Amazon.com Review
Digital music has always placed the PC at the center of the action--the place where you go to download or rip your music and then transfer it to a portable player. The Gremlin, which looks like any other digital music player on the outside, seeks to change all that by adding one crucial component on the inside: Wi-Fi connectivity. Using clever networking technology,
The Gremlin's user interface does a good job of presenting all the information you need, where you need it. View device details. |
the Gremlin can download music directly to its embedded hard drive, help you catalog and organize it, and, of course, play it. Folks who don't want to fuss with managing their music on a PC, or those who like instant gratification when they want to hear new music, will find much to like in the Gremlin.
We put the device through its paces, downloading and listening to songs, navigating the menu system, and using the MusicGremlin Web-enabled music management application. There are a few gotchas and rough spots but, all in all, MusicGremlin manages to bring some sophisticated technology together in an easy-to-use package. The Gremlin wins big points for being the first device of its kind, and for getting there with great functionality.
Design, Interface, and Sound
At first glance, the Gremlin looks like just another digital music player that's trying to peel away some of that darn iPod market share. At a little over 1.5 inches wide, the color screen isn't huge, but it's clear and bright. A headphone jack is placed on the top of the unit, while line-out, power, and USB connectivity is provided on the bottom. The line-out port is a big plus, as it offers connectivity with stereos and powered speaker systems.
On the right side you'll find volume control, play/pause, and track selection buttons. You'll spend most of your time with the five-way center control pad that's just below the screen. While the player is a tad on the beefy side, at 2.5 x 4 x .5 inches (WxHxD), it's very pocketable. Plus, the inclusion of Wi-Fi makes the added girth forgivable, as it's what makes the Gremlin truly special.
Overall, the Gremlin's menus and user interface are fairly easy to operate. We'd like to say the user interface is "seamless" and "intuitive," and in many ways it is, but there are some nagging problems. Every now and then, we got the feeling the user interface designer forgot to talk to the button designer. For instance, it's not entirely clear how to exit some menus, and this proved most frustrating when searching for albums, as it wasn't clear how to back out of the text entry mode once we'd begun. Another annoyance: pressing a button to wake the display not only turns the display on, it executes the function of the button, leading to unintended operations. Lastly, in a few cases, there was just a bit too much lag between a button push and response from the device.
The device uses a clever text entry and filtering system to find downloadable tracks quickly.
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Sound quality is everything you'd expect from a top-shelf digital music player--crystal clear and distortion free. The Gremlin's WMA-encoded files sound great, and we noticed no discernible difference between them and CD-quality audio. That said, you won't find any enhancements such as equalization, bass enhancement, volume limiting, or song transitions. The device does sport an integrated FM tuner though, in case you need to catch the game or listen to your favorite music stations.
How it Works
MusicGremlin service starts with signing up for an account on the MusicGremlin Web site. It's here that you can opt for a subscription based model, wherein you pay $14.99 a month for "all you can eat" downloads of Digital Rights Management-protected Windows Media music files. If you cancel your subscription, you no longer have access to the music. You can also choose the pay-per-song, or "a la carte," model, which charges the industry standard 99 cents per song. Under this model, most complete albums go for about ten bucks.
Once you're all signed up, you're ready to start using the device. Connecting the Gremlin to a local Wi-Fi hotspot was relatively painless--with one exception. The device does not support the more robust WPA encryption method. It does support the more ubiquitous, but less secure, WEP encryption scheme. Connecting to a WEP hotspot with the Gremlin is a challenge, however, as it's a pain to enter those long WEP keys without a keyboard! Fortunately, though, the Gremlin stores your WEP passwords, so you only have to enter them once for each secure network.
It's easy to browse an absolutely gigantic music library, select songs or albums, and begin downloading them. After an initial connection, you don't even have to be connected to the Internet to browse the library. Finding music wasn't as hard as we expected; a clever filtering system allows you to enter just a few letters of a band name, album, or song title before relevant results start to appear. As discussed above, it's not as elegant or easy as a Web search engine, but it's relatively fast and it gets the job done.
You can easily share tracks with other users who are on the Internet. Or share tracks with another device across the room via "ad hoc" Wi-Fi connectivity.
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We cued up five or six albums to see how the network handled our requests, and we were delighted with the results. In just a few minutes, all the music we had a hankering for was on the device's 8 GB hard drive and ready for listening. The Gremlin handles payment and subscription information transparently, so all you have to do is order your songs, receive them, and start listening. A word of warning: For those who opt for the pay-per-download model, it's almost too easy to get the music you want. The impulse buy is only a button press away.
Music Management and Sharing
Downloading and listening to music on the Gremlin is just the beginning of the device's capabilities. You can interact with a community of other Gremlin users that you've identified as buddies, no matter where they are in the world. You can also see what your buddies are playing and scan their music libraries (if they've opted to share them).
If you have a subscription plan you can "beam" a song from your personal music library to a buddy's library or "pull" a song from his or her device onto yours. This feature is really impressive; we were able to download songs from folks scattered across the world without a hitch. Another cool feature: Gremlins can connect to each other in short range, allowing you to connect with friends and other users nearby--even if there is no Wi-Fi access point available. Lastly, for subscription members, the Gremlin does a great job of exposing you to new music via so-called "Gremlists," which are regularly updated, pre-programmed playlists that are sent wirelessly and automatically to the device. In similar fashion, upgrades are also automatically transmitted to the Gremlin, making feature and software updates a painless process.
Browse the continually updated MusicGremlin music store on your PC, which has over two million tracks available. View larger. |
Thankfully, the MusicGremlin system backs up all your purchased music to a password-protected area on the MusicGremlin Web site. The Web interface also lets you transfer your songs to Windows Media Player on your PC hard drive. Just as with the device, subscription-based songs will "expire" from your PC if you cancel your subscription. Meanwhile, purchased songs are yours to keep and they can be burned to audio CDs.
Enabling Web access to all your Gremlin's songs, as well as the music store discussed below, is a great idea, and it makes the Gremlin a truly complete system. There are some drawbacks, though, to making it dependent on a Web-based application. The system relies on a complicated and somewhat clunky series of pop-up menus and status screens, making us wonder why the makers of the Gremlin didn't opt for a more elegant solution: a dedicated application that can do everything in one window. Who knows, maybe such an application is on the horizon.
Music Store
The MusicGremlin Web site is more than a place where you can back up and manage the music on the Gremlin device. Clicking the "Get New Music" link at musicgremlin.com brings up a fully-featured music store, with the same deep selection as library found on the device. The continually updated music library has over two million tracks available, including new hits and tons of obscure songs for even the most eclectic tastes. The site lets you browse top tracks, albums, and genres, and listen to 30-second samples of any tracks. You can also browse the aforementioned Gremlists. When your cart is full, you can easily order new music from the site to be uploaded to the Gremlin, or you can download music to your personal MusicGremlin library and listen to it via an included Web-based audio player. As on the Gremlin device, a la carte and subscription-based music downloads are supported.
Pros
- Groundbreaking device-based music downloading system
- Excellent music quality
- Great music sharing features
Cons
- Some minor user interface problems
- Clunky Web interface
- No music enhancement features
What's in the Box
Gremlin device, earbud headphones, power charger, USB cable, and user guide.
Product Description
MusicGremlin lets you search for, play and download music directly on your device. Browse over 2 million tracks in MusicGremlin's library, searching by artist, album, or track and click on any selection to download it, just by using the buttons on the front of the device. MusicGremlin lets you download music directly to your device without a PC or play and download music on your PC. But you can also order music on the PC and have it sent wirelessly to your Gremlin device without touching your device. After you turn it on and connect to Wi-Fi, the Gremlin checks periodically to see if you've ordered anything on your PC and automatically goes up and gets it for you. Just click the Get It button next to any song or album on the Website to send songs this way. Beam songs from your music library and let others send you song recommendations. A popup will show up on the Gremlin device whenever someone is sending a song. MusicGremlin devices can wirelessly connect to other nearby devices on the subway, on a bus, in a park, at a party, anywhere. The devices can connect directly from one to the other. Get together with all of your friends and see what everyone is listening to. A blue light on your device will tell you someone is connected to you. FM Radio receiver included PC Connectivity - USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 (high speed) supported Software lets users backup individually purchased songs and albums onto their PC via USB Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP OS and Windows Media Player 10 and higher Audio Recording Line-in recording and on-board microphone Up to 10 hours battery life Dimensions - Approximately 103 mm x 62 mm x 19.5 mm / Weight - 4.0 ounces
Customer Reviews:
Great MP3, great alternative to iPod.......2007-03-11
After going through three ipods over the past four years, I knew it was time to make a switch elsewhere. After scanning some reviews for the Zune and iRiver, I kept constantly seeing MusicGremlin pop up in the Zune review. I deicded to check it out...
First Impressions out of the box:
-Pretty bulky shape, but feels hollow inside
-Kind of a goofy button layout
After charging my battery, I then signed up for the $[...] a month unlimited download subscription. It was very easy to do straight on the Gremlin website, and on the actual device all I had to do was enter my login and password...and I was going already! (Process took about 5 minutes). I have wireless internet network in my house, and after entering my WEP key, I was already connected. I was already downloading music after having the device for about an hour.
Another thing - since the Gremlin connects wirelessly to an online network, it automatically downloads software updates every time they come out. For instance, the outdated Amazon review says that the player doesn't have an EQ sound changing function. However, with the latest update, you can choose from rock, pop, jazz...etc...For the EQ. Another thing I saw in other reviews - people complaining about having to have their device right next to the router to download effieciently. Maybe I just have a good wireless network, but I could download music onto my Gremlin from about 100ft from the router.
So far, I haven't had any problems. The wireless connection feature is excellent, as is the unlimited downloads, and the battery life is fine as long as you charge the battery on a daily-semi daily basis.
Pro's:
-wireless connectivity
-decent storage capacity
-great customer support (downloads software updates instantly)
-unlimited downloads for a monthly fee
-very easy UI to adjust to
Con's:
-rather large device
-average, but managable, battery life
-for such a large device, the storage could be slightly bigger
Hope this helps!
Great Concept, Awful Application.......2007-03-07
I purchased my Gremlin In August of 2006 and i loved it...keyword, loved. 3 weeks after receiving the player and downloading songs to it (over 1000) i began getting software failure messages. After 2 days of these messages and constant system lock-up I went straight to the company. The representative was extremely helpful, saying once he received my product he could get it back to me within a weeks time and even re-download the songs i had already obtained...very cool seeing as how long it takes to pull out 1000 songs and he doesn't really have to do that. Well, three weeks later i get a brand new gremlin back....songless. It seems he couldn't bring up my songs because of blah blah blah. Anyway, I got it back so i was happy. It has been working well...until today! (3-6-07) After coming back to my computer from my lunch hour, I turn on my gremlin and half the screen is blotted out. I can only see the bottom half. That makes 2 Gremlins that are garbage in a matter of 6 months. Has this company never heard of craftsmanship?!?!I am quite infuriated which led me to write this venom filled review. I highly suggest AGAINST purchasing an MG-1000. To those of you that do, good luck. And those of you with similar problems, please leave another review. I would love to know if i'm the only one going through this.
A little rough at first, but now I love it!.......2007-02-01
I bought the MG-1000 when it first became available because I loved the idea of being able to download music without having to be tethered to a computer (especially appreciated not having to clog up our computer with music files in order to get them onto an MP3 player).
I had some initial glitches -- partially self-inflicted, as I got confused and managed to inadvertently set up a new MG account that overrode my original (valid) account. At first, the MG folks couldn't figure out what I'd done, so I had to send the device back to them to get the problem cleared up. They sent me a replacement device (with all of my previously-downloaded music transferred over -- very convenient!). I noticed when I got the new device that the instruction manual contained more details that could have helped me avoid my problem in the first place.
Unfortunately, the replacement I received had some issues. I recognized this on another person's review: The device would freeze on a menu and couldn't even be shut off without pushing the reset button (via a paper clip or a safety pin). I reported the problem to the MG folks, who had me send this device back and then sent me a 2nd replacement.
I am now thrilled to report that the 2nd replacement device is working perfectly. I find that it is fun to play back my music via the shuffle function, as I can't predict what song will be next but is sure to be something I will like. I love being able to order new music via my device at a moment's notice. I subscribe to the monthly service, as that gives me access to the widest variety of music, and the available selections are updated regularly.
The only "issues" I have now (if you can really call them that) is getting connected to Wi-Fi, since access in my neighborhood is pretty much restricted to going to the public library. However, I find that I can queue up the songs I want to order whenever I want and then download them all via Wi-Fi on my next library visit. When I am in range of a free Wi-Fi connection the device works great.
I can also download songs from other MG users via the Community function. I don't use this much, but being able to view the tracks others have downloaded gives me lots of ideas for music I'd forgotten about and would like to have. I can also turn off this function if I prefer to have privacy.
I've also noticed that new features have been added to the menus since I first got my MG-1000.
Sure, my experience was rough at first, but MG has become much more user-friendly and only seems to be getting better.
Great idea, good v 1.0 implemetation.......2006-11-07
The concept is great - being able to hop onto unsecured WiFi networks and grab music when and where you feel like it. I never had an issue getting on WiFi networks and the d/l speeds were fine. I have a number of gripes - many of which can be fixed with a s/w upgrade, so I bet this will only get better.
1) you can't download an entire album using your subscription pass - you have to d/l each track individually. Kooky
2) There is no auto-shutoff - at least not that I could find
3) you cant charge via USB if the battery is low - in other words, if your battery is low enough to shut the unit down, you must use AC to charge it. this is super annoying.
4) the unit could be a little slimmer - it's nice and light, but it's a little big.
5) there are some playback issues - if you hit the play button while a track is selected in the music catalog, it goes back to playing the already playing track. it should just play the track you've selected.
overall, I really like the unit and love the ability to 'send' music to the device using the [...]. i'm definitely an early adopter, tho, who puts up with software glitches - not everyone might be so forgiving. I look forward to the new software updates.
Terrible!.......2006-08-02
This device isn't cheap. After setting up my account, I downloaded 4 albums of songs. I went to play an album, the menu froze up. I tried the power button - no go. I hard reset with a paper clip and still nothing, its permanently stuck on the a "please wait..." screen. Forever.
Had the thing for about 4 hours and now its dead. Same with another friend of mine too.
While it was working, it wasn't that great to be honest.
Product Description
áAuto scan & reset buttons for FM station search áClock display with time setting buttons áVolume control & power on/off knob LCD with backlight áIncludes lanyard áGiraffe áBlack
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