Cheap Portable MP3 Players

Here we list some of the cheap portable mp3 players we can find on the internet.

Orb A3188 128MB (Pink or Blue) - £14.99 The Orb A3188 128MB features multi-codec support (MP1, MP2, MP3, WMA, WMV, ASF and WAV) and a clear easy to read 128 x 32 dot matrix display with a funky seven colour backlight. You won't find an easier player to use; the menus are simple and intuitive to navigate and the A3188 doesn't require any drivers - it simply appears as an MTP device for connection via Windows Media Player.

Squircle SD Card MP3 Player - £14.99
Spiralling onto the MP3 market in a flurry of excitement, the Squircle is a fun, funky music making machine. The player’s rubberised shell and soft touch buttons make it practically indestructible and since the Squircle doesn’t have an LCD screen, it’s amazingly easy to use.

SnowFox XT105 SD Card MP3 Player - £24.00
The SnowFox XT105's built in Secure Digital/MMC Card slot allows you to insert up to a 1GB memory card for maximum music or data storage. Since you're not dependant on internal memory, you can insert and remove memory cards whenever you wish. Memory card prices are falling each day making the SnowFox increasingly versatile, especially due to many digital cameras and PDAs using the same type of memory.

iRiver iFP-180T 128MB MP3 Player - £24.99
iRiver brings you one of the most advanced portable music players available, including a built-in FM Tuner and Voice Recorder and features 128MB of internal memory for up to four hours of music. The iFP-180T comes with a handy "Record from FM" feature and plays your MP3 and WMA music files for up to 20 hours on a single AA battery.

XEN EMP-400 128MB - £24.99
The smallest MP3 player yet.....probably. The fact it is also one of the best flash players yet, should come as no suprise from EZ-AV.

The XEN EMP-400 looks and feels great in your hands, with a smooth metal back body; design is simple but stylish. The XEN EMP-400 has virtually every feature under the sun including multi-codec support, 20mW output per channel, an FM tuner & recorder, sophisticated voice recording (with automatic gain control, digital time stamping and voice activated recording) direct encoding, auto email functionality, custom EQ modes and a lot more. The player also has some fairly unique attributes such as an inverse backlit 3 colour / 128 levels of grey LCD screen and a cool joystick. A great all rounder, the XEN EMP-400 will impress; both in terms of its aesthetics and massive feature set.

SumVision M18 512MB MP3 Player
The Sumvision M18 is a no nonsense budget flash based MP3 player. The perfect MP3 player for the beginner or those looking for a value alternative to the big name brands, the Sumvision has all of the key bases covered.

AMP3 256MB Mini MP3 Player -£29.00
An ample memory capacity of 256MB in a tiny strong body with an equally small price tag. The AMP3 256MB Mini MP3 Player represents excellent value for money. The player is only 8.5cm long and 3.1cm wide and defines portability.

Inovix IMP-18 1GB MP3 Player - £29.00
The Inovix IMP-18 features multi-codec support (MP3,WMA and WMA DRM) and a clear easy to read 96 x 26 Blue LCD display that displays ID3 tags: Song Title, Artist and time duration. You won't find an easier player to use; the menus are simple and intuitive to navigate and the IMP-18 doesn't require any drivers - it simply connects as a removable disc so that it can can store any file type.

MPIO FL300 128MB - £29.00
This is the smallest MP3 player we have seen and at only 3cm by 5cm, it features up to 128MB of MP3/WMA files, voice recording, 2-line LCD, digital clock and a built in Lithium Polymer Battery. This amazingly compact player has the features you would expect from a larger device but it has been shrunk to fit into a package that can be hung from a necklace, or can fit to the included armband for a hassle free gym workout. This is the best MP3 player we have seen for use in the gym or for running as it is so small and light. The only problem you might have is forgetting you are wearing it!

Philips EXP7361 MP3 CD Player - £29.99
If you demand nothing but the best, the EXP7361 MP3-CD player with FM Tuner is what you are looking for. Super slim, and ultra light with a sleek aluminum casing and cutting edge features, the EXP7361 is pure indulgence in every sense.

iRiver N20 - Smallest Screened MP3 Player?

Gizmondo reports that the iRiver N20 will be the smallest screened MP3 Player ever produced.

I've got a strong affection for iRiver and believe that even if it'll be minute, it'll still be highly useful.

I can't wait!

iPod Phone Next Year?

The Chicago Tribune reports that the normally tight-lipped Apple may have let something slip ...

"We don't think that the phones that are available today make the best music players -- we think the iPod is,'' Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said on a conference call recently.

"The biggest part of last night's call was the iPhone,'' said Piper Jaffray Co. analyst Gene Munster, based in Minneapolis. ``It was the closest we could get to the announcement of a new product from Apple.''

The story runs and runs ...

Thomson PDP2662S Sports MP3 Player Review

We love these innovative mp3 players that actually try and solve a problem. Well the Thomson PDP2662S Sports MP3 Player does this.

The Thomson PDP2662S Sports MP3 Player has a built in pluse rate monitor, a calorie counter and a stop watch.

It also looks easier to work with than the iPod Nano + Nike Plus trainer combination.

It's only got a 512MB of internal memory which should be good enough for the average jogging session. You can easily change the tracks with "drag 'n' drop" anyway so you shouldn't get bored of the same 'ol songs.

The battery lasts around 50 hours so that should hopefully last a couple of months.

MP3 Daily Rating: 6/10

Buy from:
Amazon - £39.00
Advanced MP3 Players - £39.00

Sansa e270 MP3 Player Review

The Sansa e270 mp3 player is the largest capacity flash-memory mp3 player ever released.

The Sansa e270 offers 50% more cpacity than the iPod Nano and has many other great futures that could put a halt to the iPods growth.

We like the e270 as it offers FM radio and recording capabilities that the iPod doesn't have. Furthermore the e270 has a built-in microphone for voice recordings and can play video clips.

However, you can't play songs from iTunes on it and you can't view photos or video clips transferred on a microSD card uising Windows Exporer as they must be transferred using the Sansa Media Converter software.

Also we couldn't find a charger for it, you'll have to use the USB cable to do this.

MP3 Daily Rating 7/10 - theres's some great futures, but the lack of an AC charger knocks it down a point.

Buy from:
Amazon - £149.99
Advanced MP3 Players - £189.00

Samsung YP-U2 MP3 Player - Review

The Samsung YP-U2 mp3 player is a cheap flash mp3 player as you can get it for only around £49, but is also packed full of features and easy to use as despite it being small, the buttons are well positioned.

You can playback MP3, WMA and OGG and has a four line display and a voice recorder.

MP3 Daily Rating: 6/10

Features:

• 3 different memory sizes: 512MB, 1GB and 2GB
• USB direct plug
• PC Rechargeable
• Illuminated Cap
• MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF and WAV compatible
• Voice recorder
• 13 hours battery life

Buy:
Amazon - £42.99
Advanced MP3 Players - £49.00

Pebble MP3 Player Renamed Datasafe oomi

The Advanced MP3 Players Pebble has evolved. Exactly the same great player inside and out but with a couple of super-charged new features, the player has been renamed the "Datasafe oomi". The oomi now also features full support for secure WMA files (WMA DRM) and is available in a 2GB version.

MP3 Daily Rating: 7/10

Stuff Magazine (May 2006): The Pebble (now renamed "oomi") was recently featured in Stuff Magazine: "...our attention was taken by the Advanced MP3 Pebble, a smooth and beautiful gigabyte player the size and weight of an otter dropping. So, does this mean the market is moving away from bulky, clunky hard-drive machines and back to miniature music players? It certainly seems like it. Hard drives for video. Flash memory for music. Easy...."

LG's World's First DMB MP3 Player

LG Electronics has launched the world's first integrated-memory MP3 Player with Digital Mobile Broadcasting (DMB).

The LG FM35 is just over 5cm wide and 9cm long and 1.4cm deep and the President of LG Electronics - C. H. Lee said:

'LG plans to lead the mobile broadcasting device market by continuing to update and expand our DMB product line. The FM35 is the slimmest and most compact DMB device available. It has 2GB of integrated memory, so users will be able to carry all of their favourite songs. LG offers many options in its DMB product line, providing consumers the opportunity to choose mobile TVs that best fit their lifestyles.'

It's got 2GB of flash memory that will allow you to store up to 500 music files in MP3, WMA, OGG, AVI and ASF formats.

The battery will last long enough to play55 hours of music before being needed to be charged again.

Other News Sources:

• LG unveils world's first DMB MP3 player - AME Info
• LG FM35 Flash Based PMP - Gizmondo
• LG FM35 MP3 Player - MobileWhack
• LG's FM35 DMB MP3 player - Engadget
  

Belkin TuneStage for iPod Review

The Belkin Tune Stage will allow you to listend to your iPod over your current hi-fi. Perhaps you could just get a normal RCA connector but this means that unless you've got your tracklist set up and you won't change your mood, you'll have to get up and select different tunes.

The Belkin TuneStage allows you to change tracks wirelessly.

MP3 Daily Rating: 9/10

Buy from:
Amazon - £99
SavaStore - £85.31
Misco - £99.86

Kelkoo have a load:
Essential iPod - £89.95
Microwarehouse - £93.99

Product Features
Product Description: Belkin TuneStage for iPod Bluetooth wireless audio delivery system
Product Type: Bluetooth wireless audio delivery system
Package Content: AC power adaptor, audio cable, Bluetooth audio transmitter, Bluetooth audio reciever
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years warranty

Manufacturer's Description
TuneStage delivers the pristine CD-quality sound that iPod users desire, through a high-end, home stereo environment. Using advanced Bluetooth technology, TuneStage can transmit from up to 33 feet away from your stereo, free of the barriers that limit traditional remotes - such as walls, ceilings, or windows. This great new innovation from Belkin lets you roam and play your tunes, from virtually anywhere in your home. Wirelessly connected through TuneStage, your iPod becomes the ultimate remote, putting absolute control at your fi ngertips. Since the unit draws power directly from the iPod, it needs no batteries or extra cables.

FM Transmitters To Be Legalised

Previously its been illegal to hook your iPod to your car steroe with a device like iTrip because it breaks laws regulated by Ofcom which restricts access to certain parts of the radio spectrum for broadcast radio stations.

Now they're seeking to get rid of that regulation to make it safer for drivers.

External News Resources:

• Legal nod for iPod transmitters- Guardian Unlimited
• MP3 Gadget Set for Legislation - BBC News
• Ban on illegal iPod and MP3 transmitters will be lifted - Scotsman

Aluminum iPod & Delays

More rumors relating to the iPod - there's talk of them releasing an aluminum coated Nano to avoid them getting scratched.

We've added a picture of the old iPod Mini as we expect the colours etc to look just like those.

Furthermore, we expect the iPod Nano to go up to 8GB.

External News Resources:

• Second-gen iPod nano on tap for August - Think Secret

MS Zune - New MP3 Player Rumors

Talk has resurfaced again about a new mp3 player to combat the iPod. We've searched around and blieve it'll be called the MS ZUNE.

"Sources close to Microsoft" (don't you love that phrase) say that it'll be a wireless digital music and video player and you'll be able to download tracks from a new, competing service to iTunes - Urge.

The news also states that the Microsoft Zune will also offer a free conversion tool to change your iTunes into compatible files.

Another piece of information is that the MS Zune will have an internal 400 Mhz processor which currently out punches the iPods.

Also, as the Zune looks like it is being developed by the same team as the XBox, can we expect a device that plays games and can be connected to the internet?

External News Stories:

• Is Microsoft going to release an iPod killer? - Guardian Unlimited, UK
• Microsoft’s ‘Zune’ leaks more revelations - Stuff Magazine, UK
• Zune Shipping with Interesting Processor - 1UP.com, NY
• Amid iPod buzz, separating fact from fiction - Think Secret
• Microsoft Approaching iPod Manufacturers For Zune Accessories - Gizmondo

Hydrogen-powered iPod on its way

ITnews reports that iPod user will have the opportunity to be cutting edge by recharging their mp3 player with a hydrogen fuel cell.

A British company called Voller has released a portable battery charger with a USB port that will allow it to recharge all USB-powered devices.

The battery can be topped up with refillable cartridges or connecting it to a compressed gas cylinder.

iPod to Talk

The next development that we could see in the iPod range is its ability to speak its menu to you - which is great if you use it in the car. I often ride with a mate who's always findling with his iPod. Hopefully it'll allow you to shuffle through tracks simply by saying "next"

This, with the wireless downloading of music, is an essential development if you consider that Microsoft will be releasing an MP3 player before Christmas.

External News Stories:

• An upcoming iPod will speak - After Dawn
• Next iPod to Have Text-to-Speech? - TAUW
• Apple Creates The Talking iPod - All Headline News
  

Nike & iPod Sport Kit

Nike and Apple have released a Nike & iPod Sport Kit which can be purchased from today.

It works by wirelessly transmitting date from your Nike Trainer to your iPod nano about your run and habit trends. At just £19.99 you can't really argue.

All you do is insert the wirelss sensor into the custom built pocket into the sole of your Nike+ shoe and connect the dock into your iPod.

Then when you start your work out you'll get information sent to your iPod about your excercise such as the time elapsed, distance travelled, your pace and the calories burned. You can also get spoken feedback and milestones.

When you're back at your pc you can sync the data on your iPod with iTunes and nikeplus and evaluate your performance history and set goles etc. You can also others to a virtual race.

This is so cool its unberliable!

Buy now:
Apple - £19.99

Tags: iPod Nano

Sony MP3 Player NW-A1200

Sony will be taking on the iPod Nano this Christmas with the Sony MP3 Player NW-A1200.

It has a 8GBN hard driveand should be priced just over the £100 mark.

It'll be available in pink and violet so we know its not going to be targeted at the male market.

This is the feature list from Sony.


8GB Hard Disk Drive
Store up to 5,300 of your favorite songs1. In addition to audio that can be transferred to the NW-A1200, it is also possible to store data files.

Supports Multiple Audio Formats
For customers who already have extensive MP3 music libraries, the included software and hardware allows them to store and play back their collection. This device also supports playback of WMA and AAC files that were ripped from a customers existing CDs (note: does not support secure music files purchased from sites other than Connect). For the customer who is just getting into digital music and downloading, Sony's ATRAC® format provides higher sound quality with smaller files than many competing formats. This enables the user to store more music and have longer listening times. Compatible with commonly used digital music formats including MP3, ATRAC®, ATRAC3plus™, WMA and AAC.

Intelligent Shuffle and Easy Search
Now you can take control over your shuffle. Introducing My Favorite Shuffle which allows you to shuffle play among your favorite songs and artists, or shuffle songs from randomly selected years with the new Time Machine Shuffle feature. Searching for an artist or song just got easier; quickly browse your library using the first initial function.

Artist Link
Easily access similar artists, songs and albums located within your music library with the touch of a button.

Hours of Continuous Playback
Enjoy up to 20 hours of continuous playback with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Direct Battery Charge via USB or Supplied Adapter
Charge the NW-A1200 Walkman with the supplied AC adaptor or USB cable. For a quick charge, plug in the AC adapter and the unit will be charged to 80% capacity in 1 hour.

Skip-Free G-Protection™
TechnologyBuilt to provide quick recovery from both horizontal and vertical shock.

G-Sensor™ Shock Protection for Impact Protection
The innovative G-Sensor™ system automatically and instantly reacts to changes in gravity and velocity by releasing the recording head. this protects the hard disk surface, preventing crashes and loss of data, ultimately improving long term reliability.

Organic Electroluminescence Display
A unique 1.5" screen offers a crisp, clear view of player functions and data while creating the illusion of a "floating" display that takes up the entire surface of the device.

Connect™ Music Store Compatible
The Connect™ Music Store provides an easy method for downloading personal music. Access thousands of songs from old favorites to the latest cuts.

SonicStage® Music Management Software Supplied
Manage your music, create playlists, burn CDs, import digital files and easily transfer music to your Walkman® MP3 player.

Compatible with USB 2.0
Easily transfer your music mixes to the NW-A1200 at high speed via the USB 2.0 port.
Transfer Downloaded Music and CD RecordingsBetween your CDs and your PC, you can create your own music mixes for on-the-go enjoyment.

Ergonomic Design
Control design and screen orientation accommodates both left and right-handed users for maximum flexibility.

SonicStage® Music Management Software Supplied
Manage your music, create playlists, burn CDs, import digital files and easily transfer music to their Walkman® MP3 players.

Multi-Language Display
Allows you to choose from 9 different languages including: English, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean and Chinese (traditional/simplified).
6-Band Equalizer