The Creative Zen Mozaic offers a unique design, great sound quality, and a sweet, customizable interface. It’s packed with features such as an FM radio, a voice recorder, a built-in speaker, and photo and video support. The player is also a good value, and video battery life is exceptional. The Zen Mozaic lacks dedicated volume [...]
MP3 Players
Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation, 16GB, silver)
The fourth-generation iPod Nano is more attractive and colorful than its predecessor and includes Apple’s new Genius playlist tool, a tilt sensor, and accessibility features for the visually impaired. To use the new Nano, you must upgrade to Apple’s iTunes 8 software with its laundry list of hardware requirements; the rounded screen invites glare; sound [...]
Apple iPod Touch (second generation, 8GB)
The second-generation Apple iPod Touch has it all: music, videos, photos, podcasts, e-mail, Web browsing, Internet radio, games, Nike+, Wi-Fi music downloads, and an App Store for adding thousands of custom features. The second-generation iPod Touch may be overwhelming to users looking for a simple music player; audio quality is average; and iTunes software is [...]
Apple iPod Classic (second generation, 120GB, silver)
The second-generation iPod Classic adds a new Genius playlist feature to its time-tested combination of music, video, podcast, audiobook, and photo playback. EQ control is limited; some older iPod video accessories may not be compatible; the plastic screen is susceptible to scratching; users are required to use the latest version of iTunes, which may not [...]
Cowon iAudio 7 (4GB, silver)
The Cowon iAudio 7 is one of the most versatile MP3 players available. It plays music, video, and photos; has unbeatable sound quality; records line-in, voice, and FM; supports OGG and FLAC file formats, plus DRM-protected WMA; works in MTP and MSC connection modes for use on both Mac and PC; and has an unmatched [...]
Creative Zen (16GB)
The Creative Zen sounds fantastic and features a brilliant color screen capable of displaying photos and video. The player offers a smorgasbord of desirable extras such as an SD card expansion slot, an FM radio, a voice recorder, and a user-definable EQ. It has a slim, pocket-friendly design; is very user-friendly; supports subscription music; and [...]
Iriver Clix (4GB, second generation)
The next generation Iriver Clix is even sleeker and slimmer than its predecessor, but offers the same unique and intuitive interface and stellar audio quality. This player comes packed with extras such as an FM radio; a voice recorder; an alarm clock; support for subscription content as well as OGG and Audible files; and photo, [...]
Ibiza Rhapsody (30GB, black)
The Ibiza Rhapsody offers about every feature in the book, including Wi-Fi and stereo Bluetooth capabilities; podcast support with wireless updating; photo, video, and subscription music support; on-the-go access to Rhapsody; updatable themes and wallpaper; even a basic Web browser. It also comes in a variety of colors and is one of the few high-capacity, [...]