As we creep slowly into 2008, I can't seem to shake the sinking feeling that this year isn't going to have much to offer in the realm of MP3 players.
Truly, it's going to be hard to follow 2007. The year ushered in a growing selection of devices with wireless capabilities, touch screens, and high capacity flash memory at increasingly lower prices -- not to mention the slow death of hard drive-based portable media players.
In fact, many of my top selections from the past year comprise at least one of these features, along with many other desirable traits. True, they are not all necessarily the highest scorers of the year, but each one gave 2007 a little piece of its MP3 player identity.
The year Sony stepped-up its game. The electronics giant made a lot of people really pleased when it finally gave up on its horrific SonicStage software, and moved its new Walkmans to the more user-friendly MTP platform. Sony added support for both AAC and WMA, while retaining its reputation for excellent battery life and sound. As a result, the NWZ-A818 is one of the best players I've ever laid hands on (I even bought one for my own brother).
Other player of note: the FM radio-sporting Sony NWZ-S615.
The year touch screens and the Web hit mainstream PMPs. Oh, the touch screen. You either love it, or you hate it (or maybe you're indifferent). Regardless of your feelings on the matter, there was no stopping this new interface's infestation in the portable media player market. No doubt, it has some benefits, one of them being increased control functionality on relatively compact devices. This has helped manufacturers include Web applications on MP3 players, such as the iPod Touch, and the Archos 605 Wi-Fi. Both players utilise their wireless capabilities for handy, on-demand video functionality. There's nothing like a promise of instant gratification to get more consumers snatching up devices.
Other player of note: the Bluetooth-friendly Samsung P2.
The year flash memory took over the world. The slow extermination of the hard drive in MP3 players has been met with mixed feelings. On the one hand, flash memory is more stable, consumes less power, and just seems to get cheaper and cheaper each day. On the other hand, we're a ways off from file-hoarding 120GB capacities in solid state form. However, manufacturers have made their choice and it's flash, so you might as well start getting used to it.
On the plus side, you can take solace in the fact that 2007 saw the introduction of an MP3 player -- the Creative Zen, to be exact -- with 16GB of internal flash memory as well as an SD (and SDHC) card expansion slot. Also, things got really cheap over the last year, with SanDisk pushing out a great-sounding, handily-designed 2GB Sansa Clip for less than AU$120.
Other players of note: pretty much all of them. Apple's 32GB iPod Touch just missed the cut-off with its February 6 debut -- look for similarly spec'd players to hit the shelves this year.
Apple iPod Touch
If the Touch is the player that you want, that you really, really want, you've probably got one already. Fence-sitters should stay there until next year when third-party apps or version 2.0 comes out.
Archos 605 
The Archos 605 Wi-Fi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy.
SanDisk Sansa Clip
The SanDisk Sansa Clip is an incredible value MP3 player that's set to edge out the competition with a user-friendly interface, gym-worthy design, and great sound quality.
Creative Zen Digital Media Player
Effectively a member of the Vision series, the Zen Digital Media Player handles most popular music and videos formats in a handy credit card sized form factor.
Sony NWZ-A818 Walkman
One of the few MP3 players that sound great right out of the box. Users looking for the whole package (sans radio) will be pleased.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Be the first to comment on this article!