The FiiO X3 Thread UPDATE: Project Back On! Read the First Post for Information.

[CashNotCredit]

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No offense ClieOS, with this crowd Angry Birds and Mass Effect isn't a selling point. All we want is a DAP that doesn't run a clunky bug ridden OS and sounds far better then the average mass market smart device. If this thing can come close match or maybe surpass the DX100 in sound quality Head-Fi will explode and Fiio will sell a million of them.

Android is actually a really awesome OS for audiophiles. USB host support (it's based on Linux, after all), dozens of media players/EQs, access to Rhapsody, Spotify, MOG, Last.FM, Pandora, and pretty much all other streaming services, and native support for more file formats than you could shake a stick at, all in a nice (customizable) UI with internet access. Android is an audiophile's paradise...especially with FiiO inside.

And plus, judging by FiiO's price points and Android's feature set, this thing could definitely make a nice alternative to the iPod touch for casual users.

Making your typical Sansa-esque MP3 player will sell a million units, sure.

Making something that appeals to two totally different demographics and satisfies both? That's how you sell 2 million.

 

[jgray91]

Quote:

Android is actually a really awesome OS for audiophiles. USB host support (it's based on Linux, after all), dozens of media players/EQs, access to Rhapsody, Spotify, MOG, Last.FM, Pandora, and pretty much all other streaming services, and native support for more file formats than you could shake a stick at, all in a nice (customizable) UI with internet access. Android is an audiophile's paradise...especially with FiiO inside.

And plus, judging by FiiO's price points and Android's feature set, this thing could definitely make a nice alternative to the iPod touch for casual users.

Making your typical Sansa-esque MP3 player will sell a million units, sure.

Making something that appeals to two totally different demographics and satisfies both? That's how you sell 2 million.

Regardless of that, if the UI is just "barely usable" and bugs out a lot, it will only appeal to those who don't care things such as ease of use and smoothness. Admittedly Apple's iOS has spoiled me a lot regarding smoothness of UI, but that's what makes them great first of all IMO.

 

[Anaxilus]

So no high-rez or digital out or what's the dealio this time?

 

[ClieOS]

Hey I am an Android user myself, but trust me to say that Android still have a long way to go before calling it an audiophiles' paradise.

Again, as I have said, X3 won't have Android on it as far as I know.

 

[CashNotCredit]

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Again, as I have said, X3 won't have Android on it as far as I know.

And this makes everything I've said off-topic. Sorry, guys. Saw "Angry Birds" in a post and came to conclusions.

 

[DigitalFreak]

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And this makes everything I've said off-topic. Sorry, guys. Saw "Angry Birds" in a post and came to conclusions.

Lmao, well I can't fault you for liking Angry Birds now can I

 

[RAFA]

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Neither, as far as I know.
It will be a simple music player, maybe some basic video capability but that will be all. Android is on the table as a future R&D project for what I know, which seems to be the trend of the current market, but X3 isn't that project. I think FiiO still consider X3 as, first and foremost, a DAP and not a 'smart' device. Even if FiiO does make an Android based device in near future, it probably won't going to be a Galaxy SIII killer either. It will have enough power to run Angry Bird but Mass Effect Infiltrator or Max Payne Mobile are likely very long short.

 
This is good news! We are really better off without Android, because for one point, the possibility to listen to 24/96 material would be smaller. Recoding Android parts would surely be painful for Fiio (eventhough the hardware of many Android devices would be capable of 24/96, the OS cannot do it) . I forgot when I played the last time a game on one of my Android devices.

 

[NZtechfreak]

Quote:

Regardless of that, if the UI is just "barely usable" and bugs out a lot, it will only appeal to those who don't care things such as ease of use and smoothness. Admittedly Apple's iOS has spoiled me a lot regarding smoothness of UI, but that's what makes them great first of all IMO.

 
Man, some of you guys must be kidding me. Try some current Android devices like the S3, just as smooth as the 4S (have actually owned both), and that's even before Jelly Bean. Comments about the UI being "barely usable" and "bugs out a lot" are also not based in the current experience on high-end Android handsets.
 
I don't mind that some people like iOS better, naturally peoples tastes will vary, but lets not start talking in outright fallacies to make our case now.

 

[stozzer123]

You do realise how much money samsung has to pump into a project to get it that smooth dont you?

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

 
Man, some of you guys must be kidding me. Try some current Android devices like the S3, just as smooth as the 4S (have actually owned both), and that's even before Jelly Bean. Comments about the UI being "barely usable" and "bugs out a lot" are also not based in the current experience on high-end Android handsets.
 
I don't mind that some people like iOS better, naturally peoples tastes will vary, but lets not start talking in outright fallacies to make our case now.

With all due respect I'm not trying to start a war here but this isn't a discussion about iOS vs Android nor a discussion about Android handsets. This is a discussion about a boutique DAP where sound reigns supreme over apps and what not. The OS iOS can't be used because Apple won't allow it and Android has been used in the past and it's implementation is no better then some of the clunky inhouse OS's used in the past. You only have to read through the DX100 thread to see what I mean. What a good audiophile DAP needs is a straight forward plain no frills OS with some very basic features and no more. This DAP is supposed to be catering to a group of people where sound means everything. If I wanted a mass market all in one handset to play games watch movies and twitter away on I'd go to my local cellphone store or electronics big box store and choose from a slew of handsets on display and for around a 100 bones I'd bring one home and be content listening to mediocre sound quality. This isn't about a great all in one with mediocre mass market sound this is about a simple DAP that if done right can sound great.

 

[jgray91]

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Man, some of you guys must be kidding me. Try some current Android devices like the S3, just as smooth as the 4S (have actually owned both), and that's even before Jelly Bean. Comments about the UI being "barely usable" and "bugs out a lot" are also not based in the current experience on high-end Android handsets.
 
I don't mind that some people like iOS better, naturally peoples tastes will vary, but lets not start talking in outright fallacies to make our case now.

It's fine for the S3 (and the HTC One series, and also the S2, to a certain extend) sure, but I'm talking more about how other companies' implementation of Android is. Just look at how buggy iBasso's first try is at launch. Or Cowon's. Since we're talking more about the audiophile side of things, and more importantly someone did mention about the DX100, I'll go with that more than what the general consumer would see. For all I care, if I were to invest in a portable/transportable audiophile set up, I still would go the Apple + CLAS/HP-P1 way. 
 
What I do see though that is it takes more and more power just to run Android buttery smooth at 98% of the time instead of 90% of the time. If the implemented way of Android by certain audio company gets in my way to listening bliss, then I'd rather take something else that's just better for me. Like stozzer implied , I'm sure it does takes a lot of  spending for the high end hardware to make the S3 buttery smooth like that, even before JB. And after that it's subsidised by telcos to a more affordable price. No one in their right mind would pay up the full price upfront, although I guess audiophiles isn't in their right mind most of the time anyways. 

 
 
Disclaimer: I'm basing this on the Galaxy S2 and the iPhone 4. And I'm using a Nokia N8 with Nokia Belle on it, so I'm much more backwards than you may think. So take that as you may.

---

+1 to DF, he elaborate my point better than me.

 

[lestercabs]

Software / Firmware : something like the n2s / cube / HiSound v's / Roccos
Size : Not bigger than a studio v (bulkwise) :
Storage : 8 gig at least with a slot for external storage
input: standard 3.5mm
fileytypes : cowonesques / hisoundesque
dac / amp? : ?
 
That's all they have to do. pretty basic indeed. for the internal dac chip / amp, maybe a sigmatel/cirrus/wolfson/etc (feel free to correct 

) or what not. its all about implementation anyways, they were successful in their amps and dacs, i don't see why they couldn't put this in the bag. And i hope they stick with the "audiophiles on a budget" niche still.
 
well, they could even include a lineout and bag on them diff amps for diff flavs and sound sigs. Case and point, keep it basic and concentrate r&d on implementation.
 
That's just me of course

 

[lee730]

Quote:

 
Man, some of you guys must be kidding me. Try some current Android devices like the S3, just as smooth as the 4S (have actually owned both), and that's even before Jelly Bean. Comments about the UI being "barely usable" and "bugs out a lot" are also not based in the current experience on high-end Android handsets.
 
I don't mind that some people like iOS better, naturally peoples tastes will vary, but lets not start talking in outright fallacies to make our case now.

I think these comments are geared towards the DX100. Otherwise there really is no phone/device that is of audiophile quality that boasts android. Maybe for the average consumer but that is about it...

 

[labcoat]

Quote:

I think these comments are geared towards the DX100. Otherwise there really is no phone/device that is of audiophile quality that boasts android. Maybe for the average consumer but that is about it...

What about COWON or are they not audiophile enough?
 
R-

 

[zzffnn]

Good to hear a new Fiio X3 is in development. About a month ago, I noticed that Cathy Fiio changed her profile photo to that of a X3. Looks like it is for real.