Hi, everyone. I'd like to introduce you to the Samsung Muse. This is a music player with no screen and a mere 4GB of storage that requires a phone with music on it in order to sync. It costs $50 and is going on sale in the U.S. soon. Why is this handy little thingy going to be made available here? Because screw you, that's why.

'What is this device?' you ask? It's a music player. 4GB of storage for all the music you can handle so long as you can't handle that much music. Also, you need to have the music on your phone already. You see, instead of syncing this to something like iTunes, you grab music from the portable handset with a headphone jack that you already carry around with you.

Wait, why the hell would I buy a separate music player that I can only sync with my phone? Why not?! Sounds like a great idea to me! I always try to find ways to spend money on gadgets that do the same thing my phone already does, only not as well.

Ummm, okay. Well, I don't. Maybe a jogger would or something? Do you jog? Of course I do! When I'm running from Zombies. And yes, it's true that if you were a fitness geek that wanted to use a bite-sized media player without risking your super expensive phone, this might be alright. I suppose $50 isn't too much to spend on an accessory like this. However, outside of a couple very exceptional use cases, it's difficult to see the value in this.

Don't you think that's being a little judgmental? Your needs aren't the needs of the masses! Well, you sure changed your tune pretty quickly there, didn't you? In any case, you're absolutely right. Sure, I might need a piece of desktop software to sync my music, since I don't carry my entire media collection around on my smartphone, but who knows? I might be in the minority on that one.

Okay, maybe you have a point. Of course I do. I'm a blogger.

Update: So, it turns out, buried deep in a set of PDF instructions, there is a reference to being able to sync music via Kies, which is a huge boost to the usability of this device, so at least 40% of the snark in this article should be retracted. Though, +10% snark penalty for hiding this function so unbelievably deep, Samsung.

Source: Samsung

CORRECTING and REPLACING and ADDING MULTIMEDIA Samsung Mobile Launches Galaxy Muse – Portable and Powerful Music Accessory

New device expands Galaxy sharing capabilities with music management directly from a smartphone

CORRECTION...by Samsung Mobile

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth graph, first sentence, price should read $49.99 (sted $59.99).

“Muse is the latest example of Samsung delivering another outlet for content consumption across the entire spectrum of consumer electronics.”

The corrected release reads:

SAMSUNG MOBILE LAUNCHES GALAXY MUSE – PORTABLE AND POWERFUL MUSIC ACCESSORY

New device expands Galaxy sharing capabilities with music management directly from a smartphone

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) – the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide1 – is giving Galaxy™ smartphone users in the United States an amazing new way to enjoy music on the go called Galaxy Muse™. Coupled with the Muse Sync Android™ app, Samsung is providing Galaxy S® III and Galaxy Note® II owners an innovative new way of syncing music that frees them from their PC2.

Galaxy Muse is a small, lightweight MP3 player that shares several physical features and design aesthetics with the latest Galaxy smartphones, including a rounded, natural design and matching Pebble Blue and Marble White color scheme. In addition, Galaxy Muse provides users up to six hours of play time, 4 GB of memory, and rich, spacious sound quality thanks to Samsung SoundAlive® optimized audio technology. With SoundAlive, users notice deeper bass and enhanced tone when listening to their favorite songs, as SoundAlive intelligently adjusts sound quality and clarity.

Users can get their music on the Galaxy Muse by simply downloading the Muse Sync app from the Google Play™ marketplace or Samsung Apps. After connecting Galaxy Muse to the Galaxy S III or Galaxy Note II via the included connector cable (USB to 3.5mm headset jack), users can sync the songs they want and leave their phone behind. Due to its wearable design and small form factor, users can take Muse along in place of their smartphone as a portable music player at the gym or on the go. Galaxy Muse also comes equipped with a durable, built-in clip for attaching the device to a shirt or pocket, so it’s wearable and offers the convenience of hands-free listening. Within this compact and clean design, Muse offers enough capacitive controls to become a user’s primary music player. Skip, shuffle, pause, or go back and listen to your favorite song again and again.

“The Galaxy Muse expands the Samsung Galaxy product portfolio to offer music on-the-go in a compact and lightweight player, with songs shared directly from our award-winning smartphones,” said Kevin Packingham, chief product officer at Samsung Mobile. “Muse is the latest example of Samsung delivering another outlet for content consumption across the entire spectrum of consumer electronics.”

Galaxy Muse is available in Pebble Blue and Marble White for $49.99 at Samsung.com. The Samsung Muse Sync mobile application is available free from Samsung Apps and the Google Play marketplace. For more information on Galaxy Muse, go to http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/YP-W1NAL/STA.

Galaxy Muse Technical Specifications

  • Audio Codec: MP3, WMA, FLAC, OGG
  • Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.25 x 0.5 inches
  • Weight: 13.8g
  • Play time: Up to 6 hours3
  • Storage: 4 GB
  • OS Requirements: Android™ 3.0 or higher
  • Muse Sync App downloadable via Google Play and Samsung Apps
  • Three switches: Mode (shuffle or continuous play), On/Off/SoundAlive, and Hold
  • Front volume controls
  • LED status indicator

1 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q3 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q3 2012.

2 Galaxy Muse is compatible with the Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note® and Galaxy S® II smartphones.

3 Play time will vary based on type of phone configured with and usage patterns. Formatted capacity may be less than what is indicated.

Samsung, Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, Muse and SoundAlive are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.