VW, LG Announces New Beetle Media Player

The Peoples car, Volkswagen, has decided to team up with electronics manufacturer LG to develop a digital media player. The player is to be designed on the same lines as the new Beetle car.

"We expect synergy to be made from the collaboration of the two stylish fashion icons, both of which are aimed at younger generations," said Lee Woo-kyung, marketing chief of LG’s Digital Display division. "The co-marketing campaign will spur improvement in LG's brand image.""The player sports an aluminum body and will be available in three of the same colors as the car: Salsa Red, Shadow Blue and Sunflower Yellow", said Judy Pae, a spokeswoman for LG in South Korea. "While the player got its unveiling at this week's Seoul Motor Show plans for its commercial launch have yet to be decided." said Pae.

The user interface of the player was inspired by the Beetle's design with the device also having a small VW badge on the front panel and a New Beetle logo on its rear. The shape of the player itself is not very different from any other players out there today though. With specs like a 2.4-inch color LCD screen and acceptable formats it’s compatible with are MPEG-4, Windows Media Video 9, MP3, Windows Media Audio and Ogg-format files.The player also has two pre-installed flash games. LG will be making the players in 2 GB and 4 GB versions. According to LG, the battery should provide around 20 hours of music playback and will be able to play a full 3 hour video.

Prices have not been disclosed.