At some point in July 2008, iRiver was showing of teasers with their soon to be launched E100 portable multimedia player. This supposed iPod nano killer took the form of an 8GB flash MP3 player with a 2.4-inch display and built-in 1 Watt speakers, which also doubled as a video player capable of rendering flash videos.

While we don't really know how much of a success the E100 really was, we suppose it most of received a warm welcome since iRiver is re-releasing the device with a few new different themes, but the same basic functionality.

The new All-in-One player is now staring in Season 2 of the series, but we are troubled to see the same lines with only a new wardrobe. iRiver is one of the most well-respected audio players company in the world and has been providing customers with high quality solutions for a long time now. It is true that the E100 is a respected challenger for the iPod nano, but what as to why a company would relaunch the same device after just a few months remains a mystery. I suppose one reason would be the approaching season holidays.

It seems rather difficult to make people notice a newcomer on the audio players' market since the domain is already overcrowded. Not a month has gone by over the last 3 years without at least 1 (well known company) to release some new and improved MP3 player. Add this to the fact that making audio players is so easy these days there are hundreds of small companies which try to get a piece of the pie.

However, at a $215 price tag, the company is offering a pretty good deal and a solid performer on the audio market. But will the new release, coupled with the winter holidays, really result in fear for the iPod? iRiver can only hope for such a success in the middle of the so called “economic” crisis, otherwise the company might not have part of an easy comeback in the near future.


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