Model:  Cube 2 (Black)

Manufacturer:  mobiBLU

Provided By:  mobiBLU

Reviewed By:  Miguel

Review Date:  11/12/06

If there is one product, other than the Ipod, that has gained so much interest over the past year, it is this little gem from mobiBLU. Thanks to their excellent marketing techniques, this flash-based MP3 player has not only become one of the most popular on the market, but manages to retain the title as being the smallest in its class. Their DAH-1500i, simply put, revolutionized the way we looked at such a product. It was a love or hate type product and I will say, based on site statistics and response from readers, there was certainly much more love. Well, the company has just introduced its successor, more appropriately named as the "Cube 2". Re-designed not only to improve on what most disliked about the DAH-1500i, but also to retain its title as the "world's smallest". With the addition of video playback & podcast support, this tiny player is truly in a class of its own.

Packaging & Contents

Deviating from the cube-style box their first generation model shipped in, the new Cube 2 comes in a more modern looking package with a clear view of this tiny player.  Included in the packaging is a high quality USB charging cable, necklace style SRS earbuds, mini CD that includes both photo and video conversion software, a very detailed user manual, and even a low profile USB to mini plug adapter.

Design

**click to enlarge**

It is really hard to depict in pictures just how small this product is unless you see it in person.  This is easily why it retains the title as the "World's Smallest".  Grab a Quarter, and that will give you a very good idea of its overall cubic dimensions.

The new Cube 2 sports some design changes, most based on user feedback.  Let's have a closer look...

Like the DAH-1500i, the front sports a mirror-like finish, concealing the tiny display within.  It is accented by a holographic logo of the company.  Speaking of the display, the new Cube 2 now sports a 65K OLED Color display.  The back sports a metallic finish with access to the player's reset button.

The top of the player has not changed, featuring a hook that will allow you to hang it from your neck using the included earbuds and also the mini stereo plug, its only connector.  Now, since the review of their first generation DAH-1500i, many who owned the product did not like the buttons.  Some said they tried a bit to hard to resemble the Apple click wheel, while others were not happy with the responsiveness of the buttons.  Well, one of the major design differences with the Cube 2 are indeed the buttons.  They are now individual buttons, with no resemblance to the Apple click wheel at all.  They sport a more appealing grey color and are much easier to work with.  The right side sports your volume and track skip buttons, as well as your play/stop button, which also acts as a power button.  The left side sports only two buttons, the main menu button and one to lock all buttons.

Like their first model, the DAH-1500i, the Cube 2 does come in four flavors...black, blue, pink and silver.

Specifications

Next: Install & Bundled Software