14 (2009) 04:25PM | Posted by Michael
It's taken longer than expected for mintpass to begin their quest of global domination. Back in June, a few mintpads were send out to various locations, but no one took this threat seriously enough. Now, the Korean company has invaded the UK, setting up base camp at AMP3.co.uk. From here, they have the capabilities to launch their Wi-Fi equipped devices across the world.


SPECS

CPU: ARM9 400Mhz
display: 2.9" TFT LCD @ 262000 colors
memory: 4GB (w/ MicroSD (up to 16GB))
wireless LAN: 802.11b/g
camera: 1.3MP
speaker: mono
size: 78.2 X 63.8 X 15.2mm (90g)
battery life: 30hr music / 5hr video
OS: winCE 5.0 professional
audio: MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, APE, FLAC
video: MPEG4, WMV7/8/9, MPEG1/2


Mintpass can't do it without you. If you'd like to enlist, it'll set you back 139GBP (~230US). An insignificant down payment to a better life, I say! There will no doubt be naysayers who ignore the mintpad due to its small stature, but I, for one, welcome our new DAP overlords.

mintpad at AMP.co.uk
mintpad mini-review

Thanks Barron
Comments

DaHarder

Comments: 513
Sep 14 (2009) 04:39PM  

This was pretty interesting last year, but...

I just wonder if it's a case of taking way to long to surface (in the US), especially with that rather outdated LCD/aspect ratio, and dated design.

We'll See...




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
Sep 14 (2009) 04:43PM  

I think it's just because they're a pretty small company and it can be pretty hard for them to set anything viable up in the US. Plus they're working on the mintpad 2 (which DF also helped a little in) so perhaps they're just going to wait till the release of that device before taking the global market more seriously.




Pondlife

Comments: 507
Sep 14 (2009) 04:46PM  

I like it but that's rather a steep price for it.




Saijin_Naib
Location: Warren, NJ
Comments: 893
Sep 14 (2009) 05:00PM  

Yeah, prohibitive pricing. Interesting device though. Still waiting on a GPS enabled unit... Makes more sense especially if it is going to run WinCE




undesign

Comments: 786
Sep 14 (2009) 05:53PM  

That is a high price tag, but it does offer a LOT. That expansion slot is a very nice addition. Battery life is pretty good too.

As for the GUI, I think it looks good. Its not fantastic like the S9 or iPod Touch, but its very good.




DaHarder

Comments: 513
Sep 14 (2009) 06:58PM  

Well...

If DF participated in the design process, then there's hope for something much better looking in the future.




TheDarkSide
Location: Qns Vlg - NYC - USA
Comments: 298
Sep 14 (2009) 07:19PM  

100% correct DH, I agree 100%!!!




Brandonson112

Comments: 1
Sep 14 (2009) 07:20PM  

I have one, i bought it directly from the company during the initial run of the English versions and i have to say its pretty good. I don't really have any complaints with it so far. They did a good job making them




rockinamigo14

Comments: 188
Sep 14 (2009) 11:13PM  

had it for a while. not terrible but not very impressed with it either. i like my itouch more.




Kovno

Comments: 110
Sep 14 (2009) 11:55PM  

Undesign,

It's funny how a 30 hour battery is pretty good here, but horrible for the iPod Touch.




righteousball

Comments: 7
Sep 14 (2009) 11:57PM  

It's my opinion that not every invasion by a small army is a great revolution waiting to happen, and the realities of life doesn't necessary validate every revolution. The need for which may be zilch, or easily deduced into a pile of something by logic and reason. ^^

Having said that. I'd very much like to see what (DF-assisted!) future they've got in store, and I hope they don't stray from the initial promise of design.




undesign

Comments: 786
Sep 15 (2009) 02:38AM  

kovno: for a first dap from a small company (so it seems at least) all all the goods its offering, 30 hours is quite a feat for a first product. the ipods been out on the market for about 8 years and has evolved many times and has only RECENTLY gone past the 30 hour mark, making it finally 'acceptable' though i know that with the way i listen to music, that thing wouldnt last a day.

having said that, the battery in the mintpass mintpad is easily replaceable. Huge bonus points for that.




righteousball

Comments: 7
Sep 15 (2009) 03:43AM  

Small company shouldn't be a qualifier in this case, unless you're unequivocally uncomfortable about contributing to the coffers of a major corporation (and in that case you can't pick the WinCE-based Mintpass either).

Apple devices do have lower power draw every year, they just like to use smaller and smaller batteries. Sony doesn't do this, but Samsung does. I still got gripes over the U5 and P3's battery size - each should really be a bit bigger for their size class.

Design choices like the removable battery should of course be commended. Quick, hoard an extra battery, because life does seem to be about change...




Step666

Comments: 149
Sep 15 (2009) 07:05PM  

If DF is involved in the design process for future Mintpad DAPs, d'you think he might take requests?

I mean, er, use us as a 'focus group'...




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
Sep 15 (2009) 08:00PM  

It was an internship I believe which he already completed. I think he worked on the software side, helping design icons and other parts of the GUI. Not sure.
[ edited Sep 15 (2009) 08:00PM ]




Step666

Comments: 149
Sep 15 (2009) 08:11PM  

Ah well, one can but dream




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