My Nano Place

Download Free MP3s Online?

2009-03-04T22:32:00.011-06:00

What many people don't realize when they download music from these sites is that often times they will inadvertantly download a virus as well. There have been several reported cases of identity theft from people cheating the system and downloading music for free.

There are many sites where you can download mp3's cheap, rather than free. They range from iTunes, where you pay about $ .99 per song, to Flickr, where you can get a lifetime membership for about $29. Sites like these are legitimate and they make sure that the money goes to the artist of the song. For people who like a little peace of mind, knowing that they won't be involved in a lawsuit, and knowing that they aren't unknowingly downloading a virus, these sites present a great alternative to downloading free mp3s.

Some people won't be deterred from getting their music online for free, though, and so the pirate music downloading business continues to be brisk, with no signs of slowing down.

Samsung P2 8GB MP3 Player Review

2009-02-06T20:39:00.001-06:00

The Samsung P2 8GB mp3 player boasts a widescreen video player, an integrated optimized touchscreen user interface, and bluetooth capability, making it a first for Samsung. The Samsung P2's Bluetooth functionality will allow the P2 to pair up with other Bluetooth devices you may have. For superb quality wireless listening, you can pair the Samsung P2 mp3 player with stereo Bluetooth headphones and speakers. As an added bonus, you can pair the P2 with two Bluetooth devices at the same time.

The Samsung P2has a three-inch widescreen LCD, and is slim and streamlined. Not bad for an 8GB Flash-based mp3 player. You can listen to all of your favorite mp3's, watch videos, view photos, and even listen to the radio. The P2 supports MPEG4, SVI, and WMV9 files for video, and MP3, WMA, and subscription WMA for audio playback. You can view your favorite JPEG files as either slideshows or pictures.

As proof that big things come in small packages, you will also find an alarm clock, world clock, file viewer, calendar, and up to thirty hours of music or five hours of video play on the Samsung P2 mp3 player. The P2's battery can be charged whenever you connect it to a USB link, and it is compatible with Windows XP and Vista. Measuring just 3.94 x 2.05 x 0.39 inches and weighing only 2.88 ounces, the Samsung P2 is ultra-portable. The EmoTrue integrated touchscreen interface lets you swipe a finger across the screen instead of just tapping.

Cowon S9 16GB MP3 Player Review

2009-01-07T01:09:00.000-06:00

Ergonomically designed with a curved back and a sleek look, the 16GB Cowon S9 MP3 player is very impressive. It's made for you to easily enjoy your favorite music, movies, television programs, and photographs while you're on the go. The Cowon S9 has a beautiful 3.3 inch wide-screen touchscreen, Bluetooth capability for your wireless accessories, voice recorder with an integrated microphone, FM radio, and plenty of other features that will rest comfortably in the palm of your hand.

The S9 mp3 player has a 16 million color, 3.3 inch AMOLED touchscreen interface with a 480 x 272 resolution. Low-power display means that you can see the screen from just about any angle you hold it at. From complete darkness to direct sunlight, the display is beautiful and looks great. AMOLED is a vast improvement over conventional LCD screens, and that means you won't see those pesky ghost images while you're watching movies and videos.

The interface of the Cowon S9 mp3 player integrates perfectly with its durable scratch resistant touchscreen. It has zoom-able album art, pictures, and text that recognize the gestures and motions you make on the screen to navigate. The TrueType fonts ensure optimal visibility no matter what zoom level you choose.

The S9 video player supports AVI, WMV, Xvid, and WMV9 video files. Tilt the device on it's side and automatically switch to wide-screen viewing. You can preview thumbnails of your videos before you decide which one you want to view, and even see the previous or next file while you're watching videos or listening to music. There is also a composite video out if you want to send your signal from the S9 mp3 player to your television.

Cowon's S9 supports MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, WAV, and APE file formats, so you don't have to worry about converting, just stick with the one you like, it's supported. The meta tags and LDB 1.0 and 2.0 will give you detailed track info and lyrics while you listen to your mp3 player. Want to change music while the S9 is in your pocket? Not a problem, as the track control buttons are on the top of the device for easy and intuitive use.

The FM radio and recorder lets you store your favorite stations with up to 24 user-defined presets, and even record a live radio or jot a verbal memo to yourself for later listening.

The photo and document viewer that comes built into the Cowon S9 will allow you to view your favorite JPG images and read your TXT documents on the go.

Bluetooth 2.0 support is built into the S9 mp3 player. Use it with your favorite wireless accessories and get rid of those annoying cords and cables.

You can set the alarm on the digital clock to play a selection from your personal music or your favorite FM radio station. The clock can also be used to schedule a recording from the FM radio.

The Cowon S9 mp3 player has great battery life, and will give up to 55 hours of music play, 11 hours of video play, and up to 350 hours of stand-by sleep mode with a single charge of the battery.

The Adobe Flash Player that comes pre-installed on the S9 will allow you to enjoy hours of your favorite Flash games and utilities, as well as the Flash content that is embedded on many web sites.

In the box, you will receive the Cowon S9 mp3 player, earphones, a USB 2.0 cable, manual CD, and a quick-start guide.

SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player Review

2008-12-07T23:10:00.001-06:00

The SanDisk Sansa Express 2GB MP3 Player is the first cable-less, flash-based mp3 player with a microSD slot for expansion. It is inexpensive, compact, and lightweight.

The Sansa Express plugs directly into the USB port of your computer, and the battery life is impressive for such a tiny device. You can easily get up to fifteen hours of playback from a single charge. And recharging is simple too, simply plug in the Express to your computer's USB drive and it starts recharging.

Getting your music from your computer to the Sansa Express mp3 player couldn't be easier. When you plug it into the USB drive, your computer automatically recognizes the device as an additional drive. From there, you simply drag and drop your music and you're done.

The small screen is well-lit and easy to read, featuring four lines of display. It supports both MP3 and WMA files and holds up to 500 MP3 songs, or up to 1000 WMA songs. If that isn't enough storage space for your music, the microSD slot allows for even more.

The compact and lightweight design (about the size of a package of chewing gum) makes the Sansa Express mp3 player perfect for running, exercising, and commuting. Take it to class with you and use the audio recording feature to take notes.

As if all that wasn't enough, the SanDisk Sansa Express also comes with an integrated radio tuner that allows you up to twenty preset user defined stations. SanDisk is the leader in flash-based mp3 players, and they continue to prove why with the SanDisk Sansa Express 2GB MP3 Player.

8GB iPod Nano 4th Generation

2008-10-05T02:04:00.002-05:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife Apple's 4th generation iPod Nano comes in eight colors, has a new curved design, and some really great new features. You have the ability to find different songs in your library that go well together and make a playlist with the Genius Playlist feature. If you want to shuffle to a different song, simply shake the iPod. You can turn it on it's side and use the Cover Flow feature to flip through various album art. The built-in accelerometer lets you tilt and move your way through games that were specifically designed for the new Nano. The sharp, crisp, 2-inch screen lets you watch your favorite movies, videos, and TV shows. You're able to store up to 7,000 photos, and can view them in either portrait or landscape view. There are two models to choose from, 8GB and 16GB, with the 8GB Nano giving you enough storage for up to 2,000 songs or 8 hours of video in the palm of your hand.

Musical Genius

Ever been listening to a song and wanted to hear other songs that go well with it to set a mood? The Genius Playlist feature does just that. It will find songs in your music library and create a playlist on the fly. Sort of like having your own personal DJ.

Find Your Music Faster

Now it's easier than ever to get to the music that you want to hear. You can browse your album art in Cover Flow. Want to browse by album or artist? Simply hold down the center button. When you get to the song you want, press the center button, and add it to your playlist.

Rock and Roll

Tilt it. Turn it on it's side. The new iPod Nano lets you look and listen in new ways. Shuffle your music by shaking your Nano.

Game On

The iPod Nano comes with Maze, which lets you work through mazes by tilting and moving. Browse the iPod store for more great games designed for the accelerometer.

Photos Rock Too

Share your favorite photos wherever you go. Hold the Nano upright, and view in portrait mode. Turn it on it's side to see them in landscape. With a 320 x 240 resolution, they'll look great either way.

iPod Touch 8GB 2nd Generation Review

2008-09-19T02:52:00.005-05:00

The amazing iPod Touch is newer and better! With it's Multi-Touch screen, accelerometer, 3D graphics, and access to hundreds of games, the 2nd generation of the iPod Touch puts hours of media, fun, and information in the palm of your hand. It is available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB varieties, and features new volume controls and an integrated speaker. You can play hours of continuous music, create a playlist of songs on-the-fly with the Genius feature, watch movies, surf the internet, check your e-mail, find your location, and get directions with Google Maps. If that isn't enough, you can check out your favorite YouTube videos and shop at the App Store for new games and applications.

With the iPod touch, your music sounds great, and looks even greater. If you miss flipping through your CD, or (gasp!) record collection, you'll be able to take a walk down memory lane with the Cover Flow feature. You simply turn the iTouch on its side and flip through your music until you get to the album you're looking for. Tapping the cover will flip it over and show you the song list, while tapping it again plays the music. You can even look at the lyrics while you're enjoying the music.

If you're listening to a song and are in the mood for some more music that compliments it, the Genius feature is great. It will locate the songs in your library that go with the current song that's playing and make a playlist for you on the fly.

Putting audio and video media on your iPod Touch is a breeze with iTunes. You simply select the playlists, videos, and content you want to sync, and let iTunes do the rest.

Gone are the days when you had to strain your eyes staring at grainy images on your portable mp3 player. The crisp, clear 3.5 inch color screen will let you get lost watching hours of video. From the latest movies, TV shows, or entire seasons, they're all just a few clicks away at the iTunes Store.

You can tap the display while watching videos to bring up the onscreen control panel. It will let you play and pause, view by chapter, and adjust the volume. Tapping the iTouch twice lets you switch from widescreen to fullscreen.

There are tons of new games available for the iPod Touch, with gorgeous 3D graphics and an integrated speaker that puts you right in the middle of the action. Multi-Touch technology gives you fingertip control over game elements. Tilting and turning your iTouch will make it respond to your movements, letting you control the action. Even if games aren't your thing, there's bound to be an application for you to choose from in the App Store.

The iPod Touch is the only available iPod with wi-fi access, which lets you check your favorite websites, pay bills, or do that last minute shopping. It will sync your bookmarks from your PC or Mac, letting you access your favorite sites on the go. Google and Yahoo! search are built in, letting you quickly and easily find what you're looking for.

iPode Touch 32 GB Review

2008-09-17T19:46:00.001-05:00

The 32 GB iPod Touch is a multi media player that provides an excellent combination of quality, features, and capability. The great video capability, sleek and thin bidy, and Wi-Fi internet capability make it stand out among the crowd.

Pros:

Improved design with a sleek thin body, and rounded edges320x480 pixel wide-screen for video
viewing

Turn on it's side for wide screen viewing

Orientation automatically changes to landscape when turned on it's side

32 GB storage capacity allows it to replace some disk-based mp3 players

Bright screen with excellent contrast and crisp sharp images

Wireless access

Wireless searching and video mode can be disabled for longer battery life

Lower price in terms of money spent per GB of storage

All flash memory, unlike iPod Classic

Flash memory is also ideal for working out and running, although the iPode Nano is still ideal

Coverflow works better than iPod Nano

Better sound quality than 2nd generation iPods

Lower error rate than other iPods

Easily access iTunes over local WiFi

Cons:

Difficult to adjust without looking at the device

Data port is difficult to seat on many dock ports

Headphone jack is in an awkward place for portrait mode

Shorter battery life than other ipods due to WiFi and video power needs

Volume control is only available when the device is upright

No built-in FM radio or voice recording capability

Can't share songs with another iiPod Touch, unlike Zune

Approximately 2 GB of storage taken up by iPod software

The aesthetics and design of the iPod Touch are a definite strength of the Apple brand. The iTouch is solid but still lightweight. It's longer than the iPod Nano or iPod Classic, shorter than the iPhone, and thin, but not as thin as the Nano.

The wide screen is stunning, and the automatic landscape mode combined with a high resolution make this a truly beautiful video player.

SanDisk Sansa e280 8GB MP3 Player Review

2008-08-27T01:07:00.001-05:00

The SanDisk Sansa e280 mp3 player is an outstanding choice for your digital audio and video needs that gets really high marks when it comes to the requirements people look for in an mp3 player, such as portability, styling, features, ease of use, and of course, price. The SanDisk Sansa e200 line is a clear winner, and a definite competitor for the iPod Nano.

For starters, you get more capacity than the Nano, at up to 10GB with the microSD slot. You get more features than the iPod, such as a larger screen, FM tuner and recorder, voice recorder, and user customizable equalizer, and you get them all for the same price.

And that's just looking at the manufacturer's suggested retail price. I wouldn't advise anyone to hold their breath waiting for an iPod price reduction, but SanDisk is constantly lowering prices as the market allows.

The Sansa may not be clearly superior as far as the build quality goes, but with a liquid metal alloy titanium back plate, it is far more scratch resistant and has better durability than a lot of other similarly priced mp3 players.

Another selling point for the Sansa e280 is that you are able to remove and replace the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while you must send in your iPod and pay a $50 battery replacement fee with the Nano, as their battery is soldered to the motherboard.

Strangely, even though the Sansa is a little bulkier than the Nano, it feels more comfortable to hold. The extra thickness and weight lends a more substantial feel that you just don't get from an iPod.

The sound quality of both devices is similar, and they are neck and neck when it comes to deciding which one is clearer and more crisp. The equalizer feature of the SanDisk Sansa e280 does put it a notch ahead in some regards though, as it helps boost the bass without distorting it. The Nano has a small edge when it comes to the volume though. Your mileage may vary, of course, as sound quality is subjective from person to person.

Overall, when it comes to the quality of the build, the abundance of features, and a price that is very competitive, the SanDisk Sansa e280 gives the iPod Nano a run for it's money. If you're looking for one of the best mp3 players around at this price, definitely check this one out.

SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8GB MP3 Player Review

2008-08-24T22:01:00.003-05:00

The first things to note about the SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8GB MP3 player are the size, storage capacity, and certainly not least, the price.

Codec support is OK, not outstanding, but if most of your music is encoded using mp3 format, then you should be fine.

A common dislike, and one that is relevant to all SanDisk mo3 players, is that the recharging and syncing port is proprietary. Not surprising, since several other manufacturers do this as well, but a mini-usb would have been nice.

Video playback is smooth, with no noticeable sync problems with the audio and video. A 1.9 inch color screen isn't my ideal way to watch movies and videos, but for a portable mp3 player, it is what it is, and it's pretty standard. Picture viewing is about the same as mentioned with the video.

The voice recording seems to work well, and the player can be held a good distance from your face while still giving you good recording quality.

The FM radio is a nice feature, with 40 user-defined presets for easy browsing, and good reception.

The sound quality is very good, and the included headphones actually aren't crap earbuds like you get with other mp3 players. The volume goes up quite high, while still maintaining accurate sound at all volumes and ranges.

The screen is bright and easy to read, even in bright light or no light conditions.

The structural quality of the device is excellent. It feels great. The Sansa Fuze has a good weight, being light enough to exercise and jog without it being cumbersome, but still heavy enough to feel solid and not like a kids mp3 player. The front of the device is shiny and while fingerprints may be a problem, it is somewhat scratch-resistant.

Navigation is quite simple and the menus and interface are easily intuitive. You can find and press the scroll wheel and buttons without having to look at the player, which is nice when you're out running.

You can add your media to your Sansa Fuze mp3 player using common programs like Windows Media Player or WinAmp, or via a drag and drop file explorer. Music resumes exactly where you left off when you first turn on the device, and boot up time is around 3 to 5 seconds from turning on to playing music after you push the power button.

While the SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8GB MP3 player isn't perfect, it is a great digital player and one that is easily recommended for it's size, durability, and price.

Creative Zen V Plus 2GB MP3 Player Review

2008-08-22T17:50:00.004-05:00

The Creative Zen V Plus 2 GB MP3 player is just the high quality we have come to expect from their manufacturer, Creative Labs. They are stylish, pocket sized, and loaded with features. The Zen V Plus is an mp3 player that offers great performance and a capacity that, while not overly large, is still more than adequate.

At about $25 more than the Zen V, the Plus version offers an FM radio and video playback in addition to all of the standard Zen V features, giving you considerably more bang for your buck. Prices range from around $80 for the 2GB Creative Zen V Plus, to around $250 for the 16 GB version. The standard Zen V is even less expensive, and either way you choose, you still get more features for less money than an iPod Nano.

The sleek and curvy Creative Zen V Plus has a design that is similar to it's predecessor, the Zen Vision:M, but it's smaller size and design makes it almost feel like a toy, but not in a bad way. The Zen V Plus is available in black or white, with orange, green, or blue color accents, depending on which model you buy. The accents are featured around the joystick, the volume control, and through the seams of the player. The 1.5 inch OLED display can be viewed from any angle, but can be a bit difficult to read in direct sunlight.

The control interface is nice, but is a little lacking. The dedicated volume rocker is nice, as is the combination power/hold switch. The joystick, however, is quite small, and seems like it would be a dirt magnet if not properly taken care of on a regular basis. There are no contextual menu or shortcut buttons, instead the contextual menu is accessed by holding down the Back button.
With all that being said, the mp3 player is light, sleek, compact, and curvy, making it nice and ergonomic. It easily slides into your pocket, unlike bulkier mp3 players, or the long and thin iPod Nano, and still manages to feel sturdier. The Zen V Plus also comes with the option of selecting the screen orientation depending on your preference, which is definitely nice.
Windows Media Player 11 users will not need to install any software to begin syncing content and using the Creative Zen V Plus. If you don't have WMP 11 or just want to install the software anyway, it does include some useful applications, such as the ToolBox, which can be used to convert and place video flies on the mp3 player, and ZenCast, which gives you an easy and convenient way to manage your podcasts.

The Creative Zen V Plus supports MP3, WAV, WMA, and Audible audio formats; AVI video, although WMV and MPEG-4 can be transcoded onto the player with the software that is included; and JPEG photos. Navigating through the menu options is a straightforward and easy thing to do. All of the music on the Creative Zen V Plus mp3 player is sorted according to playlist, album, and artist, and your photos are sorted into folders and presented in a 3 x 3 thumbnail grid format.

As I mentioned earlier, the Zen V Plus is loaded with features. They include video and photo playback, FM radio tuner with 32 preset stations, ability to record from voice, in-line, or FM, a calendar and alarm clock functions, and PIM functionality, with the ability to sync with Outlook for your tasks and contact information. You have the ability to choose any of your stored photographs as your wallpaper and there are many different color themes to choose from for the interface. It would be nice if they included USB hosting capability and perhaps a built-in Wi-Fi in later models, but for the current price of the Creative Zen V Plus mp3 player, that would almost be like asking for too much.

The music quality through the included earbud headphones is decent, but really shines when you purchase a set of premium headphones. Either way, unlike common complaints from previous versions, the Zen V Plus gets plenty loud. The battery life is advertised at 15 hours, which isn't bad, but many people report getting closer to 20 hours of battery life, which is definitely a plus.

The compact design and durability of the Creative Zen V Plus makes this a one of the best mp3 players for kids that you could pick for the price. Adults will find plenty of features and options to hold their interest as well, highlighting the quality and utility that Creative Labs focuses on.

Also be sure to check out some of the best mp3 player reviews at this new site, including one for the Creative Zen Mozaic MP3 Player.

SanDisk Sansa c140 1 GB MP3 Player

2008-08-20T19:52:00.003-05:00

The SanDisk Sansa c140 mp3 player is much more compact and quite a bit easier to take with you on the go than a CD/MP3 player, and that makes it ideal for traveling or exercising. The sound quality is very good on voice or music.

The Sansa c140 has two volume levels to choose from in the Settings menu. The highest volume you can choose from the default setting is not very loud. This means you may be subject to hearing plenty of background noise over your music. Changing to the higher volume level is a tremendous help when listening to your mp3 player while exercising or on a plane.

The AAA alkaline battery that came with the Sansa c140 mp3 player stopped working before its listed time, but it could have possibly been weak from sitting on a store shelf for a whil. The battery indicator in the display does not really give you a reliable clue as to when the battery will stop functioning. I would advise that you always carry an extra battery with you, and definitely if you prefer to use rechargeable batteries. Other than that, it seems to be a great mp3 player for kids, exercise, and travel, and I am looking forward to getting my money's worth from it.

Sony Walkman 4 GB MP3 Player

2008-08-18T22:12:00.001-05:00

The small and sophisticated Sony Walkman Video MP3 player meshes a great music player with a 1.8" LCD screen to fulfill all of your multimedia entertainment needs. You can listen to your favorite music, watch videos, browse photograph slide shows, or tune in to your favorite radio stations.

Weighing in at just under two ounces, the Sony Walkman has the storage capacity for up to 2300 songs, several hours of videos, or hundreds of your favorite photographs. This 4 GB MP3 player gives you everything you need to listen and watch your favorite media while you're on the go. With red, pink, black, or silver models, there's sure to be one that matches your personal taste.

Here are some of the features, at a glance:

Storage capacity for up to 2450 songs, or up to 15 hours of video on your mp3 player.
Supports MPEG 4 or M4V videos at 30 frames per second.
Long battery life gives you up to 33 hours of listening, or up to 8 hours of video viewing before needing to be recharged or replaced.
320x240 display lets you view your movies, photos, album art, and song information in high quality.
Secure Windows Media Audio compatible means that you have more options for downloading and listening to your music.
Supports MP3, WMA DRM, and non-DRM audio files. Also supports AAC non-DRM files.
Clear Bass, Clear Stereo, and Digital Sound Enhancement Engine technologies are able to restore the high sound frequency that is often times lost when you compress music files.
The FM tuner has 30 station presets, allowing you to quickly navigate to your favorite stations anytime.
An interesting feature allows you to randomly select a year, and the mp3 player will shuffle play songs from that year.
You are able to search songs, albums, and artists by using the first letter search.
Vertical or horizontal display options allow you to view your photos or album art in the orientation you prefer.

The Sony Walkman has come a long way over the course of it's lifespan, and if you're looking for an mp3 player with video functionality, this is a great buy that you can usually find for around $70.

SanDisk Sansa c240 MP3 Player

2008-08-18T03:11:00.001-05:00

I recently looked into purchasing a SanDisk Sansa c240 1 GB MP3 player to replace an aging older model that I've been lugging around for quite some time now. I decided it was time to upgrade to 1 GB of storage and had heard this was one of the best mp3 players around. While I'm not sure I'd wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment, there are definitely some good points to consider with the Sansa c240.

It is small and compact, and very convenient to tote around. The lanyard that is included will easily fit around your neck and keeps the mp3 player secure.
You can start using it the minute you get it out of the package. Setting up the presets for the FM radio is simple and using Windows Media Player 11 to sync the mp3 player is a breeze. You can be listening to your favorite tunes within minutes.
You don't need to use proprietary music subscriptions. Download the songs you want to your PC using the program of your choice, and then sync them to the c240.
The screen provides clean and crisp pictures and has good color. You can view album art and pictures to your heart's content.
There is a microSD slot so you can add more songs very simply rather than having to purchase another mp3 player.
The price is low, often comparable to an iPod shuffle, and you definitely get a more robust device for your money.
When you turn the power off and then back on, it remembers where you left off and you can pick right back up there. No more having to start over from the beginning of your playlist, which is definitely a plus for me.
The sound quality is excellent and there is a built-in equalizer so you can customize and fine tune your songs to get just the sound you want.

There are however, a few not so great points as well.

The battery life is not good. User reports indicate that you can expect an average of around five hours of listening between recharging, which quite frankly doesn't hold a candle to most similar mp3 players on the market.
Each time you plug in the USB cable to recharge the mp3 player, it turns the device on, which seems counter-intuitive to trying to recharge it in the first place.
The contrast on the screen isn't everything it could be. Good, but not great, making some details more difficult to see than they should be.
The headphones that are included with the Sansa c240 mp3 player are pretty uncomfortable, but that seems to be an industry standard these days with shoddy earbud headphones.

Overall, still not a bad purchase if you're looking for an mp3 player for kids or for a gift to yourself. There are definitely some on the market that are better, but the price is reasonable and the pros outweigh the cons.

SanDisk Sansa m240 MP3 Player

2008-08-16T14:28:00.002-05:00

I wasn't happy with my current mp3 player, so I decided to try a small flash based player instead. It turned out alright, but I found it difficult to read and the controls were too small to be practical. That's when I stumbled upon the SanDisk Sansa m240 1GB, and I haven't parted with it since.

The quality of the sound is great with the included earbud headphones, and the custom equalizer allows you to get just the right sound for you. A lanyard neckstrap with the headphones would be nice but can easily be added later. There's a convenient hole to add a lanyard, but unfortunately, one was not included.

The display is easy to read and has a large font that stands out and good contrast. The backlight is good and bright, making it easy to see exactly what you're doing, even with no other light sources around. A lighter shade of blue would have been nice, but I don't want to sound overly picky, as it's really a matter of personal taste and preference.

The controls are easily one of the best features. The large user-friendly buttons are very easy to use. The mp3 player is set up similar to other mp3 players and seems to be of good quality. Overall design is fantastic in that they've meshed a large display and large intuitive buttons into a device only slightly larger than a USB flash drive!

Connection to a PC is a breeze with the included mini-USB cable, which is similar to the ones you're probably familiar with for your mobile phone or digital camera. It's always nice to find an mp3 player that doesn't require the proprietary connectors specific to that brand.

Playlists are simple to make with Windows Media Player. Once you sync it, the M240 will automatically sort your songs by artist, album and genre.

The FM radio tuner has 20 presets easily allowing you to use different groups of presets for different people or places, perfect if you are sharing the mp3 player or travel to other cities frequently.

If you're looking for an mp3 player for kids and adults, a gift for a special someone, or just upgrading your own flash mp3 player, the SanDisk Sansa m240 is an excellent purchase and I definitely recommend it.

SanDisk Sansa c250 MP3 Player

2008-08-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

The SanDisk Sansa c250 2GB MP3 player gives you all of the features you need to play your favorite music, view photo slideshows, and listen to your favorite FM radio stations. This cheap mp3 player also features a color screen, voice and radio recording capability, a microSD slot for extra memory, and an interface that is intuitive and easy to use.

The Sansa c250 MP3 player will play MP3, WMA, WAV, and protected WMA DRM files. You can view the album art on the color screen, while the song information is displayed via ID3 tag support. The 2 GB of flash memory will allow you to store up to 500 songs (in 128 kpbs MP3 format), providing you with up to 32 hours of listening enjoyment. Additional memory can be added via the microSD slot.

The c250 supports most music subscription services so you'll be able to easily buy and download new tunes for your mp3 player. The built-in digital equalizer lets you adjust the sound by utilizing the five presets: normal, rock, jazz, classic, pop, and one user-defined custom setting.

The SanDisk Sansa c250 has a color screen that gives you a great way to showcase your favorite photo slideshows and photo thumbnails. The c250 supports JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, and GIF files, and can be converted by utilizing the built-in Sansa Media Converter software.

The built-in digital FM radio lets you keep your favorite FM stations stored with twenty programmable presets, and you can also record directly from the radio with the device for later listening.

Classes and presentations are made easier to remember with the built-in microphone that lets you record voice memos, short notes, or anything else you may need to play back at a later time.

The USB 2.0 connection allows you to drag and drop for fast file transfer from your computer to your mp3 player. The c250 also supports Windows Media Player 10 and other music software. There is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery included with the mp3 player that gives you hours of music before it needs recharging.

Whether you're looking for a cheap first mp3 player for kids, adults, or yourself, the Sansa c250 is a bargain around $40 and provides high-quality sound with intuitive ease of use that is hard to beat.

SanDisk Sansa Clip 1GB MP3 Player

2008-08-14T16:17:00.003-05:00

The SanDisk Sansa Clip 1GB MP3 player is an excellent value and has the same storage capacity as the iPod Shuffle. Both are priced around $35, but with the Sansa Clip MP3 player, you get a screen, FM radio tuner, voice recording capability, and more. The 2GB version is available for around $25 to $40 more.

The light-weight Sansa Clip has good sound quality and a decent capacity for the price. The FM tuner comes with 20 presets so you can program your favorite stations for convenient listening. The device supports MP3, DRM WMA, WMA, and Audible files. It can be used as a USB drive or extra mass storage, and can sync music with drag and drop or from software applications. The 15 hours of battery life is comparable to other brands on the market and better than the Creative Clip Plus.

The SanDisk Sansa Clip 1GB MP3 player is a little larger than the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Shuffle, but for only $20 more you can buy the 2GB version of the Sansa Clip, which comes with additional features.

Although the Sansa Clip is a little bigger than an iPod Shuffle, it isn't by much, and has a nicer clip. It has all of the advantages that the Shuffle features, plus some extras that other MP3 players have as well, all for the same low price.

As a holiday or birthday gift idea, the Sansa Clip makes an excellent starter MP3 player for kids, co-workers, or family members who are always on the go.

Coby MP-C885 MP3 Player

2008-08-14T14:22:00.002-05:00

Small and sleek, but packed with features, the Coby MP-C885 MP3 player allows you to hear your favorite music in the car, on a plane, while exercising, and everywhere in between.

Less than 4 inches long, the Coby MP3 player has a removable cap on the end that hides the direct USB plug that connects directly to your computer. The device has 1GB of flash memory, which stores approximately 16 hours of MP3 or 32 hours of WMA files, which is more than enough for the red-eye from New York to L.A. or for your training for that upcoming marathon.

If transporting data instead of music is your thing, the Coby has you covered there, too. This MP3 player has the capability of storing JPEG pictures, text files, and more. Whether you need to move business documents from one place to another, or simply a backup for your camera memory card, the Coby MP-C885 is ideal.

The well-lit high-contrast LCD screen makes it a breeze to navigate the MP3 player's contents, while displaying the song title and artist. The MP-C885 also features a digital FM tuner, support for Windows Media DRM-10, ID3, and LRC support for song and lyric information display, and a USB interface that is up to 40x faster than USB 1.0.

In the box you'll find the MP-C885 MP3 player, stereo earbud headphones, USB extension cable, installation CD, one AAA battery, and a user's manual. The $25 price tag makes this a great gift or cheap MP3 player for kids.

Sansa SanDisk m230 MP3 Player

2008-08-14T13:09:00.003-05:00

With so many choices for the best mp3 player for kids, it can be an overwhelming decision to try to choose just one. There is tons of hype for the latest iPods, but if you're looking for a cheap mp3 player, you might want to check out the Sansa m230 512 MB flash player by SanDisk.

It is a little thicker than most other mp3 players, but the Sansa m230 has a flat control panel and a rounded back that ergonomically fits into your hand. The device is powered by one AAA battery, which gives it around 20 hours of life before needing to be recharged or replaced.

The buttons are large and easy to use, and the menu is easily intuitive. The menu button is on top of the player and the play/pause, next track, previous track, and stop buttons serve as the directional buttons for the menu.

The earbud headphones that come with the mp3 player aren't the best on the market, but aren't the worst either, and definitely serve their purpose fine until you need/want to replace them. The FM tuner that is featured on the mp3 player is also not the best on the market, with many users saying that they frequently had trouble getting a signal. It also has voice recording capability, which is handy when you need to record a short memo to yourself or take verbal notes in class.

The Sansa m230 is louder and has much better sound quality than some of it's older predecessors, and can generally be found for around $20, making this a great mp3 player for kids or adults.

SanDisk Sansa e250 | MP3 Player for Kids

2008-08-14T00:16:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for a flash mp3 player for kids that competes with the iPod Nano, you might want to take a look at the Sansa e250 2 GB mp3 player by Sansa.

The device is small and lightweight (2.6 ounces), and a little thicker than the Nano. It has a small screen with good color resolution for videos and photos, an easily intuitive interface, and comes with a user guide in PDF format on the cd-rom, as well as a quick reference guide.

Music can be loaded by dragging and dropping as well as from Windows Media Player 10. If your id3 tags are correct in Media Player, then the Sansa will show you the artist, album, song, or genre with your music. The display is informative and the sound quality is superb.

The rotating wheel in the center is illuminated in bright blue and allows you to scroll through menu items and control the volume. The buttons around the wheel can be a little difficult to use, as you'll need to utilize the tips of your fingers to press them because of the raised center dial. Smaller hands have an easier time with this, obviously, which is another aspect that makes this a good mp3 player for kids.

The USB connector is the only way to charge the Sansa, and as of this writing, there aren't any wall or car chargers. It also comes with a small pouch to store the device in when it's not being used.

Overall, this is a great mp3 player for kids or adults who primarily want to listen to music on the device. While it does offer video capabilities, the small screen is not ideal for them. With a price around $65, the Sansa e250 will likely be giving the iPod Nano a run for it's money.

SanDisk Sansa m250 MP3 Player

2008-08-12T19:35:00.009-05:00

The Sansa m250 2 GB mp3 player has great sound quality, superb ease of use, and is about as light weight as it can get, with most of the weight coming from a single AAA battery. The flash-based mp3 player provides you with high quality digital music playback at a completely affordable price.

The new and improved look showcases the Sansa mp3 player's navigation: your favorite tunes can be sorted by genre, artist, album, title, etc. You can choose repeated play, randomized play, or continuous play for your songs.

The bulk of the device's weight comes from it's single AAA battery. The Sansa m250 mp3 player has FM radio, voice recording, a backlit LCD screen, support for several file formats, and is compatible with most music subscription services on the market.

The 2GB Sansa m250 mp3 player holds approximately 32 hours of 128kps MP3 tracks, or 64 hours of 64kbps WMA files. It supports MP3, WMA, secure WMA, and Audible audio files.

The backlit LCD screen shows the current playing song title, artist, and album. The convenient and easy-to-use navigation interface let you sort by artist, album, song title, playlist, or other criteria.

There are five equalizer types to optimize the sound quality for your favorite genre of music, such as rock, jazz, classical, pop, and a user-defined custom equalizer.

One AAA battery will power your m250 for up to 19 hours of continuous play. For those looking to buy an MP3 player for kids or teens, this one gives you some great bang for your buck.

Refurbished iPod MP3 Player for Kids

2008-08-04T01:38:00.005-05:00

Back to school time is upon us and you may find yourself in the market for a new MP3 player for kids. The iPod is the standard-bearer for a generation that prides itself on being tech-savvy and ahead of the curve, so you may find one on the school supply list along with the familiar pens, pencils, and notebooks.

Quality name brands come at a price, however, and with budgets getting tighter across the country, a good alternative for some might be a refurbished iPod.

A refurbished iPod is one that is returned under Apple's Return and Refund policy, and undergoes a meticulous process regardless of why it was returned in the first place. A green iPod that was returned because the recipient wanted a black one goes through the same process as a malfunctioning one. This means that they're all fully tested, replacement parts are issued when necessary, it is cleaned and quality assured. Your refurbished iPod will arrive in a new package with new accessories, a new manual, and even new parts and serial numbers.

Another good point about a refurbished MP3 player from Apple is that you get a one year warranty on the product. If anything goes wrong, simply return it and it will be taken care of.

Apple sells their refurbished iPods at a discounted price, so your child can take their like-new mp3 player back to school, and you don't have to worry about breaking the budget to get one.

It's seldom that you can find an MP3 player for kids that is used, but just as good as new, worry-free with a warranty, and easily affordable, but with a refurbished shuffle, (perhaps even with a refurbished case and refurbished speakers if you're so inclined), you'll be able to meet all three criteria.

Best MP3 Players for Kids

2008-08-03T01:09:00.006-05:00

More and more companies are starting to make mp3 players for kids, with some even especially aimed at children from 0 to 3 years old. To help wade through the prolific choices, here are some of the things you should be looking for:

Is it easy to use?

Some models can be difficult to navigate with features more complex than the average child (or sometimes adult) might need. How intuitive the interface is, and how thorough the instruction manual is are a couple of things to look at to determine ease of use.

Is it small enough to be convenient/large enough not to be lost?

While teens and "tweens" may need an mp3 player that easily fits into a pocket, younger children may need a bulkier device to keep from being accidentally lost or damaged.

Is it a high quality device?

The durability of the device is the obvious one to look for first. If the device gets broken the first time it's used, it won't matter how many cool features it has. The audio quality and storage capacity are a couple more areas you'll want to check out before you purchase your kids mp3 player.

Do you know/trust the manufacturer?

It doesn't hurt to do a little research. Consumer reviews are easy to come by for most products, and especially for an mp3 player. If the manufacturer is known for standing by their products and offering excellent customer service in the event of a malfunction or need of a replacement, it will likely be noted in the review. Conversely, if the oppposite is true, that information will often-times be plentiful as well.

If you're concerned about the price of an mp3 player for kids, it may be worth looking into buying a used or refurbished model. Amazon, eBay, and even Apple will sell a used or refurbished mp3 player at a discounted price, which may be ideal for parents who worry that their child may break or lose interest in the device after a short time. As with anything, do a little homework and you'll have little trouble finding an mp3 player that is perfect for you and your child.

Maxfield MAX-JOY | MP3 Player for Kids

2008-08-02T01:41:00.002-05:00

Maxfield, a German-based electronics company, has an MP3 player for kids called MAX-JOY.

It is intended for children ages 6 through 12 and is a durable flash-based device. It has a well lit 2-color LED display and comes standard with 256 MB of storage that easily expands to 2GB with an SD flash card.

The MAX-JOY MP3 player features a voice recorder and a 6 stage equalizer, and is powered by a single AAA battery, which gives it approximately 19 hours of battery life. There are optional cards that contain pre-recorded stories and fairy-tales that can be purchased separately.

The next feature alone may be worth the $84 price to some parents:

It is one of the first MP3 players for kids that I've seen take a pro-active approach to limit possible hearing impairment due to headphone volume by restricting the device's volume to 60 DB.

The MAX-JOY MP3 player can be found on Amazon dot com in the U.K.

Sansa Shaker | MP3 Player For Kids

2008-07-31T14:27:00.003-05:00

With the holiday shopping season starting earlier and earlier, a lot of parents are looking for the best MP3 players for kids. I've been writing a series of blog posts outlining some of the more kid-friendly devices on the market, and today I'll be looking at the SanDisk Sansa Shaker.

The "tweens," or 8 to 11 year olds, are the target audience for the Shaker. They come in blue or pink, and have a white ring at the top and bottom that can be twisted to adjust the volume or skip to the previous or next song. There is no screen, but there is a built-in speaker at one end and dual headphone jacks, and the other end comes off to reveal a USB port, card slot, and battery compartment.

The accessories included in the box are: earbud headphones, USB cable, 512 MB SD card, and 1 AAA battery. The Shaker also comes with a few pre-loaded kids songs.

The Shaker supports MP3 and WAV files, and plugs into the USB port on your PC to enable song transfers right in Windows, which will be a plus for some parents, as there is no additional music software needed.

The price is on par with an iPod Shuffle, but unfortunately the sound quality is somewhat lacking. So, while this may not be the best MP3 player for kids, it will definitely make a fun gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season.

SweetPea 3 | MP3 Player For Kids

2008-07-31T02:55:00.004-05:00

This is my latest installment about mp3 players for kids, and I'm really not too sure about this one...

They come in violet or blue, and honestly look a bit more like a baby monitor than an mp3 player. Their website (www dot sweetpeatoyco dot com) does say that they are mp3 players for children ages 0-6 though, so this model design was probably the most practical.

The rubberized device stores up to 4 hours of music, and claims to have up to 40 hours of life from a single AA battery. It comes pre-loaded with songs from Susie Tallman and Friends and stories from Jim Weiss of Greathall Productions. If that isn't your cup of tea, you have the option of loading your own songs or stories for your child to listen to. The SweetPea 3 supports MP3 and WMA files.

There is a headphone jack, but headphones are not included with the device. They aren't necessary to listen to the music though, as there is an integrated speaker. There is an LCD display to show the song number, and you're able to program the mp3 player with up to 3 playlists.

The interface of the SweetPea mp3 player is so simple that "even an infant could control it," according to the website, so while I would normally criticize a 128 MB memory on an MP3 player, I don't really know any infants who would require more storage for their files. The $69.95 price tag might seem a bit high, but it is a fully functional MP3 player, albeit a rather simplified one.

Overall, I'd say that if you're looking for an MP3 player for young kids, the SweetPea3 would be worth your consideration.

Hasbro Play It Now | MP3 Player For Kids

2008-07-29T22:09:00.002-05:00

I first want to say that Play It Now by Hasbro is NOT one of the best MP3 players for kids, and in fact, it's not really an MP3 player at all. While it could be viewed as sort of a pre-mp3 player, it would definitely fall more into the category of a fun toy than anything else.

It does, however, have a few things going for it.

For starters, it's about half the price of the low-end MP3 players, and for younger kids, has a lot of the same basic functions. They can listen to their own music while they play games. The device comes with a few of it's own pre-packaged games. Kids can record either 30 or 60 minutes of music, depending on the model you choose, and they come in a few different colors.

There are also a few drawbacks. First, all of the music on there has to be recorded in real-time by hooking it up to anything with a headphone jack and pressing buttons to start and stop recording. The earbud headphones that come with the Play It Now are not very durable and are prone to shorting out. It requires the use of a small screwdriver to change the 3 AAA batteries, which I suppose could be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. And finally, the music quality is decent, but definitely not great.

Over-all, I'd say that if you keep in mind that it's a toy dressed up to look like an actual MP3 player, that it should meet your expectations. If your kids are begging for an iPod, and you come home with this though, they may be disappointed. If you're looking for a starter music player for your kids, then check into this; if you're looking for an MP3 players for kids, you might want to check elsewhere.

Disney Mix Sticks | MP3 Player For Kids

2008-07-28T23:34:00.001-05:00

Disney has come out with an MP3 player specifically designed for kids, called Mix Sticks. They sell for around $50, and are compact and lightweight, about the size of a small cell phone.

It comes with 128 MB memory, which can be upgraded to 1GB, and an assortment of Disney themed styles such as Forever Princess, Disney Chrome, Sassy Pixie, and That's So Raven.

The Mix Sticks play MP3 and WMA files, store data and music files, and are compatible with some downloading services. Alternatively, you can buy pre-recorded memory cards called Mix Clips, or even use some camera memory cards for extra memory.

The accessories included in the box are: earbud headphones, rechargeable batteries that last for approximately 8 hours, a lanyard neck cord with a safety release, and a software disc to connect to a Windows PC.

One of the drawbacks of the device is that you aren't able to listen to music while it's charging, as the USB ports cover up the headphone jack. There are some accessories that you can purchase that can bypass that problem though.

The Disney Mix Sticks are marketed for children ages 6-12, so they are easy to use and have an intuitive interface. The cute designs and good price/functionality balance make it a great MP3 player for kids. Another selling point for some parents is that the ability to plug in the pre-recorded cartridges gives an added degree of supervision over your child's listening choices.

2GB iPod Shuffle Review

2008-07-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

I had often thought about purchasing an iPod mp3 player, but the price always gave me pause. When Apple dropped the price of the Shuffle, I grabbed one. But I did fork over a little extra and get the 2GB version. You know, for $20 more, wouldn't you?

The iPod Shuffle comes with all of the accessories you need right out of the box. You get the device itself, the ear bud headphones, and the docking device. You use the dock to connect your iPod to your computer. While docked, you can load songs from iTunes and charge the Shuffle.
And that brings us to one of the flaws of the device (and Apple in general). You can only load songs from their music player. Conveniently, anyone can download iTunes from Apple for free, so that isn't a problem. It would, however, be nice if it was compatible with other programs. You also have to dock it into a computer to charge it.

Loading the Shuffle with songs is pretty simple. You can create a playlist for it to load or you can have it load up random songs.

The Shuffle is compact and lightweight. But what i love is the built-in clip that allows you to fasten it to your clothes. It's ideal for exercising, and I bought mine mainly for that purpose. Weighing in at half an ounce, you don't notice it and can practically forget about it once it's attached.

The control interface is laid out well and straight-forward to use.

My main complaint is one I knew I would have before I even made the purchase. If you have a song on your iPod that you really want to hear, it can be pretty difficult to find, as there isn't a screen. It can play from your playlist or it can play randomly, but you have to do a lot of skipping around to get to a particular song.

The battery life is around 12 hours, so with approximately 500 songs, you would get over 30 hours of music. However, the only time it gives a battery indicator is right after you turn it on, so if you don't check as soon as you turn it off, it could potentially be easy to run out of battery power sometime without realizing it was low.

You'll have to decide if the extra storage of the 2GB Shuffle is worth it for you, but for just listening to some of your favorite songs while you occupy your time with something else, this model is perfect. It should also be noted that if you're looking for one of the best MP3 players for kids, the relatively inexpensive price, compact design, and high durability of the Shuffle make this a great value.

iPod Nano MP3 Player

2008-07-24T21:18:00.003-05:00

Apple's iPod MP3 players have the leading share in the portable media player market, and today we'll be taking a look at the iPod Nano to see if all of the hype and eye-catching ads are backed up by an MP3 player you'd actually like to own.

The iPod Nano is Apple's median-priced and mid-sized MP3 player and combines a color screen and the patented iPod interface into a smaller, lightweight, more conveniently accessible device than it's larger sibling.

Although there is seemingly a vast array of extra accessories for your MP3 player, you really shouldn't look much further than the earbud headphones, dock adapter, and USB charger/uplink cable that are yours straight out of the box.

The included disc comes with a pre-loaded copy of Apple's iTunes software, but it would probably be easier to just bypass it and download the latest updated version from the Apple website.

In conclusion, the iPod Nano is a convenient and easy to use MP3 player, with an easily intuitive interface and the quality you would expect from the Apple iPod brand.

Thanks for dropping by My Nano Place, and be sure to return for more iPod product news and reviews.

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2008-07-18T19:57:00.005-05:00

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2008-07-18T19:57:00.003-05:00

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