Tangara Brings Classic iPod Vibes to 2024

Currently, the predominant method of listening to music involves streaming via smartphones, yet some manufacturers continue to launch dedicated music players. According to Liliputing, a player named Tangara has recently been introduced on the Crowd Supply crowdfunding platform, notably paying homage to the classic design of the iPod.

Indeed, Tangara not only resembles the iPod in appearance but also features its iconic control wheel, along with physical buttons on both sides. It boasts a modest 1.8-inch screen with a 160 x 128 pixel resolution, which is not touch-sensitive. In terms of connectivity, Tangara is quite modern, offering a 3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth support (limited to SBC encoding), along with a USB Type-C port for data transfer. It supports common audio formats such as MP3, FLAC, and Opus.

The heart of Tangara is an ESP32 module, equipped with a Cirrus Logic WM8523 DAC and a Texas Instruments INA1620 amplifier. The development team behind Tangara asserts that this player is entirely open-source in terms of both software and hardware. Users can access firmware source code on the website, facilitating easy customization or repairs of the device. Currently, Tangara’s firmware supports 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz audio, which is still below the DAC’s capability, hinting at potential future updates.

Regarding battery life, Tangara is equipped with a 2200mAh battery, connected via a standard 3-pin JST connector. As for storage, it features an SDXC card slot, supporting SD cards up to 2TB.

Finally, the price and release date: Tangara’s crowdfunding campaign is set to commence in January 2024, with a price tag of $249.