Should Cowon make a cell phone/media player?

[Altexator]

A Cowon player with simple phone / sms function would be definitely a pick.

[Bill726]

I think they should, but hopefully not in the same way as the D3.
Here's what they need:
Android Market from the start, without having to sideload.
Same amoled display, same resolution, but in a 4" screen.
USB, not proprietary cables.
TI OMAP 4
HDMI-out
Developer friendly-CM9 on this would be heaven.
Plus anything else youd find on the average smart phone.

[jooopy]

Cowon hooked up to a major amp w/some 15's pounding and then my buddy calls in the middle of the song hmmm ...... not cool. Maybe if I can go airplane mode.

[Enzyme]

A Cowon player with simple phone / sms function would be definitely a pick.

exactley...will they keep it simple and fast with great battery life...of course not, they'll try n reproduce a generic smartphone and underpower it.

[sonic]

Originally Posted by Enzyme

exactley...will they keep it simple and fast with great battery life...of course not, they'll try n reproduce a generic smartphone and underpower it.

^I hope the first part comes true otherwise I might jump ship.

Anyone know of any Korean sites which Cowon (may) visit for input? From what I can tell they don't make use of the resource which this site could provide for their future/present releases and it would be good to try and port some of the useful info from here to a korean site if necessary.

For me a phone takes a backseat to music and is usually only needed rarely so I would definitely be onboard with the following as long as it uses android:

A Cowon player with simple phone / sms function would be definitely a pick.

It would be stupid to release it without android since that way most the work of implementing a pmp with phone is already done from the software side of things.

With BBE Sound now releasing an iOS app (hopefully a 'droid version will follow at somepoint), the only way Cowon can hold onto their international audience is with a convergence with 3g capability. From what I understand, there isn't even anything that special about the Wolfson chip which is used in the D3 etc since several other mainstream devices use it too so it could very well be the BBE implementation which gives Cowon their edge. I know they mainly focus on their domestic market, but surely even there, people would rather carry one device rather than two?

Does anyone know if iphone/ipods are popular in korea since that would perhaps increase the likelihood that Cowon will see the BBE iOS app (for only $5!) as an incentive to do the obvious.

[Kizune]

Originally Posted by ill_i_bus

Anyone know of any Korean sites which Cowon (may) visit for input? From what I can tell they don't make use of the resource which this site could provide for their future/present releases and it would be good to try and port some of the useful info from here to a korean site if necessary.

Cowon only listens to Korean customers or customers who have a contact person in Korea. Everyone else is ignored.
I think the same pattern applies to websites and forums.

[sonic]

Originally Posted by Kizune

Cowon only listens to Korean customers or customers who have a contact person in Korea. Everyone else is ignored.
I think the same pattern applies to websites and forums.

In that case, what if someone used google translation tools to translate some useful info from these forums into Korean and post it up on some Korean forums which Cowon are known to use? Assuming they do have reps visiting Korean (or any) forums.

[Kizune]

Originally Posted by ill_i_bus

In that case, what if someone used google translation tools to translate some useful info from these forums into Korean and post it up on some Korean forums which Cowon are known to use? Assuming they do have reps visiting Korean (or any) forums.

I doubt Google translator would produce understandable text... anyway, if you really manage to find someone who is willing to translate and post threads of this forum on a Korean website Cowon reads, feel free to do so.

I personally don't care if Cowon reads my posts or not. They ignored me several times and if they want to die in the international market, why not? It's their decision.

[Enzyme]

i got a reply from cowon america \o/ -mwahahahaa

but chances are they have a semi skilled workforce running it and knowing your level of knowledge you probably scared the crap out of them kizune ><

[Kizune]

Originally Posted by Enzyme

but chances are they have a semi skilled workforce running it and knowing your level of knowledge you probably scared the crap out of them kizune ><

Haha, maybe I did.

But seriously, all I sent them were some bug reports and suggestions.

[Enzyme]

yeah that'd do it

[Blade]

I think on the way how recent years have passed, it might even be mandatory for Cowon to take on this stance. Look at what the digital audio player market has become today Vs. 4-5 years ago. It is quickly becoming niche as more and more companies are shifting their focus on more of a computer/phone/audio player...an all-in-one package deal in a way.

I fear it might be the only way of Cowon staying mainstream(ish) and competitive. I hope it is not the case.

[sobank]

The sad part is not that they wont listen - sad part is that what kind of stupid management is making their their future plans.

Unless you have apple product, your proprietry cable is a waste. So many of my friends liked cowon S curve but didnt buy it cause the cable is not readily available in canada.

And if you complain about it, you get tons of crap from fanatics telling me that north america is not the only place in this world...............well for me it is. I frankly dont care about what is going on in other countries........i dont live there. Here, the standard korean cable is not a standard.

Anyways. If a basic cell phone comes along with a standard mini usb cable with at least a 5mp camera, I will get it. But if this is going to be another childish act of puting in proprietery cables, no front camera then no thanks. I am happy carrying my s9 with my phone.

In simple words, it will be a disaster in North American market if it is not made for North American market.

[Kizune]

The USB port was the worst example you could choose - the Cowon Z2 and the A5, Cowon's latest products, have a regular miniUSB port and a microHDMI port.

[TheDarkSide]

Yeah, Kizune has a major point on that one. Besides, I live in North America and a simple search get you a "proprietary" cable for a Cowon S Curve quite easily.