Mobile music: cell phones that play MP3s | ||||
![]() Kent German Senior editor | Updated January 20, 2006 Cell phones are all about multimedia these days, and many new models coming with integrated music players. They may not have loads of memory or crystal-clear audio quality, but they can be great for listening to tunes when you're on the go. Remember, though, that handsets equipped for MP3s aren't designed to replace your stand-alone player; owning both gadgets is still the best plan. One of the most anticipated music phones this year was the Motorola Rokr E1 for Cingular. The much-hyped iTunes phone offers solid sound quality and of course iTunes compatibility, but it has some drawbacks. There has since been a revamped version, the Motorola Rokr E2. While it doesn't have iTunes on it, its design has improved significantly, earning it a finalist spot in the Best of CES 2006. Alternatively, Cingular offers the Sony Ericsson W600i, which features an attractive swivel design. Although it's not sold by a carrier, the unlocked Nokia N90 is a sure bet for a quality MP3 phone if you have the dollars to spare. And don't fear, CDMA customers; you too can rock out with Verizon's LG VX9800 or Sprint's slim Samsung MM-A900, both of which support over-the-air MP3 downloads from Verizon's V Cast Music store and Sprint's Power Vision music store, respectively. More resources
| |||