There is little doubt that the hottest trend in MP3 players is wireless, but how it is implemented varies from device to device. Some players, such as the Zune HD and the Sony X-Series Walkman, have integrated Wi-Fi that allows for Web browsing and music-streaming capabilities (among other things). Other manufacturers go about things a bit differently, giving users the option to add wireless headphones to their devices via Bluetooth.
Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth is neither good for transmitting information over a distance nor is the best way to transfer large amounts of data. However, Bluetooth requires less power and it's cheaper to operate, so it makes perfect sense for portable devices. Thanks to the proliferation of cell phones as music devices, there are plenty of decent stereo Bluetooth headphones on the market today, so if you despise wires, it's time to start considering an MP3 player with built-in Bluetooth. MP3 players with Bluetooth are getting rarer these days, but we managed to scrounge up a few that are worth your hard-earned dollars.
Q: What is the best all-around Bluetooth speaker adapter if I want to connect my laptop to some good speakers that are not equipped with Bluetooth?--Tom, via e-mail
(Credit:
GE)
A: What you would want is a Bluetooth receiver, which can be a challenge to find; actually, we don't review them at all at this time, so I can't give you a personal opinion on any specific product of this kind. Generally, I get questions from people who are looking for a Bluetooth transmitter, which will allow you to connect a non-Bluetooth audio device with headphones or speakers that do have the technology built in.
In fact, many of the Bluetooth "receivers" I've come across in my search are actually mislabeled transmitters, so you'll want to pay particular attention to the feature and spec listings when searching for this product. However, it looks like the GE Bluetooth Home Stereo Transmitter and Receiver would do the trick. It won't come cheap--the unit will set you back about $100--but if you really want a no-nonsense wireless set-up, it's probably a safe bet. (I welcome other suggestions--please comment below.)
Donald and Jasmine discuss the third-generation Zunes and Slacker's new personal radio player, the G2. Plus, find out just how useful the iPod Nano's new text-to-speech function is.
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Creative's Zen line of MP3 players is possibly one of the most extensive we've seen, especially if we take the company's Asia-specific devices into account. And Creative shows no signs of deviating from its plan to offer feature-packed players at impressively low price points.
Evidence of this is apparent in the Zen X-Fi, a compact multimedia machine that's the first portable device to integrate Creative's X-Fi technology. The 16GB and 32GB versions are also the first Zens to pack in Wi-Fi capability, and without skimping on the usual array of features we've come to expect. Add to that top-notch sound quality and ultracompetitive pricing--$149, $199, and $279 for the 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB models, respectively--and you've got one of the best values available on the market today. Read the full review.
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The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai game, developed in XNA Studio for XBox and potentially...Zune.
(Credit: Ska Studios)
Microsoft's announcement at today's Game Developer's Conference made some waves in the gaming community, but for the growing faction of Zune owners, it felt like an exciting glimpse into the product's future.
While Microsoft hasn't made any formal announcements regarding games coming to the Zune, they dropped a big hint today when they demonstrated a game developed using XNA Studio running on a Zune 80. Its a move that makes plenty of sense, considering that Apple has been slowly and steadily releasing games for the Zune's competitor, the iPod. Gaming on the Zune also capitalizes on a theme Microsoft already has some credibility with, by way of XBox 360.
We might not know when Microsoft will start releasing games for the Zune, or how much they will cost, but we have some idea of what types of games will be released. The following list of XNA games and descriptions is quoted from Microsoft's XBox 360 site (videos via YouTube):... Read more
Microsoft's latest Zune is full of surprises.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)Anyone who's read my review of the Zune 80 knows that my take on the Zune is overall positive. In fact I rated the Zune 80 a few ticks higher than Apple's iPod Classic, which was a surprise to me considering that between Jasmine and me, I've been the biggest defender of Apple's deserved supremacy in the MP3 player marketplace. Though I doubt that the Zune will truly match the iPod's market footprint anytime soon, I can safely say that it's made this iPod fanboy prepared to make the switch. My recent Zune infatuation isn't all wine and roses, however. The following list details five aspects of the Zune (both good and bad) that I could spend hours ranting about. I did my best to keep my official review lean and to the point, so I'm going to take this opportunity to dish the more meaty details on my Zune experience.... Read more
Welcome to my first post on the newly relaunched MP3 Insider blog. I'll be updating this blog regularly with MP3 player-related rants and predictions. If you're a fan of the MP3 Insider podcast I co-host with Jasmine France, you'll probably enjoy this blog as well. I wanted to start with something classy, but instead, let's get the ball rolling with a juicy product smackdown.
When it comes to interface and killer features, the challenger that Microsoft should really keep an eye on is the yet-to-be-released Samsung YP-P2 I reported on back in August. Although Samsung hasn't released pricing information yet, things could really heat up if the YP-P2 can get close to the the $149 and $199 price points of the iPod Nano and Flash-based Zunes. Not only does the YP-P2 offer a 3-inch touch screen and built in Bluetooth, but it also has the advantage of not being Microsoft. Honestly, after Apple's successful "I'm a Mac" smear campaign, it's tough to convince people that Microsoft makes cool gear (unless you've got Halo 3 as bait).
We've been able to dig up two videos on YouTube that demonstrate the interface for both the Zune and Samsung YP-P2. To be fair, the Zune video shows a demonstration by a product rep, while the YP-P2 is handled by someone who seems barely familiar with the product. In my opinion, both interfaces look equally stunning. Still, here's the four questions that I can't shake:
1. Is there a way to pronounce the YP-P2 without saying "pee-pee"?
2. Which is more useful, the YP-P2's stereo Bluetooth transmission, or the Zune's wireless syncing capabilities?
3. Are touch screens really a superior interface, or has the iPhone hype simply created that impression?
4. Just how well does the new Zune handle podcasts?
I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Until then, I'll be studying these videos. Sound off in the Talkback section if you've already declared a winner.
Microsoft Zune 80GB
Samsung YP-P2
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Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
