Freestyle FA300 Freestyle Audio Soundwave Limited Edition Waterproof DAP

Freestyle and Qualcomm Technologies have revealed more details concerning their up and coming Freestyle FA300 Freestyle Audio Soundwave Limited Edition waterproof DAP which was first heard of back in May and which, regardless of Freestyle and Qualcomm Technologies’ latest press release, is still lacking any official release date.

The Freestyle FA300 Freestyle Audio Soundwave Limited Edition waterproof DAP is detailed as featuring a 0.9” colour Qualcomm Mirasol display – which utilises thin films to reflect back colour from white light resulting in a crisp display with minimal power consumption – and is aimed squarely at consumers looking for ‘a premium portable, waterproof music option for active, outdoor use’. Unfortunately, as can be seen from the press release given below, the press release fall well short of offering any broader specifications except to state that the FA300 will measure a mere 3” in length (which is nice to know).

Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), and Freestyle Audio, today at the CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment conference revealed the design specifications for a limited edition waterproof MP3 player featuring a color mirasol(TM) display.

The Freestyle Audio Soundwave(TM) Ltd. Edition with mirasol display (model number FA300) will include a 0.9-inch color mirasol display, giving consumers a premium portable, waterproof music option for active, outdoor use. In addition to the inclusion of the mirasol display, the FA300 will have added Bluetooth(R) capabilities. Measuring just 3 inches in length, the compact size of this sleek, lightweight unit makes it ideal for athletes in outdoor environments.

Additionally, the product will include a functional display button bearing Qualcomm MEMS Technologies’ notable butterfly logo, reminding consumers of the nature-based genesis of the mirasol display. The phenomenon that makes a butterfly’s wings shimmer is the same process used in Qualcomm’s mirasol displays to create color. The screen relies upon thin films that reflect back color from incident white light to create crisp, bright images.

“Freestyle Audio developed its first waterproof MP3 player to address a fundamental need of outdoor sports enthusiasts,” said Lance Fried, founder and chairman of Freestyle Audio. “The inclusion of mirasol displays shows our commitment to finding innovative solutions to further enhance the active lifestyle and outdoor experience. Low power consumption and direct sunlight visibility will remain important product attributes for this growing enthusiast market.”

“This is a very important milestone for us as we begin to move color mirasol displays into the market for the first time,” said Jim Cathey, vice president of business development for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies. “Freestyle Audio was an obvious choice for us in the commercialization of Qualcomm’s color mirasol displays in the U.S. market because their customers will benefit almost immediately from the mirasol display’s core value propositions.”

Qualcomm’s mirasol displays constitute a technology breakthrough that promises substantial performance benefits over competing display technologies. Based on a reflective technology called interferometric modulation (IMOD), mirasol displays harness ambient light and require no backlighting, thereby consuming significantly less power.