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By Eliot Van Buskirk
I've been reviewing MP3 players for CNET since the first one came out in late 1998. Some of those early models were truly terrible--the Pontis SP503, for example, used the molasses-slow serial port for file transfers and took all day to add seven songs to a 32MB memory card. But like other tech products, portable MP3 players have gotten cheaper, lighter, and faster, in addition to offering much higher storage capacities. Similarly, flash-memory prices have plunged, while MP3 CD players and hard drive-based devices have added two more dimensions to these popular machines.
But the evolution of MP3 players isn't over yet. I'm not saying that these devices are going to sprout legs or grow gills anytime soon, but they will make important--if less dramatic--advances in the next year or so. If I'm right, my dream portable MP3 player should cost $300 and be available in a year and a half. Without further ado, here's what you'd find on it:
Senior editor, CNET Reviews (8/20/02)
1. Retractable headphones
I have a hunch that the average person spends about a year of his or her life untangling cords. To minimize this madness, I'd love to see a portable audio device include headphones that had a retractable cable, similar to a vacuum-cleaner extension cord or one of those variable-length dog leashes.
2. Wireless remote/docking station
In-line remotes are great, especially for devices that are too large to clip on your hip. But a wireless remote would mean not only fewer wires, it would allow you to set the portable device in a docking station, connect it to your home stereo, and use the remote to control it from the couch, as you can with a good DAR. Everyone needs to be lazy sometimes.
3. Mike, line-in, and optical inputs
MP3 players with a high-quality recording function have always included a line input, which requires that microphones used in the field have their own power source to boost the audio signal up to line level. My dream machine would have both mike and line inputs, as well as an optical in for recording from digital mikes or home stereos--like a MiniDisc recorder.
4. Multiple-format recording capability with automatic levels
I want to be able to record in whatever format best suits my needs without having to mess with levels. Give me a product that records to MP3, WMA, AAC, and uncompressed WAV with an automatic recording-level sensor, and I'll quit complaining.
5. TV output
I've seen some of next year's MP3 players, and many of them include a small, color LCD for viewing low-res photos and videos. This is great, but I don't want to pay extra for it. I'd rather have a cheaper video-output connection for displaying photos and video on a television. As a bonus, the TV display would be a great interface for navigating songs while the portable is docked to my stereo.
6. Plasma color-morphing case
While I've never seen this in action, Bantam Interactive's CEO tells me that its engineers are working on a device that changes colors like a mood ring by passing different low voltages of electricity through a thin layer of plasma that's built into the player's case. This means that you'll get to choose 1 of 256 or so colors for your device. How cool is that?
7. High-speed connection
Whether it's USB 2.0, FireWire, or some other high-speed protocol, I need a fast connection between my computer and my portable audio device. To make it more usable, my dream device should be Plug and Play (read: compatible with Windows 98 or higher) and sans drivers, just like the Creative Nomad MuVo.
8. Hard drive-based memory
Apple's iPod proves that it's possible to put a large-capacity hard drive into a portable device. That's great, but my dream machine will offer 40GB in a case that's two-thirds the size of the iPod.
9. Digital and analog output
Even if digital headphones aren't invented yet, I want both digital and analog outputs for sending clean audio to my stereo. Why should audiophiles have all the fun?
10. Nice belt clip and case
This wish doesn't sound too glamorous, but I'm always amazed by how many manufacturers neglect to include these accessories. A cool case should be a mandatory inclusion for any small portable device.
11. Extra battery pack
Assuming that we haven't figured out how to do cold fusion portably within the next couple of years, battery life will still be an issue. That's why my dream device would come with an external battery attachment to add another 10 hours of listening.
12. PIM functionality
The iPod syncs with your Outlook contacts list--on a Mac, anyway--and my device would have the same capability, regardless of OS. For once, it makes sense to mix business with pleasure.
13. Tons of sound options
One of our favorite things about Creative's Nomad Jukebox 3 is the extensive menu for sound settings. Rather than just choosing among Rock, Pop, and Jazz, you get such options as Plane or Train, which help your music sound good in sonically challenging environments. Among other things, I want a setting for drowning out incessant cell phone users.
14. Simple software that syncs to multiple PCs
Transferring music to an MP3 player is an easy task, so I don't want to have to wade through complex menus and intricate copyright-protection schemes just to put new tunes on my device. Since I use three computers running various operating systems, I want the ability to sync to multiple computers out of the box.
15. $300 price tag
I think that a luxury portable audio device should cost about $300. My first car cost me $325, and it had a stereo, so I'm not going to spend more than that for a portable audio device that doesn't have a Slant 6 engine and power steering.
MP3 Nugget: Try out P2P Webcasting
You're going to love this one. With P2P services such as Audiogalaxy shutting down and the new, unfair CARP royalties closing many nonmainstream Internet radio services, now is the perfect time for P2P Webcasting to save the day. Entranced by a description that I read about PeerCast, I downloaded the app, installed it, and was listening to a Webcast within 30 seconds. P2P broadcasting is not the simplest feat, but you'd never know it with PeerCast--from the listening end, anyway. Broadcasting is a bit trickier but is also free, just like every other MP3 Nugget. Give it a try; if more people start using PeerCast, it can only get better.
 Download the PeerCast client
Senior Editor Eliot Van Buskirk covers portable audio and music-related issues for CNET Reviews. Have a question for him? Let him know!
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