Donald Bell,
March 11, 2008
Every company wants to make the next industry-defining product, but few have the guts to create something innovative. Here are the products that keep my job interesting.
First off, the Microsoft Zune. After years spent attached to my iPod, it's refreshing to finally have an alternative MP3 player that can compete against Apple in interface design, storage capacity, and features (including excellent podcast integration and subscription music support). For those times when I just want to lay in bed and listen to Internet radio, the Chumby has quickly made a home on my nightstand. Logitech's new Squeezebox Duet may not be as luxurious an in-home streaming music solution as the Sonos, but at half the price, who can complain? When it comes to Wi-Fi portable video players, I just can't choose between the Archos 605 WiFi and iPod Touch--so I'll take them both, thank you. Finally, without some great headphones, even the best MP3 player will sound like a dollar-bin radio. The Shure SE530 in-ear headphones are out of my price range, but that shouldn't stop me from including them on my hot list, right?
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| Price | $229.99 to $549.99 | $179.95 | $278.99 to $479.61 | $279.95 to $451.53 | $344.95 to $479.97 | $289.00 to $449.99 |
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| Review date | November 12, 2007 | February 25, 2008 | March 04, 2008 | August 30, 2007 | September 17, 2007 | August 20, 2007 |
| The Bottom Line | The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative. | Whether you use it as a digital photo frame, Internet radio receiver, an advanced alarm clock, or some Web 2.0 task of your own devising, the Chumby is an extremely fun tech toy for the wired, modern home. | With its excellent iPod-like remote, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet is an ideal way to stream the full range of digital music--including files on your computer's hard drive, premium subscription music services, and free Internet radio--to your living room stereo system. | The Archos 605 WiFi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy. | The iPod Touch is a beautiful product, inside and out, but prepare yourself for sticker shock. | Travel-happy audiophiles will be infinitely pleased with the Shure SE530s, but these earbuds should also be a consideration for anyone who has half a grand to drop on some sweet headphones. |
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| Features | ||||||
| Connectivity Technology | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Wired |
| Headphones Type | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Headphones - Binaural |
| Product Type | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Headphones - Wired |
| Product Description | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Shure SE530 - Headphones |
| Hard drive | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
160 GB |
32 GB |
Info unavailable |
| Weight |
4.5 oz |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
9.2 oz |
4.2 oz |
Info unavailable |
| Height |
4.3 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
3.2 in |
4.3 in |
Info unavailable |
| Depth |
0.5 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
0.8 in |
0.3 in |
Info unavailable |
| Width |
2.4 in |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
4.8 in |
2.4 in |
Info unavailable |
| Display type | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
TFT 4.3 in - Color |
LCD 3.5 in |
Info unavailable |
| Sound output mode |
Stereo |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Product type |
Digital player / radio |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Included accessories | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Stereo headphones USB cable Carrying pouch |
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