MP3 options, from Apple to Zune
Haven't jumped on the iPod bandwagon yet? Here's a look at some of your options
In the world of digital music players, there's the Apple iPod and everything else. Still, despite Apple Inc.'s 75 percent market share, the iPod doesn't have to be a consumer's only choice.
As digital music players turn into multimedia devices that let you do everything from play movies to check e-mail, other companies are making inroads.
"Apple captured the market in 2001 because Apple made it cheap and easy to download music to an MP3 player," says Jim Barry, the Framingham-based spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association. "But the market is not completely saturated, there's still an untapped market of people who don't yet own a portable digital music player."
The Globe tested five digital music players, from the high-end $299 iPod touch, with its colorful screen, Internet access, and a 3 1/2-inch display, to the budget 1-gigabyte Sansa Clip, which, at $39.99, is slightly bigger than a thumb but still can hold 250 songs.
We also tested the most popular digital music player, the iPod nano, and the Microsoft Zune. Microsoft overhauled its product line last fall, enhancing features such as Wi-Fi and music sharing, and adding an online music networking site called Zune Social, where you can share music and see what friends are listening to.
Finally, we tested the Sony Walkman, which dominated the portable audio market in the 1980s with its tape and CD players. Sony is now touting its superior sound quality as a way to crack the MP3 market in a big way.
We thought all the players offered good sound and ease of use, but it was hard to resist the iPod nano's magic combination of style, affordability, and simplicity. In addition, the wide selection of music, videos, TV shows, movies, podcasts, and audiobooks available on iTunes made the nano our top choice.
Barry says consumers should ask a single question when buying an MP3 player: What do you want to do with it? This year almost all offer a way to download video as well as music. You can buy TV shows or music videos from iTunes, for example - or rent movies for $3.99 each.
But if you want an MP3 player only to listen to music while exercising, you'll probably want a less expensive device with a flash memory that doesn't skip when it shakes. You also might want an FM radio if your gym requires one to access TV stations.
Most players come with a range of memory capacity. Again, it's important to think about your needs before choosing. A basic 1-gigabyte model holds about 250 songs, while a few players offer 80 gigabytes, with a hard drive that allows you to store 20,000 songs. The typical player has 8 gigabytes, which holds 2,000 songs.
Downloading music is probably the most complicated part of owning an MP3 player, and each company we tested is trying to make it easier. Apple iPod has had success with what it calls its closed iPod ecosystem. As soon as you plug in your iPod to your computer, you're connected to iTunes and can start downloading. But the catch is that you must download from iTunes.
Other players let you download from a variety of sources, such as Napster and Rhapsody, but the learning curve is a bit steeper for first-time users.
IPOD NANO
Cost $199 for 8-gigabyte model (also comes in a 4-gigabyte version for $149)
Pros The nano has a great design and is easy to use. A new option: Nike + iPod Sport Kit, which allows you to connect your sneakers to your iPod to upload your workout performance to give you a personal training experience.
Cons No FM radio, small screen if you use it to watch videos.
The final word The nano is the most popular digital musical player out there and it's easy to see why.
IPOD TOUCH Cost $299 for 8-gigabyte model (also comes in a 16-gigabyte version for $399 and 32 gigabytes for $499)
Pros The touch has a large, clear screen for watching videos. It's easy to navigate using the touch-screen feature. It offers Internet access, as well as e-mail, along with music and videos.
Cons It's pricey, and probably more than you need in an MP3 player. It's also bigger than most rivals.
The final word This is the top-of-the-line iPod with all the bells and whistles.
MICROSOFT ZUNE Cost $179.99 for 8-gigabyte model (also comes in a 4-gigabyte model for $129.99 and 80 gigabytes for $249.99)
Pros The redesign makes the Zune almost as attractive as the iPod. It has a wireless feature that allows you to download music from your computer or to share music with other Zunes. It has its own online music store, Zune Marketplace, and an online music networking site, Zune Social.
Cons Video selection isn't as wide as iTunes.
The final word Zune looks almost as stylish as an iPod, but slightly cheaper.
SANSA CLIP Cost $39.99 for 1-gigabyte model (also comes in 2 gigabytes for $59.99 and a 4 gigabytes for $79.99)
Pros Sansa Clip is a good value. It's perfect for travel and exercise. It has a built-in FM tuner and recorder so you can record songs off the radio, or your own thoughts. Even though it's small, it has a screen so you can see what song is playing.
Cons It's not high style and it doesn't have video.
The final word A good, inexpensive alternative.
SONY WALKMAN Cost $199 for 8 gigabytes (also comes in a 1-gigabyte model for $49; 2 gigabytes for $89.99; 4 gigabytes for $119; and 16 gigabytes for $319)
Pros Now you can download music from a variety of non-Apple platforms. Its noise-canceling feature, and earphones, offer better sound than most.
Cons Doesn't really stand out from the crowd. Looks more old-fashioned than some players.
The final word Sony is number one in Japan, and is working hard to break Apple's stranglehold in the United States. 