By Richard Menta 5/11/06

We live in an iPod-obsessed world, but that doesn't mean that there are no other worthy MP3 players in the pipeline. The Toshiba Gigabeat S has picked up quite a following from the digerati since its introduction at CES last January. Word is now that the player will become available by the end of May.

The Gigabeat S is a Windows Portable Media Center unit that comes with 30GB (model S30) and 60GB (model S60V) capacity. The unit sports a 2.4" QVGA color screen, an FM tuner, and supports MP3 as well as the latest versions of Microsoft's DRM-laden audio and video codecs. The Gigabeat S claims a 20 hour battery time for audio and a 5 hour duration for video. The Toshiba can be hooked up to a Tivo or an XBox 360 for those so inclined.

The Toshiba Gigabeat S30 weighs in at 4.4 ounces in a 2.3" x 3.9" x 0.5" case. The Gigabeat S60V is slightly larger holding 5 ounces in a 2.3" x 3.9" x 0.6" body. The Gibabeat S also comes in three colors; white, red and black.