Creative Nomad MuVo (128MB)

We can't imagine an MP3 player that's easier to use than this little number from Creative. With an innovative, detachable flash-memory module that connects directly to your USB port, the Nomad MuVo doesn't require cables, software, or drivers to download music or data from your computer. Though it lacks many frills such as an LCD, expandable memory, a carrying case, and settings of any kind, its tiny size, nifty design, and simple operation make it a great choice for those who hate fussy electronics.The MuVo is really small--about the size of a cigarette lighter at 2.87 by 1.38 by 0.63 inches--and weighs just less than an ounce. There's no LCD, and there are only six buttons to control playback and volume. For some, the lack of viewable song-title and settings information will be a shortcoming. Others, however, will revel in the simplicity of a device that can be operated by feel alone.

Pull the MuVo apart to reveal the USB plug.	Plug the white part into your USB port, and most operating systems will recognize the player--no drivers or cables required.

Ease of use aside, the most innovative aspect of the MuVo's design is that it separates into two parts, one of which plugs directly into your computer's USB slot and doesn't require a cable. Though the MuVo is certainly pocket-friendly, we still wish that Creative had included a belt clip or an armband, although both can be had for an extra $30. A loop on the corner of the device hooks onto the included lanyard or a keychain, but we'd prefer a more secure method of attachment.

Green means that the MuVo is playing a song, while red means that the player is stopped or connected.

Since there's no LCD, there are no settings to futz around with; just press Play, and you're good to go. A green light indicates that the device is playing, while red means that the MuVo is stopped or connected to your PC via USB. Anyone who likes to tweak EQ and other settings is out of luck; the EQ level is preset at Creative's Rock designation--which entails a slight bass boost--all the time.

All Windows operating systems later than Windows 98 SE recognize the MuVo's detachable flash-memory portion as a removable drive, which enables you to copy and paste or drag and drop MP3s onto the device. (Windows 98 and 98 SE users will need to install a driver, but Mac users with OS 9 or OS X won't have to do so, despite the absence of a Mac-compatibility logo on the box.) We love the fact that most newer computers need neither drivers nor cables to connect to the MuVo; that makes it perfect for ferrying data between computers in the manner that people utilize DiskonKey or other flash-based keychain hard drives. Those who prefer to use full-featured jukebox software to manage their music collections can opt for the included Creative PlayCenter software--which also handles CD ripping and MP3 encoding--to transfer songs onto the MuVo.

For those who wish to invest in third-party software with a different feature set and a smaller footprint than Creative PlayCenter, a company called Red Chair Software offers an alternative, called Notmad Explorer, which is free to try and costs $10 to buy.

Here's the MuVo with the flash-memory module and the battery cover removed.

The MuVo sounds great when playing MP3 or WMA files, with a loud top volume and a very high 93dB signal-to-noise ratio for clean sound. One AAA battery powers the unit for almost 12 hours. The included headphones sound average and have a long enough cord to reach the pocket of a tall individual.

Although file transfers are convenient without a cord or drivers, they aren't particularly fast. Our tests revealed a file transfer speed of 0.21MB per second--slightly below average. But in our opinion, the convenience of the transfers more than makes up for the speed. Hide Review