A frequent response that you’ll hear during CES week when you ask a company rep when a product will hit retail is “Q1″, “Q2″, or “in just a few weeks.” Well, Cowon has decided to get the early jump on 2008 by announcing that it’s shipping the iAudio U5, the latest addition to the company’s line of flash-based digital audio players, right now.

Available in 4GB ($119) and 8GB ($159) capacities, the iAudio U5 supports the usual suspects (MP3, WMA, Windows Media DRM10, WAV), and includes Cowon’s Jet Engine audio-enhancement technology for a more robust sound. Cowon also tosses in a FM radio, voice recording, a 5-band EQ, an alarm clock, and Mac and Linux compatibility for non-Windows users.