Samsung expands the legion of portable audio devices that can screen digital pics
Samsung YH-820 Micro HDD Jukebox and Photo Album
The product: If you're looking for a convenient way to enjoy both your audio and your pictures while out and about, the ultracompact, new Samsung YH-820 Micro HDD Jukebox may just be what the doctor ordered. Measuring a trim 2.0 by 3.5 by 0.6 inches, the Micro HDD is an audio jukebox that's about the size of Apple's iPod Mini but is equipped with a bigger 5GB hard drive. In addition, the player supports MP3, WMA, and secure WMA file formats and is even compatible with the Janus Subscription DRM. Better still, the Micro HDD displays JPEG images on its 1.6-inch LCD color screen and can function as an external hard drive for transporting files between PCs. Key specs include:

• Compact size
• 5GB hard drive
• 1.6-inch color screen
• Displays JPEG files
• Janus Subscription DRM support

The price: $229.99

The prospects: At first glance, the YH-820 Micro HDD has plenty of things going for it when measured up against the Apple iPod Mini. The Micro HDD's larger storage space, color screen for digital pictures, and support for Janus Subsciption files are especially compelling. However it remains to be seen whether the Micro's interface can match the iPod Mini's notoriously simple menu system.

By Brian Bennett, staff editor, CNET Reviews