Jasmine France,
October 20, 2006
Are wearable electronics geek chic, or are they just plain geeky? Well, that's a matter of opinion, but one thing's for certain: companies are still turning out new MP3 players that are designed to be worn on your person. These devices are invariably tiny, and most come with a set of earbuds integrated into a lanyard so that you can toss it on like a necklace. Others--notably the new iPod Shuffle--have built-in clips for attaching it to your bag strap, shirt pocket, or belt. Manufacturers usually even try to make the players fairly stylish with shiny top coats, silvery metal details, or fun colors. After all, a pendantlike device should have the appeal of a piece of jewelry. But no matter how stylish or geeky these players may be, there's something appealing about having your music playback controls withing easy reaching distance.
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| Price | $78.95 to $98.95 | Check Prices | Check Prices | $109.95 to $129.99 | Check Prices |
| CNET editors' rating |
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| Review date | January 30, 2007 | October 17, 2006 | October 12, 2006 | April 16, 2007 | April 26, 2005 |
| The Bottom Line | If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the second-generation iPod Shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player. | The MPIO FL400 is OK as an MP3 player necklace, but with its relatively high price and lack of new features, there's no compelling reason to buy it. | No doubt the cult of the Cube will continue with this new model, the world's smallest multimedia player. While it doesn't offer an ideal user experience, it makes up for it in style. | The undeniably cute iRiver S10 sounds great and is packed with features, but its lofty price tag and paltry battery life might be a deterrent for some users. | If you can get past the software issues and the battery life, the N10 is a slick pendant-style flash-based player. |
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| Features | |||||
| Battery technology |
Lithium polymer |
Lithium polymer |
Lithium polymer |
Lithium polymer |
Lithium polymer |
| Digital player (recorder) |
WAV AIFF Audible MP3 AAC |
WMA Protected WMA (DRM) Ogg Vorbis MP3 |
WMA Protected WMA (DRM) Ogg Vorbis MP3 |
WMA ASF Ogg Vorbis MPEG 1 Audio MPEG 2.5 Audio MPEG 2 Audio MP3 |
WMA ASF MP3 |
| Software type | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Drivers & Utilities |
Drivers & Utilities |
Drivers & Utilities |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) |
1.6 in x 0.4 in x 1.1 in |
1.8 in x 0.6 in x 1.1 in |
1 in x 1 in x 1 in |
1.2 in x 0.4 in x 1.7 in |
1.1 in x 2.5 in x 0.5 in |
| Color | Info unavailable |
Black |
Blue |
Black |
Info unavailable |
| PC interface(s) supported |
USB |
Hi-Speed USB |
Hi-Speed USB |
Hi-Speed USB |
USB |
| Mfr estimated battery life |
12 hour(s) |
9 hour(s) |
10 hour(s) |
8 hour(s) |
11 hour(s) |
| Flash memory form factor |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
| Radio | Info unavailable |
FM: 76 - 108 MHz |
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