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Photos: MobiBlu Cube2

MobiBlu's original Cube wowed us all with its 1-inch-cube dimensions and its copious audio features. In the fall of 2005, it was the smallest MP3 player in the world. Now comes the Cube2, which MobiBlu claims is the world's smallest media player. Available in blue, silver, black, and pink, the little guy boasts a full-color screen and adds photo and video playback to the mix. It's not perfect, but the Cube2 is definitely charming enough to overcome its shortcomings.

CNET Reviews staff
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This 1x1x1-inch cube of a media player will kick-start any conversation. So what's that on the 0.6-inch (diagonal) screen? It's a MobiBlu promotional video.
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On the exterior, the Cube2 is much more refined than its predecessor. Corners are soft rather than sharp, and the lanyard loop doesn't protrude out the top. The buttons are made of tactile rubber, and of course, the new version features a 65,000-color OLED screen.
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The tiny Cube2 can be hidden in a closed palm, though its shape isn't the most ergonomic. It is, after all, extremely thick for an MP3 player.
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The MobiBlu Cube2's bundled accessories. Note the unusual USB-to-mini-jack cable.
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The Cube2 is designed to be worn. The included lanyard-earphone combo is actually pretty stylish, though you can substitute your own pair of headphones.
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Menu and Hold buttons are located on the Cube2's left side. Push Menu to see your files, hold it down to activate the icon-based main menu.
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The player controls are easy activate, though it takes some time getting used to operating the device.
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While the Apple iPod Shuffle at $79 would make a nice stocking stuffer, the Cube2 (1GB, $100; 2GB, $120 at launch) would probably steal the Shuffle's thunder.
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The blue 2GB Cube2 next to the 8GB iPod Nano. The Cube2 is more than four times as thick as the Nano. It would be nice to get a 4GB (or higher) option. Note that photos and videos get chopped into a square aspect ratio.
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Transfer songs and recharge the Cube2 via the headphone jack. You get a special USB-to-mini-jack cable in the package. Battery life is rated for a subpar 10 hours for audio.
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Here's the MobiBlu Cube DAH-1500i, which caught everyone's fancy in 2005 and early 2006.
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The Cube2 comes in blue, silver, black, and pink.

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