Flash Player: Featherweight Size, Heavyweight Music
Nothing beats a flash player for hours of music enjoyment. These miniature
MP3 players boast a solid-state memory chip that will hold up to 4GB. They have no moving parts, so music
skips are eliminated and batteries last longer. Many flash players are smaller than a
pack of gum.
Pros and Cons
An important advantage of flash mp3 players is their cost. Because they lack the
complex components of their hard drive cousins, flash players are far less
expensive. Basic models start at less than $35, good choices in the $75 to $100
range, and some top rated players are $150 or less.
Flash players' two main drawbacks are memory and functions. Most have 64MB to 512MB
of memory - about 20 to 160 songs. This is changing, with
several models at 1GB or more. Apple's newest, the iPod Nano, is available with
up to 4GB memory, and will display photos and slideshows with music. Of course
you'll pay more - around $250 - but that's still less than many hard drive
players.
Flash memory player functions are usually limited to storing and playing music
files, small display screens, and frequently an FM receiver. Most
can also double as a portable storage device for file back up or transfer, but video
and other advanced
features are almost non-existent in flash players.
Popular Flash Players
The iPod Shuffle is the most fashionable with 512MB and 1GB versions.
Amazingly the Shuffle is one of the few flash players without a screen, FM tuner
or other features. But I guess when your name is iPod...
Creative Labs' credit card sized 512MB MuVo Slim is only 7 mm thick, with a
built-in FM tuner and voice recorder, and prices starting around $100.
Creative's 256MB MuVo TX has the same functions, gets 15 hours of
continuous play from one AAA battery, and is available for under $75.
iRiver's new 1GB iFP-899 is a little pricier at about $160, but has FM and
voice recording, supports MP3, WMA and OGG formats, and delivers up to 40 hours
on a single AA battery. Another great player is Go-Video's Rave-MP AMP 1GB. It
adds a SD/MMC expansion slot for even more memory to FM, voice record, and 16-hour AAA battery life for about $150.
For those who like to play hard, the rugged Cali Sport 256MB Rio mp3 player can take it.
A protective rubber wrapping, sport-clip earphones and stopwatch/lap timer make
it perfect for active lifestyles. It includes an FM tuner and gets 18 hours from
a AAA battery for under $150.
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