Apple iPod shuffle 1 GB Blue (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Apple's iPod Shuffle is a compact MP3 player that's great for working out, running or just plain music listening on the go.The new lower price as of January 2008 makes the relatively high cost of the device a little more bearable. Great as a gift, extra player, or exercise companion.

Pros
- Newly lowered price!!!!
- Compact and functional design
- Nicely integrated clip - No case needed!
- Great family of Apple accessories
- Great for those already used to iTunes
- Included in-ear headphones are great for a starter pair
- Lots of great color options (silver, green, purple, blue)
- Highly durable player
- Apple brand and reputation

Cons
- Still a premium price compared to competing players (total $ and $ per gigabyte)
- Competing products offer more features, including fm radio and voice recording
- No screen to view track names
- Difficult to control / select tracks via playlists
- Proprietary dock / jack for syncing
- Small capacity (1GB) with no expandability
- Limited native file format support in iTunes (MP3, AAC), though you can easily convert
- No drag and drop music control
- Non iTunes fans are still forced to deal with software limitations

The Form Factor

Size has always been the iPod shuffle's greatest asset.The integrated clip is no doubt its second greatest asset. This unit works fine with no extra case, though there are still options. The composite case comes in one of several popular color options, including the silver, blue, green and purple. And of course, the unit's durability is great, probably because of the simple design.

Apple chose to use a proprietary headphone jack for syncing, which most competing players accomplish with a standard USB B port.Overall, still a great design.

Durability

Apple deserves points for the more durable player in this group. Even with the composite body, these guys do hold up to a lot of abuse. Creative's failure rates are too high, but Sandisk's Clip is gaining ground in this area.

Capacity

The 1GB size for the shuffle was the only option from Apple for a long time.The market has been flooded with 2GB players from the competition.In addition to lowering the price in February 2008, Apple finally added a 2GB option available now at Apple stores. Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Silver (2nd Generation)Still, as Apple finally ups their size, Sansa now has their Clip in a 4GB size.SanDisk Sansa Clip 4 GB MP3 Player (Silver)

Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB MP3 Player
SanDisk Sansa c150 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
SanDisk SDMX7-2048 Sansa c250 2 GB MP3 Player
SanDisk Sansa Clip 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)

Features and Software

Competing players over simple screens for track viewing as well as FM radio and voice recording.The Zen Stone Plus by Creative and the Sandisk Clip each offer all three features at better price points. Apple's reliability and brand loyalty has allowed the shuffle to survive with limited features.

Competing players also offer drag and drop syncing using standard USB cables or, in the case of the Sansa Express, via direct USB.Apple still requires the proprietary dock.

For a 1GB MP3 player it seems excessive to have to use iTunes software to sync your software.Competing players have even worse software, but allow you to drag and drop files on these devices like USB thumb drives.

iTunes is both a curse and a blessing, depending on your point of view.For those who are used to iTunes or totally new to MP3s, the interface can be a great plus.For anybody who want more direct control over their music collection, some of the features within iTunes can become burdensome.

Once again, if you LOVE Apple and iTunes, or if you are totally new to MP3s the software will still be a net plus for you.

For those that care about file options, Apple's software allows only MP3 and AAC. You can easily convert other formats to these, but be aware of the limits.This is only a negative for those really loyal to a certain file format, such as the growing group of WMA users.Having to have 2 format copies of all your music can really hurt as your collection grows.

Sound

The sound this unit produces is pretty good though not great. While I still feel the first generation shuffle sounded much better, the tradeoff was worth the smaller size.

Cost

The shuffle's price has finally come down to about $50 for 1GB or $65 for 2GB. While not a bargain, this price makes the sting much less painful for Apple loyalists.On a dollar per gigabyte and absolute dollar cost, Apple continues to charge a premium for their brand.

1GB of flash memory is going for under $10 retail, one fifth the lowered cost of the shuffle.In addition, competing players like the Sansa Clip continue to offer more features at a better prices. If you want a small player and you are open to brands beyond Apple, your options continue to expand.In addition to the Creative Stone and the Sansa Clip, new models from Samsung and Sony have added even more options.

Once again, Apple's reputation is well deserved. This model requires you to pay a premium for it, though a slightly shrinking premium.:-D

Conclusion

If you must have Apple and need a small player for high impact workouts, choose this or one of the new 2GB shuffles. If you want to stay with Apple and can afford it, stepping up to the Apple iPod nano 4GB will cost you $140 but gives you 4 times the capacity and video.Still, if you're not an Apple die-hard, the Sansa Clip and other options deserve consideration.

Research your options and choose the player that's right for you.Overall this is a good player at an improved price.

Enjoy!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple iPod shuffle 1 GB Blue (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL

Product Description:
The 1 GB iPod shuffle lets you wear up to 240 songs on your sleeve. Or your lapel. Or your belt. And now it's available in your choice of remixed colors. Clip on iPod shuffle and wear it as a badge of musical devotion.
Controls
iPod shuffle pays respect to its bigger siblings with a circular control pad that puts the "go" in ergonomic. Click the center button to play and pause. Click the outer buttons to move back, skip forward, and adjust volume.


Pop the iPod shuffle into the included dock and sync with iTunes. View iPod shuffle dimensions.

The shuffle switch lets you mix up the iPod contents, or play playlists in the order you want. View larger. Clip
Thanks to a built-in clip, iPod shuffle goes with anything. Clip it to your sleeve, lapel, coin pocket. No matter where you wear it, iPod shuffle speaks volumes about your style.
Shuffle switch
Embrace your inner rebel: Flip the shuffle switch to mix up iPod shuffle's contents. Flip it again to play your handpicked playlists and albums in the order you synced them from iTunes.
Battery indicator
Green means go, amber means you're low, and red means you've almost hit zero. But with up to 12 hours of battery life, the iPod shuffle may keep rocking even longer than you do.
Headphone jack
The headphone jack does double-duty as a dock connector. Flip iPod shuffle upside-down and drop it into the included dock. Connect the dock to your Mac or PC for a quick sync and charge. Away from your computer? Charge on the go with the optional Apple USB power adapter.

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RCA RD-2763FM Lyra 5 GB Micro Jukebox with FM Transmitter/Charger Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the LYRA 2763FM because it was compatible with Windows 98 & it came with a car adapter. After using for about 2 weeks, the unit crashed & wouldn't boot up.So I sent it back.The service rep said to send back everything that came with it- all accessories, including the car adapter.After 4 more phone calls to Thomson (RCA's service provider) ... not to mention 2 months. I received a different model that wasn't compatible with my computer AND NO CAR ADAPTER.After 3 more calls to Thomson, I've repeatedly been told that the new unit they sent me doesn't include a car adapter.

Thomson has kept the car adapter I already paid for and sent back to them - as instructed by them & they won't replace it.

BOTTOM LINE - Thomson's service is terrible. They don't listen to you as a customer and don't care about making things right.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RCA RD-2763FM Lyra 5 GB Micro Jukebox with FM Transmitter/Charger

Product Description:
Primarily designed as a digital music player but also capable of storing data, the RCA Lyra RD-2763 is a great choice for commuting, jogging, and a host of other on-the-go uses. The unit comes with a combination FM transmitter/charger that plugs into any car's cigarette lighter, letting you play your favorite tunes through the FM radio while charging the Lyra at the same time. In addition, the Lyra's 5 GB hard drive stores both MP3 and WMA files, in addition to supporting secure downloads from WMA-compliant DRM services. Listeners will enjoy access to up to 170 hours of WMA music or 3,400 songs encoded at 64 kbps--enough for almost any application, including cross-country road trips.
Getting around is simple thanks to the HDD SmartTrax navigation and included MusicMatch Jukebox software. The former lets you browse your contents by album, genre, year, or title, or select a group by ID3 tagging, while the latter offers such functions as Lyra DJ (creates precise playlists based on your sorting preferences) and the ability to export MP3 files to WAV format. And because there are no moving parts, the Lyra's music playback simply doesn't skip.
Listening to music is only part of the fun, however. The Lyra also stores data files, such as digital photos, PowerPoint presentations, text documents, and more. The data storage in effect turns the Lyra into a mini hard drive, making it a great companion for anyone who needs to transport small data files from one location to another without wasting a CD-R or hauling along a laptop. It also serves as a nice overflow device in a pinch, such as when needing to free up space on a digital camera.
The Lyra sports a multi-line LCD screen (with icons), which lists the artist name, song title, and elapsed time, among other details. The display makes it easy to select songs, view other selections, adjust the volume, check the battery level, and more. And thanks to the six equalizer presets--which include bass, custom, pop, rock, jazz, and flat--you can easily optimize the sound tones to suit your tastes.
The Lyra is compatible with PCs running Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, or XP or Macs running OS X 10.2 or higher. To transfer music, simply run a USB cord (included) from the Lyra to a PC (the Lyra supports USB 2.0). The Lyra, which also comes with a built-in lithium-ion polymer battery and a universal AC/DC adapter, measures 2 by 3.3 by 0.6 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a 90-day manufacturer's warranty.
What's in the Box
Lyra jukebox, FM transmitter/charger, MusicMatch Jukebox CD, AC/DC adapter, mini USB cable, headphones,user's manual.

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Philips SA9200/17 GoGear Super-Slim 2 GB Flash MP3 Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just picked mine up for $135.00 at Office Depot, literally, because of how it looks. It makes the iPod look silly, casual, and plain in comparison. All gloss black, with well-designed navigation shapes that illuminate a warm blue when active, and disappear completely when inactive.

The navigation is INCREDIBLE. I've used a few iPods, and prefer the layout and interactivity of this Philips's navigation. It's got one button for forward (down a level), one for backward (up a level), and then a single line down the center for scrolling, which is highly-accurate (touch-sensitive).

My favorite part is that you can download album art OR CREATE YOUR OWN IMAGES (200 x 200 pixels) that will display while playing any particular album (or song if you configure it).

Battery life is excellent. Fonts and design are above average. Price might seem a little high, but I actually find myself THANKFUL that I spent the money and got the most attractive mp3 player I've seen to date.

Usually kind of anti-Philips, but this product is a serious home run.

Also, don't pay attention to the fact that it says Windows Media Player 10 compatibility ONLY, you can browse and use it as a pretty high-speed hard drive from My Computer easily and effectively. So, I use iTunes as my player and manager, and then just drag the album folders from my iTunes installation folder right to the Music folder of the device in Windows Explorer, and it's super fast. Then, just create a .jpg named Album Art.jpg (with the space in the filename) and put it in the same directory as the album, and whala, that's what'll show while songs from that album play.

Anyway, INCREDIBLE PRODUCT. I haven't been this excited to use a consumer electronic device since I bought my first PDA.

Final notes:
Surprisingly smooth, fluid, and classy navigational animation. I was IMPRESSED by an mp3 player. The headphones seem pretty sweet too, loud, crisp, and portable. I'm not headphone expert though. But this is my 4th mp3 player.

5 effing stars. Well-deservedly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Philips SA9200/17 GoGear Super-Slim 2 GB Flash MP3 Player

Product Description:
Chic, dependable, and ultra-intuitive, the GoGear SA9200 MP3 player letsyou enjoy the world of digital music anywhere, anytime. The compact device measures amere 1.81 by 3.45 by 0.35 inches (W x H x D), making it small enough to fit in a pocketor purse with ease. Yet its 2 GB of built-in flash memory stores up to 1,000 songs, so youcan listen to all your favorite MP3 or WMA tracks while working out or commuting.And thanks to the 1.7-inch color LCD screen--which offers a resolution of 128 x 160pixels--you can also share up to 560 JPEG photos with friends in slide-show format,complete with a custom soundtrack in the background.
The GoGear SA9200 is a breeze to control thanks to the sensory touchpad, which letsyou navigate through hundreds of songs easily and smoothly--or one at a time--in just afew seconds. The scroll key senses your finger movements on the touchpad and adjuststhe speed to your navigation through the menus or tracks accordingly. An enlargedalphabetical letter, meanwhile, helps you keep track of your position in the menu whilescrolling for songs and artists. As a result, you know exactly when to release your fingerfrom the touchpad. The device even lets you control playback and browse at the sametime--a rarity among many MP3 players.
Another handy feature is the unit's PlaysForSure compatibility, which guarantees a widechoice of online music stores and synchronizes your collection easily with WindowsMedia Player. And audio-centric listeners will dig the GoGear SA9200's variety ofequalizer settings--you can choose from classic, dance, electronica, hip-hop, lounge, pop,R&B, rock, spoken word, or custom--and the SRS WOW bass enhancement. Otherdetails include a soft fabric pouch, a USB 2.0 interface (cable included), and support forID3 tagging.
The GoGear SA9200, which runs for up to 14 hours per charge of its lithium-polymerbattery, is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
GoGear SA9200 MP3 player, headphones, soft fabric pouch, USB cable, software CD- ROM, quick-start guide, user's manual.

Get 60% OFF

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SanDisk Sansa Fuze 4 GB Video MP3 Player (Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)One of the best not an ipod mp3 ever! The Sandisk Sansa Fuze has well over the potential to stop the ipod dead in its tracks. Only problem is its not popular enough. So to prove the extream slimilarities to the ipod here are some comments:
-The 4g ipod:$149,the 4g sansa fuze: under $99,(Sansa's advised price is $99),coming in many more colors and just gray.
-Doesnt have a touch wheel, but has a turning wheel.(personal preferance)
-Dont need itunes so you can just get songs and videos from the internet (or windows media player)
-Full color screen and no differnece in menus, you can see the album cover,next son and everthing.
-Can pick up FM radio stations and favorite the ones you like.
-Has a voice recorder(to help remeber those sudden ingenius ideas!)
-You can also record the radio, so if you know u luike the upcoming son you can record it and save a bit of money!

Overall you can see that ipods aren't the only cool multi media, portalble devices out there! So if you dont have enough money to get a fancy smacy ipod and buy all you songs for a dollar a piece and videos for more(the majoriy of us!) this is a very good and reliable product.
Five stars

Click Here to see more reviews about: SanDisk Sansa Fuze 4 GB Video MP3 Player (Blue)

Product Description:
With the SanDisk Sansa Fuze, you can fuse your portable entertainment, featuring 4 GB of storage. Listen, watch, and play all day with 24 hours of battery life and room for up to 1,000 songs**. Watch your favorite video clips on the Sansa Fuze's 1.9-inch color screen. Measuring just 0.3 inches thin, the Sansa Fuze marks the next wave of music and video players.

Your portable music machine with 4 GB of storage. (Click image to view larger.)
The MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot means storage possibilities are essentially unlimited. (Click image to view larger.)
Smaller than a credit card and as thin as a pencil, the new Sansa Fuze MP3 player looks great--and has the brains to match. (Black player shown here; click image to view larger.) Audio Player
Smaller than a credit card and as thin as a pencil, the new Sansa Fuze MP3 player looks great--and has the brains to match. With room for up to 1,000 songs**, you can listen all day long. Jam to FM radio with 40 preset stations, play with the built-in voice recorder, and listen to your favorite audiobooks wherever you go. And with 24 hours of battery life, you're free to listen, watch, and play all day--literally.
Watch Your Favorite Videos
The Sansa Fuze comes with 4 GB of built-in memory enough to store 12-hour video playback segments. Watch your favorite video clips from wherever you are. To ensure speedy file transfers, the unit features a USB 2.0 connection. Simply connect the player to a PC, and start dragging files from your Windows Media Player 10 or 11 applications.
Expanded Capacity
With an option to extend the capacity, its MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot means storage possibilities are essentially unlimited. Expand your music collection, show albums of photos with up to 2,000 images**, and watch your favorite videos on those long trips.
Compatible Formats
The player supports MPEG4 video files and audio files saved in MP3, secure and unsecured WMA, WAV, Audible, and Overdrive file formats.
FM Radio
If you're feeling like a break from your own tunes, or want to dial in the TV frequency at the gym, use the digital FM tuner. Save your favorites on the 40 user presets.
Voice Recorder
Use the voice recorder with built-in microphone to take memos, record meetings or lectures, or capture whatever else you might feel inclined to point a microphone at. When you're ready, transfer your files for listening on your PC.
What's in the Box
SanDisk Sansa Fuze 4 GB MP3 player (blue), earphones, USB 2.0 cable, quick start guide
* 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes; some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions; thus, it is not available for data storage
** Based on continuous audio playback at 128 kpbs MP3; video playback at 512 kbps/ MPEG 4; photos based on 1.7 MB average file size; battery life and performance might vary depending upon usage and settings; battery not replaceable.

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