Digital Home Thoughts: pocketnow.com Looks at the Neuros 442 PMP

"Media players that include video playback like the latest Apple iPod are all the rage these days. While this isn't within our typical realm of Windows Mobile coverage, we were eager to review the Neuros 442. What sets the device apart from the rest is its open-source Linux operating system. That means anyone who feels like it can soon contribute to the portable media player's operating system to add features (we are told that this particular model isn't true "Open Source," but the next model, set to be shown at CES, will be). While this does mean you'll be investing in a growing product which may be less expensive to develop and maintain, there may be some drawbacks. Read on for the thorough look at the Neuros 442."



Is it just me, but it seems most of the PMPs these days are not build on the "Windows Platform", but on Linux. Of course the first thing you notice with these "open source PMPs" is the horrible GUI on all of them. I've seen some good interfaces created using Linux, so why can't they transfer them to the small screen? Also how can a Linux based PMP not support OGG Vorbis?

pocketnow.com seems to like it, but for me at least the GUI is just about the most important aspect of a portable media player and if it isn't that good, then the PMP isn't that good. Still if the Neuros really will be "open sourced", then maybe we'll see a better GUI in the future.