REVIEW >> Snugg Luxury Wrist Strap for Apple iPod nano Review

 

There are a multitude of watchband straps for the 6th generation Apple iPod nano, and I’ve already reviewed a couple.  Each strap is a little different from the others, and it may require some looking to find exactly the one you’ll like best.  Some lend themselves more to using them as a sports strap while exercising, while others will work better for simply listening to music and checking the time.  This band from Snugg is sophisticated enough to turn your nano into a nice wristwatch.  I received a Luxury Wrist Strap for review.  Let’s give it a look.

The Luxury Wrist Strap is available only in black.  The strap is made of a rubbery black plastic.  The area where the nano clips on is made of a hard plastic, and the buckle appears to be brushed aluminum.  It has double strap keepers made of the same rubbery material as the strap.

Fully extended, it measures 9.25”, and it’s about 1.4” at the widest point and 0.75” at the narrowest point of the band.  It should be adjustable to fit a wrist as small as about 6” and as large as about 8”.  The back of the strap has raised ridges along the strap edges.  This should minimize the amount of strap coming into contact with your skin.  Hopefully, this will keep your arm cooler and reduce sweating under the plastic strap.

The area where the nano clips has a large cutout in one side.  This is for the hinged side of the nano.  Opposite the large cutout is a rectangular slot.  The “tooth” on the open side of the nano’s clip fits in this slot.  The nano is held surprisingly firmly.  It took a little effort to open the clip and remove the nano once it is seated firmly on the wrist strap.

The nano is completely exposed on the Snugg watch strap.  The back of the clip will be in contact with your skin.  The nano itself will have no protective covering for the screen or body, so it could be scratched or banged into something as you move your arm.

The Snugg strap plus the nano make a very nice looking, very large watch.  It’s comfortable to wear, but I do think the rubbery plastic band will make your arm sweaty if you intend to wear this while exercising or even on a hot, humid day.

The Snugg band orients the nano so that its controls don’t interfere with hand movement.  The sleep/wake and volume buttons and the docking connector and headphone jack will be on the left and right sides of your wrist.  You’ll be able to plug headphones or a Bluetooth dongle for headphones or a Nike + Sports receiver into the docking connector without interfering with hand movements.  Adjusting the sound feels very natural when the buttons are oriented to the outside of my wrist.

The Snugg Luxury Wrist Strap for iPod nano is an attractive watch band.  It looks sophisticated enough to wear to work, but it can be used in casual situations.  I like the orientation of the controls, but I wish the nano had a bit of coverage for protection against bumps and scratches.  The fit is tight enough that I don’t think you could use the nano in a silicone case, though.  I must say that the black watch band looks very nice with the colors of the iPod nano.  Maybe a clear sticker-type skin added to the nano would be sufficient protection for use with the Snugg wrist strap.

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REVIEW >> App-Enhanced Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod from iLive

 

This app-enhanced clock-radio from iLive  incorporates your iPhone/iPod like no other that I’ve seen before.  Without an iOS device on the dock (bottom left),  it looks a bit funny because the 12 has been replaced with a digital display. 

Plug the iOS device in, and there’s no way to tell the time (bottom right)  - unless you’re running the free ICP391 app from the iTunes  app store.  With the app, you’ve converted the iLive into an “analog” clock.  You can wake to music from your iPhone/iPod, radio, or a buzzer. 

There are 10 radio pre-sets and a remote.  The iLive ICP391B will charge your iPhone/iPod.  List price is $49.99, but you can find it cheaper at various online retailers like Amazon, HSN, Buy.com, etc.

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REVIEW >> Photofast Introduces a Flashdrive You Can Use with iPhones and iPads

 

Photofast has introduced a flashdrive that you can use with an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.  The i-Flashdrive, when used in conjunction with the app you’ll be prompted to download for free when you plug the flashdrive into an iOS device, will allow you to do automatic backups of your contacts. 

You’ll be able to copy files from your iOS device to back them up or to transfer them to another iOS device or computer.  You can use the i-Flashdrive as a normal USB flashdrive with computers running Windows, OS X, or Linux. 

The i-Flashdrive will be available in July.  An 8GB drive will sell for about $98, 16GB for  about $120, and 32GB for about $192.

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REVIEW >> FIFA 12: Hands-on

 

Will the new FIFA be a success on all gaming fronts?

In an interview earlier this year, FIFA Creative Director Gary Paterson conceded that it was getting harder and harder to improve on FIFA gameplay. So in a bid to keep the franchise fresh, a series of new elements have been introduced to make FIFA 12 even better than its predecessor.

Not due for a release until later this year. T3 managed to get some hands-on game time with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions as well as FIFA 12 3DS and FIFA on the iPad 2 (which you can read about below) to see how EA Sports is bidding to make the beautiful game even more well, beautiful.

In our demo time, we got to play a pre-alpha version of the game which means there's significant time to still make changes before it is ready for release. We had the choice of playing with either Arsenal or Chelsea and while elements such as opening entrance scenes and commentary had not yet been added, FIFA 12 still excels in the graphics department delivering us the detailed, realistic player animations which impressed us so much in FIFA 11.

The physical impact engine is the biggest change to FIFA proceedings. This encompasses more believable momentum when players are tackled, jostling and pushing/pulling to retrieve the ball, and getting rid of the jerks that plagued the previous game when going into a tackle. Even at this stage the results are impressive, Players you'd expect to win 50/50 challenges come out on top and you are highly unlikely to see smaller framed players like Samir Nasri being able out muscle someone like Michael Essien.

At set-piece occasions there is more room to assert your physical presence on proceedings. Interestingly that also brings a new dimension to heading with a greater variety of outcomes introduced both from a defensive and attacking perspective. This coupled with the Personality+ feature added in last year's game is another step to delivering lifelike game situations and scenarios on a more consistent basis throughout a match.

Another new element is the dribbling system, so you can expect a more precise turn radius compared to what felt like a jittery 360 dribbling mechanism in FIFA 11. The results of this was one of the stand out aspects from our time with the game. Players swiftly changing direction appears more fluid, so someone like Fernando Torres would be shown to maintain possession freeing himself from a congested space in a much smoother manner. Also when holding up the ball, players use this precision dribbling to keep the ball further away from the opponent.

If your defensive game takes a backseat when it comes to FIFA, the new tactical defending system means frantically hitting the tackle or pressing button will simply not be enough. With a greater emphasis on positioning, defenders are now unwilling to jump into tackles with more focus on keeping a good defensive shape . Block tackles also means being able to interrupt build-up play right up to the last second, however the ball will not always fall in your direction.

'True Injuries' has also been introduced and along with the physical impact engine should produce more realistic outcomes to tackles whether it's an ambitious lunge at an opponent or just a simple trip. There were no great examples of this in our time with the game, so it's difficult to comment on how effective it is as a feature.

EA Football Club was also the other big announcement for FIFA 12 but we there was no opportunity to see that aspect of the game in action. Early signs suggest even at this stage, FIFA fans should appreciate the refinements being made which thankfully does not come at the expense of any of the great features introduced in FIFA 11.


FIFA 12 3DS: First look

Konami were first in bringing football to Ninty's new portable console and while it was an all-round impressive effort, many will be intrigued to see if EA's first 3DS effort will help assert its dominance on yet another platform. We spent some time with an early version of FIFA 12 3DS to see what it was made of.


- FIFA 12 3DS pictures: Hands-on

Like the console version we had the choice to play with Arsenal and Chelsea. In the 3DS layout the top screen hosts the action while on the screen below you'll see the radar screen giving you an overview of positioning, current possession of the ball and formations held by each teams.

Game speed appears slower than Pro Evolution 3D but this feels as if this has been done to establish a more fluid, tactical style of gameplay where the onus is on building up moves. Graphically, FIFA 12 is polished with close-up shots displaying great detail and lifelike accuracy. The impact engine feature rolled out for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions looks well integrated and was quickly apparent in our game time, particularly when two players jostled for the ball.

But what about the 3D effect? Well, it still feels that football may not be the best partner when it comes to getting the glasses-free 3D treatment, delivering a similarly underwhelming and unsettling experience found with Pro Evolution 3DS.. A series of camera angles including Be a Pro camera, Tele and Broadcast does however offer plenty of variety in terms of viewing the action.

FIFA 12 3DS feels like it will offer more in the gameplay department than Pro Evolution did, but is likely to fall at the same hurdle in terms of its 3D appeal. If you're happy to play it in 2D however, you may be more impressed by it.


FIFA 12 on iPad 2: First look

Next up for for the EA Sports treatment is FIFA 12 on the iPad 2 which again, is not yet the finished article. Utilizing the same game engine used for the FIFA 11 iPad app, with a  few ''added touches', FIFA 12 unsurprisingly feels almost identical both in terms of the gameplay and visuals.

- FIFA 12 iPad 2 pictures: Hands-on

One of the frustrating aspects of creating football games for devices like the iPad 2 is having to sacrifice seeing the entire pitch to host the virtual controls. EA is looking to remove that problem from the equation by letting you use your iPhone or iPod Touch as a controller instead.

On the iPhone or iPod Touch screen, you'll find the same three-button layout and virtual joystick found on previous FIFA iPad instalments. Initially it was quite tricky coming to terms with the controls despite the supposed simplicity of the control system. Additionally, while this may solve one issue of freeing up space on the screen, at the same time it removes the idea of the Apple tablet being a portable gaming device. Would you really want to balance you iPad 2 on your lap while pulling out your iPhone to control the action?

Some of the more disappointing elements of the previous game such as slightly slow gameplay, and a jilted, unresponsive AI appear evident in the latest version. This was of course an early build of the game so there is still some time for that to change, which we imagine and hope will be the case before FIFA 12 hits the App Store.

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Review: iPWN! Case for the iPhone 4

When it comes to the iPhone, accessory manufacturers would certainly love this handset to bits and pieces because it is hugely popular, and folks tend to want to accessorize their smartphone in order to stand out from the rest of the crowd. You have your wish this time around with the iPWN! Case that will play nice with both the Verizon Wireless as well as AT&T iPhone 4.

It comes in a super slim fit design that measures a mere 2mm thick – definitely not something that will add any unnecessary bulge to your handbag or pockets. Apart from that, it won’t hinder your access to the touchscreen display, buttons and peripheral ports – just like what any other good iPhone case should do, while offering adequate protection against knocks and bumps. Boasting IML (In Mold Labeling) technology, that will deliver up to 3 layers of protection to the case, all the while preventing color fading and resistance to moisture.

Would you fork out $16.99 for the iPWN! Case?

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Review: Ten One Design unveils Fling mini game controller

 

Fling mini game controller

It must be said that the world of smartphones with touchscreen displays have launched plenty of new casual games, not to mention complex ones as well which require more than just tapping furiously on the display. Of course, the use of your finger(s) to manipulate a certain in-game avatar might take some getting used to, but what about those who prefer to have something more tactile?

Enter the Fling mini tactile game controller from Ten One Design – this particular model will go one step further compared to the Fling for iPad that was unveiled at CES 2011 earlier this year in Las Vegas – being a smaller version that ought to make a splash with other touchscreen capable devices. What does the Fling mini do? For starters, it will play nice with just about any smartphone model on top of the directional pad of any applicable game, helping you achieve an unprecedented level of control and superb response for a fully immersive gaming experience.

The Fling mini will come with a special spiral design that actually creates physical resistance for you to experience greater directional control. It will function with just about any iPhone or iPod touch game that uses a directional pad or virtual joystick, where among them include Meteor Blitz, Aralon: Sword and Shadow, Super Mega Worm, Robokill, Blade of Betrayal and Dink Smallwood.

Just like the Fling for iPad, if you want to make use of the Fling mini, just launch the game of your choice, secure Fling mini’s center control over the game’s directional pad and you’re more or less good and ready to go – all there is left to do would be to place your thumb on the center control in order to experience unprecedented ease of navigation in-game.

With a translucent and flexible design, it will offer an unrestricted view of all on-screen action. Not only that, throwing in suction cups will pave the way for simple attachment and detachment for spontaneous gaming sessions. Each purchase will come with a microfiber bag, making it perfect for on-the-go storage while doubling up as the perfect screen cleaning cloth that will help you do away with unwanted smudges and fingerprints.

You can purchase the 2-pack Fling mini for $24.95 if you (and your gaming fingers) are interested.

http://maxborgesagency.com/press/ten-one-design-reveals-fling-mini-game-controller-at-e3-expo/

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Review: Creative ZEN Style M300 and Creative ZEN Style M100

 

Creative ZEN Style M300

The portable media player is more or less dominated by the iPod over the years, but now Creative has introduced their new Creative Zen mp3 player, called Creative ZEN Style M300 portable media player and Creative ZEN Style M100 Portable Media Player. Both of new ZEN PMP has same design and specs, the difference only in capacity storage and bluetooth.

Specifications

ZEN Style M300 music device will be packs with 4GB, 8GB, 16GB internal storage and Bluetooth 2.1 with supports A2DP & AVRCP, while ZEN Style M100 music device equipped with 4GB, 8GB internal storage without Bluetooth functionality. The Style M300 portable media player and Style M100 portable media player has similar design with the latest generation iPod nano in 55mm x 44mm x 12mm, built-in FM Radio lets users add up to 32 preset stations and support MP3, WMA, WAV, AAX, and Audible Format 4 files.

Features

Other specifications of Creative Style M300 and Creative Style M300 PMP includes 1.4-inch TFT display (262K colors) with touch sensitive control button, battery provide up to 20 hours of audio playback, USB 2.0 port and pre-installed with a complete edition of Alyson Noël’s Evermore, the first book in her thrilling Immortals series. Both of new Creative portable media player also support Transcoded Video (SMV), supported Picture Formats JPEG and built-in microphone for voice recording.
Price

Creative ZEN Style M300 PMP and Creative ZEN Style M100 Portable Media Player will be available in four colours options, black, white, red or yellow and will be release from mid June 2011. You can purchase ZEN Style M300 portable media player with the following suggested retail prices at $79.00 for 4GB, $89.00 for 8GB and at $129.00 for 16GB while ZEN Style M100 portable media player 4GB  for $59.00 and 8GB version for $69.00.

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eCommerce Comes to Starbucks... in the Form of Your SmartPhone

You gotta love Starbucks... I know I sure do. They have managed to become the McDonalds of the premium coffee shop world. And by that, I mean it as a compliment. I know that no matter where I am, my favorite coffee request will taste exactly the same as it does back home.

They've also managed to create an environment where most don't mind paying a premium. Heck, Dave Ramsey even refers to the place as "Five bucks"... and with good reason.

So, as the economy rebounds and Starbucks begins to grow and expand again, it figures that they would create a way to make it even more convenient to pay than ever before. Enter the Starbucks app. Basically it is a downloadable app for the iPhone and the Blackberry that allows you to pay directly from your phone. We're going to see more and more of this in the future. Remember when you used to carry photos in your wallet? Now we all use our phones for that right? The same thing is going to hap pen with payments. The SmartPhone is about to become the wallet of the future when it comes to payments.

Here are all the details:

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Onkyo's E713A9B All-In-One PC

Onkyo, famous for their construction of numerous iPod docks, has just stepped up their game another level with their newest creation, an all-in-one PC centered around, you guessed it, an iPod dock. The newest PC, just announced today, has been dubbed the E713A9B. The PC is powered by an Intel Core i5-650 CPU at 3.20GHz. The E713A9B also comes in with 4GB of RAM upgradeable to 8GB, 1TB of HDD, a 23-inch LCD display and full 1920x1080 full HD resolution.

But the E713A9B isn't done there, the PC also comes with a Blu-Ray disc drive, the DTS Premium Suite Audio Codec, 2x5 watt speakers, 1.3 megapixel webcam, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA port, 1 HDMI port, b/g/n Wi-Fi, digital TV tuner, an SDXC memory card slot, Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and, of course, the iPod docking station which slides out of the right side of the screen.

The iPod dock is specifically designed to accommodate the iPod Classic, the iPod Nano and the iPod Touch. For those observant ones of you out there, you may have noticed that I did not mention the iPhone. That is because the all-in-one E713A9B's iPod dock is apparently unable to house the bulky frame of the iPhone. It seems strange that an "all-in-one" PC would exclude one of Apple's biggest and most popular products.

Nevertheless, the specs for the E713A9B are intense and seem to be most everything you would want in a desktop PC. The desktop has great memory, an excellent hard drive and some other really good specs and the iPod dock is the cherry on top. For those of you that live in Japan, you will be able to get your hands on the E713A9B next month for a price of ¥99,880, or $1,100 U.S. All of us over here in America, however, will have to wait as Onkyo has yet to announce an America release date.

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Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.

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Microsoft Zune 120GB

The design of the Zune 120 is almost entirely unchanged from the Zune 80 we reviewed last year. The back of the Zune is now black instead of silver and the face of the player is covered with a glossy plastic that, although pretty, is more prone to smudges and scratches than the metal finish on last year's model. We're happy to see that the increase in the Zune's hard drive capacity doesn't translate into a thicker design.

The Zune 120 measures the same 4.3 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep as the Zune 80. Also, no changes have been made to the Zune's navigation controls, headphone jack, hold switch, dock connection, and 3.2 inch glass covered LCD. Considering Apple's strategy of altering its iPod design every fall (for better or for worse), it's a little unnerving to see the Zune's hardware design at a standstill.

The upshot of the Zune's lack of design tinkering is that it maintains the product's compatibility with the handful of accessories designed for the player. The bulk of the third generation Zune's improvements are found by flicking through its main menu. New menu items for Games and Marketplace have been added alongside existing selections for Music, Videos, Pictures, Social, Radio, Podcasts, and Settings. The Zune's primary purpose as a high quality portable music player hasn't changed.

If anything, the enhancements offered by the third generation firmware have bolstered the unique music discovery and sharing features that have differentiated the Zune from the very beginning. One of the more notable new features on the Zune is a Marketplace selection in the main menu that allows you to browse, preview, and download music directly from Microsoft's Zune Marketplace online store.

Within the Marketplace submenu you can choose between browsing Top Songs, Top Albums, and New Releases, or search for specific music by keying in a few letters. Songs can be previewed for 30 seconds with the option to add them to your virtual cart or purchase and download immediately. By signing up for Microsoft's Zune Pass music subscription service (a free 14 day trial is available), you can download unlimited music to your Zune for a flat fee of $15 a month.

Otherwise, you'll need to purchase songs a la carte by setting up a payment account in the Zune desktop software. Your Zune needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi hot spot in order to take advantage of the Marketplace feature. Fortunately, Microsoft has improved the Zune's ability to step through public Wi-Fi hot spots, and it's even struck a deal with fast food giant McDonald's to have the Zune supported by the Wayport Wi-Fi hot spots found in many McDonald's restaurants. If your local Wi-Fi requires you to enter a password, you can enter it manually using the Zunepad. The Zune will remember and associate your Wi-Fi passwords so that you'll only need to enter them once.

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Iriver P7 (16GB)

Iriver P7 (16GB) measures 4.5 inches across, 3 inches tall, and a relatively svelte 0.5 inch thick. The overall form is more pocket friendly than the chunkier design of the Cowon O2, feeling more like an Archos 5 with a shrunken screen. The majority of Iriver P7 (16GB) is operated using touch screen control, however, you'll find teeny, tiny buttons for power, menu, and volume on the top edge of the player. Iriver P7 (16GB)'s headphone jack is on the right edge, along with a hold switch, and a microSD memory slot covered by a plastic door.

While the P7's hardware looks like it takes a few cues from Apple, the touch screen interface is entirely unique. Iriver appropriately describes the main menu screen as magazine like, laying out each of the player's functions on a single screen, compartmentalized into an attractive arrangement of boxes. If you're accustomed to scrolling though menus, Iriver P7 (16GB)'s Mondrian esque layout takes a little time to grow on you.

After spending some time with it, we can't say the layout offers any practical advantages, but it's a pleasant break from the norm. Once you dial down into Iriver P7 (16GB)'s music and photo menus, the single page interface of the main menu eventually gives way to a more common list view. Unlike the iPod Touch's smooth, swift, and responsive song lists, sorting through your music on Iriver P7 (16GB) requires patience and a precise touch on a slim graphical scroll bar.

If you plan on storing a large music collection on Iriver P7 (16GB), prepare for some navigation frustration. The P7 is easy on the eyes, but the features are nothing to write home about. Despite the movie worthy 4.3 inch screen with a 480x272 resolution, video really isn't the P7's strong suit. On paper, support for formats such as AVI, MP4, WMV, MPG, FLV, XVID, H.264, and a handful of others, makes Iriver P7 (16GB)'s video capabilities seem very impressive.

In practice, however, we found that Iriver P7 (16GB) didn't offer the kind of drag and drop video format and resolution flexibility we've seen from competitors such as the Cowon O2 or Archos 605 WiFi. Just like the smaller screened Samsung P3 or Iriver SPINN, we found ourselves spending extra time converting the videos we wanted to watch on Iriver P7 (16GB) using the included software. Power users and the patient minded may be able to put up with Iriver P7 (16GB)'s particular video requirements, but people looking for drag and drop simplicity should look elsewhere.

In spite of our complaints about the sluggish, unfriendly design of Iriver P7 (16GB)'s music menu navigation, the audio capabilities of the P7 are arguably the best feature of the device. Iriver P7 (16GB) supports MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, and OGG file formats, along with album artwork and lyrics, but leaves out the AAC format critical for playing back music purchased from iTunes. Songs are listed in either an ID3 tag sort (Album, Artist, Genre, Playlist) or presented as the user's own custom list of folders.

Once a song is playing, you can apply custom or preset EQ (there's also some nice SRS WOW HD enhancement settings), change the playback mode (shuffle, repeat, etc.), rate the song on a five star scale, and even view song lyric information embedded within the file's ID3 tag. There are also settings for bookmarking, looping, or saving files to a custom playlist. Between Iriver P7 (16GB) and the similarly priced Cowon O2, we're a little torn when it comes to each player's audio capabilities.

Neither device shines in terms of touch screen menu navigation, but we suspect the O2's AAC support is more important than its lack of ID3 song sorting (some will surely disagree). Iriver P7 (16GB) features, such as the FM radio and text reader, are nice to have, but unexceptional. The photo viewer, like most aspects of Iriver P7 (16GB), is a little sluggish. At best, transitions between photographs take 3 seconds to complete, and the image browser uses the same tiny, tedious scroll bar found on the music player.

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C. Crane Witness AM/FM MP3 Player

PoGo Products briefly came to the rescue with a line of AM friendly MP3 players, but the company ceased production of the line after only a few years. Filling the void is the C. Crane Witness AM/FM MP3 Player, a basic radio cum MP3 player reminiscent of the Radio YourWay LX. Even with its throwback design and monochrome display, the Witness will cost you a pretty penny $229.95 for 2GB but AM radio fans have little other choice, and will likely be plenty pleased with the features on offer.

True to its AM radio roots, the CC Witness player has a simple, utilitarian design that feels sturdy in the hand. The case is matte black with a metallic sheen and silver trim wrapping around the edges. The right side offers up a dedicated volume rocker and hold switch, while a look at the left reveals a built in mic, a line in port, and an SD-card expansion slot a necessity, given the paltry 2GB on board storage.

Two external speakers live on either side of the device as well, while a boatload of shiny plastic buttons deck out the front of the device.

There are dedicated keys for accessing the menu, stepping back through functions, adjusting the play speed, setting A/B looping, recording, editing, and playing or pausing.

A four way control pad surrounding the play or pause button allows for hassle free navigation through the extremely basic menus.

There's not much to the CC Witness's screen. It's only 1.8 inches diagonally, which is small, given that the player measures nearly 4 inches tall, 2.2 inches wide, and over half an inch thick.

It's also monochrome, so you won't be seeing any album art or photos here. On the plus side, you can see the font quite clearly without the back light engaged, and the menu options are simple AM, FM, Files, Settings, and Timers. Music accepted in MP3 format only is organized into folders under the File menu. There's also a Playlist folder here, although even after reading the manual, it is unclear what it is for M3U playlists transferred through drag and drop or Windows Media Player did not appear on the device.

Also odd You have to switch views in the settings menu depending on how you want to listen to music. The folder view lets you listen to albums in a folder, while the file view will allow you to play all your music straight through (there is a random option, also). It's definitely not the most intuitive way to listen to MP3s.

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Archos 5 (250GB)

Archos is promoting the Archos 5 as a Wi-Fi Internet tablet, but its chromed plastic enclosure and 5 inch touch screen look more like a luxury GPS unit. In fact, for an extra $129 you actually can use the Archos 5 as a relatively sophisticated in car GPS system. Unlike its predecessor, the 605 WiFi, the Archos 5 is controlled almost entirely by its touch screen, with the exception of a power button and volume rocker on the top edge of the device.

A 3.5mm headphone output is located midway up on the left edge, making the gadget more awkward to hold than the 605 WiFi. Thankfully, a built in kickstand folds out from the back of the Archos 5 for hands free viewing. The Archos 5 measures 5 inches wide, 3 inches tall, and 0.5 inch thick (or 0.75 inch thick for the 120GB and 250GB versions), making it not much bigger than the 605 WiFi.

Despite its similar size, Archos was able to squeeze an extra half inch of screen onto the Archos 5 by removing the redundant physical controls found on the company's previous players and placing the integrated speaker on the right edge of the device instead of the front. Another surprising design change from Archos is the use of a glossy coated screen instead of the matte, antiglare screens that have been a hallmark of its previous products.

Combined with the Archos 5's glossy, reflective enclosure, Archos has created an ideal breeding ground for fingerprints and smudges. Another small, but significant design feature that distinguishes the Archos 5 from previous Archos PVPs is the use of new proprietary dock connection. We've given Archos some flack before on its use of a nonstandard connector for its USB cable, but the upshot of the unique dock connection has been its compatibility with Archos accessories such as battery packs, FM tuners, video cameras, and AV docks.

The introduction of a new dock connection on the Archos 5 has severed its compatibility with existing Archos accessories, with the exception of the in car GPS cradle. Archos is busy making new accessories for the Archos 5 (including the new Archos 5 DVR Station) however, early adopters have only a few options currently and users looking to upgrade from older models may feel some resentment over replacing their existing accessories.

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Microsoft Zune (third generation, 16GB)

The design of the flash memory Zune models offered in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities at $129.99, $149.99, and $199.99 respectively is almost entirely unchanged from the Zunes we reviewed last year. The face of the player is now covered with a glossy plastic that, although pretty, is more prone to smudges and scratches than the matte finish on last year's model. The flash based Zune measures the same 3.6 inches by 1.6 inches by 0.33 inch as last year's. Also, no changes have been made to the Zune's navigation controls, headphone jack, hold switch, dock connection, or 1.8 inch glass covered LCD.

Considering Apple's strategy of altering its iPod design every fall (for better or for worse), it's a little unnerving to see the Zune's hardware design at a standstill. The upshot of the Zune's lack of design tinkering is that it maintains the product's compatibility with the handful of accessories designed for the player. The Zune comes packaged with a proprietary USB cable and a pair of earbuds with three sets of replaceable foam pads.

Features
The bulk of the third generation Zune's improvements are found by flicking through its main menu. New menu items for Games and Marketplace have been added alongside existing selections for Music, Videos, Pictures, Social, Radio, Podcasts, and Settings. The Zune's primary purpose as a high quality portable music player hasn't changed.

If anything, the enhancements offered by the third generation firmware have bolstered the unique music discovery and sharing features that have differentiated the Zune from the very beginning.

One of the more notable new features on the Zune is a Marketplace selection in the main menu that allows you to browse, preview, and download music directly from Microsoft's Zune Marketplace online store. Within the Marketplace submenu you can choose between browsing Top Songs, Top Albums, and New Releases, or search for specific music by keying in a few letters. Songs can be previewed for 30 seconds with the option to add them to your virtual cart or purchase and download immediately.

By signing up for Microsoft's Zune Pass music subscription service (a free 14 day trial is available), you can download unlimited music to your Zune for a flat fee of $15 a month. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase songs a la carte by setting up a payment account in the Zune desktop software.

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Apple iPod Shuffle (third generation, 2GB)

The third generation iPod Shuffle (1GB) is the lowest profile MP3 player we've laid eyes on. Apple may have been slow out of the gate, but the company has succeeded in launching perhaps the tiniest and simplest player on the market and it sports a price tag to match $79. The new Shuffle is appealing in its elementariness, too, but the itty bitty device is far from perfect.

Its screen less design means you get few navigational options and no extra features. And how small is too small? At 1.6x1x0.4 inches and 0.6 ounce, the iPod Shuffle is one minuscule music player.

In fact, it's so inconspicuous that we have trouble keeping track of it if you're constantly misplacing your keys, this player probably isn't your best option.

If you just can't help yourself, go for one of the brighter color options. The red, green, purple, and blue models will probably be easier to spot on a cluttered desk than the muted silver one is.

That said, the integrated belt clip on the back of the Shuffle helps keep the player within easy reaching distance. Some users have complained that the clip isn't very durable, but it seemed fairly sturdy during our testing.

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Apple iPod Shuffle (third generation, 1GB)

The third generation iPod Shuffle (1GB) is the lowest profile MP3 player we've laid eyes on. Apple may have been slow out of the gate, but the company has succeeded in launching perhaps the tiniest and simplest player on the market and it sports a price tag to match $79. The new Shuffle is appealing in its elementariness, too, but the itty bitty device is far from perfect.

Its screen less design means you get few navigational options and no extra features. And how small is too small? At 1.6x1x0.4 inches and 0.6 ounce, the iPod Shuffle is one minuscule music player. In fact, it's so inconspicuous that we have trouble keeping track of it if you're constantly misplacing your keys, this player probably isn't your best option.

If you just can't help yourself, go for one of the brighter color options. The red, green, purple, and blue models will probably be easier to spot on a cluttered desk than the muted silver one is. That said, the integrated belt clip on the back of the Shuffle helps keep the player within easy reaching distance. Some users have complained that the clip isn't very durable, but it seemed fairly sturdy during our testing.

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Apple iPod Classic (second generation, 120GB)

The second generation iPod Classic is indistinguishable from 2007's original model, except that the thicker 160GB version is no longer available. An anodized aluminum faceplate covers the front of the Classic in either black or silver, while the back of the iPod is covered in the same scratch showing, smudge loving chromed steel found on most iPods.

The second generation iPod Classic fits a whopping 120GB hard drive into the same enclosure as its 80GB predecessor, coming in at pocket size 2.4 inches by 4.1 inches by 0.41 inch.

The screen is still made from plastic, making it the only remaining iPod that hasn't yet switched to a scratch resistant glass screen.

The second generation iPod Classic is also now one of the only iPods to use a split screen main menu layout, displaying menu items on the left half of the screen and a picture related to the selection on the right.

For example, highlighting Music on the main menu causes the right half of the screen to display a drifting close up of cover artwork from your music library. This split screen effect is more beautiful than it is distracting, and applies to menu items such as movies, podcasts, and photos, as well.

You also have the option to browse your music using the Cover Flow view made popular by the iPhone, however, the novelty of Cover Flow wears thin without a touch screen display. Users with large music collections to sort through will prefer browsing using the list mode or search function.

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Apple iPod Touch (second generation, 8GB)

Priced at $229 (8GB), $299 (16GB), and $399 (32GB), the second generation iPod Touch still commands a fairly high price compared with other MP3 players with similar capacities. When you weigh the price of the iPod Touch against its features, however, the device becomes much more attractive.

Out of the box, the second generation iPod Touch includes an amazing music player, podcast support, video playback (including iTunes rentals and a YouTube player), a Safari Web browser, photo viewer, an email reader (compatible with Outlook, Exchange, MobileMe, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or any POP email service), an integrated Wi-Fi music store, and a host of smaller utilities (weather, calendar, maps, stocks, notes, clock, contacts, and calculator).

Provided you can become proficient with its touch screen keyboard, the iPod Touch is more pocket PC than MP3 player. As of version 2.0 of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch firmware, the device's stock features are just the beginning.

The new iTunes App Store, accessible from your computer or directly from the iPod Touch, lets users download and install thousands of applications, including Internet radio players, games, voice recorders, and social networking tools.

You can also extend the capabilities of the iPod Touch using third party "Made for iPod" hardware accessories such as Bluetooth transmitters, audio or video docks, external battery packs, and speaker systems.

The second generation of the iPod Touch also introduces Apple's new Genius feature, which lets you create an instant 25 song playlists based on the musical characteristics of a single song. The Genius feature is easy to use, and the results are fun, provided your music collection holds enough songs to make interesting connections. You can create and save Genius playlists directly onto your iPod Touch, and with automatic syncing enabled in iTunes you can also transfer them back to your computer.

Oddly, the Touch's Genius feature won't work if you haven't enabled Genius on your computer's iTunes software. If you find iTunes' Genius feature too demanding on your computer's resources or too invasive of your privacy (the feature reports your listening habits to Apple), then you'll need to live without the feature on your iPod as well.

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Apple iPod Nano Fourth Generation

The Nano 4G feels impossibly light and thin, with a seamless metal construction that prevents it from snapping like a twig. A slightly curved design gives the Nano 4G the essence of an airplane wing, repeating the rounded design themes of Apple's iPhone 3G and second generation iPod Touch. Compared with the short, squarish design of last year's Nano, the long, tapered body of the fourth generation Nano is more comfortable to grasp.

Curved glass now covers the iPod Nano's screen, giving it better resilience against scratches in theory. The curve of the glass screen lies flush with the slight curve of the Nano's body, and although the glass is inherently glossy and reflective, we didn't notice a diminished viewing quality compared with last year's Nano.

The shape may have softened, but the dimensions of the fourth generation Nano are nearly identical to the second generation version, measuring 3.5 inches tall by 1.6 inches wide by 0.25 inch thick at its center the thinnest iPod yet. The Nano's 2 inch screen size remains unchanged from the previous model, as well as its 1 inch wide scroll wheel control.

Headphone and dock connections are located on the bottom of the 4G Nano, and a sliding hold switch makes a reappearance on top of the player (another throwback to the second generation design). Because Apple has flipped the Nano's screen on its side, menus and user interface get a dramatic overhaul from last year's model. Menu text size has increased slightly and album cover art takes up less real estate on the main menu.

In a bid to increase the accessibility of the Nano for people with impaired vision, Apple has included a font size setting on the fourth generation Nano that makes its menus more legible a nice feature even if you have 20/20 vision. The Nano's music playback screen now presents full screen album art by default, and Cover Flow view is zippier than before, offering alphabetization letters below the covers when you quickly flip through your collection.

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Apple New iPod Touch

The new iPod Touch that come in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB memory capacities are now available for $229, $299 and $399, respectively. iPod owners can choose from a vast ecosystem of accessories with over 5,000 products made specifically for the iPod including speaker systems, fitness accessories, fashionable cases and iPod connectivity available in over 90 percent of new car models sold in the US.”

According to the release, “The iPod is the world’s most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple’s incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price—120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved metal and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229.

Its new second generation iPod touch, which features sleek new design, integrated volume control buttons, built-in speaker for casual listening, built-in wireless support for Nike + iPod, Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface, built-in accelerometer as well as other advanced sensors, working with new iTunes 8, genius feature that allows consumers to create playlists automatically while on the go.

The owners of new iPod touch can select hundreds of exciting game titles on iTunes or directly through revolutionary App Store application on iPod touch, including ‘Spore Origins’ and ‘Scrabble’ from Electronic Arts, and ‘Real Football 2009′ from Gameloft.

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