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Photos: MobiBlu B2

The MobiBlu B2 is a compact MP3 player with several appealing extras and decent sound quality, but the Creative Zen V Plus matches, or beats it in almost every regard--and costs less.

CNET Reviews staff
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1 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Two items of note are the speaker on the back of the player, which outputs sounds if headphones are not attached, and an unmarked slot in the left spine. We studied the manual and MobiBlu's Web site but didn't learn until plugging the player in that the slot is an expansion card slot--more research revealed it to be TransFlash-compatible.
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2 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
We've got our hands on MobiBlu's latest device for the States, the B2. Currently available with 2GB of flash memory for $99, the B2 suffers from an unimpressive design and some crippled features. However, the player still offers some worthwhile extras and reasonable sound quality.
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3 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
The top side has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a record button, and keys for shuttling through tracks and starting and stopping playback. In all, the placement of the controls related to the headphone port makes the device sort of awkward to hold.
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4 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
The bottom spine houses the standard mini USB port (for charging/syncing), a power/hold switch (though no markings indicate this), volume keys, and a menu button.
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5 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
The MobiBlu B2 offers some features of varying interest. The player deals with a fair array of music file types--MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, APE--but is unable to play DRM-protected files. You'll want to note that album art is not supported, and media browsing is handled completely by folder tree.
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6 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Another notable feature that should appeal to some users is the B2's voice-recording capability (in WMA at 32Kbps or 64Kbps). The unit can also record from the FM radio (in WAV), which is possibly the player's most redeeming feature. The FM radio offers 20 presets, an autoscan function, easy manipulation of presets, and great reception.
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7 of 7 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
At 2.8 inches wide by 2 inches tall by 0.4 inch thick, the MobiBlu B2 is unquestionably compact and that makes its 2.3-inch color OLED display large by comparison.

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