Philips GoGear Key014 (256MB)

If you're looking for the ultimate audio player/USB flash key, well, keep looking. Although the Philips GoGear Key014 looks like fair competition for the likes of Creative's basic-yet-effective MuVo NX and Seal's DRM-friendly sfp-190, this 256MB plug-in player offers no benefits over other models. Quite the opposite: it lacks necessary features and relies on the most bizarre set of controls we've ever seen. On-the-go users may appreciate the accessibility of the GoGear's lanyard-dependent design, but we think everyone else would do better with another model.

You probably won't realize right away that the GoGear is housed in a lightweight (1.1 ounces) but extremely durable magnesium body. In fact, the first thing you'll notice about the compact (3.46 by 1.06 by 0.63 inches) device is that it has no controls, only a small green-backlit LCD and a 2.5mm stereo jack. So how do you operate the player? By plugging in the lanyard, which not only turns it into a big pendant but also houses the controls. There's a big play/pause/power button at the bottom of the lanyard--simple enough. But get this: the volume and shuttle controls are actually sewn into the lanyard straps.

Though cool in principle, this disastrous design makes the GoGear almost impossible to use. Because the buttons are soft, they offer no tactile feedback. It's very difficult to know when a command has registered. What's more, the buttons can't be identified simply by touch, so you have to look down to see what's what--not an easy task when the lanyard's around your neck, or when you consider the fact that the buttons and the strap are both black. And every time you want to connect the player to your PC, the lanyard is required to go with it.

Worse than all of that, the GoGear offers no playback options other than start, stop, and next/last song. It doesn't include an equalizer nor does it have options such as shuffle play or repeat. And it doesn't record voice notes or play FM radio. At least one sophisticated feature should be present in a player with a $149 price tag.

Philips's earbud headphones plug into the top of the lanyard, which resides behind your neck. Like most earbuds, they're pretty uncomfortable, which is why we usually recommend using your favorite headphones instead. Except that here you can't, because the GoGear has a 2.5mm jack, and most headphones have 3.5mm plugs.

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