Why are bluetooth MP3 players so rare?

[ControlD]

I haven't purchased an MP3 player for myself since I got my 2G iPod Touch a few years back. The bluetooth support on that particular unit is just functional enough to work, but that's about it. Little things like the skip forward and back buttons don't work with my bluetooth headphones which is kind of a bummer. No big deal I figured, certainly in the last three years most (non bargain) MP3 players would have gained bluetooth functionality right? Wrong. As far as I can tell you can get a Nano (overpriced), an iPod Touch (for me over functional) or whatever that huge Samsung media player is (way, way too big).

Does anyone out there have an MP3 player with bluetooth that I have overlooked? I don't care about video, apps, etc. I just want something I can use when I go running.

 

[zerogear]

My Cowon PMP had them. S9 and J3, but those are discontinued.

From a quick look, these Cowon players have bluetooth.
http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/COWOND3/product_page_4.php
http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/COWONX7/product_page_4.php
http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/COWONZ2/product_page_3.php

Edit: Sony player have them

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NWZS764BL...+MP3+bluetooth

So do Creative:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Styl...67934167&sr=1-1&keywords=mp3+player+bluetooth

 

[nickbits]

fyi, the headphones must support AVRCP to work with the ipods back/next track. No issues with my S10 headphones.

 

[ControlD]

Thanks zerogear ... that Creative unit looks like a potential winner. The Cowan units look awesome but way more than I need for a fitness device.

 

[ControlD]

fyi, the headphones must support AVRCP to work with the ipods back/next track. No issues with my S10 headphones.

My headphones work great with my iPhone (4S) and my wife's Nano but not the iPod Touch so I am assuming it is just a limitation of the older device.

 

[ControlD]

Well, that Creative M300 looks like a piece of crap. Bummer.

 

[zerogear]

If you don't need a bluetooth headphones already, you can get the player itself. The Sony one is pretty decent, I've had a few friends who bought it:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...luetooth+mp3&rh=n:172282,k:Sony+Bluetooth+mp3

 

[ControlD]

Come to think of it, my wife's old Samsung Fascinate might make a decent MP3 player. Maybe I can find a ROM to get rid of all the Verizon and Bing crap on there and load it up with music.

 

[ControlD]

If you don't need a bluetooth headphones already, you can get the player itself. The Sony one is pretty decent, I've had a few friends who bought it:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+Bluetooth+mp3

Now that looks like a pretty good deal. Thanks for the link.

 

[nickbits]

My headphones work great with my iPhone (4S) and my wife's Nano but not the iPod Touch so I am assuming it is just a limitation of the older device.

I used to have a 2nd gen ipod touch and it worked. But who knows.

 

[ControlD]

I used to have a 2nd gen ipod touch and it worked. But who knows.

I'm sure part of it is my fault. I am still on firmware 3.1.3 and I have a feeling the Bluetooth profiles might have been updated in version 4.x. When I upgraded to the last version of firmware for the second generation Touch (4.2.1 maybe?) I got hit with the same battery drain bug that filled the Apple support forums. Alas, there was never a fix released to address the issue so I downgraded back to 3.1.3. It is probably a matter of either (a) not having fully functional bluetooth and good battery life or (b) fully functional bluetooth with a battery that drains to 0% every night.