Podio Digital Audio Player with Speakers [Aimed at Cyclists, Outdoor Types]

Billed as being the first ever Hi-Fi device designed specifically for use with bikes, though also aimed at those looking for a highly portable digital audio player that comes with integrated speakers (not that the majority of cell phones won’t fulfil this task more than adequately), the Podio has just been announced in Taiwan.

Offering somewhat rudimentary MP3 and WMA file format compatibility, the Podio DAP, which comes in at just 139 grams, is powered by a proprietary MicroAMP driving a pair of stereo speakers rated at 1.5W output and comes with 2GB of built-in storage capacity and a purported battery life of up to a not unimpressive 20 hours based on a full charge (though the product’s web site actually states that battery endurance is between 9-20 hours depending on volume settings or up to 60 hours if you utilise headphones, thus not using the device’s speakers).

In terms of functionality, the Podio DAP is, as you’d probably gathered, hardly feature-rich in offering basic control functions (play/pause/skip with no shuffle apparent) and a basic LED indicator to convey the player’s status (playing, downloading, low battery charge, etc) but, if you’re looking for a DAP that’s decidedly pocket friendly and that can be clamped to a bike’s handlebars (courtesy of a clamping bracket) we don’t doubt that the Podio will suffice as long as you can keep your expectations suitably grounded.

There’s no word at this stage concerning either pricing or specific availability date though, if your have an older generation iPod Nono, you may also find the previously featured iBikeConsole of interest.

Podio [via I4U]