MP3

For those of you who have been patiently awaiting the new iPod Shuffle's October coming-out party, you'll have to be a little more patient. In the middle of October, we noted with mild interest that the "world's smallest MP3 player" still hadn't appeared on store shelves. We had suggested that Apple was either waiting for October 31 to reignite its preholiday iPod fervor or that the device was delayed in some Chinese assembly line. Well, our daily call to the San Francisco Apple Store revealed this morning that the Shuffle will be missing its … Read more

Features and functions are crammed into media players and phones like commuters on a Tokyo subway, so we're a little surprised that there aren't more convergence products like this one on the market. The Rimax Mystic--an all-in-one MP3-video-radio gadget with up to 2GB of storage for photos and other data--can also be used as a VoIP handset when its USB cable is plugged into the computer. At this rate, maybe the next version will mop your floors too.

(Photo: RMXdirect)

Hey, friars! Taken a vow of silence, but still craving the new Decemberists album? (Give it a listen! It's good!) Well, your prayers may soon be answered--sorry, I had to throw that in there--if this prototype of a digital audio player hits the market. Called the "Saint B" and dreamed up by a Russian design studio, this little music player is shaped like a cross necklace and is sure to blend into any order's habits (though you'll have to find a way to hide your headphones). Just don't turn the volume up too loudly … Read more

When you think of SanDisk's popular (but older) Sansa m200 series, you think reliability, simplicity, and value (the $50 512MB version is $39 online). You think Audible playback, bulky form, and FM tuner. You think voice recorder, poorly backlit display, and subscription compatibility.

Now, it's time to think pink. No really, think PINK.

SanDisk will soon be releasing a hot pink version of the 1GB m200 with a price of $70. It will be available only at Best Buy stores. The company sent me a PowerPoint with a multitude of rad pink-themed photos; it was so difficult to … Read more

SanDisk's quick rise to No. 2 in U.S. MP3 player sales has spurred the creation of a fledgling accessories market, including the introduction of the first speaker system dedicated to Sansa e200 owners. Now you can listen to your tunes in your car--without the need for a generic, or worse, a Made for iPod FM transmitter--using Maximo Products' Car FM Transmitter and Charger, model number SAN-360.

This in-line-style FM beamer can tune into "all FM frequencies" (88.1 to 107.9 MHz), includes 3 presets, and can actually search for open frequencies. It also boasts "… Read more

After posting an item about water-resistant music players, we started to wonder how many situations would require them. Then we saw the SwiMP3 on Shiny Shiny.

This waterproof player not only affixes directly to your head via goggles--which are provided, by the way, though you can use your own--but it also sends soundwaves through your cheekbones to enhance underwater listening. Judging by the photo, it's not the most flattering accoutrement, but you'll presumably be submerged while wearing it.

The SwiMP3 isn't cheap. It retails for $250, though it's available at lower prices. But if you're … Read more

There's a funny thing about being a female in the tech industry: vendors and PR reps are always pushing pink gadgets on you. Don't get me wrong--I like pink just fine, but it's not like I'm draped in it 24/7 a la Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. And I'm a fan of colorful gadgets, but I prefer muted green or deep purple to pink. And black is, well, black; it's always in style. But I digress. I'm mainly trying to let you know that Pioneer has released a pink version of the … Read more

Maybe we're crazy for asking this this, but does anyone really need a remote for a portable music device? That seems about as necessary as a separate handset for a mobile phone.

Apparently somebody thinks it's a good idea, such as the people at Advanced Technetix who are marketing their "Visual Remote" with a backlit screen that controls your iPod "without removing it from your bag or pocket," according to Krunker.com. We're going to wait for the remote for this remote.

(Photo: Krunker.com)

We love Korea-based Cowon and its multitude of feature-packed and great-sounding MP3 players. We also admire its "who cares about the iPod anyway" attitude. Probably the biggest complaint about Cowon digital audio players today--outside of tricky interfaces, mostly due to all those features--is that most of their flash-based players currently max out at 2GB.

Well, we've just heard from the dudes over at Cowon America, and they'll be bringing 4GB versions of the iAudio F2, the iAudio U3, and the iAudio T2 in November. Eight gigs would be nice, but four gigs seems to be today'… Read more