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Transvestite technology: Samsung YP-T8

Samsung has been a busy little electrician recently. No sooner had it showcased the groundbreaking Z5 in CES, than it was updating the rest of their product lines like feverish mad inventors

Chris Stevens

This is one aesthetically confused gadget: at first glance you'd easily mistake the YP-T8 MP3 player for a mobile phone. When it arrived this morning we put it aside, and a moment later absent-mindedly tried to call grandma on it.

The styling on the T8 serves the interesting purpose of making your MP3 player appeal to both MP3-player muggers and mobile-phone muggers. Regardless of your attacker's preference for gadgetry, you're always a target with the T8.

Transvestite-looks aside, the T8 seems like a very smart MP3 player. Samsung is just beginning to nail the design on these devices. Though the chassis may have some way to go before it nips at the heels of the galloping iPod legions, the interface is a delight.

Amazingly for its size, the 1GB flash-based T8 does video. There's also support for FM radio, text files, photos and games. With claimed 20-hour battery life and 3D surround sound, this is a smart contender. Priced at £135, the T8 is available now. Expect a full review soon. -CS

Update: a full review of the Samsung YP-T8 is now live.